Llandudno 2-2 Colwyn Bay: Packed crowd sees late Seagulls equaliser

A late Stefan Edwards strike rescued a point for Colwyn Bay against local rivals Llandudno on Friday night in front of a bumper crowd at the OPS Wind Arena.

The Bay went ahead through new signing Matty Hill before the home side struck back through a low-driven effort by Danny Brookwell. Llandudno then went ahead in style thanks to a Shaun Cavanagh free kick before Edwards’ late strike spoiled the home side’s opening day party.

Llandudno started the game on the front foot, but the Bay came into it after five minutes with the first effort coming from Matty Hill after a good cross from Dylan Allshorn.

Toby Jones and Joe Chaplin were both lively in the first half, on this occasion it was Jones who looked to play in Chaplin but he mis-controlled the ball which saw Lewis Sirrell regain possession.

Kirby was one of the brightest sparks for the Bay in the early stages, he took on his man down the left with twenty plays and hit a shot that was easily saved by Roberts.

Cavanagh was the first to come close for Llandudno when his shot was dragged wide after 25 minutes.

With thirty minutes played there was another chance for the Bay yet again with Kirby who hit an effort from the left, saved again by Roberts.

The seagulls had a great chance to go ahead after 35 minutes when they broke down the right with Hill who looked to square the ball towards Kirby, but the defender managed to get a foot on the pass to direct it out for a corner.

New Bay recruit Allshorn caused problems down the left in the first period, he used his pace well with ten minutes to go in the half with a great run and cross from the left towards Edwards who was free in the box, he, however, didn’t manage to direct the ball towards the net and sent the ball behind for a goal kick.

The Seasiders best chance of the half fell to Cavanagh when Chaplin pulled the ball back to the number ten on the edge of the D, he looked to curl it, but Woods in the Bay net saved well.

Five minutes into the second half and Bay struck first, Allshorn yet again causing problems down the left, this time opting to cross from deep. His lofted cross was left to bounce by the Dudno defender, and it landed straight on the head of Matty Hill who nodded over the keeper to send the Bay fans wild.

Only a few moments later and Llandudno hit straight back through Danny Brookwell who was slid through one on one with the keeper and finished confidently with a low-driven shot under Woods in the Bay net.

With 70 minutes on the clock the Bay pushed for a second that very nearly came but for a great clearance from Sinkinson to deny a Bay attacker from an easy tap-in at the back post.

A few minutes later there was a penalty shout for Colwyn Bay when James Kirby was dragged down on the edge of the area. It was a close call, but the ref gave a free kick which didn’t come to anything as Edwards fired way over.

There was then a carbon copy foul this time at the other end when Jones won a free kick on the edge of the Bay area. It was Cavanagh that would step up and deliver he did with a sweet hit into the top left-hand corner to put the Seasiders ahead.

With less than 15 minutes to play the Bay kept pressing for an equaliser that very nearly came straight after conceding when Kirby held the ball up on the edge of the area and fed Ryan Edwards who forced a good save out of Roberts to keep Llandudno ahead.

Having played over 94 minutes the Seagulls had one last chance when the ball fell to star man Kirby at the back post, it looked like his header was going goal bound but for a last-ditch block by a black and white shirt to send the ball for a late corner. The resulting corner was cleared out to the edge of the box to meet sub-Stefan Edwards who met the ball beautifully and struck a rocket past a load of bodies and into the net with virtually the last kick of the game.

Verdict: A fantastic opening game to the new season with the Bay having the better of the ball and attempts but Llandudno were resilient and pulled out a few bits of quality when needed to cause Colwyn Bay problems.

There was a fantastic turnout at the OPS Wind Arena of 1585, a great sight to see.

Llandudno:

J.Roberts, D.Sinkinson, M.Slaven, M.Williams (S.Jones 54’), M.Blackwell-Jones, J.Chaplin (J.Williams 78’), S.Cavanagh (L.Williams 89’), D.Brookwell, L.Smith, T.Williams, T.Jones

Unused Subs: K.Baker, I.Carey

Goals: D.Brookwell 52’, S.Cavanagh 77’

Yellow Cards: L.Smith 73’

Colwyn Bay:

R.Woods, J.Williams (C.Owen 66’), L.Sirrell, S.Downey, G.Williams, M.Hill (T.Creamer 69’), D.Allshorn (S.Edwards 64’), K.Platt, A.Downes, R.Edwards, J.Kirby

Unused Subs:  C.Darling, C.Lindfield

Goals: M.Hill 52’, S.Edwards 90+5

(Featured Image: Sam Eaden/FAW)