FEARS that injury-hit Airbus would find life difficult against Haverfordwest County proved unfounded as the Wingmakers beat the Welsh League leaders 5-0 at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium.
|
|||||||||||
Andy Preece was forced to name Glenn Rule and Jonny Spittle as makeshift centre-backs as he went into the game without Ian Kearney and Mike Pearson, as well as Lee Owens, Andy Jones and Ryan Wade.
Airbus initially found it difficult to break down the Bluebirds, who defended in depth and showed little attacking ambition.
Rule's shot from a Chris Budrys shot was well-saved by keeper Craig Morris who then made an excellent diving stop from Matty McGinn.
In a rare foray forward, Haverfordwest's Jordan Follows was well wide and McGinn again tried his luck but was well over the target from 22 yards.
The breakthrough arrived on 35 minutes when Rule's free-kick was back-headed beyond the reach of Morris by Spittle for his first Airbus goal.
Two minutes later the lead was doubled as Ellis Healing powered a header into the net from Ryan Wignall's cross.
McGinn sent an effort just over the bar from the left edge of box after the restart and Budrys was inches wide with a narrow angle shot across goal that missed at the far post.
Jordan Barrow sent another shot just wide from 35 yards before County enjoyed a brief spell on the attack in which Chris O'Sullivan was well wide.
Rule then extended the Wingmakers' lead with a well-taken goal and Barrow drove home the fourth after McGinn's corner had been headed back across goal.
The visitors threatened again briefly in the dying minutes but sub Jake Eyre had the last word as put the icing on the cake with his first Airbus goal.
Photos (top) Glenn Rule celebrates his goal and (below) Ellis Healing heads the second of the day.
