Newtown 0-0 Airbus UK Broughton: Stalemate enough for Robins to qualify for top six
Newtown claim the final Championship Conference berth after a goalless contest with Airbus UK Broughton at Latham Park.
The point means that the Robins secure sixth place on the final day before the split, with Cefn Druids and Cardiff Met missing out despite their victories.
Airbus UK Broughton also climb from the foot of the table, overtaking Carmarthen Town, who were emphatically beaten 7-1 by Barry Town.
In a tight affair where both sides could have claimed the three points, Chris Hughes will be relieved, as Newtown goalkeeper Dave Jones kept his sixth clean sheet in his last eight games.
Chris Hughes’ men’s defensive performance was typically impressive, having conceded just three goals since November.
Newtown came out of the blocks quickly, calling referee Simon Evans into action early on.
On-loan Shrewsbury forward Lifumpa Mwandwe raced onto a ball over the top and beat Airbus goalkeeper David Roberts to the ball, the latter bringing Mwandwe down on the edge of the area only to be yellow carded, despite the home fans’ protests.
Midfielder Alex Fletcher went close with the free-kick; his effort was tipped over the bar by the fingertips of David Roberts.
Lowly Airbus Broughton UK grew into the first half, calling Dave Jones into action with deliveries into the box.
Their best chance of the game came when Kieran Mills-Evans conceded a free-kick on the edge of the area. Alex Darlington’s fantastic effort rattled the crossbar as the Wingmakers went close to opening the scoring.
It was Chris Hughes’ men’s turn to go close as captain Craig Williams found a pocket of space on the right, firing a superb long-range drive, matched by David Roberts, who tipped the effort onto the bar.
Williams was again involved in attack, as he played an accurate ball over the top for George Harry, who scuffed his effort into the arms of David Roberts.
As referee Simon Evans blew for half-time, it was an even contest between the two sides, with the woodwork being rattled at both ends.
Despite starting the day’s play at the foot of the Cymru Premier, the Wingmakers started the second half brightly, with Nathan Woolfe having a sight of goal.
Woolfe found himself isolated after quick thinking by goalkeeper David Roberts; his eventual effort was saved by Dave Jones.
The Robins then had a good spell in the game, with Alex Fletcher’s free-kick just evading defender Kieran Mills-Evans.
The hosts came close to breaking the deadlock just after the hour mark when a corner fell to Nick Rushton; his volley flew agonisingly over the bar.
With the game still goalless, Airbus gained a foothold in the game, forcing the hosts to defend.
The referee was again called into action with the Wingmakers calling for a penalty for handball, following a cross into the box.
Evans refuted the appeals as Airbus UK Broughton applied pressure on Chris Hughes’ men.
The visitors continued to assert their control of the game and thought they had taken a shock lead with ten minutes remaining.
Steve Tomassen’s header from a corner looked to be goal-bound, only for reliable captain Craig Williams to clear the ball heroically off the line.
Steve O’Shaughnessy’s men went close again just two minutes later, with Newtown midfielder Alex Fletcher heading the ball dangerously across his own box.
Airbus’ Andy Owens directed the ball goal-wards but was matched by resolute defending. Niall Flint, this time, clearing off the line.
Despite the visitors’ sustained pressure, the Robins hung on to secure a point and a Championship Conference place.
Newtown: Dave Jones, Craig Williams ©, Kieran Mills-Evans, Neil Mitchell, Jack Thorn, Sean McAllister, Alex Fletcher, Niall Flint, Nick Rushton, Lifumpa Mwandwe (Ian Sheridan 86), George Harry (Matthew Williams 75)
Airbus UK Broughton: David Roberts, Owen Payne, Joseph Palmer (Matthew Sargent 75), Kristian Platt, Steve Tomassen, Jake Phillips, George Hughes, Brady McGilloway, Nathan Woolfe (James Hooper 83), Alex Darlington (George Peers 64), Andy Owens.
See how Newtown confirmed their top-six spot here:
(Featured Image: Colin Ewart)
