Llanelli keeper Craig Richards saves Moran's penalty [welsh-premier.com]

Airbus UK Broughton opened their 2010-11 Welsh Premier campaign with a home defeat to last season's runner's-up Llanelli. The 2-1 scoreline did not reflect what was an incident packed game at the Airfield in which Airbus more than matched the visitors.

The Wingmakers began the game positively, showing no fear and taking the game to the away side. It was slightly against the run of play when Llanelli took the lead on 16 minutes. Airbus cleared a corner off the line only to see the ball swung back into the 6-yard box for an unmarked Rhys Griffiths to glance home with a diving header. Trailing 1-0 the Wingmakers lost a bit of composure and were not helped by a lengthy stoppage when Matty Woordward needed treatment for a head injury.

A trip on Jack Abraham just outside the penalty area led to a free-kick which was headed over by Danny Desormeaux. The away side were now edging a scrappy game but Carl Owen saw a speculative snap-shot go narrowly wide. Right at the end of the half Andy Moran was felled in the area but to the disbelief of the Airbus faithful no penalty was awarded. That was the first of a number of decisions which went against the Wingmakers when they could easily have gone in their favour. The score remained 1-0 to Llanelli at half-time.

Just five minutes into the second-half Airbus at last saw a decision go their way but even then the outcome was not satisfactory. Andy Moran was taken out in the area by Llanelli goalkeeper Craig Richards. The penalty was awarded and as the last man Richards looked set to be dismissed only for the custodian to be shown the yellow card. Almost inevitably when Moran stepped up to take the spot-kick Richards got down low to his right to tip the ball around the post.

Perhaps sensing that it wasn't their day Airbus fell further behind on 58 minutes. Another cross following a corner was headed home by the prolific Rhys Griffiths who again found himself in plenty of space. At 2-0 down the Wingmakers were up against it as Gio Feliciello was introduced in place of Rhys Roberts. Minutes later another corner led to a chance for Griffiths which was cleared off the line.

As the second-half wore on the Wingmakers regained their composure when Jack Abraham played Carl Owen in on goal. Unfortunately Richards was well behind the forward's shot. With just over 20 minutes to go Richie Dorman replaced Matty Cook for Airbus. Soon the Wingmakers had Llanelli under intense pressure and camped inside their own half. Carl Owen saw a chance from three yards palmed away brilliantly by Richards and a cross from Feliciello just evaded a connection yards across the face of goal.

On 76 minutes the Wingmakers deservedly pulled a goal back. A pin-point cross from Carl Owen was headed home at the far post by Danny Desormeaux to make it 2-1. Llanelli's manager Andy Legg responded to the relentless pressure by introducing himself as a substitute in place of Jordan Follows. Into the latter stages Airbus kept the visitors penned back and replaced Jack Abraham with Paul McManus. A wonder-strike from Moran was pushed away superbly by Richards and after good work from Danny Desormeaux in the area Moran struck the inside of the post. The Wingmakers luck appeared to be out as Llanelli replaced Ryan Batley with Declan John to run down the clock.

The game finished 2-1 to Llanelli and while this was not the start to the season Airbus had hoped for they could take pride in their performance. Only a terrific performance from Llanelli goalkeeper Craig Richards kept them out and it was debatable whether he should have still been on the field. On another day with better luck the Wingmakers would surely have taken something from what were very tough opponents to open the new season against.

Airbus: 1: Kristian Rogers 2: Ryan Edwards 3: Rhys Roberts (12: Gio Feliciello) 4: Matthew Woodward 5: (Captain) Mark Allen 6: Ashley Williams 7: Jack Abraham (15: Paul McManus) 8: Danny Desormeaux 9: Andy Moran 10: Carl Owen 11: Matthew Cook

Llanelli: 19: Craig Richards 2: Chris Thomas 18: Ryan Batley (17: Declan John) 15: Ross Jones 5: (Captain) Stuart Jones 6: Wyn Thomas 14: Jordan Follows (21: Andy Legg) 8: Antonio Corbisiero 9: Rhys Griffiths 10: Chris Holloway 11: Chris Llewellyn

Sub not used: 20: Stephen Jenks

By Rory Sheehan