Colwyn Bay 2 - 3 Marine - 26/12/00 - League
There was to be no Boxing Day
cheer for the Bay as they fell to defeat at the hands of Marine at Llanelian
Road, a defeat which means they haven't won in 11 League and Cup matches, not
since their 3-2 win over Worksop back in October.
Having lost in the FA Cup and the League Cup at College Road earlier in the
season, the Bay had a score to settle with the Merseysiders. But it was the
visitors who took an early grip of the game.
Within the opening quarter of the game Gerard Courteney gave Marine the lead
with a diving header, following Dave Gamble's left wing cross.
In reply, James McIlvogue's cross was deflected onto the post by Mark Schofield,
but Marine almost doubled their advantage when Gary Randles hit a post and David
Thompson found the side netting with an effort.
Richie Roberts was kept busy in the Bay goal, denying Rick Bainbridge and Brian
Burns. His opposite number Chris Clarke had to be alert to push an Alun Evans
shot round the post.
In the second half Marine continued to boss the proceedings. Courtney hit a post
on 56 minutes and within minutes he's scored a second after he was left unmarked
in the box to head home.
Marine made it three on 64 minute, when Brian Burns raced into the penalty area
and blasted a low drive inside the post from 15 yards.
As has happened previously this season, the Bay woke up and battled back to set
up a thrilling finale. Craig Lawton scored his first goal of the season with a
low shot from 25 yards which crept inside Chris Clarke's left hand post. A
minute later James McIlvogue broke on the left hand side and from his low cross
Alun Evans fired into the roof of the net.
Bay went in search of an equaliser which ten minutes earlier had seemed highly
unlikely. Colin Caton's goalbound header was headed over the bar by a defender
while Graham Roberts had a shot saved by Clarke.
The game was marred by a late flare up involving the Bay's Stuart Gelling and
Rick Bainbridge, which resulted in both men being sent off. In the Bay's case
the third player to be shown the red card in as many games.
Colwyn Bay:
R Roberts, G Roberts, P Jones, O Roberts, C Caton, M Price (M Woods), J
Holmes (S Gelling), J Cross (M Jones), J McIlvogue, A Evans, C Lawton.
Colwyn Bay Man of the Match (Sponsored by Independent General Insurance):
James McIlvogue
Match Sponsors: Design 2 Print, Llandudno