Well done Cefn Druids – a first Cymru Premier win in 35 attempts!

Niall Flint puts away his second penalty for Druids. PICTURE: MIKE SMITH

Cefn Druids 2 Cardiff Met University 0

Cefn Druids have Flint to thank for finally gaining that elusive first league win of the season.

No, not their fellow North Wales club Flint Town United.

The Flint in question here is Niall Flint, whose double penalty blast secured Andy Turner’s side their opening Cymru Premier victory of 2021-22 at the 26th attempt.

Already relegated from the top flight, the Ancients had managed just three draws in their previous 25 matches this term, 22 of which ended in defeat.

But The Rock outfit were determined not to end the campaign winless and on Saturday achieved their aim.

The casualties were Cardiff Met University, unbeaten in their 11 previous league matches – a run which ironically started with a 3-1 win at Druids on December 4, 2021.

Cefn were unlucky not to break their duck three matches earlier when held 3-3 by Aberystwyth Town, having been 3-1 up entering the closing minutes.

Former Tottenham Hotspur winger and now Druids head coach Turner could only be delighted with what he saw today.

Druids started well, Liam Thomas’ deflected cross from the left looping towards the back post where Charley Edge’s header was blocked by keeper Alex Lang.

After 14 minutes the opener came. Thomas delivered a classy ball out to the right where Lewis Buckley cut into the box and was tripped by Lewis Rees.

Referee Alex Livesey pointed to the spot and Flint buried the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.

Rees had a chance to make amends when through on goal, but keeper Michael Jones blocked brilliantly at his feet.

In the 22nd minute disaster for the students.

From a Thomas corner, Izaack Lambert’s goalbound header was handled on the line by Joseph Evans, who received a straight red card – and Druids had earned a second penalty.

This time, Flint’s effort was more central and beat Lang again – 2-0 to the bottom side.

Jones produced a fine stop to deny Rees before the break.

In the second half, Met were adamant they should have been awarded a spot-kick when Nacho Torres looked to have pulled back Ryan Lewis-Hillier, but the referee remained unmoved.

Elliot Evans drilled inches wide for the visitors, but this was Druids’ day in the sun and they truly deserved it.

CEFN DRUIDS

Michael Jones, Liam Buckley, Phillip Mooney, Liam Thomas (Eric Durnell 86), Niall Flint, Izaack Lambert, Nacho Torres, Charley Edge, Mitchell Williams (Taylor Thain 60), Ioan Evans, Samuel Hanley (Jelson Antonio 70).

When did Cefn Druids last win a Cymru Premier match before beating Cardiff Met University on March 26, 2022?

It was 35 games ago on April 10, 2021, a 2-1 home win over Haverfordwest with Niall Flint putting the Ancients ahead and Charley Edge nabbing a 90th minute winner.

Since that day, Cefn had drawn 3 and lost 31 in the top flight – until Saturday happened!