Match highlights – Genero Adran Trophy: Flint Town United 4-3 Llanfair United

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Genero Adran Trophy Group 2

Flint Town United 4 (McGilloway 15, Howarth 30, Haynes 46 & 55)
Llanfair United 3 (Cook 17, 33 & 52)

Flint Town United celebrated a narrow victory in their first game as a tier 2 club, beating Llanfair 4-3 in a seven-goal Genero Adran Trophy group thriller at Essity Stadium.

Here is a rundown of the match highlights – game analysis to follow.

6 min: Early warning for Flint as an inswinging corner to the back post from Sophie Cook almost finds the net
7 min: Flint’s Rosie Hughes makes a dynamic run from halfway with her final shot flying just wide.
11 min: Brilliant play from Rosie Hughes sets up Jennifer Haynes, whose blasts over from close range
15 min – GOAL!: Flint’s first net-buster of the season and already surely a contender for Goal of 2024-25. RUBY McGILLOWAY hits an absolute rocket from 25 yards which flies into the net.
17 min – GOAL!: COOK’S corners were a deadly weapon throughout and she made it 1-1 with an inswinger from the right.
30 min – GOAL!: Rosie Hughes corner comes to Taylia Chaloner, who shows sublime skill and composure to pass to midfielder INDIA HOWARTH, who applies the neatest of finishes.
33 min – GOAL!: That old saying teams are at their most vulnerable after scoring a goal. Not long after falling behind, Llanfair level again when COOK bursts clear down the left, into the box and drills home for 2-2.

HALF-TIME: Flint Town United 2 Llanfair United 2

46 min – GOAL!: Great start to the second half for Flint as JENNIFER HAYNES slots home a neat finish
52 min – GOAL!: No quit in this Llanfair team. COOK capitalises on indecision at the back to complete her hat-trick and make it three-apiece.
55 min – GOAL! : Ruby Hastings lobs a high ball into the six-yard box from the right byline and HAYNES prods home her second for 4-3.
65 min: Harriet Davies is inches wide for Llanfair. Howarth then produces an heroic block for Flint. What a debut for the young defender, a summer signing from Airbus.
74 min: Cook races into the box, lets fly, but Becky Bott saves really well
83 min: Bott saves superbly again from Davies
86 min: Hastings inches away from making it five for Flint, lashing one across the face of goal.
93 min: So nearly a late equaliser, but Mary Bailey’s effort misses by a fraction.

FULL-TIME: Flint Town United 4 Llanfair United 3

GRASSROOTS NORTH WALES PLAYERS OF THE MATCH

Flint Town United: So many contenders, but India Howarth was a real stand out in midfield on debut. Great tackles, neat passes and a lovely finish for her goal.

Llanfair United: Sophie Cook scored three and could have had more. A shining light in a team full of determination and spirit.