Jake Canavan conjured up a mercurial goal seemingly out of nothing to get his side a share of the points in a game played in relentless rain. And make no mistake, it was the least that Flint deserved, as, having survived a rocky opening quarter of the game, in terms of chances given to the opposition, they then took control, and dominated in terms of possession of the ball. However, for long periods it looked as though it would prove to be a frustrating evening, as decent chances were at a premium, with decision making in the final third once again threatening to be the Silkmen’s undoing as they struggled to create real openings. But having managed to get themselves back on terms, they could even have gone on to win the game, creating some late chances, with Mikey Burke having a goal disallowed for offside.
Caernarfon were the more dominant in the opening stages, and Ryan Sears went close with an effort from 16 yards out, that Jack flint managed to touch around the base of his post. However, the respite was short lived, as in the 8th minute a long ball caught out the away defence, and Adam Davies got the benefit of an offside call as he raced onto a flicked header, and kept his composure to slot the ball past Flint.
The Cofis were looking dangerous every time they went forward during this opening spell, and an inswinging corner on 22 minutes was flicked just beyond the far post as they continued to threaten.
But Flint started to regain their composure, and began to knock the ball around with increasing confidence, with Isaac Lee showing a willingness to run with it when in possession, and make inroads into the opposition half. On 40 minutes, he scudded a low shot along the ground that forced Connor Roberts into his first meaningful save of the evening, as he scrambled to claim the ball at the foot of his post.
The Silkmen were almost architects of their own downfall early in the second half, when Flint played a short ball out to Lee, which in hindsight was probably the wrong option, and Josh Lock nipped in and nicked it off the toes of the defender and was through on goal. Flint redeemed himself in fine style as he got his body in the way to deflect the shot wide of his goal. After that aberration, the Silkmen settled back into their slick passing game, and were continually probing the Caernarfon defence, but were unable to find that final clinical ball.
From a corner delivery on 65 minutes, Josh Jones cracked in a shot from 16 yards out, that took a deflection, and landed just in front of Darren Stephenson, who was positioned by the goal line hemmed in by a couple of defenders, and the striker was unable to force the ball over the line.
Flint’s persistence was rewarded on 80 minutes, when Canavan seized on a miskick from a defender inside the box, and lashed the loose ball into the top of the net from about 15 yards out, wide on the right. It was a lovely instinctive finish.
From then on, the Silkmen pressed to try and find a winner. Apart from Burke’s disallowed effort the best opportunity came when Jones escaped down the left, and his ball across just evaded Stephenson who was well placed in the centre, on the edge of the 6 yard box.
Report by Nigel Sheen
Line Ups :
Caernarfon Town – C. Roberts, M. Roberts, D. Smith, R. Sears, P. Mooney, I. Lewis, P. Mendes, S. Downey, A. Davies (O. Abadaki 90), D. Thomas (c) (O. Ellis 70), J. Lock (S. Bradley 90). Unused Subs – H. Thomas (GK), D. Gosset, K. Harrison, C. Griffith
Flint Town United – J. Flint, I. Lee, M. Burke, D. Davies, H. Owen (c), J. Thorn, J. Phillips, B. Hughes, D. Stephenson, B. Wynne (J. Jones 22), J. Canavan (S. Fofana 90). Unused Subs – Cam Ferguson, K. Imariagbe, A. Lear, L. Morrison
Flint MOM – Isaac Lee (back to his best, showing a willingness to carry the ball forward from the back and help create chances for his side)
