After an extended Christmas break, owing to yet more postponement misery, Halkyn & Flint Mountain got 2020 underway with the visit of Mynydd Isa Spartans to Pant Newydd. Manager Rob Marshall was able to welcome back Mark Williams for his first appearance of the season, whilst Alex Jones also returned to the starting line up after missing the trip to Johnstown in December.

It didn't take long for this action-packed game to get it's first goal, as the visitors took the lead after just four minutes. A free kick was lofted into the penalty area. Mountain keeper Ryan Roberts looked to be collecting the ball easily, but the weather played it's part, as the wind stopped the ball and it fell to a Spartans player to nod into the net. Just two minutes later, however, the Mountain were level. As a shot was fired towards goal, a Spartans player handled the ball and the referee pointed to the spot. Sean Williams took responsibility and found the bottom corner, finally ending the penalty miss streak.

Mynydd Isa should have equalised shortly afterwards, as they raced through on goal, one on one. Ryan Roberts was on hand to make a smart save to deny them the lead. Matty Howard should then have given Mountain the lead, but he somehow put the ball over the bar from close range. Mid way through the half, Spartans restored their lead. After shouts for handball were waved away, a Spartans player fired low towards goal. Ryan Roberts did well to save the shot and parried the ball into the middle of his six yard area. Mountain tried to clear their lines, but Spartans tapped in from a yard out. Just before half time, Mountain again should have been level, but Jimmy McGlone fired over the bar.

Early in the second half, the odds were stacked against the Mountain when Matty Howard was shown a straight red card, his second of the season. After competing for the ball in a tackle, a Spartans player held on to Howard's legs, preventing him from moving. In his frustration, Howard kicked out at the player on the ground and was shown his marching orders. Things looked to get worse mid way through the half, when Spartans were awarded their own penalty after a clumsy tackle by Shaun Thomson. Ryan Roberts was able to spare Thomson's blushes, though, as he guessed right, saving the penalty before it was cleared for a corner.

The highlight of the match came shortly afterwards. Spartans, trying to use their man advantage to extend their lead, seemed to have a goal when the ball fell to them on the six yard line and with Ryan Roberts out of position, owing to a save just made. The ball was smashed towards goal, but Mountain captain Jake Williams, on the ground on the goalline, threw himself towards the ball, heading the ball up high and away from danger. It was stunning clearance! With ten minutes to go, Mountain, now on top in the game despite being a man down, levelled the score again. Aled Reece did not give up on the ball as it headed out for a goal kick. He did well to wriggle his way past two players before playing the ball across goal to Jimmy McGlone, who fired in past two defenders on the line.

Mountain would have thought they'd done enough, but Spartans came back fighting and took the lead for a third time two minutes later. In the box, a Spartans player was able to turn on the ball before smashing the ball into the top corner. The home team did not give up and piled forward looking for another equaliser. With seconds to go, Mountain had a throw in close to the Spartans corner flag. Expecting the ball to be launched towards the six yard box, the throw in was quickly thrown to Jordan Beck, who swung in a cross to the back post. At the back post, Jake Williams rose highest, heading the ball down to the goalkeeper's near post, squeezing the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net, levelling the score with the last touch of the game!

Next up, Halkyn & Flint Mountain welcome Overton Recreational to Pant Newydd, as we look to avenge defeat earlier in the season.