Great game at the Essity Stadium

FLINT TOWN UNITED 2 (S Roberts 21, Haynes 26)
CPD Y RHYL 1879 1 (L Jones 23)

Both sides could feel encouraged by their respective performances on Sunday.

Flint maintained their 100 percent home record this season with a hard-earned victory, while Rhyl’s improvement continued as they pushed another quality opponent to the wire.

The Silkwomen took a 21st minute lead when Shona Roberts finished off a Zoe Stopford cross.

Rhyl were level two minutes later when captain Rachael Thomas played a perfectly-weighted delivery for stand-in striker Lauren Jones to loft the ball over the advancing keeper and into the net.

Three minutes later Flint made it 2-1 when Jennifer Haynes drove into the area and fired a fine shot across the keeper into the bottom corner.

The hosts later had a Daisy Hughes goal ruled out for offside.

After the game, Flint captain Ruby McGilloway, a non-playing sub on the day, said: “It’s been great to see Shona score both times (Llanfair and today) when she’s been put in more of an attacking position than usual. She was CDM today rather than CB.

“We had more chances second half, dominated the game and could have scored 4/5 in the last 10 minutes.

“We defended til the very last minute as Rhyl had a corner just before the final whistle which could have been a huge threat as they are a team that are all great in the air, but thankfully we got the 3 points.”

Rhyl captain Rachael Thomas commented: “The first half was a great game of football, both teams battling very well. It was disappointing to concede twice through errors, but still very positive to go in at half time just 2-1 down.

“The second half again was very much a battle between two very good teams, both creating chances and both teams defending well. A draw would definitely have been a fair result but we go again onto the next one and just got to make sure we make sure our chances start counting.”

Rhyl manager Cassie Thomas added: “Another close and frustrating result. The girls moved the ball well again playing on a nice surface and created some good passages of play, one resulting in our goal. Our own errors cost us goals yesterday, but we will go away and work on them.

“It’s coming down to fine margins which hopefully we can push on and make our performances count in the coming weeks. Another performance from the girls I am proud of and we go again next week.”

Cassie chose captain Thomas as POTM. “A ruthless performance, very calm and composed on the ball creating chances for the team.”

Grace Bamber was chosen as Flint’s Player of the Match.

Flint: Rebecca Bott, Taylia Chaloner, Alaw Jones, Shona Roberts, Jennifer Haynes (Daisy Hughes 60), Zoe Stopford, Kaelyn Williams, Ruby Hastings, Rosie Hughes (c), Grace Bamber, Llinos Hughes.

Rhyl 1879: Bethan Thomas, Sophie Haywood, Cassandra Thomas, Rosie O’Brien, Laura Williams, Rachael Thomas (c), Saskia Wynne-Thomas, Chelsea Evans, Alicia Duke (Ella Simcox 62), Lauren Jones, Ellie Wilkinson.