9:50pm Tuesday 7th September 2010
By Patrick O'Kane
Evo-Stik Premier League
Kendal Town 1 Colwyn Bay 4.
KENDAL Town suffered a second home defeat in the Evo-Stik League when going down 4-1 to Welsh visitors Colwyn Bay at the Lakeland Radio Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The scoreline didn't tell the story of the match though and manager Lee Ashcroft will be disappointed with the result, with some smart play by his attacking side.
In an open encounter both sides looked sharp going forwards but it was the visitors who took the lead.
On 22 minutes Grannon scrambled the ball home from a Luke Denson corner after Town twice failed to clear their lines.
And just as Town were gaining the upper hand, with Alex Taylor and Danny Rowe causing problems, they were dealt a hammer blow - just two minutes before the break.
Bay nabbed their second with a wayward Michael McGraa shot from inside the box deflecting off strike-partner Jon Newby and flicking off the far post to nestle in David Newnes' net.
Just after the break things got worse for Town.
Dave Foster and Lee Mulvaney replaced Danny Rowe (hip) and Danny Wisdom (back) with injuries as Town looked to get back into the game.
But just a minute into the second half 2-0 became 3-0 when a cross to the back post was met by Martin Moran.
Moran headed the ball towards goal, away from the onrushing McGraa, only to see it trickle into the net past Newnes.
And just 10 minutes later it was another Moran mix up which led to the fourth.
Caught in defence Moran attempted to head the ball back to Newnes at the edge of the box, but playmaker Ian Sheridan intercepted, rounded Newnes and slotted into an empty net.
Town were given a lifeline on 66 minutes when Carl Osman fired home from two yards after good work on the left wing from Mulvaney, but it wasn't to be the black and whites night.
Despite trailing by three goals Town were buoyant going forward with Mulvaney and Danny McGahon causing problems in the Bay defence.
On 68 minutes McGahon's 20 yard strike deflected off a defender for a corner aqnd just two minutes later a Gavin Clarke run at goal had the 168-strong crowd thinking a comeback could be on the cards, but his run was eventually thwarted on the edge of the box.
Bay almost grabbed a fifth goal on 71 minutes when Sheridan poked the ball past Newnes but from a tight angle he shot into the side netting.
On 78 minutes a Keiran Walmsley free kick forced a fine stop from Chris Sanna and defender Rory Winters fired the follow up wide.
Bay made three late changes, but comfortably saw the match out to inflict only Town's second defeat of the season.
Town will hope to bounce back in the FA Cup on Saturday when they travel to Frickley Athletic in the first qualifying round.
HOW THEY RATED: David Newnes 5, Keiran Walmsley 6, Martin Moran 5, Rory Winters 6, Glenn Steel 7, Gavin Clark 7, Carl Osman 6, Danny Rowe 7 (rep Dave Foster 45mins 7), Alex Taylor 6, Danny McGahon 7, Danny Wisdom (rep Lee Mulvaney 45mins 7). Subs: George Melling, Jordan Tucker, Tom Newton.
STAR MAN: Danny McGahon - despite falling four goals behind, ran for every ball and showed commitment needed to succeed at this level.
Att: 168.
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