Airbus battered Port, playing the whole match inside their half of
the field. There were two amazing things; they only scored once and Jiws
didn't score again (for the 4th successive match!). In fact the only goal
came courtesy of the hosts, a bizarre misdirected header that bounced off
another defender's knee & rolled in.
It will be a shame if the two sides are in different leagues next season as
we'll miss the fantastic mountain backdrop, this year tinged with snow and
the homely little ground of black & red painted stands serving delicious
sausage chips & peas for only a pound. It's also a great place to get drunk
in, with three
Good Beer Guide entries within easy reach.
The football itself was a constant barrage from the Wingmakers, who were
well on top after only a quarter of an hour. Jiws fired over, Carlo smashed
wide, a Jack Abraham shot was punched out with Dessie driving the rebound
wide, Dessie finished a neat move involving Ryan Edwards (showing no
ill-effects from his Non-League Welsh U-21 sending-off in midweek) & Carlo
to produce another save but somehow half-time was reached with the scoreline
goalless.
No matter, as the inevitable cave-in by Port must surely happen. Jiws, Ryan
& Carlo combined again for another over, Jiws ran in on a one-on-one, the
saved ball running to Jack Abraham who again shot over. All the while
Giovanni Feliciello was having a great game from the left back position,
with Ashley Williams,
fresh from his own second international appearance in Portadown, turning the
Port midfield inside out as he created move after move and Jack Abraham
showing his growing maturity and exciting potential. Eventually that one
moment of panic in the defence came and the points were finally in the
bag, there being very little chance of the home side having an attack, let
alone scoring. Jiws had the best of the chances remaining, parried by the
'keeper; it's frightening to think what will happen when his goal drought
ends and a declining Bala Town may well feel the effects when they visit
Broughton next.
Airbus line
up:
K Rogers, R Edwards, G Feliciello, M Woodward, M Allen, R
Roberts, A Williams, D Desormeaux,
J Abraham (P McManus 89'), M Lloyd Williams, C
Owen.Subs:
Gareth Sudlow, Gary
McConnell.