Hoskin aims to have new striker on call
COLWYN BAY boss Ash Hoskin hopes to have a new striker on board in time for Saturday’s massive home game against bottomfour rivals Stamford.
It all depends on international clearance, but the manager said: “He is a big, strong lad who has been training with us and providing the paperwork comes through then it is 100 per cent certain he will be involved on Saturday.”
Scoring goals continues to be a major headache for the Seagulls, with just 12 netted in 13 league and cup games, and it cost them again on Tuesday in a 2-0 defeat at Buxton.
They more than matched the topfour side in a goal-less first half with- out being able to get any of their shots on target, but then conceded a penalty and had defender Luke Denson sent off in the opening two minutes of the second period.
Buxton got a second immediately afterwards with Bay still trying to reorganise, but after that, even with 10 men, the visitors were the better team for long spells and missed the target from three great chances to rescue the game – two of them headers from inside the six-yard box.
“The first half was the best we have played for a while,” said Hoskin.
“We got the ball down, passed it, caused them problems and never really looked in any trouble.
“One mistake at the back has cost us, but even with 10 men after the penalty I thought we were the better side and with the chances we had should have got something from the game.
“Buxton’s manager said afterwards we were the best team to have played there this season – but that is no consolation when you’ve lost 2-0.
“We are not getting the rub of the green, but we have to take the positives from Tuesday into Saturday, and hopefully get the win we so badly need.”
Hoskin hopes to have central defender Sam Barnes back from injury, but it is vital Bay start scoring – especially against a Stamford side averaging nearly four goals a game against them this season.
However, they recovered from 3-0 down to earn a 3-3 draw on Tuesday.
Colwyn have gone seven games without a win, but of the 12 league matches played only three have been against teams not in the top 10.
Last Saturday Cory Williams scored an 87th minute equaliser on his birthday to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw against high-flying Nantwich Town.
Despite losing central defender Jordan Fagbola at half-time with a hamstring injury, the Seagulls defended well, with Rob Hopley again outstanding at the back.
But they conceded a soft goal on 71 minutes when Nantwich broke away from a Bay free kick for former Northern Ireland international Steve Jones to score.
The hosts, however, showed some spirit to fight back and rescue a point.