Just 50 days on from the last game of the 202324 season, we are back in action as we embark on a new season. The opening game would see the Mountain welcome Gresford Athletic to the Essity Stadium in the first round of the Nathaniel MG Cup. Manager Aden Shannon would field four debutants in his side, with new signings Reece Thompson, Sam Rockall, Matty Scoullar, and Jack Parry all making the staring lineup.

The first half was an even affair, with Mountain defending well and Reece Thompson making some good saves while managing a couple of forays forward. The score remained level at the half way point.

It took only seven minutes of the second half for the deadlock to be broken. A free kick into the Mountain box was not dealt with and the loose ball was hammered into the roof of the net by Gresford's Paul Johnson. The talking point of the game come midway through the second half. An off the ball incident saw Ryan Kershaw shown his marching orders to reduce the Mountain to ten men. Just two minutes later, a Mountain attack was broken up by a challenge on Jack Sconce that saw the bench calling for a free kick. The whistle didn't come, however, and Gresford broke forward and Dominic Deacon fired past Thompson to double the lead. Late into added time, Dominic Deacon added his second to confirm the win and dump Mountain out of the Nathaniel MG Cup.

Next up for Flint Mountain is the JD Cymru North opener, where we welcome Ruthin Town to the Essity Stadium on Friday evening.

#VivaLaMountain