Wingmakers defeat Alliance champions
Andy Moran made his home debut.
Airbus kept the pre-season momentum going with a 2-1 win following a tough work-out from Cymru Alliance champions Llangefni Town at the Airfield. The away side were deserved winners of their league last year and but for missing out on a Domestic Licence would have joined the Wingmakers in the Welsh Premier - so this was a real test for Craig Harrison's team.
The first-half was a stalemate played out mainly in the middle third. Chances in front of goal were at a premium and it took a fantastic tip over from Llangefni goalkeeper Shaun Pearson - recently on trial with Barrow - to deny James McIntosh who had ghosted into the area to head from close-range. The away side had one or two opportunities of their own but were kept at bay by resolute defending from Mark Allen and Matty Woodward. Tom Rowlands carried the liveliest threat for Airbus but it remained 0-0 at half-time.
Early on in the second-half the Wingmakers took the lead when Tom Rowlands was slipped beyond the Llangefni defence and he kept his cool to finish with a low shot to make it 1-0. Airbus then assumed control of the game which became slightly disjointed as both sides introduced a number of substitutes. Most notable for Airbus was the first home appearance for new signing from Prestatyn Town - prolific striker Andy Moran.
Into the latter stages of the game Airbus were given a shock when a Darren Gowans header looped over goalkeeper Callum Hawthorne to equalise for 1-1. It was a disappointing goal to concede but the Wingmakers showed their strength to snatch the winner late on. Teenage substitute Jake Cassidy followed up the promise he showed in the Everton game when he raced into the Llangefni penalty area. He took his time to commit Pearson before calmly slotting home from close-range. With little time left to play the game finished 2-1 to the Wingmakers after a hard-fought but deserved win on balance.
This was a difficult fixture for the Wingmakers as Llangefni look like they will be competing near the top of the Cymru Alliance again this season. However manager Craig Harrison can be pleased at the workrate of his players and the desire shown to overcome a late setback and ensure the win.
Airbus Line Up - 1. Chris Doran 2. A Trialist 3. B Trilaist 4. Matty Woodward 5. Gareth Sudlow 6. Mark Allen (Capt) 7. Paul McManus 8. Jack Chalinor 9. Tom Rowlands 10. James McIntosh 11. Colin Quirk
Subs (All Used) Callum Hawthorne, Jamie Smith, Jack Rowlands, Jack Abraham, Ashley Williams, Jake Cassidy, Andy Moran, Gio Felicellio
By Rory Sheehan