It's a new year, and following several weeks without playing, Halkyn & Flint Mountain finally returned to action with a short trip to New Brighton Villa in the North East Wales Premier Division. New Brighton were the only team that Mountain had not yet played in the league this season and we looked to keep up the pressure on Chirk Town and Greenfield above.

Manager Rob Marshall welcomed newly re-signed Scott Hewitt into the squad and was finally able to field new signing Alistair Gibson, who joined the club in December from Chirk AAA.

It was a slow start to the game as both teams looked to get back in the groove following the break. The first big chance fell to Connor Turner, whose header hit the bottom of the post. Jord Beck then floated a free kick, which beat everyone but crashed off the crossbar. It was beginning to look like a frustrating afternoon was in store after chance after chance went begging, including efforts from Sam Jones and Alistair Gibson, but six minutes before the break, the deadlock was finally broken. Jord Beck floated into another free kick onto the six yard box, where Aled Reece powered a header past the New Brighton goalkeeper.

Early in the second half, the introduction of Tom Hyndman off the bench provided an extra spark to the Mountain attack and it wasn't long before he was on the scoresheet. Hyndman had already seen a low shot well saved before his strike. From a New Brighton goal kick, the ball was immediately sent back towards goal by Alistair Gibson, who played to Sam Jones on the edge of the area. Spotting Hyndman's run , he played the ball perfectly into his path and he slammed the ball into the net.

Just two minutes later, Mountain had their third. Sam Jones was again heavily involved, crossing to Jack Aitken at the back post. Aitken's cut back found Aled Reece and he made no mistake from close range. With time running out, Mountain took their foot off the pedal and New Brighton got a consolation goal five minutes from time, finding the bottom corner. Despite the goal and a late charge, Mountain held on to secure the three points.