Colwyn Bay’s first-ever Cymru Premier goal will never be forgotten!

CYMRU PREMIER LEAGUE – AUGUST 19, 2023

Barry Town United 1 (Snaith 12)
Colwyn Bay 1 (Creamer 61)

It is doubtful that any team’s first-ever goal in the League of Wales, Welsh Premier or Cymru Premier will have been as good as Tommy Creamer’s remarkable effort for Colwyn Bay on Saturday.

Just past the hour at Jenner Park, Barry keeper Mike Lewis rushed out of his area to head clear a dangerous long ball, but from the edge of the centre circle Creamer sent a controlled first-time volley back over the custodian’s head – and one bounce later it was in the net.

Bay manager Steve Evans was in no doubt that he had seen something extraordinary.

“To be fair to Tommy Creamer it’s some strike, it’s probably got to be goal of the season,” he said.

“To hit it on the full volley and have that control, it’s a special goal.

“For that to be the first goal for Colwyn Bay in the Welsh Prem is something special.”

Beaten 4-0 at home by Caernarfon Town on their Cymru Premier debut, also in front of the live TV cameras, the previous weekend, the Seagulls travelled to South Wales for another S4C Sgorio date anxious to avoid back-to-back defeats.

The visitors had gone behind after only 12 minutes when they were caught out by a long throw in and Sam Snaith scored with a neat turn and shot inside the near post.

Bay suffered a shaky period right after that when Barry had an effort cleared off the line by Alex Downes and saw another header hit the post, but they managed to steady the ship and Matty Hill had a chance to level just before the interval, but saw his strike beaten away for a corner by Lewis.

Earlier Nick Rushton saw a good shot from distance rebound off the keeper before being cleared, while Dylan Allshorn and Dan Jones both had attempts comfortably saved.

Injuries to Sam Downey and Danny Holmes either side of half-time did not help Bay’s cause, but substitutes Guto Williams, Jamie Cumming, Ryan Edwards and new signing Udoyen Akpen all did well when they came on.

Akpen, a former Tranmere Rovers youngster who has been playing in Italy in recent years, looked particularly lively when he came on up front, while Williams and Downes did well as a new central defensive partnership.

Creamer’s equaliser set the game up for an exciting final 30 minutes and the Seagulls might have won it when Hill was put clear on goal, but he couldn’t beat the advancing keeper with his shot.

The Bay, who had Alfie Brooks making his debut in goal, defended stoutly against late Barry pressure to secure the point.