Airbus UK Broughton Football Club
 The Wingmakers - Match Report 2009/10

Airbus finished the season in a terrific 7th position & with the optimism of an even better place at the end of the inaugural Super 12 after a battling performance in a lively game Neath dominated but were unable to control.

 

The 'Bus opened the scoring but not before Chris Doran came out of his goal to foil Matthew Harris, running in on a through ball and looking all set to score. A minute later, James McIntosh tucked home only his third goal of the season after Paul McManus ran through to strike the underside of the bar, Josh Johnson had the rebound cleared off the line & Danny Desormeaux had a go before it fell to Macca to finish off. Chris Doran was in action again a few minutes later as Chris Jones took a cross & fired in a fierce volley, brilliantly blocked by the Irishman. The pace of the game continued and resulted next in a Neath equaliser, Harris flicking on to Craig Steins to head in unmarked, giving Chris little chance this time. The pressure was on the home defence now; Harris fizzed wide and Steins blazed over after several missed tackles from a stretched back line. Airbus then attacked and almost scored themselves, Marc Lloyd-Williams curling round and sweeping a wicked left-footer in on goal, met with a Wyn Walters flying save & tip-around. The half ended with a flurry of  bookings as the niggle upped a grade & the match nothing like a normal end-of-season game.

 

The second half continued in the same fashion and Josh Johnson nearly caught Walters out with a measured shot he managed to drop down on & parry away. Then Chris Doran was called into action again, making a brave double save to keep things level. Back up the other end and Jiws slipped the ball wide with only the keeper to beat. Both sides made tactical substitutions and Airbus were put largely on the back foot as they soaked up Neath's pressure. The defence coped well and although the goalmouth action dried up a little the enjoyment didn't but the only notable incident came with a quarter hour left,  Tom Rowlands being left with a free shot he disappointingly spooned wide. All square and a fair result at the end, Neath coming from behind to win the battle of the bookings 4-3. Oh, by the way, Happy Birthday to me.

All pictures sent courtesy of Beth Mitchell - www.bethmitchell.co.uk