High praise from manager as Flint hit eight and make it 11 straight league wins

North Wales Women’s League East

Flint Town United 8 (Stopford, D Hughes 2, Haynes, McGilloway, Crockett, Edwards, Heathcote)
Welshpool Town 2 (Evans 2, 1 pen)

Match action details: Alan Stubbs (Cymru Sport)

Treble-chasers Flint were praised by manager Elliott Hale for maintaining their intensity despite having the league title under lock and key.

The Silkwomen, crowned East division champions the previous weekend, are also in contention for the Betty Pickering Cup and overall North Wales League play-off title, but remained focused in their bid to protect their 100 percent league record with a ruthless display against Welshpool on Sunday.

Hale said: “We went into the game positive and on the front foot. Welshpool’s keeper had a great game, but that didn’t stop us from playing and doing the right things, looking to switch play and not forcing the ball.

“Being composed under pressure and dealing well with 1v1 battles defensively also helped us; also ensuring we always play with an overload in and out of possession, two-three touch, looking to spread the ball and play the channels creating space inside for a switch if needed.

“Welshpool didn’t stop, kept digging in, but our quality and fitness levels really showed later on in the game.”

Sunday’s game started evenly until Flint won a corner which was superbly put in by the impressive Rosie Hughes to the back post where Zoe Stopford converted her 21st goal of the season.

To Welshpool’s credit they started to get a foothold in the game but while on the attack a superb counter from Flint saw Ruby Hastings race down the wing and put in a perfect ball to the back stick for Daisy Hughes to score.

Just after Jennifer Haynes was brought down in the area and referee Carl Tombs pointed tto the spot.

Haynes took the penalty only to be denied by a superb save from Welshpool keeper Amy Allen, who was keeping her team in the game.

In the 38th minute came a hammer blow to Welshpool hopes as it looked like Allen was bundled into the net after saving from a Hastings cross only for Daisy Hughes to slot home for 3-0.

The visitors appealed for a foul but referee Tombs gave the goal.

Hastings was a constant threat down the flanks in the first half and in the 42nd minute a superb turn and shot by Haynes made up for the penalty miss and brought the score to 4-0.

HALF-TIME: Flint Town United 4 Welshpool Town 0

The second half started with Flint on the front foot and in the 49th minute a mix up in the Welshpool defence allowed Flint’s captain Ruby McGilloway to make it five.

Six minutes later substitute Tegan Crockett added a sixth and it could have got much worse for Welshpool but for the fine saves Allen was making.

In the 65th minute the visitors won a corner which Naomi Evans sent over and a penalty was given for handball. Evans duly dispatched into the top corner to make it 6-1.

That goal gave Welshpool confidence and seven minutes later Lucie Gwilt brought the ball out of defence to pass to top scorer Evans, who with back to goal turned inside the area and scored her seventh this term.

But any thoughts of a miracle Welshpool comeback were extinguished when Crockett crossed for substitute Jasmine Edwards to make it 7-2 .

Flint made it 8-2 on 81 with an excellent strike from outside the box from substitute Erin Heathcote.