Airbus UK 2-1
Haverfordwest (September 6 2009)
After the pre-season hype,
optimism and talk at the Airfield, followed by the baptism of fire presented to
them by the big three in successive weeks, the pressure was on to serve up a
performance to fit ambition. In majestic fashion Airbus produced it, The
Bluebirds being no lightweights themselves, controlling the game from the start
and recovering quickly when a mistake handed the Pembrokeshire side an equaliser
to reassert themselves in the style of a useful side.
They wasted no time in getting
going and Carl Owen to fire over five minutes in. Five minutes later Owen did
well to beat his man, strolled into the area but made it too easy for Lee Idzi
to save with his feet. The lithe striker had another golden chance to open
things after a further five minutes, this time being played inside by Matty
Cook but again shooting high. With chances coming every five minutes it was no
surprise when the 'Bus next chance came on 25', this time Lloyd-Williams taking
the ball off Jamie Grimes and trying an accurate little chip that failed to fool
the quality Idzi.
The game clock finally clicked
into chimes on 35', Idzi making a rare mistake in dropping a Cook cross under
pressure from Owen who had the presence of mind to keep his head & stroke home.
The two of them combined again just before the interval; from a Cooky corner,
Carl dropped his header just over the far angle. Then right on 45', Mark Allen
waltzed down the middle like a prince on parade to set up Jiws but Idzi was
quick to spot the danger and blocked it out. The clockwork precision of the game
collapsed just two minutes into the second half, Matty Woodward disastrously
losing the ball trying to work it up the centre field; with the defence on the
back foot, Robbie Walters took advantage by racing onto the subsequent pass and
scored off the crossbar, the ball seemingly bouncing over the line and back
out, the goal looking to be rightly given.
Then Terry Evans, after a long
cross, with Airbus' defence in disarray, shot over from close in at the far post
as all the good work of the first half suddenly seemed like it might be thrown
away. Any jitters, however, were immediately swept aside. Carl Owen took a
cross, clipped the ball to Jiws, who turned and shot - only one outcome and the
'Bus were ahead again. They got a little scare, though, just a few minutes
later, as a dangerous low cross flew in, missed by the County forwards. Airbus,
however, were back on top and Lloyd-Williams brought a terrific save out of
Idzi, one-handed over the top, Matty Woodward heading the corner wide from in
front of the goal.
Shortly after, Giovanni
Feliciello sent a free kick to the far post from where Carl Owen's diving header
flew wide. Gio had a go himself after that, Ashley Williams picking up a ball
thirty yards out to tee up the full back to fizz one just over the bar from
distance. The pressure finally told with twenty minutes to go. Danny Desormeaux
bravely rode a challenge, the ball running to Marc Lloyd-Williams. He showed
he's not just a selfish grabber by sending a perfect cross across the box to
Cooky, gleefully lashing in on the half volley, just reward for all the effort
he'd already put in on the afternoon.
Only two more incidents after
that, with the game effectively in Airbus' pocket. Haverfordwest's Jarrod Price
had a sudden far post header hit the woodwork and Gio had a fierce free kick
heading for the top left corner, plucked out by Idzi. Good luck to
Ashley Williams & Ryan Edwards, on duty for Non-League Wales U23 in midweek.
Thanks also to the lads for cheering the author up after his weekend bout of
Piglet Flu.
Airbus Line up:
Kristian Rogers, Ryan Edwards (Jack Abraham 82'), Giovanni Feliciello, Matty
Woodward, Rhys Roberts, Mark Allen, Ashley Williams, Danny Desormeaux, Carl
Owen, Marc Lloyd-Williams, Matty Cook.
Subs not used: Gareth
Sudlow, James McIntosh,
Paul
McManus.
Report by Dave Sargent
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