THE Seagulls won a thrilling penalty shoot-out 5-4 against Cymru Premier opponents Flint Town United in round two of the Nathaniel MG Cup – only to later hear they had been eliminated for a breach of a rule regarding substitutes. ( see Nathaniel MG Cup second round statement :: Cymru Football)
Dylan Allshorn’s goal had put the Bay ahead on 83 minutes, but Flint snatched an equaliser four minutes into added time.
Neither keeper was really tested in a goalless first half, although Ryan Woods came off his line to deny Flint’s Liam Ellis in a one-on-one.
Good play by Craig Lindfield almost played in Allshorn and Matty Hill skillfully worked himself an opening only to shoot tamely at Flint keeper David Szczpaniak.
Woods saved from Flint substitute Ben Hughes and Larnell Cole shot narrowly over the bar for the visitors, but after making four substitutions, including Sam Hart coming on for his club debut, Bay took the lead on 83 minutes when they took a quick throw-in and the ball was pulled back for Dylan Allshorn to score.
That looked like being the winner, but four minutes into added time Jean Louis Akpa-Akpro grabbed a last gasp equaliser for Flint to take the tie into penalties.
Ryan Woods then saved Flint’s first spot kick from Anthony Stevens, and Bay went onto win the shoot-out with Allshorn, James Kirby, Tom Creamer, Tom McCready and Lewis Sirrell all successfully netting from the spot .
Manager Steve Evans admitted his side haven’t really practiced penalties but added: “I just said to the boys be positive, be confident, pick your spot and to be fair they were five really good penalties.”
COLWYN BAY: Ryan Woods, Stefan Edwards (Sam Hart 62), Lewis Sirrell, Tom McCready, Matty Hill, Dylan Allshorn, Craig Lindfield (Tom Creamer 63), Guto Williams (Sam Downey 67), Kristian Platt, Alex Downes (Joe Williams 74), James Kirby. Unused sub: Cameron Darling.
Attendance: 626
