June 12, 2021 - 1570 views
The Seagulls won their opening pre-season friendly at Bangor 1876 with a first half header by Jordan Carrington from a corner.
Bangor hit the post in the second half, but it needed a fine double save by their trialist keeper to prevent Colwyn Bay adding a second.
Colwyn Bay manager Craig Hogg was pleased to have started pre-season preparations with a hard fought away win.
The game at Bangor University playing fields in Treborth was played in front of a crowd of around 100, with the game designated as an FAW Test Event for the safe return of supporters.
“It was a really positive run-out,” said Craig after seeing his side earn the victory courtesy of a first half goal.
“Pre-season results do have a value to them because you want to get that winning mindset and winning games obviously breeds confidence.
“But more than anything it was more of a joy to see two teams on a football pitch and playing the game. It’s been so long since both teams have had a game.
“It was brilliant to see people around the place and watching football.
“I thought the way Bangor 1876 conducted the whole Test event was very good. Everyone felt safe and it worked really well and they deserve a huge amount of credit for how they facilitated the game.”
A number of players made their Bay debuts including Ilan Hughes, Llyr Morris, Gwion Owen, Kristian Platt, while George Mannion also made his second bow for the Bay on his return to the club
The Bay also fielded a couple of trialists against the side who will play in the fourth tier North Wales Coast West Football League Premier Division next season.
“In terms of the performances, yes there are things we can do better and improve on,” Craig added.
“But in terms of everything that we look for in a Colwyn Bay player – attitude, desire to work, desire to win the ball back and to try and play the game in what we feel is the right way – that was on show.
“And I was really, really pleased with that today.”
Next for the Seagulls will be a friendly against Denbigh Town next Saturday, which will be played at Eirias Park due to ongoing pitch work at the Four Crosses Arena.
“We’ve got a schedule of games coming up that will now go hand in hand with our pre-season training programme as well,” Craig said.
“There are certain aspects we clearly need to work on and from a fitness point of view we’re getting there – games will gives us that extra dimension and fitness.
“It’s just making sure that we can prepare the players as best we can as a coaching team for what will be a really competitive league campaign.”
Reproduced with thanks to Colwyn Bay FC.
