THE New Saints scored the only goal of the game 10 minutes into the second half to edge a narrow 1-0 win over the Seagulls in front a crowd of 841 under the lights at the 4 Crosses Arena.
Adrian Cieslewicz got the goal with a looping header from Chris Marriott’s cross and although Bay created a couple of late chances to snatch an equaliser, the full-timers took the three points to stay unbeaten at the top of the table.
TNS dominated possession in the first half, but were restricted mainly to long range efforts as Bay stayed solid at the back, keeping their shape well, and Alfie Brooks made a good save at the feet of Jordan Williams.
The Bay did have a chance on the break when a great ball by Sam Turner released Udi Akpan, but his first touch was a little too heavy and TNS cleared.
Sam Turner curled an effort narrowly wide of the far post early in the second half, before the visitors took the lead with that 55th minute goal and Alfie Brooks had to make a couple of good saves as TNS pushed for a second without success.
Late in the game Dylan Allshorn did well to win the ball and run into the area, only to fluff his shot, and then Jamie Cummings created space for a shot, but curled his effort just over the bar in added time.
Manager Steve Evans said: “I’m really proud. On Saturday the first half wasn’t good enough, second half we were really positive and I asked them to take that into tonight.
“We had a gameplan – against TNS you have to stay in the game and we did that. We limited them to half chances, shots from the edge of the box.
“They got into some good areas but they didn’t really trouble us too much for how they can do.
“But the discipline, desire and commitment to stay in the shape and frustrate was excellent. Every one of the players deserve massive credit.
“We’re disappointed with the goal, it’s a sloppy goal from our point of view. That said, second half I thought we caused them a lot of problems when we went for it.”
See his post-match comments in full on Manager Interview – TNS – 30th August 2023 – YouTube
COLWYN BAY: Alfie Brooks, Alex Downes, Guto Williams, Stefan Edwards, Dan M Jones, Cai Owen (Sam Hart 68), Sam Turner (Dylan Allshorn 81), Nick Rushton, Tom Creamer (Jamie Cumming 69), Lloyd Marsh-Hughes (Matty Hill 69), Udoyen Akpan. Subs nopt used: Tom McCready, Danny Rhys Jones.
Attendance: 841
Match and Matchball Sponsors: Go2People
Photo courtesy The New Saints
