Colwyn Bay 2 - 4 Stockport County - 21/07/01 - Friendly
The Seagulls turned on an impressive first half display against County and led 2-1 before the loss of a couple of key players let the visitors back into the game. Without a regular goalkeeper available, Jim Smith, the former Everton midfielder and now director of football development at Rhyl, deputised in goal. Stockport took the lead after nine minutes when Frazer McLachlin was presented with a simple header from a corner. The Bay were far from overawed, though, and came back strongly to take the lead with two goal in three minutes. Jon Fisher-Cooke latched onto a long ball and raced into the area only to be up-ended by Jon Myers and the resulting penalty was scored by Marc Limbert after 16 minutes. Three minutes later Limbert's corner was misjudged by 'keeper James Spencer and centre-back Jamie Jardine vollyed home at the far post. Stockport got back on equal terms after 22 minutes when Ian Lawson volleyed home from close range after McLachlin's header was blocked. Colwyn finished the half on top with four corners in quick succession and nearly re-took the lead though Jason Jones, Fisher-Cooke and Limbert. But midfield ace Limbert limped off along with striker James McIlvogue shortly in the second half and the face of the game changed. A defensive mistake by Paul Jones let in Swede Jonas Larssen for a simple tap in the 50th minute and 13 minutes later Jon Daley netted the rebound after Mclachin's free kick hit the post. The Bay refused to accept defeat, however, and with several talented youngsters on the pitch they began to push the Football Leaguers back. Fisher-Cook from Rhyl and fellow teenager Cavin Davies from Ruthin Town were particularly outstanding and deserved to get their names on the scoresheet. Both players tested Spencer with excellent efforts and the new management team of Colin Caton and Dean Martin, with the assistance of Steve Jones from Rhyl, will be delighted with the side's pre-season progress.
The Seagulls take a 2-1 lead as Stockport 'keeper James Spencer fails to hold a Limbert corner as Jamie Jardine (no. 5) steals in on the right to volley home the Bay's second goal.
Gilly battles for the ball during another Bay corner.
The second half midfield battle.