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| Kristian Dennis - likely to miss Saturday's game with a hamstring injury |
By Chris Larkin
A deflated County team left the pitch with just a single measly point to show from their first four games as a Conference North side after Colwyn Bay stole a win with less than 15 minutes to go in front of a dejected 2,500 crowd at Edgeley Park.
Colwyn Bay, featuring former County youth prospects,Cameron Darkwah and Paul Ennis, were out of the block immediately as they won a free-kick and then a corner within the first two minutes, making it abundantly clear they weren't going to be a soft touch.
County did grow into the game as the match went on. Verma had a chance that was well tipped over by the Welsh visitors goalkeeper before Rhys Turner had a quickfire shot well parried by the keeper.
County did continue to push for the first goal but it certainly wasn't all one way traffic as both teams exchanged chances in a real end-to-end game.
Just before half-time County came painfully close to getting the opening goal as some great build up play from the impressive Verma, pumped an inviting cross for Iain Howard who had his effort cleared off the line.
Unfortunately for County no-one in a blue shirt was quick enough to stab home the loose ball as the effort was cleared by the Welshmen and the score stayed level going into the half time break.
County replaced the injured Kristian Dennis with Phil Jevons at the start of the second half and the Hatters looked to carry on the momentum from the first 45 minutes with an immediate attack down the left. Turner linked up well with the hugely impressive new fan favourite, Adriano Moke, who forced the visiting goalkeeper into a wonder stop to deny the tricky winger.
County had another wonderful chance shortly afterwards as Aman Verma did excellently to reach the ball with a diving header that thumped off the post.
Colwyn Bay did have their chances in the half with Smyth firing across Ormson's goal, unlucky not to score himself.
Then a couple of really good saves were required of Ian Ormson who is looking to earn the trust of the fans again and went a long way to doing that with two smart stops.
Ian Craney came on to replace Jamie Hand and while County were in the ascendancy, the visitors were certainly not lying back and taking it.
County had another golden opportunity from a Verma header, this time though he hit the other post, with the 'keeper well beaten.
It immediately got worse as Colwyn Bay went down the other end, and though Ormson saved the initial shot, the ball only reached substitute Matthews, who confidently backheeled the ball into the net to give Colwyn a somewhat undeserved lead with only 13 minutes remaining.
County's overall performance was much improved from the dire showing at Altrincham, but still wasn't anywhere near good enough to win the game.
The question now is how long can the board afford to wait before giving Ian Bogie additional funds to bring in new faces?
Not much longer, surely?
County Line-up: Ormson, Jacobs, O'Halloran, Fagbola, Charnock, Verma, Moke, Hand (Craney), Howard (Windsor), Turner, Dennis (Jevons).
Attendance: 2,561 (74 Away Fans)
Sorry but cant agree with the description of Colwyn Bay stealing a win.
ReplyDeleteBay had at least 4 chances to score in the second half that would have led to goals if Bay had more competent strikers.
Yes County hit the post twice but created far fewer chances than Colwyn Bay and they had a 41 year old centre half on the pitch!