Mountain will be the sole Tier 3 northern flag-carrier in the last 16 of the 2023-24 Welsh Cup after seeing off the challenge of Cardiff side Canton in Saturday’s third round tie at the Essity Stadium.
Goals from Rob Hughes and Aaron Simpson saw Mountain come from behind to progress in the national knockout.
Following on from their massive victory over Holywell Town in round two of the competition, the Mountain were drawn against fellow tier 3 opposition in Canton of the Ardal South West.
Mountain manager Aden Shannon made two changes from last week’s Ardal North West league win over Holyhead Hotspur, as Rob Hughes and Rowan Brooks replaced Chris Li and Aaron Hassall, with the latter dropping to the substitutes bench.
Mountain had the better start but failed to test the Canton goalkeeper in a half littered with tough tackles.
In the 35th minute, Canton took the lead against the run of play. Down the right, Canton winger Thierry Otu was able to cut inside. He got to the edge of the area before hitting a low shot that found the bottom corner.
The lead didn’t last long, however, as Mountain struck back just three minutes later. Mountain captain Ieuan Hewitt’s diagonal ball found Jack Sconce in space on the left wing. Sconce pulled the ball back to Rob Hughes, who hit a low shot that took a deflection and flew into the roof of the net.
In the second half, Mountain took the lead in the 58th minute.
From a corner, former Caernarfon Town and Connah’s Quay Nomads star Rob Hughes’ delivery to the far post was met by Aaron Simpson, who headed back across goal and into the back of the net.
Both sides looked for more goals, Sconce going closest with a long range effort that was met by a fantastic save from Canton goalkeeper Suleimane Susso.
As the half drew on, Mountain did well to control the game and see out the tie, seeing the club into the last 16 of the Welsh Cup for the first time.
John Danby
Ieuan Hewitt (c)
Rowan Brooks
Tom Ruffer
Jack Sconce
Mike Hayes
Rob Hughes (Aaron Hassall 71)
Calyn Spencer (Sam Henry 85)
Joe Holt
Lloyd Ellams
Aaron Simpson
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