With two defeats on the bounce in the league, Mountain looked to the Welsh Cup for some respite and a clash in the second qualifying round against Llannefydd. Facing a team who finished runners up to our last opponents, Rhyl 1879, in the North Wales Coast East Premier Division last season, Mountain knew that they would not be pushovers.

Mountain manager Aden Shannon made changes from the midweek defeat with five changes to the starting line up. Mountain started quickly with a succession of corners putting pressure on the Llannefydd goal. Despite this, they were unable to fashion any clear cut chances. As Llannefydd grew into the game, threat on the Mountain goal increased and they took the lead just before the half hour mark. Getting down the left, neat play got them past Jordan Beck and Jack Delgado before they played into their striker who hit a low shot past John Danby. Mountain thought they had equalised just before half time but saw a close range header hit the crossbar.

In the second half, Mountain were reduced to ten men in the 62nd minute. Captain Richie Foulkes was adjudged by the referee to have committed violent conduct and despite his protests, he was shown a straight red card. Just eight minutes later, Llannefydd grabbed a second due to some poor defending and the tie looked to be slipping away. In the 82nd minute, Mountain pulled a goal back. Gary Roberts picked up the ball in the corner of the penalty area and crossed to substitute Ben Brierly, who powered a header past the goalkeeper to give Mountain some hope. With time running out, Mountain pressed and pressed and in the seventh minute of stoppage time, they got back level. A corner was swung into the box and following a scramble, the ball was headed in by Kyle Smyth to send the game to penalties!

In the shootout, Llannefydd stepped up first and found the net, followed by Gary Roberts for the Mountain. John Danby was then the hero as he saved the home team's next three penalties, with Ben Brierly and Tom Lynch converting theirs, the tie was won and Mountain were in the hat!

Next up, Mountain have more cup action with a trip to Stansty Park and Coedpoeth United in the third round of the NEWFA Challenge Cup on Tuesday evening.

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