A SUPERB opportunist strike from 45 yards by Tommy Creamer earned Colwyn Bay their first goal and first point in the Welsh top flight as they came from behind to draw 1-1 away to Barry Town United.
When Barry keeper Mike Lewis came out his area to head away a dangerous long ball, it fell for Tommy who, from the edge of the centre circle, hit a first-time volley back over the keeper’s head and into the net for a spectacular 61st minute equaliser.
It was another Creamer screamer in front the S4C cameras which earned Tommy the Sgorio Man of the Match award.
The Seagulls had gone behind after only 12 minutes when they were caught out by a long throw in and Sam Snaith scored with a neat turn and shot inside the near post.
Bay suffered a shaky period right after that when Barry had an effort cleared off the line by Alex Downes and saw another header hit the post, but they managed to steady the ship and Matty Hill had a chance to level just before the interval, but saw his effort beaten away for a corner by the keeper.
Earlier Nick Rushton saw a good shot from distance rebound off the keeper before being cleared, while Dylan Allshorn and Dan Jones both had shots comfortably saved.
Injuries to Sam Downey and Danny Holmes either side of half-time did not help Bay’s cause, but substitutes Guto Williams, Jamie Cumming, Ryan Edwards and new signing Udoyen Akpen all did well when they came on.
Akpen, a former Tranmere Rovers youngster who has been playing in Italy in recent years, looked particularly lively when he came on up front, while Guto Williams and Alex Downes did well as a new central defensive partnership.
Tom Creamer’s equaliser set the game up for an exciting final 30 minutes and the Seagulls might have won it when Matty Hill was put clear on goal, but he couldn’t beat the advancing keeper with his shot.
The Bay, who had Alfie Brooks making his debut in goal, defended stoutly against late Barry pressure to secure the point, despite a couple of players struggling with cramp, before Dan Jones fired a late chance over the bar from 20 yards.
“I thought first half our play was really sloppy and some was really good,” manager Steve Evans said.
“But we have to be better as a group. Some of the decision making was not up to where we need to be.
“That said, second half we’ve come out and we’ve had a real good go.
“To be fair to Tommy Creamer it’s some strike, it’s probably got to be goal of the season.
“To hit it on the full volley and have that control, it’s a special goal.
“For that to be the first goal for Colwyn Bay in the Welsh Prem is something special.”
Full interview with Steve Evans can be found here.
COLWYN BAY: Alfie Brooks, Dan Jones, Alex Downes, Danny Holmes (Guto Williams 51), Stefan Edwards, Sam Downey (Ryan Edwards 42), Nick Rushton (Jamie Cumming 59), Tom Creamer, Matty Hill, Sam Turner, Dylan Allshorn (Udoyen Akpan 60). Sub not used: Joe Smith (G)
Attendance 521
