Flint Comeback Stuns Tangerines

The Tangerines put in a strong performance full of work rate and endeavour and the much fancied home side will probably count themselves fortunate to of taken all three points against a Conwy side who featured three sixteen year olds at the final whistle.

Borough boss Pritchard gave debuts to two new signings with Thomas Morris, who partnered Neil Harvey at the centre of defence, and Daniel Cross who came in on the right side of midfield.

The new defensive partnership held solid in a first half with few clear cut chances created for either side. For Flint striker James Hooper had a shot from the edge of the box that went wide early on.

The best chance for Conwy fell to impressive debutant Morris on 21 minutes, following a Ben Glover free kick delivered from the left hand side, he found himself free in the box but hit his volley over the bar from close range. Late on in the half a fluid Conwy attacking move led to Daniel Cross driving forward to the edge of the box but he pulled his shot wide of the post as the half ended 0-0.

Alex Titchiner was withdrawn at half time through injury. Pritchard shuffled the pack and brought on Brandon Rigg for his debut at centre half and moved Neil Havey upfront.

Conwy came flying out of the blocks and created a number of chances at the start of the half. Danny Cross broke clear and was denied by Flint stopper Ben Jones from close range the ball fell to Joe Chaplin, and his follow up shot was cleared off the line by former Tangerine Matty Holt.

Five minutes later and the Tangerines found the break through on 60 minutes. Joe Chaplin found himself one-on-one with Jones after a superb cross field ball by Ben Glover, and the Flint keeper pulled off another good save to deny him. The ball fell to Danny Cross inside the box and he kept a cool head to blast the ball in from 8 yards for a deserved lead.

However the home side got themselves level on 68 minutes against the run of play. A cross into the box from Hooper wasn’t dealt with and another former Tangerine, Andy Brown, played in Kyle Smith, whose shot took a wicked deflection to beat Williams in the Conwy goal.

The goal gave Flint the lift they needed as they started to exert their control on the game in the final stages. Another effort from Smyth was cleared off the line.

Flint's second and decisive goal arrived on 79 minutes, resulting from a free kick which was awarded to home side just inside the half way line. The free kick was delivered into the box and Smyth was the quickest to react and place his shot into the corner of the net to secure three points for Aden Shannons men.

“I was really pleased with the performance in general.” said Pritchard after the game.

"The players are improving and the new signings are improving the quality of the team.”

"I think we gave Flint a proper fright today and maybe should have scored more when in the ascendency at the start of the second half. But you have to give credit to them and it's no fluke that they are in the top four in this league. But we will lick our wounds, the youngsters are continuing to learn, and we now plan for our next game.”

Next up for the Tangerines is a home game against Holyhead Hotspur at Y Morfa on Tuesday 27th December KO 2.30pm. This will be another crucial league game with precious points at stake for Pritchard's men.

Flint Town United - B. Jones, I. Hewitt (A. Brown 46), J. Culshaw, C. Roberts, J. Davies, M. Holt, S. Cunningham (c), C. Li (R. Foulkes 75), J. Hooper (J. Palmer 87), S. Carroll, K. Smyth. Unused Subs - L. Tyson, J. Hill

Conwy Borough - S. Williams, D. Hughes, A. Hold, T. Morris, N. Harvey, J. Breeze (c), D. Cross, J. Brierley, J. Chaplin, A. Titchener (B. Rigg 46), B. Glover (M. Breeze 63). Unused Subs - A. Tierney, J. Wilton, A. Buckley
Goalscorers :

Flint Town United - Kyle Smyth (68, 79)

Conwy Borough - Danny Cross (60)