Cae-y-Castell, home of Flint Town United based in Flintshire, Wales and play their trade in the Cymru Premier. Nicknamed the “Silkmen” due to the town’s history in the silk industry. Also the home of Halkyn & Flint Mountain FC who play in the Ardal North West League.
It doesn’t happen very often but when it does it is sweet! An invite to a ground is always something I will get behind! After my previous visit to Wales to see Airbus UK Broughton, a man named Phil who is the chairman of Halkyn & Flint Mountain kindly invited me to Flint and today is finally the day that it happens!
“Oh the weather outside is frightful…” Very frightful… Let the game offs commence… Mansfield Town will not be travelling to Northampton today but a last minute 3G for me this morning sees coaching duties still going ahead. Flint Town United vs Pontypridd Town at 5:15pm is thankfully safe and going ahead! Now for the search of an earlier kick off.
Holywell Town vs Gresford Athletic has been moved to Flint’s ground for a 1pm kick off. Brickfield Rangers vs Halkyn & Flint Mountain has gone under… Could I be rock rock rocking on heaven’s door at Cefn Druids…? No… Frozen pitch!
In that case it’s on to the M1, off at the A616, to the A628, onto the M67, to the M60, to the M56 and into the ground towards the end of the first half of Holywell Town and Gresford Athletic.
That little castle looks good and the views around here look fabulous! With plenty of time to kill, let’s take a little look around Flint Castle! Up the spirally stairs just like the Statue of Liberty in New York but thankfully not as long… “HARRY! I’VE REACHED THE TOP!” What a view this is! But so cold…
Back down the spiral stairs and now for the ground. Free Entry into this one! Lucky me! Holywell Town 1-0 Gresford Athletic is the current score in this second half. Holywell hit the ball forward into the box, flicked on… And it’s headed in! 2-0! A dangerous challenge later on in the game sees a straight red and Holywell down to 10 but they see out the result as 2-0 winners!
In the clubhouse to see out the final moments of Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea… thank the lord I missed that! Phil is here! Great to finally meet him and his friend Gadge! I’m also glad to be joined by their friends here today as we pass the time with the 3pm kick offs that did survive. West Ham vs Everton in a game that could have ramifications for both sides here today.
2-0 to West Ham at half time… It’s looking bleak for Everton… During the half time break I snapped up some empty pictures of the ground before it goes dark. Meanwhile, Goody’s at Flint! A food van at the side here a little similar to the one at Avro. A free meal on Phil and a strongly recommended choice of a Chicken Burger and a deluxe Hot Chocolate by Gadge. What’s the verdict…? WOW! WOW! WOW! UNREAL! I’d say it’s as good as Avro burger wise, I like the fries just a little better here but that Hot Chocolate was to die for! Flint has just overtaken Avro in the food ratings for me!
A poor second half showing from Everton sees them lose 2-0, could this be the end for Lampard? The crowd are gathering here nicely but the temperature is dropping quickly… Out come the teams! It’s the Welsh Premier League and it’s BALTIC!
Kick Off! Both teams getting to grips with the ball for now but Flint are looking the more aggressive so far. 17 minutes in and Flint win a free kick on the byline on the left, it’s played into the box and here’s Brandon Diau with the header… Straight at the keeper!
A short walk around the ground and… DAVE WOODINGS! Again? He is everywhere! Always a hopper somewhere! Chris Berezai is here as well! Fantastic! Phil certainly has the right idea watching the game from indoors, this is actually colder than Garforth!
28th minute and Flint have a throw in on the left, it’s played to Jordan Carroll who plays it into the middle, it’s loose and it falls to Zack Clarke… And he pokes it home!! Flint take the lead here! 1-0!
3 minutes later and Flint play a long ball for Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro, a brilliant first touch to set himself and he drives into the box from the left, he bares down on goal… BRILLIANT! He pokes it through the keepers legs and Flint have doubled their lead!! 2-0! At half time the score remains 2-0 to Flint.
Second half, 58 minutes now and Flint get the ball into the box, it comes for Zack Clarke to shoot through the crowd of players… And he’s found the net!! He’s got another one!!! 3 for Flint! 3-0!
4 minutes later and Flint play it forward for Zack Clarke who’s beaten the offside trap, he’s in… HAT-TRICK!! Brilliant finish!! Flint are in dreamland here!! IT’S FOUR!!!! 4-0!
76th minute and Pontypridd have it in their own half, but it’s given away cheaply to Rhys Kavanagh who drives forward on the left, he cuts inside on the edge of the box to shoot… Keeper saves!
81 minutes now and Pontypridd come forward, it’s passed across the edge of the box to Joseph Evans outside the box on the right who will shoot… It’s in off the post!! Pontypridd have got one back! 4-1!
1 minute later and they have a corner, in it comes… It’s pinball in the box…… OH! How did that stay out?! Flint get it away.
87th minute and Pontypridd play down the left, it’s played into the box, headed away and it comes to Joseph Evans to volley… Keeper saves! Play goes on… Full time! A big win for Flint!
FT: Flint Town United 4-1 Pontypridd Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 4/10 – Pretty good here tonight! A group of boys gave it a good effort and there seems to be a good community spirit here!
- The Ground: 9/10 – Very nice setup! Plenty of stands and I especially like the main stand! The food area is also very impressive! It looks good in the daylight with the surrounding views but I just wish it wasn’t so cold…
- Expense: 10/10 – Free entry, free food. Was never going to be anything less thanks to Phil!
- Overall Experience: 10/10 – A massive thanks to Phil and Gadge and friends who have treated me like a VIP today! I’ll certainly be back for Halkyn & Flint Mountain when the time is right! Great to also see Dave and Chris again as well and to see more goals!!
33/40