Lee Fowler, manager of Flint Town United, has openly criticised the use of VAR in the Cymru Premier, saying the technology has cost his side in the opening three matches of the season. The Silkmen’s first three games have all been marred by what Fowler describes as “misuse” of the system.
Fowler, speaking ahead of tonight’s home clash with Briton Ferry Llansawel, said: “I am not one to hide behind anything. If we have any ambitions to do what we set out to do, we shouldn’t lose to your Llandudnos or Cambrians. That’s no disrespect to those clubs and they will be saying the same. It’s not acceptable to lose these games.”
He singled out the penalty award that led to Cambrian United’s winning goal in last week’s 1‑0 reverse, and said his side’s penalty award against Barry should have resulted in a sending‑off. Fowler also criticised a red‑card incident that was ignored in the opening loss to Llandudno.
“VAR has got a lot to answer for at the minute. We sat down with the head of referees in pre‑season for an hour‑and‑a‑half and that took contact time from me and the players,” Fowler added.
Despite his frustration, Fowler admitted that his side have not been helping themselves on the pitch. After a 1‑0 defeat at Cambrian, he said: “We dominated for 54 minutes and then it goes into a basketball game. We still missed good chances. As much as I am mad at VAR decisions, we have equally got to take responsibility. It’s not been good enough.”
The Silkmen will be looking to break their duck at the fourth time of asking. Fowler, a former Wrexham captain, said: “They have now started spending big money on good players, but they are not going to change the way they play. I think we have only ever lost one out of eight against them. They are very direct, very physical and a second‑balls team. We have got to match that and then play our football.”
He added that he would not change his tactics because of the losses: “I won’t change. I know how it works, we have just got to do it for 90 minutes.”
Meanwhile, Holywell Town are set to host Barry Town in a match that could give the Wellmen their first win of the season. Coach Mark Connolly said the team had “hit the post twice in the opening 10 minutes” and that a red card before half‑time had changed the game. Connolly praised the team’s work rate and said they were “improving every week.”
Llandudno, who have accumulated maximum points early in the season, will travel to Penybont for tonight’s top match. The defending champions The New Saints will travel to Cardiff Met, Haverfordwest County will welcome Cambrian United and Caernarfon Town will make the trip to Trefelin.
Fowler’s comments come at a time when the introduction of VAR in the revamped Cymru Premier has become a talking point. His criticism highlights the growing frustration among clubs that feel the technology has not been applied consistently or fairly.
