Football: Bay still living in hope; Not over yet says skipper.

Byline: MIKE McEVOY

COLWYN BAY'S defiant skipper Sion Morris has called for maximum effort - and maximum points - from their last two Chelmere Homes Liverpool Competition matches in the slim hope of redeemingly their seemingly-lost promotion cause.

The flickering flame was virtually extinguished with last Saturday's bitterly disappointing home defeat by Southport & Birkdale - only their second of the entire season - but Morris isn't ready to throw in the towel yet.

``It is looking grim to say the least but two big wins could just get us up,'' he says on the eve of their last away game at bottom-of-the-table Haydock tomorrow.

``We will keep fighting and you never know what might happen.''

The seasiders, who complete their Division One programe with a home tilt at Formby next week, are now down in fifth place, 27 points behind leaders Newton le Willows, 20 adrift of Huyton, 16 behind Hightown and one below St Helens Recs.

``It's beyond our control now but if we can pick up 48 points and the other results go kindly for us then at least we will have given ourselves the best possible chance,'' said Morris.

Colwyn have an old score to settle with Haydock who against all the odds become the first - and until last week the only - side to beat them this season in a shock 22-7 points turn-up at Rhos-on-Sea on June 29.

That was the day when Haydock's new professional 20-year-old Pakistani Irsan Fazil scored 108 on his debut and took 2-50.

``Fazil has since left so we won't have him to contend with this time,'' added Morris thankfully.

The Bay will rely on the same side toppled by Southport with Charlie Clubb again consigned to the Seconds despite his impressive 70 for them last week.

Morris explained: ``You can't change a team on the strength of one result so Charlie will have another run with the Seconds and maybe return next week against Formby.''

New professional recruit Ameer Wasim will be looking to make an impression after winning praise for his debut innings of 36 against Southport without bowling as effectively as he would have wished in taking 3-65.

Beleagured Bay know that tomorrow is do-or-die time and with a side talented enough to once top the table they are clinging to the belief that there could still be life in their challenge yet.

PHIL BOLLAND is expected to return to Chester City's squad tonight at home to Leigh RMI in the Nationwide Conference.

The 26-year-old central defender has missed their opening six games after sustaining a hairline fracture of his foot in a pre-season friendly at League of Wales Bangor City.

However, Bolland played for nearly an hour in a reserve team game on Wednesday and City boss Mark Wright has indicated he may be one of tonight's substitutes.

However, influential striker Dave Cameron is serving the second match of a three-game suspension, while Steve Harkness and Ben Davies are ruled out with groin strains.

Chester have won their opening three away matches of the season, and after two goalless draws at the Deva Stadium recorded their first home victory on Tuesday night, when they defeated Morecambe 2-1.

Wright said: ``Recording our first home win has had the effect of lifting a weight off the players' shoulders. But I'm expecting the game against Leigh to be competitive. They are a wellorganised side, and we will have to be on our game to defeat them.''

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WEIGHT-LIFTED: Mark Wright is hoping to have the influential Phil Bolland back in his team