Flint Town United maintained their unbeaten run for the month by defeating Aberystwyth Town 2-1 at Park Avenue. Flint forward Jack Kenny grabbed a goal in either half to give the Silkmen their first ever league double over Aberystwyth. The hosts, now four points from safety, had equalised in the second half through Louis Bradford, but slump to an eighth loss of the season.
Flint started the strongest of the two teams with Sam Hart causing the Aber defence problems down the left hand side. The visitors missing captain Alex Jones, serving the first of his six match suspension, and Callum Bratley pressed their luck out wide to make up for the deficiencies in central midfield.
Any midfield containing Ben Maher is more than capable of competing however and with quarter of an hour played Maher had the first chance of the game. Neat interplay by Hart and Harwood allowed the left back to whip in an inviting ball and Maher was able to meet the ball but only send it wide of the post. Not the man Flint would want in that situation with Michael Wilde on the pitch.
As the half wore on both sides were able to carve out half chances but none led to any real chance. This was until Jack Kenny pounced to give Flint the lead on the half hour mark. Ben Nash played the ball into the channel for Kenny to chase and he did the rest. Outpacing and outmuscling Louis Bradford the tireless attacker waiting for a sight of goal from the out of place Zabret and fired past the front post into the net.
For their part the hosts showed a lot of effort and made life difficult for Flint in the first half, but were lacking real quality to make a difference. Harry Franklin and Matt Jones had the best of the Seasiders chances from long range. Jones’ effort from 35 yards was low and swerving and glided past Jon Rushton’s post.
Aber would come for the second half with renewed vigour and looked a much better team. Mid way through the half Jamie Veale warmed Rushton’s hands with a fierce 25 yard drive that the Flint keeper had to push away. Not to be outdone, Owain Jones almost produced a moment of magic only for Rushton to keep the scores level. The ball dipped down to the winger and Jones smashed a left footed volley at goal with Rushton’s fingertips there to deny him.
The pace of the game continued to ramp up and Aber snatched a deserved equaliser thanks to a Rushton mistake. A long ball forward by Jack Rimmer was missed completely by the Flint keeper as he came out to punch and the ball fell to Bradford on the edge of the box. The young defender calmly lifted the ball over everybody into the back of the net. A brilliant finish by a centre back with his back almost away from goal.
However the score would not stay level for long. As soon as the Aberystwyth fans had stopped celebrating Jack Kenny hit his second of the game to secure Flint the three points. The green shirts appeared to switch off when Kai Edwards headed a clearance forwards. Michael Wilde duly obliged the ball and headed it on further up the pitch for Kenny to chase. Leaving three Aber shirts in his dust the number seven roared through and smashed in his brace.
The last 20 minutes was all Aberystwyth as the hosts searched for a way back into the game. Harry Franklin was denied once by the bar after striking from near the byline and a few times by the palms of Rushton when shooting from deep. Finally and in the dying embers of the game did Aber get the ball in the back of the net. A long ball forward by Veale was again mistimed by Rushton allowing Steff Davies to swivel and tuck the ball into the unguarded goal. Yet Aberystwyth celebrations were cut short when the linesman’s flag was raised.
Flint can breathe a great sigh of relief after coming out of this game with all three points. Aberystwyth will feel hard done by in a game they gave their all in. The Seasiders are now four points adrift in the relegation zone and travel to Barry on Saturday in the hopes of gaining some much needed momentum. Flint meanwhile continue their fantastic season and sit three points clear of Newtown in second place in the Cymru Premier. They are at home to Penybont on Saturday.
Aberystwyth Town: Gregor Zabret, Jack Rimmer (Sam Phillips 81’), Rhys Davies, Louis Bradford, Lee Jenkins, Jack Thorn (Steff Davies 84’), Matthew Jones, Jamie Veale, Harry Franklin, Raul Correia (Jon Owen 64’), Owain Jones
Jack Rimmer (Sam Phillips 81’), Jack Thorn (Steff Davies 84’), Raul Correia (Jon Owen 64’)
Goal: Bradford 65’
Yellow cards: Matthew Jones 18’, Bradford 90+5’
Flint Town United: Jon Rushton, Jake Phillips, Sam Hart, Ben Maher, Ben Nash, Kai Edwards, Jack Kenny, Michael Wilde, Ross Weaver (Dan Roberts 88’), Conor Harwood (Mark Cadwallader 52’), Danny Harrison
Goals: Kenny 28’, 68’
Yellow cards: Harwood 2’, Kenny 18’, Maher 57’, Cadwallader 81’
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