Nothing to choose between two well matched sides

Like their previous 2 games this season, Flint dominated the opening quarter of the game, before taking their foot off the pedal, and allowing the opposition back into the match during the second period. Whereas last week, we managed to hold out to secure all 3 points, this week we were unable to stop our visitors grabbing, what was ultimately, a deserved equaliser.
With the wind at their backs, Flint set at Guilsfield from the off. A Stewart Carroll corner after two minutes found Jamie Petrie at the far post, and the ex-Bangor player's header found a way past Ashley Roberts in the Guilsfield goal, only for it to strike the post and bounce out over the dead ball line.
That was to prove only a temporary reprieve for the visitors, as Flint took the lead 8 minutes later. Jamie Petrie retrieved a ball from wide on the right, turned back towards goal, jinked past 2 defenders and sent in a low cross across the face of goal. Simon Thelwell got in front of his marker and produced a cheeky back heel into the net from close range.
Flint never really capitalised on this advantage, and despite a couple of half chances falling to debutant Paul McManus, which ended up being hit over the bar, Guils' keeper Roberts was not really called upon to make any saves of note, despite the home side's possession.
The visitors always looked as though they could pose a threat on the counter attack with their pacy forward line, and with just the one goal lead to cling onto, Flint were always vulnerable.
On 44 minutes, Guilsfield were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Flint 18 yard box. Adam Jenkins' effort cleared the Flint wall, but home keeper Ross Dalton managed to get his fingertips to the shot to touch it onto the bar and out to safety.
In the second period, Flint seemed unable to continue with their passing game, all too often resorting to long balls up to Thelwell, who too often found himself isolated and well marshalled by the Guilsfield back line. So it was the visitors who took the initiative, and carved out several chances. With just five minutes of the second period gone, the impressive Chris Catherall picked up the ball just inside the Flint half, and the left back ran on unchallenged to the edge of the Flint box, before hitting a shot that Dalton did well to divert around the post.
On 58 minutes, Sam Litchfield, thudded a header against the Flint bar following a corner.
Flint's best move of the half came on 61 minutes, when, after Thelwell had an effort blocked by the resolute Guilsfield back line, the ball found its way out to McManus on the right. He cut into the box and unleashed a rising shot that just cleared the Guilsfield bar.
After this, as an attacking force, Flint were becoming quite sporadic, and were too often being pinned down in their own half, as Guilsfield put the home defence under increasing pressure, especially from set pieces and the potent weapon of Catherall's long throws. To their credit, the Flint backline stood up to the bombardment extremely well, with the central pairing of John Davies and Johnny Hill coming the rescue on several occasions with clearing headers and well timed blocks.
However, with the home side seemingly content to allow the visitors to come onto them for the remainder of the game, it was almost inevitable that their defences were going to be breached at some point.
On 86 minutes, a cross was played into the Flint box that caused all kinds of havoc, with an attempted defensive clearing header almost resulting in an own goal as it hit the bar. That let off was short lived, as just a minuted later, another cross was flicked across goal and into the path of Guilsfield substitute Jack Harris on the edge of the six yard box, who sweetly struck a shot on the half volley back across goal and into the Flint net.
Deep into added time, Peter Rees beat the Flint offside trap, and raced in on goal, but Dalton spread himself well to keep out Rees' effort, and ensure that honours remained even, in an entertaining match, that whilst devoid of too much goalmouth action, showcased the resolute defences of both sides.
As I shall be unavailable to attend the next 4 games, starting with Wednesday's derby against Holywell, Will Price has kindly agreed to step back into the breach, and provide the match reports, in what no doubt will be his unique, no-nonense style.

Team Line Ups :
Flint Town United - R. Dalton, M. Beech, J. Culshaw, J. Davies, J. Hill, C. Jones (c), J. Petrie (K. Smyth 60), S. Carroll (M. Winslade 72), S. Thelwell, P. McManus, L. Hynes (A. Dobson 74). Unused Subs - M. McGregor, L. Robinson
Guilsfield - A. Roberts, C. Bromley, C. Catherall, N. Leonard (A. Edwards 65), S. Jones, J. Henderson, P. Rees, S. Litchfield, A. Jenkins, G. Jones (c) (J. Harris 72), J. Richards. Unused Subs - D. Littleford

Goalscorers :
Flint Town United - S. Thelwell (10 mins)
Guilsfield - J. Harris (87 mins)

Bookings :
Flint Town United - Yellow Cards : Craig Jones (48); Red Cards : None
Guilsfield - Yellow Cards : S. Litchfield (33); Red Cards : None

Flint MOM - John Davies