The day had arrived for the big Boxing Day match between Holywell Town and Flint Town United for the Flintshire derby and the match got underway with the Wellmen kicking off. Town started brightly and won a corner, and from the resulting corner, Town picked up the ball but Ryan Davies was unable to get his shot in and the ball was cleared.
Flint’s first effort saw Jack Welsh’s shot fly over the bar, and with 15 mins on the clock, Steve Lewis brought out a good save from Aaron Jones as he saved his free kick. A few minutes later, Flint took the lead through ex Wellmen striker Damian Ketley. A cross in from the left found Ketley who headed home via the post.
The Wellmen won a free kick in a dangerous position with 25 mins on the clock as Aaron Pomeyie was brought down after good work by the Town striker, but Sam Jones’ free kick into the box found Matty Hughes but his header was saved by Jones.
With 5 minutes remaining, Pomeyie was brought down on the edge of the area and from the resulting free kick, Jones punched clear well with Matty Hughes threatening at the far post. The Wellmen equalised with 43 minutes on the clock, great work by Aaron Pomeyie saw him feed the ball to Steve Lewis who finished with a great effort to level the scores and the score remained 1-1 at the break
A minute in to the second half, Mike Platt pulled off a great save 1 on 1 with Flints Jack Higgins. Platt pulled off another great save a few minutes later in from Flints Mark Cdwqallader. The Wellmen’s first attack of the half saw them win a corner. The corner was whipped in and Matty Hughes flick on beat the keeper but hit the cross bar, and the ball fell close to the line and Jon Jones reacted first to force the ball home to give the Wellmen the lead. The home supporters in the stand behind that goal went wild as the players celebrated in front of them.
Flint threw everything forward looking for the equaliser but the Wellmen’s defence stood firm and thwarted any pressure forced upon them. Town themselves nearly increased the lead with 75 minutes played, a good move started by Josh Maldon saw him flick the ball to Pomeyie, he lay the ball off to Tony Roebuck and his powerful shot was held well by Jones in goal. The visitors very nearly grabbed an equaliser, Jack Welsh burst through after a ball over the top, and he ran on goal but Platt again was down well and saved Welsh’s shot. Another Flint move with 85 mins on the clock, saw the ball crossed well into the box, and a snap shot by the flint striker saw Platt pull off a great save as he blocked the shot with his feet for a Flint Corner. The resulting came to nothing and the Wellmen breathed a sigh of relief.
A couple of half chances fell to both sides but the Wellmen hung on for a massive victory and the Wellmen will be hoping for another three points next weekend with the trip to Penrhyncoch.