Following the news earlier in the day that Holywell hadn’t appealed the decision to refuse them the Tier 1 Domestic Licence, Flint went into this game knowing that a win would guarantee them at least second spot in the League, ahead of Airbus, and with that promotion back into the Cymru Premier. And to a man, the players didn’t disappoint, going about their task in an efficient manner and taking the game to their opponents at every opportunity. For their part, Mold could have been forgiven for having their minds elsewhere, as they have the Welsh Blood Service League Cup Final to look forward to on Saturday. But, to their credit they put up solid resistance, looking to hit Flint on the counter, in what was their manager Steve Cunningham’s last game at Alyn Park.
Josh Jones emerged as Flint’s hero on the night, steering them to the required win with an exceptionally well taken hat-trick.
In the opening period, Flint rattled the Mold woodwork on two occasions. First, Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro headed onto the bar after 5 minutes, and later, a 22 yarder from Ben Hughes struck the top of the crossbar. In between times, Anthony Stephens saw his powerful header cleared off the line.
Flint were looking particularly dangerous attacking down the right, and Jones and Elliott Reeves were combining well to keep the Mold defence occupied. They were ably supported by the ever willing Jake Phillips and Hughes. These two combined well on 26 minutes when Hughes fed Phillips, who twisted one way and then the other inside the box, before shooting just over.
The breakthrough came on 28 minutes from the penalty shot. After applying pressure on the Mold goal, Reeves hit a shot from the edge of the box, that was blocked by Dafydd Griffiths with his hands, the referee instantly pointing to the spot. Jones smashed home the spot kick to give the Silkmen the advantage.
Mold showed more determination as an attacking force at the start of the second half, and could have got back on terms on 50 minutes following a shot from Sam Duffy, who was well found on the right side of the box. The effort was blocked but the loose ball bobbled dangerously in front of the Flint goal, before being cleared away from danger.
A two goal cushion was established on the hour mark, following a long throw in from the right. Unintentionally helped on its way by a defender, the ball fell into the path of Sol Forde, who smartly hooked it in, scoring his fourth goal in three games.
Rhys Williams was called into action on 68 minutes, when Mold’s Jake Roberts produced a good flicked header that looked to be on it’s way in. That was until Williams flung himself to his right across the goal and somehow managed to paw the ball away. A couple of minutes later he had to be alert once more, this time from a header from one of his own players, as Phillips attempted a defensive clearance that went wrong. Williams produced a great reaction save to keep it out though.
After that let off, Flint sprang an attack down the left that saw Reeves supply a cross over to Jones, who met it spectacularly on the volley, sending the ball crashing into the net from the underside of the bar. And that was effectively game over.
Reeves was sent through three times in the space of nine minutes, but on each occasion was unable to find the net. First, Hughes released him and he shot just over the bar, then Mold keeper Alex Swindell denied him with a point blank save, Jones heading the follow up over. And finally, a lovely touch from Jones put Reeves in again, but his attempted curler into the top corner went just over the target.
The final goal came in the last minute, and fittingly it was Jones who scored, to cap a fine performance with a well deserved hat-trick. A throw in on the left, was quickly worked inside to where Jones was lurking on the edge of the box. From 18 yards out he struck a sweet low shot inside the post, to round off a perfect evening for the Silkmen.
Report by Nigel Sheen
Line Ups :
Mold Alex – A. Swindell, H. Nash, C. Davies, J. Watkin (S. Reynolds 85), D. Griffiths, A. Smith (C. Rogers 85), R. Nash ©, E. Durnell (D. Warren 71), J. Roberts (R. Coney 71), J. Ormrod, S. Duffy (M. Lewis 71). Unused Subs – I. Jones, L. McManus
Flint Town United – R. Williams, J. Phillips, S. Forde (M. Roberts 78), A. Stephens, L. Sirrell, B. Hughes, L. Lacey, J. Owen © (D. Harrison 78), E. Reeves, J. Jones, J-L Akpa-Akpro (J. Williams 71). Unused Subs – L. Murphy (GK), M. Burke, G. Maire
Flint MOM – Josh Jones (superb hat-trick to cap an all round top performance)
