Flint finally find some Home Comforts

Despite going down to 10 men part way through the second half, for the second successive game, the Silkmen ran out comfortable winners against basement boys Ruthin, and could easily have trebled their tally.
Aden Shannon promised changes following Saturday's debacle, and he was true to his word, as the starting line up contained three alterations, all of which were in the midfield area, which was where we were most exposed against Caernarfon.
Flint had their first sight of goal after 5 minute, when Niall Dawson was fouled 20 yards out. Joe Culshaw curled in a free kick, that was dealt with by the Ruthin defence, who themselves had conceded six goals in their previous outing.
On 10 miniutes, Josh Carney was on hand to clear off the line for the visitors, after Culshaw had weaved into the box and curled an effort past Dylan Jones in the Ruthin goal. Just three minutes later, another effort was cleared off the line, this time a headed effort by Arkadiusz Piskorski, when he got on the end of a whipped in cross by Culshaw.
But just a minute later, Flint did get the ball over the line. James Hooper did some excellent foraging in the box to win the ball, and squared it to Kyle Smyth. Smyth's first effort was blocked by Jones, but he followed up to make sure the rebound finished in the net.
On 19 minutes, Smyth almost doubled his tally, when he was picked out by Luke Douglas with a long ball into his path, and his shot crashed against the post.
Hopper hit a dipping shot from 22 yards out, just before the half hour mark, that had Jones beaten, but just cleared the bar.
With 10 minutes to the break, Smyth let fly with a volley, after a Hooper cross was only cleared into his path. Once again the effort was over the bar.
The visitors got a sight of the Flint goal on 38 minutes, when Steve Cunningham was guilty of giving the ball away cheaply. But Will Owen shot erratically when presented with the chance, and Ben Jones' goal escaped unscathed.
But that represented Ruthin's only worthwhile opportunity, such was Flint's dominance in the opening period, even thought hey had only the one goal to show for it.
The home side picked up where they had left off in the second period, and crafted a beautiful move in the 52nd minute, which was instigated by John Davies at the back who picked out Smyth. He took the ball to the bye line before back heeling into the path of Hooper, whose effort stung the hands of Jones, who couldn't hold it, but a defender was on hand to clear the danger.
The second goal arrived just before the hour mark. Following a short corner, Culshaw picked the ball up on the right, and side stepped his man before hitting a curling shot that sailed into the net giving Jones no chance of saving.
Piskorski tried his luck with an overhead kick shortly after, that brought about a great save low down from the Ruthin stopper. However, Flint's Polish wide man reacted badly to a foul on him by Ilan Hughes on 63 minutes, and was sent off for kicking out, much to the dismay of the home supporters.
Not that the loss of a man had any real impact upon the flow of the game. On 76 minutes, a Ieuan Hewitt header brought another good save by Jones.
Flint created another good couple of chances in the last ten minutes. First, Hooper flew past two men with lightening speed, before unleashing a shot that Jones blocked, and Hooper put his follow up effort into the side netting. Finally, right on time, two of Flint's talented youngsters combined, with Joe Palmer teeing up Charlie Hughes, but his effort went wide of the target.
Although Ruthin were by no means the strongest opposition, Aden Shannon will nevertheless be extremely pleased with the reaction he got from his players tonight, with a bit more pride and passion on display.

Match Report details supplied by Will Price
Line Ups :
Flint Town United - B. Jones, L. Douglas (R. Coney 72), J. Culshaw, S. Cunningham(c), J. Davies, I. Hewitt, N. Dawson, J. Hill, J. Hooper ( C. Hughes 89), A. Piskorski, K. Smyth (J. Palmer 86). Unused Subs - P. Martin, D. McAdam (GK)
Ruthin Town - D. Jones, M. Evans, D. Jellicoe, W. Ashley, I. Edwards, O. Davies (S. Jones 89), J. Carney (L. Humphries 67), I. Hughes, C. Lloyd, T. Jones (C. Wilkinson 60), W. Owen

Goalscorers :
Flint Town United - Kyle Smyth (14), Joe Culshaw (57)

Cards :
Flint Town United : Red - A. Piskorski (63)
Ruthin Town - none

Flint MOM - James Hooper (caused the Ruthin problems with his pace and trickery and could easily have had a couple of goals himself , which was no more than he deserved)