After being eliminated from another cup competition last week, attention turned back to getting Flint Mountain's league progress back on track. The opponents this week were Acton, who with Mountain had so far also failed to live up to last season's league finish. Several missing players forced Mountain into a reshape as usual winger Chris Layne had to take up a spot in central defence alongside Scott Forrester, Ryan Jones and Jamie Foulkes completing the defence. The midfield largely remained the same, with Aaron Austin making his first appearance of the season on the left wing. Striker Sean Wilkes completed the side in the Mountain attack.

Given the amount of goals that have recently been conceded and on the back of Acton winning the previous week, Mountain started cautiously, looking to get men behind the ball and counter-attack. This style of play meant that Mountain dominated the bulk of the half. Despite this, they were unable to capitalise with anything worthwhile. Before the half was over, Mountain did manage to open the scoring. On the edge of the Acton penalty area, Craig Jones laid it on for Keiron Moore, who bent the ball high to the Acton goalkeeper's top left corner. This was as good of a goal as Mountain had scored all season.

At half time, James Tapley was introduced as a direct replacement for Aaron Austin, who struggled for fitness. Tapley was also making his first appearance of the season. Five minutes into the half, Acton grabbed the equaliser as Mountain leaked another poor goal from a set piece. From the set piece, the Acton player rose unchallenged to head Acton back into the game. The goal was a bitter pill to swallow as Mountain had defended well up until this point, with stand in defender Chris Layne's pace proving invaluable. Acton's joy was short lived though, as just five minutes later, Mountain were back in front. James Tapley managed to slide the ball through to Sean Wilkes, whose low, drilled shot beat the goalkeeper to his right. As the game dragged on, Acton pushed for an equaliser and got it as time ran out. Sloppy marking from a deep throw in found Acton on the byline down the left. The ball was drilled across the face of goal and duly smashed home with five minutes to spare. The game looked certain to end at that, but there was more drama to come. A long hopeful ball was mis-controlled by the Acton centre back, who got the ball stuck under his feet and was dispossessed by Lee Messham, who then rifled the ball home for a certain Mountain victory. Minutes later, Acton secured a point. James Tapley found himself out of position down the left, before Ryan Jones allowed the man to turn and drive the ball in between the Mountain defence and goalkeeper. Chris Layne fractionally missed the ball with his outstretched leg, as Acton sneaked in and buried it, leaving Ricky Bennett no chance.

Next up for Flint Mountain is a return to cup action in the NEWFA Challenge Cup, with the opponents being Johnstown of the Welsh National League. Mountain will finally be looking to put an end to this winless run which now stretches to six game.

Man of the Match: Chris Layne. Despite playing out of position, Layne proved invaluable in the Mountain defence, preventing further goals from being conceded.

#WeAreTheMountain