Briton Ferry’s shock midweek win over TNS had sent Flint back into the relegation placings on goal difference, so this already huge game, took on extra significance in light of that result. And the Silkmen rose to the challenge and claimed an important 3 points. Whilst nothing is decided in November, this could well prove to be massively important for Flint’s survival hopes, especially if they can follow it up with another win in their next home game a week on Wednesday against Aberystwyth Town.
The conditions didn’t lend themselves to conducive football, and both sides were showing signs of the tension in a disjointed first half. The visitors spurned an early chance after just 3 minutes, when Kian Jenkins sent in a low delivery to Ricky-Lee Owen, who probably should have done better with the opportunity but his scuffed shot was just about shovelled out around the post by Jack Flint.
Flint hit back when Florian Yonsian was released down the right, and with Mikey Burke waiting for a tap in, in the centre, the striker elected to shoot himself from a tight angle, and Will Fuller dived to his left to beat out the attempt.
From that point on, Flint took the upper hand for the rest of the half, with Fuller’s time wasting over goal kicks causing particular angst for the home side as they tried to keep the pressure on.
Sidi Fofana was inches away from connecting with a Jake Phillips free kick, with the goal at his mercy. Harry Owen then made a good run through the middle before slipping the ball to Josh Jones. But from an excellent position, neither Jones, Yonsian or the supporting Ben Hughes could fashion a decent effort on target, much to the home crowd’s frustration. Fuller had been dealing well with corner deliveries, getting a glove to several of them just in front of a Flint head, but on the stroke of half time, one such cross beat him and dropped at the far post, and in the ensuing melee the ball struck the upright as the Silkmen cursed their luck once more.
A slightly bizarre incident early in the second half led to Flint manager Lee Fowler being sent off. Slightly aggrieved that his side had not been awarded a foul, with the referee playing advantage when none had accrued, the ball was heading to the touchline where Fowler was standing. However, rather than let it go out of play, he intercepted the ball just before it crossed the threshold, and picked up a red card for his troubles.
Flint got the breakthrough on 55 minutes.
Owen played a ball into Hughes, who having received it with his back to goal, made a smart turn which completely wrongfooted his marker, and sprinted away towards goal. He centred to where both Yonsian and Mikey Burke were waiting, and Burke took responsibility and slotted home.
The home side’s joy was short lived, however, as not for the first time this season, they were unable to hold onto the advantage, and just two minutes later, Ferry equalised. From a corner, centre back Keiran Williams was allowed a free run to the 6 yard box to head home. This spurred the visitors on, as Flint were rocked back on their heels. A few minutes later, keeper Flint missed his punch, the ball dropping to Jasper Payne, who looked odds on to score, but fortunately Owen was in the right place to make a goal saving block and keep the scores level.
Following that let off, the Silkmen regained their composure and once again threatened at the other end. Owen saw his header from a corner cleared off the line on 68 minutes. Then Phillips swung in a wicked ball to the far post that Jones connected with, but could only send the ball wide of the target, much to his annoyance.
With 8 minutes remaining, the home side went ahead once again, and this time they were able to preserve the lead. A Phillips free kick arced into the box, and Owen was able to chest down the delivery before picking his spot beyond Fuller to the delight and relief of the home crowd.
Substitute George Maire could have made it 3-1 at the death when he was sent away on goal by Yonsian, but an errant touch meant he took it to close to Fuller, and the keeper was able to block.
Nevertheless, it was job done for the Silkmen, and now they can look to welcoming Aberystwyth for another pivotal game at the bottom of the table.
Report by Nigel Sheen. Photos by Steve Parker.
Line Ups :
Flint Town United – J. Flint, I. Lee, M. Burke, L. Mariette (G. Maire 81), H. Owen (c), I. Lambert, J. Phillips, B. Hughes, S. Fofana, F. Yonsian, J. Jones. Unused Subs – L. Murphy (GK), B. Beaumont, L. Morrison, T. Mfuni, H. Cartwright, L. Sumner
Briton Ferry Llansawel – W. Fuller, R. George, K. Jenkins, A. Gammond (c), J. Rickard (C. Demery 73), K. Williams, T. Brock (R. Dyer 58), T. Price, E. Sage (L. Bowen 58), R-L Owen, J. Payne (C. Hurford 81)
Flint MOM – Harry Owen (made important contributions at both ends of the pitch as he skippered his team to an important win)
