Holywell Town 2-1 Flint Town United

The first competitive Derby Meeting between both sides arrived and everyone connected to the club was looking forward to this one!
The match kicked off and the first chance fell to the Wellmen as Steve Lewis, who thought he was offside, found himself free from a cross from the right but placed his header wide of the target much to his frustration. Flint then had an effort when Kyle Smith fired over Mike Platt’s goal before Steve Thomas whipped in a great corner to the far post but Dafydd Griffith’s header flew over the bar.

Flint’s Captain Craig Jones then fired over before another great cross in by Steve Thomas saw Flint’s John Hill head the ball inches past the post for what would have been an own goal. From the resulting corner, Paul Williams hit a great kick into the box and Ryan Davies was only inches wide of giving the Wellmen the lead but his header fell just wide of the target. Graeme Williams then had a shot blocked before Flint’s Paul McManus watched as his free kick went over the bar.

With barely minutes remaining of the first half, the visitors took the lead. Flint put the Wellmen defence under a bit of pressure, and the ball came out of the danger area but only as far as Joe Culshaw. He looked up from fully 35 yards and saw that Mike Platt was off his line and his shot flew over the defence and the keeper and dropped into the net to give Flint a one goal lead, which they held onto until the half time break.

Town came out for the second half looking to get back into the game and Danny Drazudkas’ curling shot was destined for the top corner with Ross Dalton beaten but his effort took a deflection and fell wide of Dalton’s goal. From the resulting corner, the ball was cleared but fell to Ryan Davies and his shot across the face of goal beat everyone and was saved by Dalton to keep his side in the lead. The lead didn’t last long however as the Wellmen equalised. A great ball through the defence by Steve Thomas saw Steve Lewis run in on goal, he beat his marker and rounded the advancing keeper and he lay the ball square across goal to the on running Graeme Williams who fired home to give Town a deserved equaliser.

The Wellmen had the grit between their teeth and Tom McElmeel made a great run with the ball from just inside the Wellmen half and he passed the ball to Steve Thomas but his effort was saved by Dalton. Town then lost Paul Williams through injury and he was replaced by Stuart Hayes. Thomas was having a great game and his run saw him pass the ball to Drazdukas, but his cross was a little too high and hard for Steve Lewis and Stuart Hayes who were waiting to tap home. A few minutes later however, The Wellmen took the lead.
McElmeel thread the ball through the defence for Steve Lewis to chase and he broke clear of his marker and fired the ball home passed the advancing goalkeeper to give Town a deserved lead. The strong crowd loved that goal and Town nearly increased their lead a few minutes later. Steve Thomas beat his marker down the left and ran to the bye line before being fouled for a free kick. Thomas stepped up to take the kick and watched as Steve Lewis went close before Ross Ankers fired in a cross but Lewis failed to convert before Lewis then had a goal disallowed as the referee adjudged him to be offside.

Ross Ankers and Steve Thomas both has shots blocked before a great move, mainly involving Graeme Williams and John Leonard saw the ball go out for a corner with Town pressing for their goal to seal the win. Shortly afterwards, Graeme Williams won the ball and went on a run towards goal. He cut inside and beat his marker and hit a shot which came back out into play off the post. It was a great move and effort which would have give Town a 3-1 lead with barely 10 minutes left on the clock.

Flint Town’s Simon Thelwell found himself with room at the near post but his header flew past Platt’s right hand post to safety when it would have been easier to head the ball into the net. As the match entered injury time, the Wellmen hung on to the win and claim their first 3 points of the season! Roll on Saturday now when we welcome Guilsfield to Halkyn Road, and hopefully see you there......