Match Report: Flint Town 0-0 ATFC

Flint Town United 0-0 Aberystwyth Town
JD Cymru Premier

Aberystwyth Town failed to make their numerical advantage count as they fought out a goalless draw against their nearest league rivals Flint Town United at the Essity Stadium. On a frustrating afternoon on the North East coast, Ben Amiss was dismissed for the hosts with seconds to go until the interval but the Seasiders were unable to make their advantage count over the course of the second half. 
 
With Wales experiencing some unseasonal weather in the build up to the game, the Deeside coast was battered by mother nature in the build-up to the game and full credit must go to the volunteers at the Silkmen for producing an excellent playing surface.
 
Aber started the game brightly and carved out two great openings in the first five minutes.  Firstly, Louis Bradford volleyed over the bar from close range before some brilliant work down the left from Harry Franklin teed up a cross for Jonathan Evans who’s goal bound header looked to have given the Seasiders the initiative. However, home stopper Jon Rushton had other ideas, pulling off a sumptuous save down low, pawing the ball away to safety.
 
After the two quick chances for Aber, Flint settled into the contest and began creating chances of their own. The home side saw strikes from Alex Jones and Callum Brately fall narrowly wide of the post before creating their best opportunity of the half with 23 minutes having elapsed. Great play down the right flank saw the ball land to Ross Weaver. His strike, via a deflection from Black and Green defender Ian Kearney forced Connor Roberts into a great stop.
 
Franklin was causing problems for the Silkmen and Aber’s most likely route towards victory looked to be coming down his wing. He had a glorious opportunity to give Aber the lead but couldn’t keep his effort under the crossbar. He did have the ball in the back of the net but an early flag from the linesman denied him his fourth of the season.
 
The game’s flashpoint came with just seconds to go until the break. A heavy tackle in midfield from Ben Amiss on Jamie Veale, sparking a 19-man melee in midfield and saw referee Bryn Markham Jones reach for his red card for the Flint Town United striker.
 
With Aber having a numerical advantage, they enjoyed more of the ball in the second stanza but could only create sporadic chances against a well drilled and organised back line. Mathew Jones saw a strike fall narrowly over the bar whilst Kearney’s header from a corner landed on the roof of the home net.
 
To their credit, Flint did look to gain a winner of their own and had spells of pressure but like their opponents, they couldn’t break down an organised Seasiders’ defence. The lively Jones for the hosts came closest with his header going wide of the far post.
 
Gavin Allen introduced Owain Jones and Marc Williams as well as Jamie Reed late on in search of the go ahead goal but despite the addition of additional fire power, there was to be no late drama which has plagued our season so far. Jon Owen saw a shot well stopped by Rushton whilst Jenkins tried to connect with a Jack Rimmer cross in the final minute but could only make connection with the home keeper, earning himself a yellow card in the process.
 
With one game to go, Aber will be hoping for a victory away at local rivals Newtown whilst hoping that Cardiff Met continue their good form with a victory over Flint Town to ensure we don’t finish in the bottom two of the league for the first time since the inception of the Super 12. We also hope that next Saturday’s game will be the last behind closed doors and that by the beginning of next season, the doors to the JD Cymru Premier will be wide open to all once again.