Football is back! Flint Mountain could have hoped for an easier start to the season, when they were drawn against Welsh Premier League side Cefn Druids in the preliminary round of the NEWFA Challenge Cup. Nevertheless, the team were looking forward to facing a side who only last month were competing in the Europa League! Due to the unfortunate absence of goalkeeper Kirk Russell, due to personal reasons, new signing Dean Hughes was forced to deputise in goal on his competitive Flint Mountain debut.

In the opening exchanges, Druids immediately got onto the front foot as they pressed for an opener, with some staunch defending from the Flint Mountain backline preventing any clear chances. The home side managed to open the scoring on the fifteen minute mark, however. At the back post, the Druids player connected well with his headed effort, which found the bottom corner. Druids then added a second mid way through the half. After their initial shot was blocked, the ball fell kindly to the Druids' striker, who found the back of the net at the second attempt.

Shortly afterwards, the Mountain thought they had got back into the game, only to be denied by the referee. After Jack Aitken won the ball in the Druids half, he linked up well with fellow striker Jon Edmonds, before the ball found Keiran Farr, who slotted the ball into the bottom corner. However, the referee pulled back play for a foul, despite the protests of the Mountain players. The Druids continued to press forward and grabbed a third goal, with another headed goal at the far post. With half time fast approaching, they picked up their fourth goal. With Jake Williams facing his own goal, the Druids striker stole the ball and slotted past Dean Hughes.

The second half started as the first ended, with Cefn grabbing their fifth goal just two minutes after the restart. On this occasion, the player stooped low to meet the cross and head into the net. Cefn then added a further two goals in as many minutes, with two similar goals. On both occasions, the Druids won the ball outside the Mountain penalty area, before they curled low efforts past Hughes into the bottom corner.

Midway through the half, Dean Hughes, already carrying a knock from before the game, was forced off, with Alex Millington also making his way off the pitch. Replacing them were Rob Rush and Liam Mortimer, with Leon Pickford taking the gloves for the remaining minutes. Mark Hughes also then replaced Keiran Farr with fifteen minutes to go, shortly before Druids grabbed their eighth and final goal. Picking up the ball on the right, the shot was deflected off the boot of Dylan Evans and past Pickford. Cefn could have added to their tally yet further, only to be denied twice by the crossbar.

Congratulations go to Cefn Druids on their win and good luck to them in the next round. Next up for Flint Mountain is the start of the new North East Wales League season, with Mountain hosting Brymbo Victoria on the first day, Saturday 11th August. We hope to see you there as we start our quest for league glory.

#WeAreTheMountain