After the disappointing way in which Flint Mountain threw away a winning position and fell to a first defeat of the season on Friday, the club looked to bounce back immediately with another home game against Mold Town United. Mountain manager Stuart Buxton changed up the side after the defeat against Connah's Quay Tigers, with Keiron Moore and Lee Messham returning to the starting line up, in place of Mike Edwards and Scott Forrester, who dropped to the bench. Joining them on the substitutes bench were the returning Rob Rush and Lewis Powell, who were both available for the first time this year. The side also switched from the 3-5-2 formation employed against Tigers, to a more familiar 4-3-3 formation.
From the start, Mountain again looked to grab an early goal and were nearly rewarded after just a couple of minutes. Striker Lee Messham broke down the right, before playing the ball into the penalty area. Although the initial shot was blocked, the ball fell to captain Craig Jones on the edge of the area. Jones smashed a shot towards goal which was saved well by the Mold goalkeeper. After several missed opportunities, Mountain did eventually take the lead after 24 minutes. After dispossessing a Mold attack, the ball was passed to Craig Jones. Jones played a pinpoint through ball to striker Richie Hughes, who beat the offside to run through one on one. Hughes composed himself, before calmly slotting the ball low to the Mold goalkeeper's left. Mountain then had a great chance to extend the lead. Centre back Ian Wynne played a teasing through ball for Lee Messham to chase. Messham beat his marker to the ball and got into the penalty area. Mold were able to get men back into the area and eventually cleared after a brief scramble.
The lead was well deserved for Flint Mountain, but then Mold had a clutch of chances to equaliser. Mountain were indebted to their goalkeeper Ricky Bennett who keeping them in the lead, as he made a string of saves to deny Mold, including an impressive double save. As Mold were reeling from Bennett's heroics, Mountain dealt another blow by scoring their second of the game. Mountain broke on the counter attack, with the ball finding it's way to Keiron Moore. Moore played a ball to striker Nathan Eccleson, who shrugged off the challenge of his marker, before lifting the ball over the Mold goalkeeper and into the net.
Mountain held on to their lead into half time, before setting off in the second half in the same vain as the first. Soon after the restart, left back Shane Owens extended the lead with his first competitive goal for the club. After a Mountain attack looked to have been thwarted, the ball was cleared out where Owens smashed the ball towards goal on the half volley. The ball flew towards goal as the Mold keeper scrambled backwards, flying into the net.
In order to freshen up the play, Lewis Powell was introduced in place of Keiron Moore. Unfortunately, Ricky Bennett was unable to cap off his performance with a clean sheet as Mold managed to get themselves, what would ultimately be a consolation goal. After winning a free kick on the edge of the area, the Mold player curled the ball into the top corner, giving Bennett no chance. The goal was not able to give Mold any momentum, as within two minutes of the goal, Richie Hughes again found himself on the score sheet. After Craig Jones had won the ball back in the Mold half, he played in Hughes who moved into the penalty area before firing shot past the keeper.
The scoring was then completed five minutes later. As Mold looked to clear their lines, the ball was played back towards their goalkeeper. Lee Messham kept himself alert and intercepted the ball before it reached the keeper, as he then rounded the keeper to score an easy goal. Mountain then looked to shore up the result, making a further two substitutions. Richie Hughes and Craig Jones made their way off the field, to be replaced by Mike Edwards and Scott Forrester. Neither side were able to affect the game any further during the remainder of the game, as the game fizzled out.
Next up for Flint Mountain is the visit of league newcomers Offa Athletic to Rhydymwyn on Friday 25th August as we look to build on the impressive victory. Offa managed their first points of the season this evening, as they overcome Ewloe Spartans.
Man of the Match: Ricky Bennett. Bennett was again the scourge of the opposition, making a string of impressive saves to deny Mold in the first half.
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