SQUAD AT FULL STRENGTH FOR TRANMERE VISIT
COLWYN BAY bounced back from Saturday's 6-2 defeat to TNS to give a greatly improved performance and beat a young Tranmere Rovers side 1-0 on Tuesday night.

Kevin Holsgrove got the only goal of the game after 39 minutes, diverting in a shot from Jimmy Kelly, while Rob Hopley was unlucky with a shot that hit the bar.

Tranmere, who included club captain and Jamaican international Ian Goodison in their side, showed good pace up front, but Colwyn Bay, with Dave Challinor and Danny Jarrett playing very well in the centre of defence, restricted them to only three shots at goal.

Chris Sanna looked sharp on his return in goal and made one fine save in the first half on his way to keeping a clean sheet.

Colwyn Bay's starting line-up was: Sanna, Sheehan, Corrigan, Jarrett, Challinor, Aspinall, Sheridan, Kelly, Hopley, Holsgrove, Hay.
The game was watched by a crowd of 284.

"I was very happy with the performance," said manager Neil Young. "Hopley and Holsgrove were a handful up front and I thought Dave Challinor and Danny Jarrett were excellent at the back for us.

"There were some harsh words said before the game and the players responded to that and stuck to the game plan we had devised.
"They have set themselves a standard with this win and now we are looking for some consistency."

The Bay are at home to FC United of Manchester on Saturday (August 8th, 3pm)

PRE MATCH NEWS
COLWYN BAY will welcome back Chris Sanna in goal for Tuesday's penultimate pre-season friendly against Tranmere Rovers (August 4th, 7.30pm). Sanna returned from America at the weekend and will start the game, while Farai Jackson, who is recovering well from injury, could come on in the second half. Alex Hay is also back after holiday, giving manager Neil Young a full strength squad for the first time.

Ex-Everton winger Kevin Holsgrove will also be involved again. Former Liverpool youth team striker Adriano Rigoglioso has been offered terms by the Seagulls, but he has one or two other options to consider before making a decision. The manager, who revealed he has also put in seven days notice for another central defender, is looking for a response from the side after last Saturday's 6-2 defeat to The New Saints. "I am certainly looking to some of the senior players to pull their fingers out and start showing what they can do, but having Chris Sanna back will make a difference," he said. "We have played some very strong opposition in the pre-season games and although some of the results have been disappointing I would rather have that than easily beat lesser opposition. You learn nothing from doing that and can gain a false confidence. "We all got carried away a bit by the way we beat Buckley 4-0 - but TNS certainly brought us back to earth. "They were the best side we have faced with their strength and pace and we have to learn from that experience."

It is understood that Tranmere are bringing quite a strong squad which is likely to include first team star Ian Goodison who has spent much of the summer away on international duty with Jamaica. Highly rated young goalkeeper signing Joe Collister is also expected to play.

Ashton Taylor, who made a big impression when he was on loan to Colwyn Bay last season and who has been starring for Tranmere's first team in pre-season games, is unlikely to play, but may travel with the squad as the Bay are hoping to be able to make a small presentation to him in recognition of his efforts last season.

Report courtesy of Tim Channon

Pictures courtesy of Martin Lyons Photography