Shaun Beck, Flint Town United’s record goalscorer, is intent on finishing his playing days on a high.
The striker has made a decision to retire from playing and his last appearance for home town club Flint will be in Saturday’s Huws Gray Alliance Cup final against Gresford Athletic at Ruthin Town (2.30pm).
Beck, though, could be open to making occasional appearances, saying: “This will be my last season as a player.
“I want to go and watch my son play football every week and I simply can’t commit to Saturday’s anymore. I’m not sure if I will be retiring completely or maybe still have the odd game for a team.
“I have had a few offers to help out in coaching, but I just don’t think I’ll have the free time.
“I am Flint through and through, and a proud ‘below the line lad’, as they say in these parts. It’s been a great honour to have played for this great club and score goals for so many years.
‘I started at 11-years-old with the juniors, progressing to the reserves at 15 and then the first team at the age of 18.”
Beck, the son of former Flint manager Dave, moved on to Greenfield FC, managed by his brother Scott, but returned to his home town club.
The Silkmen of Flint advanced to their third final in three seasons with an assured display thanks to a 3-0 victory at Holyhead Hotspur.
Beck set up the first goal when he slipped a pass to the unmarked Alieu Sheriff, who calmly slotted home from eight yards.
Andy Brown’s header made it 2-0 and substitute Morgan Jones netted with his first touch following a goalmouth scramble.
Flint manager Niall McGuinness said: “We went to Holyhead with a game plan and the players were excellent in the way they went about it.
“Holyhead is a tough place to go so we knew we needed to score first in the game, because if we fell behind they would make it difficult for us.
“This cup final is for the fans and it’s about giving them something to cheer about after a difficult season where we haven’t really fulfilled our ambitions.”
Gresford set up a cup final clash with Flint Town United with an 8-2 win against Llandudno Junction.
Jake Eyre (3), Mikey Latham (2), Jack Chalinor, Max Peate and Owen Roberts scored the goals.
Gresford manager Steve Halliwell said: “I’m massively proud of my lads. Everybody is buzzing to have made another final and we’re looking forward to going up against a Flint side who we’ve already had some decent games against this season.”
Forward Mark Cadwallader should return for Flint, while first choice goalkeeper Nik Lee Bulmer is back in contention.
Gresford will assess the fitness of trio Simon Smith, Josh Griffiths and Nathan Williams.
The cup final will make history,with all four of the match officials being women. Referee Cheryl Foster will be joined by assistants Laura Griffiths and Sian Williams. The fourth official is Charley Smith.
Sgorio television cameras will record this historical events.
Holywell Town manager John Haseldin is stepping down and club chairman Sean Elliott says: “The club would like to place on record our gratitude and best wishes to John, who has decided to step down due to increased work & private commitments with his young family.
“John and his dedicated staff has overseen the most successful period in the club’s recent history, firmly establishing the Wellmen back in tier two of the Welsh Football structure.”
Alliance fixtures:
Saturday 5: Caersws v Llandudno Junction (2.30pm), Penrhyncoch v Holywell Town (2.30pm).
Monday 7: Caersws v Ruthin Town (2.30pm), FC Queens Park v Penrhyncoch (2.30pm), Porthmadog v Flint Town United (2.30pm).
Saturday 12: FC Queens Park v Llandudno Junction (2.30pm), Porthmadog v Holywell Town (2.30pm).
HUWS GRAY ALLIANCE 2017-18
| Rank | Teams | Pd | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Caernarfon Town | 28 | 19 | 8 | 1 | 98 | 31 | 67 | 65 |
| 2 | Denbigh Town | 28 | 19 | 3 | 6 | 69 | 43 | 26 | 60 |
| 3 | Airbus Broughton | 28 | 17 | 3 | 8 | 67 | 42 | 25 | 54 |
| 4 | Guilsfield | 28 | 15 | 8 | 5 | 54 | 38 | 16 | 53 |
| 5 | Holywell Town | 26 | 14 | 7 | 5 | 74 | 35 | 39 | 49 |
| 6 | Rhyl | 28 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 62 | 45 | 17 | 47 |
| 7 | Porthmadog | 26 | 13 | 3 | 10 | 68 | 44 | 24 | 42 |
| 8 | Gresford Athletic | 28 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 57 | 57 | 0 | 39 |
| 9 | Flint Town United | 27 | 10 | 5 | 12 | 48 | 41 | 7 | 35 |
| 10 | Ruthin Town | 27 | 10 | 5 | 12 | 51 | 48 | 3 | 35 |
| 11 | Penrhyncoch | 26 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 39 | 45 | -6 | 33 |
| 12 | Holyhead Hotspur | 28 | 9 | 3 | 16 | 40 | 57 | -17 | 30 |
| 13 | Caersws | 26 | 3 | 3 | 20 | 34 | 71 | -37 | 12 |
| 14 | FC Queens Park | 26 | 2 | 3 | 21 | 23 | 102 | -79 | 9 |
| 15 | Llandudno Junction | 26 | 0 | 4 | 22 | 24 | 109 | -85 | 4 |