Newcastle Blue Star 1, Colwyn Bay 1

Apr 27 2009 The Journal

COLWYN Bay will be back on Tyneside on Wednesday night for the UniBond League Division One North play-off semi final.

They ended fourth, equal on points with third-top Newcastle Blue Star, who led until the last minute at Kingston Park.

The Tynesiders, without four key players, went into the last game of the season in the knowledge that one point would guarantee them third place and home advantage in the play-off.

David Southern forced an excellent save from goalkeeper Chris Sanna and Paul Brayson also went close, but it took a penalty to break the deadlock four minutes before the interval.

Sanna had made a point-blank save from Alex Benjamin but when Peter Snowdon was bundled over in the box, Brayson finally beat the keeper from the penalty spot for his 48th goal of the season.

Blue Star changed tactics in the second half, reverting to a five-four-one combination and it looked as if they would successfully defend their narrow lead.

In the last minute, however, Danny Craddock was adjudged to have fouled Robert Hople and Lee Hamilton converted the penalty.

NEWCASTLE BLUE STAR: Lowson, Webb, Talbot, Craddock, Snowdon, McClen (Tait), Southern (Heiniger), Convery, Brayson, Benjamin (McAlindon), McTiernan.

COLWYN BAY: Sanna, Spearitt, Wood (Hammond), Brandreth, Jarrett, Williams, Canning, Garside, Hople, Jebb, McGraa.

Referee: Mr N Sharp. Attendance: 155.