In their third season back in the Welsh system, Colwyn Bay are starting to make their presence felt on the domestic football scene.
This weekend the club were the centre of yet another Welsh Cup upset after knocking out heavyweights Connah’s Quay at the Cymru Premier side’s own Deeside Stadium.
After edging past Cardiff Met in the fourth round, few would’ve expected Colwyn Bay’s cup-run to continue after they were handed an away draw at Connah’s Quay.
Backed by a reported 300 travelling fans, the Seagulls had other ideas however, as two second-half strikes secured another unlikely Cup victory.
After a goalless first-half, the odds were further stacked against Colwyn Bay when Nomads wideman Declan Poole drove into the box and struck an effort against the arm of defender Lewis Sirrell.
But in denying Callum Morris from the resulting spot-kick, Bay keeper Andrew Coughlin galvanised his side, who went on to score twice in quick succession and wrestle control of the game.
Former Connah’s Quay player Ryan Edwards looked short of options after he’d burst into the Nomads box, but he swivelled and produced a stunning arching shot that looped into the net.
Three minutes later, James Kirby surged forward from midfield and saw his deflected strike leave Nomads stopper Oliver Byrne wrong-footed.
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Bala Town and The New Saints join Colwyn Bay in the semi-final draw after respective victories over Aberystwyth Town and Guilsfield.
Cymru South outfit Taffs Well will consider themselves unfortunate to not be involved in Monday night’s draw after two late goals saw them relinquish a 2-1 lead against Penybont.
In March 2019, Colwyn Bay made the bold decision to switch from competing in the English Non-League system to realign into the Welsh second tier starting from the 2019/20 season.
A year later, the club were sitting third in the Cymru North, two-points off the top-two, when Covid took grip of the Welsh football system.
In effect, this is their first full campaign in the Welsh system. The club are enjoying healthy attendances and harbour ambitions to reach the top-flight, although promotion this season is realistically beyond them despite sitting in fourth-place.
In January, former Wales and New Saints stalwart Steve Evans was drafted in by the club to continue the progress made by his predecessor Craig Hogg. Evans described his appointment at Llanelian Road as ‘a perfect fit’ and the 42 year-old will cut his teeth in his first managerial role, fronting the club’s aspirations to climb the Welsh football ladder.
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With two Cymru Premier scalps already under their belts, Colwyn Bay will come away from the semi-final draw with little to fear, regardless who they’re drawn against.
Essentially, the club are only a game away from reaching their ever Welsh Cup final, where European qualification would be within grasp – a far cry from suffering successive relegations in the North West Counties Football League.
Bay’s first full season in Welsh football might also just be one of their most memorable.
Featured image: Colwyn Bay FC Twitter
