< Return to Fixtures and Results

Huws Gray-Fitlock Cymru Alliance
Flint Town Utd Vs. Gresford Athletic
Wednesday 25th. August

After their last match defeat Gresford made changes to the starting line up. Alan Williams, Richard Carr and Paul Blunt all making their first start of the season.
The first notable attack came from Gresford when Paul Blunt intercepted a pass a strode into the Flint penalty area, only to see his shot deflected for a corner, but the referee over ruled his assistant and gave a goal kick. Phil Jones then had a chance to put Gresford ahead but his shot from a Danny Purdie never troubled the home keeper. Flint's first chance came after the first of many Gresford defensive lapses, the Flint striker cutting in from the right but firing across the goalmouth and out for a goal kick. At this stage the game was very even with Gresford created a few notable chances. From one of these Jon Ratcliffe headed wide from a Phil Jones corner. Gareth Rowland in The Gresford goal then made his first save of the evening blocking a shot after some inapt defending. The turning point of the game in the twenty sixth minute. Kevin Todd in possession was fouled but the referee let play go on and Flint headed home from the resulting cross. Todd was unable to carry on such was the damage done by the high tackle on him. Within five minutes Gresford were almost level after Danny Purdie flicked on another header only for Phil Jones to miss the target with his shot. On forty minutes Flint went two up after being gifted a goal by the Gresford defence. A long ball down the middle should have been easily cleared but a Flint forward was allowed in for an easy goal. Gresford almost reduced the arrears when Jon Ratcliffe headed a Shaun Williams cross over the bar.
Half time: Flint Town Utd 2 Gresford Athletic 0

Flint started the second half the livelier of the two sides and after more defensive blunders they added a third after fifty five minutes and almost immediately scored another. The Gresford defence were having a torrid time and gifted Flint a fourth in the sixty fifth minute, failing to clear on the edge of the penalty are and allowing Flint to win the ball and fire an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Gresford should have deduced the deficit five minutes later when Danny Purdie found space in the penalty area from a Phil Jones free kick but shot straight at the Flint keeper. Shaun Williams then cleared a Flint shot off the line a feast he repeated ten minutes later. Flint went nap in the eightieth minute after more sloppy defending. Carl Andrews came near to a consolation goal with five minutes remaining but although his cheeky free kick had the Flint keeper scrambling across his goal the ball went the wrong side of the post. Gresford did finally get a goal when Alan Williams set up Paul Blunt his chip coming back off the bar for Phil Jones to head home. Jones should have scored again before the final whistle but his header from a good Andy Hughes cross went wide. A night when Gresford created enough chances to have got something from the game, but with defensive errors accounting for four of the Flint goals they continued their miserable start the season with a fourth loss.

FINAL SCORE: FLINT TOWN UTD 5 GRESFORD ATHLETIC 1


TEAM: 1. Gareth Rowland (7) 2. Kevin Todd (5) 3. Matt Williams (5) 4. Mike Gronnow (4) 5. Richard Carr (5) 6. Alan Williams (7) 7. Paul Blunt (6) 8. Jon Ratcliffe (8) 9. Danny Purdie (5) 10. Phil Jones (7) 11. Shaun Williams (5) 12. Carl Andrews (5) (for Mike Gronnow) 14. Andy Hughes (5) (for Jon Ratcliffe) 15. Hugh Jones (5) (Kevin Todd)