COLWYN BAY got life in the Evostick Premiership off to a perfect start, going top of the league with a 3-1 win over North Ferriby United.
John Newby and Karl Noon made the difference in a strong all-round performance from the Bay, which debut manager Dave Challinor hopes will continue in the coming matches, starting with last night’s (Tuesday) match with Ashton United.
“It was very important we got off to a good start and we've worked our socks off to get a fantastic result,” he said.
“Now we need to make sure we look after ourselves over the next couple of days and take this performance into Tuesday because we have now set a benchmark for ourselves with this win.”
Challinor named summer capture Damien Allen the new club captain before the match, and he shone in midfield alongside fellow new signing Fraser MacLachlan, who joined last week, and Mick McGraa.
It took just ten minutes for the Bay to open their account for the new season, when Ian Sheridan pounced on a defensive mistake to feed Noon the opener.
Sheridan and Luke Denson then saw shots hit the woodwork, whilst Noon and McGraa forced the North Ferriby keeper into some great saves.
The pressure finally told five minutes before the interval after some neat work from Noon allowed him to set up Newby, who fired home from 18 yards.
The second half saw United try to apply some pressure of their own, and they were handed a lifeline ten minutes from time when the referee awarded a harsh penalty for a handball by McGraa.
But the Seagulls killed the game off five minutes later when Noon and Newby again combined, the former heading on for the latter to prod the ball home past the onrushing goalkeeper.