Having conceded an early goal, and looking somewhat out of sorts in a disjointed first half, a revitalised Flint team turned on the style in the second period, and cruised to a comfortable victory in the end. Credit must go to the visitors for their dogged first half display, and they were good value for their half time lead, but they were simply unable to keep up the intensity of their performance, and the Silkmen were able to get on top and eventually dictate play with their slick passing and movement.
Gresford executed a well worked goal in the second minute to shock the home crowd, a deep cross from the left finding the incoming Charley Mann beyond the far post, and he caught the ball on the half volley sending it past Jack Flint.
The home side tried to respond to this early set back, but were struggling to get out of second gear, whilst their eager opponents harried and pressed them. Following a corner on 7 minutes, Colliers’ keeper Lewis Dutton did well to tip an Isaack Lambert header over. A little while later, Ben Wynne found himself well placed with a free header from another corner, and should have done better, but planted it over the bar. Then, on 25 minutes, Florian Yonsian hit a shot that flashed just wide of the target.
Jake Phillips struck a nice curling shot that crept just past the upright as Flint continued to up the ante towards the end of the half, as there were signs that they were eventually starting to get to grips with the game. But then, almost immediately, Simon Smith hit an opportunist effort from fully 25 yards out as the ball sat up nicely for him, and Flint did well to deal with it and keep the scoreline at just 1-0.
Probably the best chance of the half for the Silkmen came at the end of regulation time, when Yonsian got on the end of a defence splitting path, before slipping it sideways into the path of Josh Jones, who lifted his effort over the bar from a good position.
An early second half goal was just what was required for the home side to take control, and it arrived on 50 minutes. Harley Peagram made an excellent run down the right channel to open up the Gresford defence. The ball was switched to Phillips on the edge of the box, who then produced a delightful little chipped ball into the path of Jones, who was advancing on goal from the left. This time the forward made no mistake, and slotted it home.
Three minutes later and it was 2-1 to the home side. This time Isaac Lee had made a good forward break down the right. Peagram picked up the ball, advanced to the apex of the area, before hitting a sublime, curling effort that nestled in the top corner.
From tht moment on, there was only likely to be one winner, and three more goals in the final 20 minutes put the icing on the cake.
On 71 minutes, Lee played a ball over the top to Yonsian, who stretched the Gresford defence. His delivery found it’s way to Jones who saw his effort blocked, but just as the danger looked to be averted, Wynne pounced on the loose ball, saw a gap through to goal and thumped it in.
A long ball from keeper Flint down the middle found Yonsian who outpaced the defence before slotting the ball under Dutton to make it four, with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Jones finished things off with a well crafted fifth, as he met the ball on the volley on the edge of the area to crash it home with another high quality finish.
Report by Nigel Sheen. Photos by Steve Parker.
Line Ups :
Flint Town United – J. Flint, H. Peagram (B. Beaumont 77), M. Burke (B. Hughes 46), T. Mfuni, H. Owen (c), I. Lambert (I. Lee 46), J. Phillips, S. Fofana, F. Yonsian, B. Wynne (L. Mariette 77), J. Jones. Unused Sub – L. Murphy (GK)
Gresford Athletic – L. Dutton, J. Nelson, J. Watkin, R. Oliver (E. Orton 73), P. Johnson (J. Smith 73), J. Griffiths (c), S. Smith (A. Buxton 65), C. Mann, T. Gallagher-Keenan (Ilan ap Gareth Jones), D. Forbes (A. Smith 73), C. Edge
Flint MOM – Josh Jones (neck and neck between him and Harley Peagram for their roles in turning the game around, but his two goal contribution just edges it for Josh)
