COLWYN BAY were crowned JD Cymru North Champions with a 2-0 away win at Penrhyncoch, while second-placed Holywell Town lost 2-1 at home to Llandudno – with ex-Seagull Marc Williams scoring the match-winning goal.
Goals from Craig Lindfield and a second half penalty by Matty Hill (Bay’s 100th league goal of the campaign) earned the three points against a battling Penrhyncoch side which secures Welsh Premier football next season.
Early Bay pressure saw Tom Creamer shoot narrowly over the bar and the referee refuse a penalty shout when Dylan Allshorn went down in the area.
Penrhyncoch then hit a post in a rare attack before Bay took the lead on 16 minutes with Craig Linfield scoring from the edge of the area.
Sam Hart hit the post with a header from Alex Downes’ cross after home keeper Ollie Farebrother had punched out a Tom McCready free kick, and Bay had numerous chances to extend their lead before half-time with Farebrother making good saves from Craig LInfield and Dylan Allshorn, while Alex Downes and Lewis Sirrell both headed over the bar from Tom McCready corners.
Jack Crichton,. however, had to make a good save from Dan Owen right at the end of the half to keep Bay’s lead intact at the break and Penrhyncoch had a big penalty shout of their own turned down when Tom Evans went down under a challenge in the box
The Seagulls had to replace injured Tom McCready at half-time, but continued to create chances with the home side clearing off the line from Hill, and Kristian Platt heading just wide from Cai Owen’s free kick.
The keeper made a fine save from Hill and Tom Creamer headed another big chance over the bar from Alex Downes excellent cross.
The points were secured, however, on 80 minutes when Bay were awarded a penalty in a goalmouth scramble and Matty Hill scored his 16th goal of the season from the spot.
“It’s brilliant,” Bay manager Steve Evans said. “I’d like to thank my players. They’ve given me everything from start to finish.
“If you do the work good things will come your way.
“I’d like to thank the board for their work and getting the Tier 1 licence and doing the work off the field as well. I know how much hard graft goes in.
“And a massive thank you to the Seagulls fans. Again from start to finish they’ve been superb. They’re brilliant and they deserve that.
“Through the history, the ups and downs, today’s a good day for everybody involved with Colwyn Bay.”
Delighted manager Steve Evans’ post-match comments on Manager Interview – Penrhyncoch vs CPD bae Colwyn – YouTube
COLWYN BAY: Jack Crichton, Cai Owen (J Williams 90), Lewis Sirrell, Sam Downey, Tom McCready (Matty Hill 45), Dylan Allshorn (Stef Edwards 76), Craig Lindfield (G Williams 76), Sam Hart, Kristian Platt, Alex Downes, Tom Creamer. Subs not used: Cameron Darling, Jamie Cumming, Joel Giblin.
Celebration time. Photo by Damon Mead.
