Harrogate Town 2 - 0 Colwyn Bay- 03/11/01 - F.A. Trophy 1st Round
In the first half of this tie Harrogate were quicker to the ball and sharper with their passing. They harried Bay into constantly giving the ball away in midfield allowing players to run at the defence from deep. Therefore, it came as no surprise when the hosts took the lead in the 13th minute. Raiding fullback Dave Merris ran unchallenged from his own half before delivering a deep cross which Scott Bonsall headed past Paul Smith, and only a last-ditch takle by Glen Graham prevented Michael Ord adding a second minutes later when after another unchallenged 20 yard run into the penalty area. Harrogate had 12 attempts at goal in the first half to Colwyn Bay's three, yet the visitors could have been level at the interval with Bay Man of the Match Limbert clipping the post with a 20 yard shot and Deiniol Graham missed the target from 12 yards with a free header from Limbert's free kick. Smith made another acrobatic save to deny Ian Blackstone early in the second half, but with Alun Evans introduced at half-time in place of Jonathan Cross, Colwyn Bay were just starting to get a foothold in the match and producing some controlled attacking play when disaster struck. In the 71st minute Ian Dunne's header over the advancing Smith hit the angle of post and bar and bounced back towards the 'keeper but Smith, who assumed that play had stopped, kicked the ball first onto the post and then into the back of the net to the disbelief of both sets of supporters. There was no way back for Bay after that and the hosts twice went close to adding to their lead while a couple of long range efforts by Craig Lawton were the only moments of danger for home 'keeper Ashley Connor.
Colwyn Bay: Paul Smith, Stuart Scheuber, Dean Williams(Craig Hogg 70), Paul Jones, Glen Graham,
Jason Jones(C), Marc Limbert, Jon Cross(Alun Evans 45), Deiniol Graham,
James McIlvogue, Craig Lawton. Subs not used. Owain Roberts, Colin Caton, Graham Roberts. Attendance 305.
Craig Lawton lays on a ball for Colwyn Bay Man of the Match Marc Limbert.
Dean Williams challenges for a high ball while Jason Jones watches on.
Stuart Scheuber about to put in a cross to Gilly.