Analysis: Flint Town United v NFA – Genero Adran North

MATCH ANALYSIS: GENERO ADRAN NORTH

Flint Town United 5 (McGilloway 4, Stopford 21, R Hughes 32 & 77, Hastings 71)
NFA 0

Genero Adran North newcomers Flint showed once more today what an asset they can become to the Tier 2 league.

Although this was a first league win in their third fixture at this level, the Flintshire outfit have this season won all three of their Genero Adran Trophy group matches to set up a last 16 visit to Barry Town United.

Today brought a dream first game in charge for new manager Oli Williams as he saw his team put five past NFA without reply at Essity Stadium.

The Silkwomen’s performance had a perfect start – Ruby McGilloway’s fourth-minute goal – and nearly the ideal ending with the back from injury Daisy Hughes almost making it 6-0 with the final kick of the afternoon.

Regardless, left-winger Hughes, returning from a long lay-off, had already made an instant impact with a lovely through ball for her sister Rosie to score and make it 5-0.

Star of the show today was Kaelyn Williams, who played a series of slide-rule passes, had numerous efforts on goal and was behind most things creative.

Her right foot resembles a golf putter on occasions.

All her performance missed was a goal – and how she deserved one!

With keeper Ruby Stevens, new signing Grace Bamber and the comebacking Daisy Hughes all emerging off the bench, Flint are beginning to develop strength in depth.

As for NFA, it’s been a tough start to the season, but they did produce a few positives today.

After conceding two relatively early goals, they came back into it and carved out a few good attacking positions but didn’t always get the run of the ball.

The defence worked hard, their stand-in keeper had one or two difficult moments, but also impressed at times, while the industrious Molly Brown was her usual determined self.

Captain Georgia Williams often showed the quality of a player who had previously operated at a higher level.

NFA’s recent Welsh Cup win over Airbus UK Broughton will have benefited them and they are certainly capable of a victory or two in this strong eight-team division.

To their credit, the Rhyl-based visitors kept pushing till the end and few inside the ground would have begrudged them a consolation goal.

Both today’s teams are still relatively new to women’s football and have done well to reach Tier 2 standard in a short space of time.