Penno and Hasto deliver doubles as fab Flint hit five

GENERO ADRAN TROPHY – SEPTEMBER 6, 2026

Flint Town United 5 (L Williams 8, 83, Hastings 28, 42, Smith 17)
Llanfair United 3 (Cornes 45, Thomas 52, Cook 87)

For the third season running Flint recorded a home victory over Llanfair United on the opening day.

Including a number of new signings, the Silkwomen established a four-goal lead in the first half and were good value for the points in this Adran Trophy Group 1 clash at the Essity.

Exciting addition Laura Williams, nee Pennington, the ex-Northop Hall, The New Saints and Tranmere Rovers goal-getter, did not take long to make her mark for Flint, finding the net after just eight minutes.

Ruby McGilloway hit the ball from halfway to find Williams in the box, and the striker beat a defender before scoring with her left foot.

Another fresh recruit, Poppy Smith, made it 2-0 on 17 minutes. The ex-Nantwich Town ace benefited from great play between Grace Bamber and Ruby Hastings down the right, Hastings made a long run and crossed into Smith, who drilled the ball home first-time with her left peg.

It was three on 28 minutes. Bella Riley and Williams had attempts blocked in the box before the ball then fell to Hastings’ feet and she hit it with great power into the top right.

Llanfair missed a chance to pull one back from the spot. Keeper Becky Bott conceded a penalty, but then saved Harriet Davies’ kick and McGilloway cleared the loose ball.

Hastings made it 4-0 soon after, this time from the left wing as she had swapped sides with Riley.

Llanfair finally opened their account in the 45th minute when the ball landed to Erin Cornes from a Bott kick out and she chipped the keeper to score.

Half-time: 4-1.

Llanfair reduced the deficit further seven minutes after the restart when Grace Thomas scored direct from a corner.

That was the end of the scoring for a while, but Flint made the points safe on 83 minutes when brilliant passing saw Hastings find Williams, who megged the keeper with a firm shot to make it 5-2.

A great run and finish from the rapid Sophie Cook brought the visitors another consolation before the end.

POTM for Flint was Millie O’Connor who controlled everything in midfield. She was absolutely class and the award was so well deserved.

Winning captain McGilloway said: “We played some great football, especially in the first half. The new players all impressed and already the revamped team is gelling well and creating a great atmosphere to be involved in. Pleased to get the 3 points and fair play to Llanfair who gave us a great game, particularly the second half. They travelled with low numbers but didn’t give up.”