By Matthew Burgess
Colwyn Bay travel to Ellesmere Port club Vauxhall Motors this evening as they begin preparations for their first season back in the Welsh football system (7.00).
Following their decision to leave the English system after 35 years, Colwyn Bay will get their pre-season programme underway ahead of their debut season competing in the new Tier 2 Championship North & Mid league.
After taking on Vauxhall, Colwyn Bay travel to Caernarfon Town on Saturday to face the Cofis at The Oval in their second pre-season outing.
Colwyn Bay’s first competitive Welsh fixture, however, will be a first round tie against Gresford Athletic in the Nathaniel MG Cup (2-4 August). A win there would set-up a juicy second round tie at Welsh Premier League outfit Bala Town a week later.
The Seagulls start their league campaign with another away fixture, this time against Bangor City, on 17 August.
First pre-season game on Vauxhall Motors’ 4G pitch this evening (7pm kick off).
— Colwyn Bay FC (@ColwynBayFC) July 9, 2019
Ahead of a new start for the club, manager Craig Hogg has been encouraged by what he has seen so far.
“On the squad front I feel there has been a really good ‘buy-in’ from the players in terms of how we work and that is hugely encouraging,” he said.
“The lads have taken ownership of the standards we’ve set each other as a dressing room and it is a big plus to see that happening so early on in the pre-season schedule.
“For now we have a huge amount of work to perform before the season starts.
“Our focus will be fixed on getting that work done as best we can and we will draw up battle plans for our league opponents in the weeks to come.”
FAW CHAMPIONSHIP NORTH & MID OPENING FIXTURES: (16th & 17th Aug)
Prestatyn v Guilsfield (Friday), Bangor City v Colwyn Bay, Flint v Rhyl, Llandudno v Corwen, Llanfair United v Ruthin, Llangefni v Gresford, Llanrhaeadr v Penrhyncoch, Porthmadog v Conwy Borough.