Gunther Steals The Show

A Marc Gunther hat trick was the highlight of a dominating win for Flint Mountain against struggling Borras Park Albion at the Pavilion

Following on from last week's win over Acton, which extended Flint Mountain's lead over their title rivals to ten points, they faced a different challenge this week as they welcomed Borras Park Albion to the Pavilion, who had recently sank to the bottom of the North East Wales League. Again, manager Rob Marshall was forced into a couple of changes, with Dylan Evans and David Walkiewicz both returning to the starting lineup, whilst there was also a first start of the season for Marc Gunther.

The Mountain started strongly and after threatening for much of the opening few minutes, they opened the scoring after eleven minutes. A throw in from David Walkiewicz into the penalty area was flicked on by Mark Williams towards Marc Gunther, who with his back to goal, connected with a low overhead kick which found the back of the net. Gunther wasn't done, as he doubled the score just two minutes later with a goal of the year contender. After some neat play, Jake Williams floated a ball over the top of the Borras defence. Gunther raced through the defence and smashed a volley from eighteen yards past the Borras goalkeeper, leaving him no chance.

The Home side continued pressing forward and on the nineteen minute mark, a third goal had come. On the right, Marc Gunther exchanged passes with Keiran Farr before playing inside to right back Dylan Roberts, who was underlapping. Roberts took the ball into his stride before firing a low shot towards the bottom corner, which the Borras keeper was unable to keep out despite getting a hand on the ball. Borras rarely threatened throughout the half, but Mountain goalkeeper Kirk Russell still had to be alert as the away side flashed a free kick just wide of his post.

Dean Hughes thought he had extended the lead shortly afterwards, as he directed a header into the net from a free kick, only for the referee to chalk off the goal for an apparent offside. David Walkiewicz also must've thought he had opened his Mountain account as the half drew on, but two chances went begging. Just before half time, however, Mountain top goal scorer Jack Aitken did make it four, as he beat the Borras defenders for pace, before slotting the ball under the goalkeeper and into the net.

In the second half, Flint Mountain continued where they'd left off and it took just four minutes of the half to extend their lead. Deep in the Borras half, Keiran Farr nicked the all off a defender and found a pass to the waiting Marc Gunther in front of goal, who tapped into the net to complete his hat trick. Ten minutes later, Jimmy McGlone, on as a substitute, got in on the act with the sixth Mountain goal. On the left, David Walkiewicz crossed towards McGlone, who controlled and then slotted the ball into the bottom corner. Walkiewicz will wonder how he did not add to the lead shortly afterwards. Getting into the penalty area, he weaved past the defence, but his low shot hit the post and bounced away from danger.

As the half drew on, Mountain captain Jake Williams was brought down by the Borras goalkeeper, giving the referee no option but to point to the spot. Williams dusted himself off and calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. Six minutes later, Williams added the eighth and final goal. From a free kick, Williams caught the ball on the volley, hitting the ball into the ground and into the net to bag himself a brace and complete the rout.

The result now gives Flint Mountain a commanding lead of the North East Wales League, with the gap to new second placed side Mold Town United nine points. Title rivals Acton have dropped to third, albeit with three games in hand over both teams ahead of them. Next up, Flint Mountain take on Mold in the second round of the Mike Memorial Trophy, at the Rec. Mountain won 3-1 at the Rec earlier in the season, and a similar result would put them into a third semi-final this season.