Another late goal does the trick for flying Flint!
GENERO ADRAN NORTH – OCTOBER 5
Berriew 2 (Evans 21, 78)
Flint Town United 3 (Stopford 49, 59, Haynes 90+2)
Talk about inspired substitutions!
In the 85th minute, with the score at 2-2, Flint replaced two-goal star Zoe Stopford with Jennifer Haynes.
And the switch well and truly paid off when in the second minute of added time, Haynes delivered a goal from the gods, an audacious long range strike that flew into the net beyond stranded goalkeeper Sarah Parkes.
The celebratory scenes said it all. Flint were heading to the top of the table thanks to another of their fast becoming famous late goals.
Already this season, the Silkwomen had bagged two winners past the 90th minute – Becca Eagles in a 3-2 victory against Llanfair and Llinos Hughes in a 2-1 triumph at Bangor, both in the Adran Trophy.
Now Hotshot Haynes’ last-gasp decider can be added to the list, proving this team keeps going to the very end.
Promoted Berriew, who at home are likely to be a match for most this season on their difficult pitch, led 1-0 at half time, Dottie Evans scoring in the 21st minute from a Liann Richards assist.
The visitors upped their game after the restart and were 2-1 up before the hour.
Stopford equalised with a powerful volley and struck again when she broke free from a Rosie Hughes corner to nudge the ball home.
Evans hit back with her second for the hosts on 78 before Haynes’ late stunner won the day.
Flint captain Ruby McGilloway was understandably delighted with the outcome.
She said: “After our draw with Llandudno, we travelled to Berriew determined to get three important points.
“We travelled with a full squad so felt strong and prepared but we didn’t make it easy for ourselves, starting slowly and allowing Berriew to capitalise and take a 1–0 lead into half time. After regrouping and receiving clear instructions from management, we came out for the second half with a different mindset and intent to turn things around.
“Zoe stepped up with two goals in quick succession. The first was a powerful volley from 20 yards out, and the second came from a Rosie Hughes corner, with Zoe breaking free from her marker to tap home and give us the lead.
“Berriew continued to push and managed to pull one back, keeping the pressure on us but we stayed switched on and kept battling. A few substitutions were made in the latter stages of the second half, all of which played their part in maintaining our intensity.
“The winner came from a worldie of a goal from Jenn. After some great build up play down the right, Tay found Jenn’s feet and she struck the ball on the half-volley, sending it across goal and over the keeper to win us the game.
“A strong team performance overall, we showed real character and determination, fighting til the very end to take home all three points. We seem to love a last minute winner recently!
“Fairplay to Berriew, they worked hard and they’re not a team to underestimate whatsoever, especially when playing at home.”
Final note: It was goalkeeper Becky Bott’s birthday – so what a perfect gift for the golden gloves girl!
Flint Town United: Rebecca Bott, Taylor Chaloner, Llinos Hughes (Becca Eagles 46), Shona Roberts, Beth Roberts (Kaelyn Williams 76), Ruby McGilloway (c), Zoe Stopford (Jennifer Haynes 85), Ruby Hastings (Daisy Hughes 77), Rosie Hughes, Grace Bamber (Isabella Devereux 46), Rebecca Hughes.