Bradford Park Avenue 1, Colwyn Bay 4

Bradford Park Avenue’s first home Evo-Stik League game for almost three months did not go according to the master plan as Colwyn Bay brought their A game to the table.

Avenue had trumpeted it as a superb opportunity to claw back some ground on the Welsh club, who are second in the Premier Division table.

They could have cut the nine-point gap between the clubs and still have three games in hand. But Bay are now another team who will have to slip up if the Bradford outfit are to catch them.

Avenue boss John Deacey said: “We were poor. There were too many errors in our performance and it was just not good enough.

“The conditions were difficult and players from both sides struggled with that. But Colwyn obviously coped better because they were the best side and deserved to win.

“On the positive side, I thought Matty Plummer had a very good debut and we were good going forward.

“I would say we created even more chances than they did, it was just that we didn’t capitalise on them.”

It was not just defenders gifting goals to the visitors that cost Avenue because at 3-1 down Steve Burton failed from the penalty spot.

It continued to go downhill and Colwyn could ultimately have won by a bigger margin.

The visitors took the lead in the sixth minute following some hesitancy in the defensive ranks.

The through-ball also held up in the strong wind before Bay striker Robert Hopley netted. It was to be the easiest goal of the hat-trick he plundered.

Following their bad start, Avenue got themselves back into the game by playing some decent football. Three good openings were created before they levelled in the 18th minute.

Matty James broke into the area and drove the ball through the six-yard box. Tom Greaves had to stretch to turn it back from the far post but it gave Aiden Savory the chance to net with a low drive.

But Colwyn were back in front before the half-hour mark after a good passing move.

A final diagonal through-ball found Karl Noon and though Avenue goalkeeper Michael Hale blocked his shot with an extended leg, Hopley was well placed to fire the rebound home.

Noon made a more definite assist just before the hour. He beat his marker twice to make enough room to drill the ball into the goalmouth, where Jon Newby was lurking with intent and he slotted in from close range.

The penalty award came in the 69th minute after Frazer McLachlan lunged at Avenue substitute Rob O’Brien. Burton struck it well but it was too close to Bay keeper Chris Sanna and he made a fine save.

With Avenue pushing forward, the visitors were getting more chances and nine minutes from time Hopley completed his treble. He cut in from the left and his shot from a tight angle went in off Hale.