Match Report

COLWYN BAY progressed to the next round of the JD Welsh Cup by completing a league and cup double  over Gresford Athletic.

The game saw both recent signings Mitch Bryant and James Kirby in the starting line-up and they played a big part in the victory.

In the first half Bryant had a header tipped over the bar by home keeper Williams, while both he and Sion Edwards were narrowly wide with good efforts  and Bryant had a goal ruled out for offside after he turned the ball into the net from close range following a Joe Williams volley.

Andy Coughlin had to make a good save to deny Gresford in a goalmouth scramble, but the Bay took the lead just before half-time.

Kirkby’s pass found Mitch Bryant and his shot flew past the keeper.

In the second half Kirby had an effort well saved by the keeper and Sam Jones saw a shot parried over the bar, before Gresford equalised with a 59th minute penalty, converted by ex-Bay striker Joe Chaplin.

Colwyn Bay, however, were back in front on 70 minutes when James Kirby’s effort hit the bar and Sam Jones rifled home the rebound for the match winner.

The Bay also had a big shout for penalty waved away by the referee when Kirby seemed to be bundled to the floor in the area.

MITCH BRYANT has been voted Man of the Match.

MANAGER Craig Hogg commented afterwards: “I’m pleased with the win and I feel it is what our players deserved on the night.

“The game was a proper cup tie and it felt open and quite frantic at times, but  that said we coped very well with that, imposed ourselves and scored two good goals.

“The big disappointment from the players was that we didn’t win the game by a larger scoreline – and to see our lads disappointed by that in the dressing room afterwards pleased me a lot.

“Our two new players Mitch (Bryant) and James (Kirby) were very positive and I was pleased with both. They fitted into the system  we played well and I’m delighted with how they applied themselves.

“We have had a number of challenges thrown at us pretty much since pre-season and tonight was no different.

“An hour before kick off we had the news that both Cai Owen and Sam Downey were ineligible to play – although I still don’t know why that was the case!

“Robbie Parry was also ruled out after picking up a groin injury in training this week.

“That left us light on numbers and we had to re-organise quickly, with only two outfield players on the bench.,

“To say I’m proud of how all the players overcame that challenge is putting it mildly. They deserve much credit for that.

“We are in the hat and now look forward to the draw for the next round.

“All our attention will now shift to the Prestatyn game next Friday evening and we move on with our preparations for that.

“We will be without Llyr Morris, however, as he has decided to spend some time away from football for the time being, and I support his decision.”

COLWYN Bay will discover who their Welsh Cup Third Round opponents on Monday evening (Sept 6). It will be an open draw and national rather than regionalised.

The JD Welsh Cup Draw Show for Round 3 will be on the FAW’s Facebook & YouTube channels from 8pm on Monday, 6 September.

The Third Round will be played 24/25 September.