Preece hails "unbelievable" European performance

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Published: Friday, 04 July 2014 07:55

THE Wingmakers' director of football Andy Preece was delighted after his side held FK Haugesund to a 1-1 draw in the Europa League at Bangor City's Nantporth.

"I think it was an unbelievable performance, I don't think anybody gave us a prayer really," he said.

"When we watched a couple of their games, they played against Molde who are top of their league and their Champions League team, they were equally as good as them so we were thinking what might happen to us tonight.

"We were fantastic from the first whistle and we could have been a couple of goals up.

"They struggled to defend against us, we created a number of opportunities and that's the only disappointing thing really is that we didn't get ourselves a couple of goals in front.

"To keep in the game and to match them for 90 minutes when they are halfway through their season just shows the determination and desire of our players."

It was the third time that Airbus had drawn a European tie from three attempts and Preece went on: "We're still unbeaten in Europe, it's not a bad position to be in, and if we can take that into  the last game I think we will at least be looking at a penalty shoot-out because I think we'll score.

"We shown enough to day to give us the confidence that we will get opportunities.

"We know it is going to be really tough and we're going to be up against it.

It's going to be a great occasion there for them because it's their first game in Europe but with that comes added pressure.

"It's going to be a great occasion there for them because it's their first game in Europe but with that comes added pressure.

"What do they do, they've got the away goal, do they come at us, it will be interesting tactically to see what they do.

"They will be looking at it and thinking nil-nil and we're through, but I don't think their fans will accept them just playing the ball around the back and not looking to attack us.

"It will be interesting so see how it develops and I'm looking forward to it already.

"We've played 90 minutes at a really high tempo and we've got a week to recover. They haven't because they've got a big game on Sunday.

"They've got to be focused on that as well so that's a little bit of an advantage for us.

"We'll get our recovery and we can also look at one or two things now we've seen them live, that makes a big difference."

Photo: Jordan Johnson races away to celebrate his goal [Andre Pepper].