Airbus' silky smooth style wasn't enough
against a hard-working Bala side who
hunted in packs going forward & covered
en masse at the back. It was expected
the Wingmen's superior fitness and skill
would win out in the end but it was the
League new boys who poached the points
with five minutes to go and
well-deserved it was, a just reward for
spirit & teamwork.
It all started off so
optimistically. Ryan Edwards had an
early chance, teeing himself up after a
Desormeaux header had been cleared but
he should at east have got it on target.
Then after a period of patient Airbus
pressure Marc Lloyd-Williams, still
suffering his goal drought, turned and
shot, forcing Bimpson into a smart drop
save. Bala, however, were coping
well and looking for chances
themselves. They had a glorious chance
to go ahead on the half hour mark,
Ashley Williams misdirecting a pass but
Marc Griffiths wasted the opportunity
that fell to him, hurriedly blasting
against the foot of the post & wide.
Another came shortly afterwards, a free
kick and a header tipped one-handed over
the angle by Kristian Rogers. The half
ended with Airbus edging possession but
being ineffective with the final ball.
Bala could have taken the lead just a
minute into the second period, Danny
Jellicoe given a free header in front of
goal but it lacked power and was easily
held. Airbus were then an inch away from
one themselves as a Matty Woodward free
kick was flicked on by Mark Allen just
ahead of Jiws' outstretched
boot. Bala had a skimmer deflected just
over and having battled constantly and
kept Airbus at bay for 85' got the
winner, a simple shot in a crowded area
from John Toner. Airbus livened up a bit
and with a minute to go Paul McManus
unleashed a tremendous left-footer into
the top corner before Bimpson appeared
from nowhere, producing a miraculous
save to tip it round the angle.
A failure to score in the league for the
first time, Lloyd-Williams goalless run
now five games, a chance to really join
in with the top clubs spurned and
worryingly yet another performance that
lacked a killer touch to turn possession
into dominance.
