Gibson celebrates first win as Hughes is the late hero
FLINT Town United got the bounce they were looking for from a managerial change as their Neil Gibson picked up his first win with a 3-0 home defeat of fellow strugglers Aberystwyth.
Substitute Rob Hughes was the toast of the Silkmen after he fired in two late goals that helped to lift his side off the bottom of the JD Cymru Premier League and push their visitors deeper into the mire.
Gibson, a former Prestatyn manager, had to deal with losing two players to positive Covid tests in his opening match, but was able to provide a long-awaited victory for his newly promoted side on his home debut. Next up are the reigning champions, Connah’s Quay Nomads on Boxing Day.
A goal three minutes before the interval by Mark Cadwallader edged Flint ahead and gave them something to build on in a game played in terrible conditions that lacked any real quality. Then Hughes struck twice at the death to make the game same.
He slotted home a penalty in the 84th minute to double the lead and then fired in a second in the third minute of added time to secure three priceless points to move his side off up three places to ninth and send Aberystwyth crashing to the bottom of the pile.
It was a sixth defeat in a row for Aberystwyth, who have now gone 10 games without tasting victory.
There are still only two points splitting the bottom four and it looks like being a pretty fluid situation in the relegation zone between now and the end of the season.
Newtown had an 84th-minute goal from Nick Rushton to thank for a share of the points at Caernarfon Town on Friday night as he responded to a first-half goal for the home side from Sion Bradley.
Barry Town United put their recent woes behind them with a 4-1 home win over Cefn Druids. Having had a player sent off on the road in successive 2-1 defeats at Haverfordwest County and Caernarfon Town, getting back to Jenner Park proved the perfect tonic for Barry.
Two first-half goals from Kayne McLaggon set up the march to victory. Alex Darlington clawed one back for the visitors, but then an own goal from Jacob Wise added to the Ancients’ problems. Sam Bowen added the perfect finish for the home side with a perfect strike.
Connah’s Quay Nomads made it a magnificent seven wins from their last seven games as they brought the curtain down on football at the Deeside Stadium this year with a 3-1 win over Cardiff Met.
The reigning JD Cymru Premier League champions had goals from Michael Wilde, George Horan and Aron Williams to thank for their latest victory that took them to within three points of The New Saints at the top of the table with a game in hand. Emlyn Lewis scored for the students.