Connahs Quay 2-2 (3-2 aet) Airbus UK Broughton
(October 31 2009)
Airbus yet again bossed a game, were by miles the better side yet came away
with their cup dreams in tatters.
The first quarter saw them well
on top, piling on the pressure, all for nothing. A bit of nouse was needed for
the final touch but there were no worries as the goal glut was awaited. It was
The Nomads, however, who nearly took the lead, Matty Woodward's mistake being
seized on by Hayes but he lost his cool when a neat chip over Rogers was
needed, blazing hopelessly over. Things then settled back to normal as the
natural order of things resumed. There was, however, a certain uneasiness
growing that something horrible was about to happen. Craig Jones, known as
Tigger, zipped a chance wide and although The 'Bus continued to dominate, the
Nomads now looked as if they might snatch one. Giovanni Feliciello hit a
right-footer wide off Ryan Edwards' cross and in reply Andy Olsen fired in a
free kick for The 'Quay that Rogers saved at the second attempt. Just as half
time approached it happened, disgraceful defending leaving Olsen all alone to
fire the home side in front.
It was nearly worse as the
second half began, a terribly unmarked Olsen bringing a superb low, one-handed
save off Rogers. Airbus hit back and piled the pressure back on. Marc
Lloyd-Williams had a header fended away and Carl Owen had a shot cleared off
the line within seconds of each other. They finally got the equaliser courtesy
of a Cook corner headed back by Rhys Roberts to drop obligingly into the net.
As everyone awaited the second, Connah's Quay were awarded a penalty by an
hallucinating referee, Airbus' nemesis Andy Harms, giving a foul when
absolutely nothing had occurred. Tommy Baker wasn't bothered & comfortably
converted the spot kick. Back came the 'Bus for the inevitable equaliser. The
ball ping-ponged around after a Carl Owen shot was charged down then the
keeper dropped a cross, the ball fortuitously bouncing back to him off his own
defender. Finally it came, Owen laid the ball off to Gio who rifled a
glorious drive into the top of the goal.
Any thoughts of extra time
dominance were dispelled as Nomads took on a new lease of life and other than
a Jiws effort plucked out of the air there was not much else of note and the
game looked to have a penalty shoot out written all over it. That is until
Airbus' woeful marking allowed a corner to loop over for the soaring Olsen to
head powerfully straight in for the winner. Ashley Williams hit the bar
himself in the last minute but the Wingmen have only themselves to blame for
not having a place in the next round.
Report by Dave Sargent |