Flashback: NWCFA Challenge Cup Final – Flint Town United v Colwyn Bay (2010-11)

Next season the North Wales Coast FA Challenge Cup competition is due to return after a six-year absence.

Grassroots North Wales is running a mini-series recollecting past finals.

Today we focus on a close-fought 2011 final between Flint Town United and strong favourites Colwyn Bay, which went all the way to penalties.

Flint Town United 1 Colwyn Bay 1
NWCFA Challenge Cup Final – May 11, 2011
(aet – Bay win 5-3 on penalties)

What a fantastic effort Flint put up in this NWCFA Challenge Cup Final against a strong Bay outfit which had just secured back-to-back promotions to reach the Conference North.

Paul Davies’ Silkmen had finished seventh in the Cymru Alliance and were major underdogs, yet they pushed the Seagulls all the way.

Bay came out all guns firing, but Flint soaked up the pressure and almost took the lead on 22 minutes when out wide Jack Abraham whipped in a cross and Simon Thelwell’s headed effort was tipped over by Andy Metcalf.

It was Colwyn who edged ahead on 29 minutes when a hopeful long ball out of defence by Daniel Grannon was allowed to reach Jon Newby, whose first time strike from inside the area found the back of the net.

On 39 minutes Flint should have been level when Thelwell’s quick lay-off enabled Shaun Beck to curl in a shot which was narrowly turned wide for a corner.

The resulting flag-kick saw Beck have his header saved by Metcalf and then Abraham shot over from 12 yards.

Half time: Colwyn Bay 1 Flint Town United 0

Flint were fast out of the blocks for the second half and equalised on 48 minutes.

Defender John Davies, right upfield out by the corner flag, stepped inside and sent over a deep cross which with the help of a deflection beat Metcalf and found the top corner of the net.

Flint pressed hard for the rest of the half to deliver a winner but it was not to be.

Full-time: 1-1

Into extra time and Flint were still well on top. On 100 minutes Paul Williams sent a great long ball to Beck, whose first-time lob went wide.

In the closing minutes the Bay tried a few long range efforts but to no effect.

The final now entered the lottery of the penalty shoot-out.

Flint were up second and Beck rattled the crossbar, which decided the outcome as it was the only miss.

Matty Roberts, Jason Renshaw and Stuart Hughes converted Flint’s other penalties, Anthony Sheehan putting away Bay’s winning kick.

Luke Denson, Jon Newby, Steve Aspinall and Karl Noon also found the net for the Seagulls.

Flint Town United: Richie Walker, Mike Banks (capt), Danny Dobbins, Jason Renshaw, John Davies, Stefan Halewood, Jack Abraham, Paul Williams, Simon Thelwell, Shaun Beck, Stuart Hughes. Subs: Matty Roberts (72), John Kenworthy, Jamie Crowther, John Hill.