Seagulls Play Push Soars - Colwyn Bay vs. Ciltheroe

Great setting for a sunny day of football

On Saturday morning I was up for the bus back into Gobowen and the train on to Colwyn Bay. And after seeing an English based team in a Welsh league, it was a Welsh based side in an English league today. Colwyn Bay were pushing for the play offs in The Northern League South and although they were five points behind Trafford in the last play off spot, they had a game in hand and played them at home on Thursday night. The nearest I'd come to seeing either side play was coming to Colwyn Bay and the North Wales area for many holidays when I was younger. The boyfriend of my old housemate was also a big Clitheroe fan and we always talked about visiting (the ground looks great). Clitheroe were comfortable in mid-table and the reverse fixture in September ended in a three-one win for today's hosts.

Clitheroe about to get the game started at Llanelian Road

Even though Colwyn Bay dominate possession from the very early stages it takes them a little while to begin creating chances, a half break stopped by a great Clitheroe tackle the highlight in the opening exchanges. When the opening clear cut chances comes along for Colwyn Bay, it isn't wasted. The man on the corner of the box is allowed to advance on goal and he hammers the ball home to make it one nil. They get in on goal again shortly afterwards but this time the Clitheroe keeper is quickly off his line to narrow the angle. Towards the end of the half, Colwyn Bay are able to advance straight down the middle and the forward makes no mistake to double the lead.

Colwyn Bay on the attack in the first half

It is Clitheroe who emerge with intent at the start of the second half and they see a thunderous shot cannon off the bar. They come close again as a shot is flashed wide of the target but from then it's all Colwyn Bay. A long ball forward is well controlled by the forward before he cuts inside and knocks the ball in to make it three nil. Clitheroe then begin to tire and when they give away the ball on the half way line, the Colwyn Bay forward gets behind, then squares it for his team mate who taps the ball home. Clitheroe again gives the ball away and again they are punished as the forward gets the home side's fifth. Clitheroe get a well deserved consolation late on and with Trafford losing at Goole, Colwyn Bay's play off challenge is alive and well.

Three nil Colwyn Bay

This is another long trip from London. You again have to take a train from Euston and change at Chester for the train to Colwyn Bay. The ground is then a twenty five minute walk away which you can do a lot along the beach. Alternatively, the 23 bus goes from the station, direct to the ground. If you spend time in the town centre you have to visit The Bay Hop which is a brilliant micro pub although I don't think normally opens until two (it was a 1940s festival when I was there so opened early) so could be one for after the game. To break up the walk I stopped off at The Cuckoo in Old Conway which had the early kick off on. The clubhouse had the usual selection of drinks as well as their own bitter. As you can tell from the pictures it is a great ground with scenic surrounds and a great second stop off!.

Covered standing opposite the main stand