Flint Hold Their Nerve To Lift Huws Gray Cup

Flint Town United have won the Huws Gray Alliance Cup at the sixth time of asking.

They overcame Gresford Athletic 8-7 is a dramatic penalty shootout at Ruthin Town FC.

Flint had Aleiu Sheriff after he was booked twice in a minute, but the Silkmen still emerged winners in a fiercely contested final.

Sheriff was cautioned for a foul after 86 minutes and then reacted to what he saw as play acting by an opponent less than a minute later and was shown a straight red card for putting his hands on an opponent.

Flint Town captain Carl Rodgers is presented with the Huws Gray Cup.

Mark Cadwallader had put Flint ahead after four minutes, while Jack Jones equalised on 49 minutes.

The score was 1-1 after extra time and the teams decided the issue on penalties.

Flint scored from eight of their nine penalties and it was Andy Brown who smashed in the winning spot-kick.

After the teams had taken five penalties each the score was 4-4 and then Flint lifted the trophy.

Goalkeeper Nik Lee-Bulmer saved Gresford’s ninth penalty, taken by Matt Cole, and Brown stepped up to convert his effort and spark wild celebrations.

Flint manager Niall McGuiness said: “Proud of every player and immensely proud to be part of this football club.”

Cheryl Foster and her fellow Huws Gray Alliance match officials.

Captain Carl Rodgers was Flint’s man of the match in a hard fought match played in sweltering conditions.

The dismissal of Sheriff was a massive blow, but Flint held on and saw out extra time.

Rodgers and Jacques Welsh were impeccable in front of goalkeeper Bulmer.

A League Cup winners medal is a fitting send off for Shaun Beck, who is retiring from regular Saturday football with his home town club.

Fifa-listed referee Cheryl Foster led an all-female quartet of match officials in charge of the Huws Gray Alliance Cup final.

https://twitter.com/leonbecklfc/status/992817845582155778

Former Wales and Liverpool player Foster and her fellow officials made history by setting a first for the men’s game in Wales.

Foster, nicknamed ‘Fozzy’ by friends and teammates, is part of a female team of officials who are on duty for the Gresford Athletic v Flint Town United final.

The Bangor-born Foster, a PE teacher at a school in Chester, has been refereeing for five years.

Gresford Athletic: Mike Platt, Matt Cole, Adam Davies (Dom Doherty), Nathan Peate (capt), Jack Jones, Josh Griffiths, Simon Smith (Cavan Daley), Jack Chaloner, Owen Roberts (Dave McIntyre), Mike Latham, Tom Freeman. Subs not used: Luke Medsinger, Mike Price.

Flint Town United: Nik Lee-Bulmer, Kyle Smyth, Andy Brown, Rob Jones, Carl Rodgers (capt), Jacques Welsh (Morgan Jones 73), Jack Stewart, Richie Foulkes, Shaun Beck (Stefan Halewood 96), Mark CAdwallader, Alieu Sherif. Suns not used: Elliott Quinlan (gk), Tom Burrows, Keiron Price.

Flint Town match winner Andy Brown.

Penalty Shoot Out :

Gresford Athletic: Tom Freeman (scored), Jack Chaloner (missed), Mike Latham (scored), Dom Doherty (scored), Nathan Peate (scored), Josh Griffiths (scored), Cavan Daley (scored), Mike Platt (scored), Matt Cole (missed).

Flint Town United: Richie Foulkes (scored), Mark Cadwallader (scored), Jacques Welsh (scored), Carl Rodgers (scored), Kyle Smith (missed), Morgan Jones (scored), Rob Jones (scored), Stefan Halewood (scored), Andy Brown (scored).

In the league Caersws won only their fourth game of the season beating bottom club Llandudno Junction 4-1. Richard Davies (2) and Elliot Jones on target for Cws with Sean McCaffery replying

Penrhyncoch won 1-0 against Holywell Town thanks to a Sion James goal after 61 minutes.

Results, Saturday: Caersws 1, Ruthin Town 0; Porthmadog 1, Flint Town United 1.

Bank Holiday Monday: Caersws 4, Llandudno Junction 1; Penrhyncoch 1, Holywell Town 0.