A George Newell double sealed the points for the home side, on a night where Flint found it hard to get going and turned in a subdued performance, compared to their previous high tempo showings.
The Flint frontline struggled to get any traction against a well drilled and organised Bala defence. One of their best opportunities came after 5 minutes, when a scramble developed in the Bala box, Isaac Lee seeing his initial shot blocked, only for the ball to bounce loose, with no-one being able to turn it home, and it was eventually smuggled clear.
Bala were finding joy going down their right, trying to get the ball to Osebi Abadaki at every opportunity to utilise his pace. He was stretching the Flint defence every time he received the ball, but they were just about able to repel the threat during the opening half an hour, with well timed blocks and good handling of crosses by keeper Jack Flint. However, it seemed only a matter of time until Abadaki would provide the decisive moment, and that arrived on 38 minutes. He broke from the half way line, was forced out wide to the right, but still delivered a dangerous cross that bisected three Flint defenders to find its way to Newell who was waiting at the far post for a simple tap in.
Flint distinguished himself early in the second half, pulling off a great save from point blank range to deny Alex Downes’ header from close in, before the danger was cleared. Then, Isaack Lambert reacted well to get back and clear off the line after Flint was beaten a few minutes later. The Silkmen were riding their luck at times, but were still managing to hang in, although clear cut chances at the opposite end were proving few and far between.
On 67 minutes, Louis Robles was presented with a great opportunity, when the ball was cut back to him from the left. However he blasted his shot over from close range.
Flint belatedly tried to respond as the clock started to tick down, but were reduced to half chances rather than anything clear cut. Josh Jones tried to improvise an overhead kick when he received the ball with his back to goal, but was unable to keep his effort on target.
With eight minutes remaining, the game was put beyond the away side when Newell struck for the second time. Abadaki was again the provider, delivering from the right for Newell to deliver the final touch from close range.
Flint will now look to quickly regroup as they face Connah’s Quay Nomads in the Flintshire derby on Bank Holiday Monday. It;s yet another tough looking fixture for the Silkmen as they try to claim their first points of the season.
Report by Nigel Sheen
Line Ups :
Bala Town – J. Torrance, A. Downes, U. Kargbo, N. Peate (c), K. Harrison, A. Edwards (J. Malkin 46), E. Clarke (N. Arsan 90), R. White, G. Newell, L. Robles, O. Abadaki (K. Lloyd 90). Unused Subs – R. Jones (GK), N. Burke, T. Hughes
Flint Town United – J. Flint, B. Beaumont (H. Cartwright 90), I. Lee (M. Burke 28), I. Lambert, H. Owen (c), G. Maire (R. Oakley 87), J. Phillips, B. Hughes, H. Peagram, F. Yonsian, J. Jones. Unused Subs – L. Murphy (GK), E. Reeves, B. Wynne, L. Sumner
Flint MOM – Jack Flint (displayed good handling when dealing with a series of dangerous crosses)
