It was a massive 280 days since Halkyn & Flint Mountain took to the field, but on Saturday the wait was finally over. With Pant Newydd waterlogged, the Mountain welcomed opponents Rhydymwyn Reserves to Holywell High school as we look to prepare for the start of the new season, whenever it may be. COVID-19 restrictions meant both teams were limited to squads of twelve players and Rob Marshall featured seven of his summer signings in the starting lineup. There were starts for Danny Stanton, Jack James, Alex Goundrey, Owen Davies, Paul Williams, Terry Jones and Phil Lloyd, who took the captain's armband. Also taking to the field were Pete Martin, David Walkiewicz, Tom Lynch, Marc Gunther and Mark Williams.

The Mountain started sluggishly, not surprising given the length of time without a game, but still had the best chance of the opening minutes. Getting free down the right on a counter attack, Marc Gunther fired a low shot which looked destined for the back of the net, only to be denied by the bottom of the post. As game progressed, Rhydymwyn Reserves played some nice passing football, but were not threatening Danny Stanton in the Mountain goal. After Phil Lloyd had attempted an audacious effort from forty yards, that narrowly went over the bar, the Mountain did take the lead in the seventeenth minute. A corner looked to have been initially cleared by the Reserves, but Owen Davies headed back towards goal. The ball looped and looked to be going over the bar, but dipped just under and found the back of the net.

On the half hour mark, Rhydymwyn Reserves were level. From a corner, Pete Martin lost his man at the front post and Rhyd were able to find the bottom corner to equalise. In the second half, the Mountain flew out of the traps and were ahead again inside a minute of the restart. Rhydymwyn looked to clear a throw in from their own half, but Mark Williams headed the ball back towards the Reserves penalty area. Phil Lloyd cleverly turned his man, controlling the ball before hitting a low shot past the goalkeeper.

The experience and skill began to show as the Mountain controlled the second half. Paul Williams hit a shot which was deflected onto the top of the cross bar, before the midfielder was involved again in the third Mountain goal. On the counter attack, the ball was played into the path of Williams on the edge of the penalty area. He coolly dummied the ball and took away the defender and the ball rolled into the path of David Walkiewicz, who smashed the ball low into the net. Just four minutes later, the win was wrapped up when Phil Lloyd turned on the edge of the Rhydymwyn box and fired low into the bottom corner. The win could've been bigger, but as Terry Jones ran through on goal one on one, the referee brought an end to the game before he had converted and was denied a goal.

Next up, Halkyn & Flint Mountain will welcome Penyffordd Lions in our second friendly game.

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