After the disappointment of dropping two valuable points at the death against Acton last week, focus turned to the NEWFA Challenge Cup. The Challenge Cup has not proved to be fruitful for Flint Mountain, but Mountain will hope for better this season. Today's opponents would be Johnstown, of the Welsh National League, so an upset would be needed in order to progress. As part of the attempt to progress, Mountain made a positive change by opting for a 4-4-2 formation. Mountain were yet again forced to make changes to accommodate missing players, with Ian Wynne, James Tapley and even Mountain's player/manager Stuart Buxton coming into the starting line up.

The first half proved to be a scrappy encounter as Mountain pressed for an opener, whilst Johnstown were content to fire long balls forward. The Johnstown goalkeeper had already prevented Mountain on a few occasions, before Keiron Moore finally opened the scoring just before the half hour mark. Craig Jones intercepted the ball on the half way line and drove forward into the Johnstown half. After a nice bit of inter-play between Mountain players, Moore picked up the ball before cleverly lofting the ball high over the goalkeeper and into the net. The goal was no less than deserved for Mountain as the first half half then come to a close.

In the second half, Mountain had the wind with them and looked to use that to their advantage. The Mountain players were finding plenty of space in between the lines in the second half as they carved open Johnstown, time after time. Keiron Moore had several chances to put the game to bed throughout the half, but was unable to find the net again. Craig Jones was also very unlucky to get himself on the scoresheet, after hitting the post on two separate occasions. With time running out, Johnstown's first meaningful attack on goal almost found them an equaliser, but Ricky Bennett was equal to the shot, pushing the ball out for a corner kick. Shortly afterwards, Mountain put the tie to bed, with the important second goal. From a corner, Craig Jones played the ball short, before receiving it back. Jones then delivered a teasing ball into the penalty area, which was met by fellow midfielder Alex Millington at the far post. Millington arrived late, stooping to head the ball into the net and seal the win for Flint Mountain.

With that result, Flint Mountain now await the cup draw to determine their next league opponents. Next up for Flint Mountain, however, is the return league tie against Aston Park Rangers. The Mountain won the opening game of the season against last season's runners up, but Aston have now strengthened, meaning the game should be a much closer encounter.

Man of the Match: Craig Jones. The Flint Mountain captain made several important interceptions throughout the match to stop any potential Johnstown attacks, coupled with the assist for the second goal. Jones was also unlucky not to find himself on the scoresheet.

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