Following distressing scenes at yesterday’s game, when fighting broke out between rival sets of what purported to be “supporters” of both clubs, the result of which left two individuals requiring paramedic treatment, the match was eventually abandoned.
It had all started so brightly for Flint, in what was a “must win” game for the Silkmen in their relegation battle. They surged into a two goal lead inside the opening nine minutes.
First, with just a couple of minutes on the clock, Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro neatly put away a half-volley inside the post as the ball was knocked through into his path.
Then on nine minutes, from a corner, Anthony Stephens met the ball sweetly to power his header into the net, and put Flint firmly in control.
Shortly afterwards, the game was abruptly halted as fighting broke out, and was later abandoned completely.
Having been involved with Flint on and off in one capacity or another for 40 odd years, I must say I was deeply saddened by what I witnessed yesterday, as two sets of mindless yobs (I won’t call them supporters) set about to tarnish the reputations of both clubs, as they clearly turned up in the expectation of causing trouble. It’s such a shame for the genuine supporters to witness scenes like that, and is a bitter blow for all the volunteers who work tirelessly on behalf of the club to try and promote the right image. My thoughts go out to the individual who was hospitalised after the incident and I hope he makes a full recovery. The swift actions of a couple of real supporters in helping the man, aided by the paramedics and respective physios in the immediate aftermath of the incident deserves much praise.
An announcement on the rescheduling of the game will be made in due course, although that of course is of secondary concern in the grand scheme of things.
Report by Nigel Sheen. Photos by Geoff Quinn
