After a dream start to life in the JD Cymru North last weekend with a 7-0 win over Ruthin, Mountain looked to build upon the result as we welcomed Caersws to the Essity Stadium. With manager Aden Shannon still away, assistant manager Jonny Hill named an unchanged starting eleven from the previous week.

Caersws should have taken the lead inside the first minute but the shot was well saved and held by Mountain goalkeeper Reece Thompson. Mountain got into the game and took the lead in the twelfth minute. A Rob Hughes corner was helped back to him by Jack Parry who did well to keep the ball in play. Hughes' swung the ball back into the box and saw the ball fly past everyone and nestle in the back of the net.

Caersws got themselves back into the game just before the half hour point. A quick goal kick from Reece Thompson found Andy Brown. Under pressure, his back pass was underhit and Rhys Hesden pounced, reaching the ball before Thompson to slot past him and into the net. Shortly afterwards, Mountain were incensed when a penalty was not awarded and from the resulting protests, Rob Hughes was shown a yellow card for dissent. Only three minutes later, he was shown a second yellow card for further dissent and Mountain were reduced to ten.

Having held on until the half, Mountain sat back early in the second half and just before the half hour mark, were punished by Dillon Browne as Caersws took the lead for the first time. Mountain come back fighting but were unable to find a breakthrough until ten minutes from time. Jack Sconce played a perfect through ball into the path of Mike Hayes, who drove forward, composing himself before slotting past the goalkeeper to level the score.

The score was not to last, however, as Caersws retook the lead with four minutes remaining on the clock, as Rhys Hesden grabbed a second as the ball took an unlucky deflection and wrongfooted Thompson in goal. As Mountain pressed again, defender Aaron Simpson saw his vicious shot cannon off the crossbar, before he was also given his marching orders deep into stoppage time, as he stamped on the goalkeeper following a foul on him. That saw the last action as Mountain were defeated.

Next up, Mountain will once again welcome Gresford Athletic to the Essity Stadium on Friday evening. Only three weeks ago, Gresford were 3-0 victors as the sides met in the Nathaniel MG Cup so Mountain will be looking to put that right.

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