Gresford Athletic got off to the perfect start with a fantastic away win against Flint Mountain in the first round of the 2024/25 Nathaniel MG Cup.

The first half was a tight affair, with neither side having any real clear-cut chances.

Joe Ormrod did pick up the ball on the edge of the box in the 16th minute, dribbled it wide and got a shot off, but Flint Mountain goalkeeper Reece Thompson made the save.

In the 36th minute, Haci Ozlu did superbly to dribble the ball into the box and fire on goal, but again Flint Mountain's Reece Thompson was there to stop the effort.

The half time whistle blew and, after a competitive first 45 minutes, neither side had broken the deadlock.

However, the second half began and Gresford Athletic looked to find that opening goal, which came in the 52nd minute through Paul Johnson smashing it into the back of the net from close-range after Haci Ozlu knocked the ball back into the box.

Dominic Deacon also doubled the advantage, with Reece Thompson in the Flint Mountain goal tipping his effort over the crossbar in the 56th minute.

Things went from bad to worse for Flint Mountain, as Captain Ryan Kershaw was shown a straight red card for a poor tackle and left the home side with 10 men.

The Colliers capitalised on the dismissal and Dominic Deacon made it 2-0 in the 68th minute, dribbling with the ball and slotting it home following Alex Smith's incisive pass.

Gresford Athletic's number nine was on fire following his first goal and, in the 88th minute, forced another save from Flint Mountain goalkeeper Reece Thompson, with Alex Buxton's follow-up flying over the crossbar.

Then, in the 93rd minute of the game, Dominic Deacon made it a brace, sliding the ball into the net from Charlie Mann's excellent assist following a 19-pass team move to round off the tie.

The whistle blew for full time and Gresford Athletic celebrated victory in the 2024/25 Nathaniel MG Cup with a fantastic performance, particuarly in the second half, and progression into the next round.

Flint Mountain

Starting XI: Thompson (GK), Rockall, Scoullar, Brown (McHugh - 17'), Sconce, Kershaw (C), Parry (Lawrence - 73'), Simpson, Hughes (Molyuneux - 73'), Ellams (Owens - 90'), Hayes

Yellow cards: Hughes, Scoullar, Sconce

Red cards: Kershaw

Subs not used: Whelan

Gresford Athletic

Starting XI: Dutton (GK), A. Smith, Johnson, Orton, Edge, Griffiths (C), Ormrod (J. Smith - 80'), Ozlu (Buxton - 74'), Gallagher-Keenan (S. Smith - 64'), Mann, Deacon

Goalscorers: Deacon (x2), Johnson

Match Officials

Referee: Mark James

Assistant Referees: Ryan Hughes, Nathan Jones