Colwyn Bay 2 - 1 Whitby Town - 21/04/01 - League
The Bay boosted their survival
hopes with a crucial home win against Whitby Town in the UniBond League Premier
Division, their second victory in six days.
It was a vital win as relegation rivals Frickley gained an unlikely home draw
with top five Lancaster City. The results leaving the Seagulls three points
behind them with two games in hand.
The Bay fully deserved their win, but yet again the home fans were made to
suffer.
With 13 minutes gone, Marc Limbert crossed for captain Graham Roberts to get in
a header that was saved on the line by Whitby's stand in keeper David Goodchild
and eight minutes later Craig Skelton broke from the half way line to fire
narrowly over the bar.
The Bay took the lead in the 34th minute as a long ball by Limbert was met by
Dean Williams whose drive was blocked but Deiniol Graham followed up to shoot
home from 10 yards.
Two minutes before the break the Seagulls increased their tally when a free kick
taken by Colin Caton from his own half was headed by Whitby centre half Kevin
Graham past his own keeper under pressure from Graham.
James McIlvogue almost made it 3-0 after 52 minutes when he collected Graham's
cross from the right but his shot was blocked by a ruck of
defenders.
Whitby came more into the game in the second half, with the Bay missing the
influence of Colin Caton who was forced out of the action early into the
second half. The North East side went close when Lee Ludlow latched onto a
mistake by Jamie Jardine only to hit his shot wide from 10 yards.
The visitors pulled a goal back in the 65th minute when Matthew Pitts delivered
a low cross which was swept in by substitute Graham Robinson from
close range.
The Seagulls were denied a blatant penalty, when James McIlvogue was chopped
down by keeper Goodchild, yet to the anger of the home fans, the referee waved
play on.
The Bay regained control of the game and Limbert's fierce drive was brilliantly
parried by Goodchild in the 71st minute. Limbert could also have
scored soon after, but missed out an excellent opportunity.
Richie Roberts in the Bay goal had his first serious save to make in the 80th
minute from Skelton's diving header, but it was a rare chance for the
visitors who might have been 3-1 behind in the 84th minute as Limbert
intercepted a clearance by Goodchild to fire narrowly over the bar.
Colwyn Bay:
R Roberts, M Woods, P Jones (A Evans), D Williams, C Caton (J Cross), J Jardine,
M Limbert, G Roberts, D Graham, J McIlvogue, O Roberts. Sub not used: S Gelling
Colwyn Bay Man of the Match: Owain Roberts