Colwyn Bay 2 - 0 Barrow - 05/05/01 - League
The Bay retained their UniBond
League Premier Division status with a final day win over Barrow at a sun
drenched Llanelian Road.
The Seagulls had the perfect start, which did wonders for the nerves. From the
kick off, Cross gave the ball to Marc Limbert whose ball down the right found
James McIlvogue who beat Barrow keeper Simon Bishop, within the space of 10
seconds, possibly the fastest goal ever seen at Llanelian Road.
Bay fans were still celebrating that early goal when their side went 2-0 ahead
after just five minutes. McIlvogue pounced again as he latched onto
another Limbert pass, beating the offside trap and steering his shot past
Bishop.
The home side were in determined mood, controlling the first half play and they
could have gone further ahead when McIlvogue's shot was denied by Tony Hall's
clearance off the line, this after ten minutes of the first half.
Eight minutes later, man of the moment McIlvogue chested Jonathan Cross' free
kick wide of the post, before Barrow created their first real chance of the game
on 22 minutes when Graham Anthony shot wide.
There was more purpose to the Bluebirds play in the second half, with Wayne
Bullimore shooting wide and Jamie Jardine heading Mark Hume's effort off the
line.
But the Bay were always in control and they could have extended their lead
through efforts with Bishop denying Craig Lawton, Alun Evans and a Jonathan
Cross free kick, while McIlvogue, Graham Roberts and Marc Limbert saw their
efforts go wide.
In the end those two early goals were enough for the Bay and the three points
were in the bag to secure the Seagulls Premier Division status.
After looking down and out only a few games previously, the Seagulls battling
qualities coupled with an unbeaten run maintained their place in
the league, and meant that Bryn Jones had managed to keep the Bay in the UniBond
elite in his final season in charge.
Finally a word about the supporters, who played their own part in helping their
team survive.
Colwyn Bay:
R Roberts, M Woods (C Lawton), P Jones, D Williams, C Caton, J Jardine, M
Limbert, G Roberts (G Graham), A Evans, J McIlvogue, J Cross Sub: (not used): O
Roberts.
Independent General Insurance Services Man of the Match: James McIlvogue
Match and Matchball Sponsor: Mr Norman Pye