Cymru Premier – Colwyn Bay celebrate first win in top flight

JD CYMRU PREMIER LEAGUE

Penybont 0
Colwyn Bay 1 (Downes 76)

September 9, 2023, will go down in history as the date Colwyn Bay won their first match in the Cymru Premier League.

Five previous games had yielded just a single point, but Steve Evans’ side gained maximum reward from their trip to Penybont.

And it was a cracking goal which clinched victory at the SDM Glass Stadium, captain Alex Downes powerfully heading home a brilliant Stefan Edwards cross from the left.

The Seagulls did ride their luck at times and were grateful for some fine saves from Alfie Brooks, currently on loan from Stoke City.

The 19-year-old produced a great early stop from a Mael Davies header following a superb delivery into the box from Keyon Reffell.

Ashley Evans went closer in the 10th minute when his 18-yard effort came back off the post.

Bay began to look dangerous on the attack and when Udoyen Akpan raced clear a goal looked on, but Alex Pennock held his shot well.

Nick Rushton then broke at pace and squared to Jamie Cumming, whose fierce strike was brilliantly saved by the diving Pennock.

No goals at half time, but Penybont went close early in the second period, Gabriel Kircough heading against the bar from a Mael Davies cross.

Dan Jefferies then saw his header cleared off the line as the hosts pushed harder for the opener.

Kane Owen cut into the box from the left, but his firm attempt was again superbly kept out by Brooks.

Then came that Bay goal which upset the script.

Penybont thought they had equalised in the closing stages, but the officials decided a cleared shot had not crossed the goal-line.

COLWYN BAY: Alfie Brooks, Alex Downes (c), Guto Williams, Sam Hart, Dan M Jones, Danny Holmes (Cai Owen 75), Stef Edwards, Nick Rushton, Tom Creamer (Matty Hill 83), Jamie Cumming, Udoyen Akpan. Subs not used: Joe Smith (G), Dylan Allshorn, Danny R Jones, Sam Turner.