Following the midweek disappointment of falling to defeat in the Premier Cup Final, Flint Mountain looked to regroup immediately with the final of the Mike Beech Memorial Trophy. Manager Rob Marshall was again forced into changes for the final, with Kirk Russell returning from injury to replace Ryan Roberts in goal, whilst Dean Hughes and Lee Messham also returned to the starting line-up. There was also a place on the substitutes' bench for former captain Damon Griffiths, who returned after a long absence.
Mountain started very brightly and led inside ten minutes. A corner was swung into the near post, but Penyffordd couldn't clear. Jack Aitken stayed alert and was able to back heel into the net from close range. Penyffordd, however, struck back just a couple of minutes later. Finding themselves through on goal, they managed to knock the ball past Kirk Russell. As the ball rolled towards the goal, Pete Martin looked to be there in time to clear, but he was shoved in the back and fell to the ground. The referee did not blow for any foul and the goal would stand.
Despite the equaliser, Mountain kept up the pressure on their opponents, causing them multiple problems. After several missed opportunities retake the lead, they eventually got their goal after half an hour, driving forward, Lee Messham slipped the ball into the path of Jack Aitken, who had got free of the defence. Aitken took the ball into the area and shot towards goal. His shot took a deflection off a Penyffordd defender, which took it past the goalkeeper and into the net. In the second half, Penyffordd pressed for another equaliser, but could not find a way through. A headed effort which flew past the post was their best effort and they should really have scored.
As the game drew on, Mountain made their opponents pay for their missed chances, as Jack Aitken bagged a hat-trick with seventeen minutes to go. Dylan Roberts broke out of defence and drove forward, before playing the ball into the path of Jimmy McGlone. McGlone beat his man and crossed to Aitken in front of goal. He controlled the ball, turned, and fired low into the net. The Penyffordd heads went down at this point and shortly afterwards, Mountain had a fourth. Jack Aitken turned provider this time, winning possession and playing through to an unmarked McGlone. McGlone rounded the outrushing goalkeeper and tapped into the empty net. Just moments later, Mountain were back in the Penyffordd half. Lee Messham got to the byline and crossed into the six yard area. Messham's cross looked to have been easily stopped by the goalkeeper, but he fumbled and the ball went through his hands and trickled over the line. In the dying moments, Mountain made it six. Jimmy McGlone saw a shot saved by the goalkeeper. He managed to retain the ball, taking on a defender and crossing to the back post, where Marc Gunther was on hand to tap home.
That win secures a league and cup quadruple for Flint Mountain this season. The season is still not over, however, as two final league games are still to be played. Next up, Flint Mountain travel to Brymbo Victoria on Wednesday evening, as we look to finish the league season unbeaten.