Llandudno 1-2 Airbus UK: Wingmakers fly into next round of Welsh Cup
Airbus UK have moved into the next round of the Welsh Cup by defeating Llandudno 2-1 at the OPS Wind Arena.
New Saints loanee Beau Cornish opened in the scoring in the first half before Jake Eyre added early in the second period. Lee Thomas scored on the hour mark and put on some late pressure on the Wingmakers but they were able to hold out for the victory.
After an even start, the first chance of the game fell to Aron Hughes-Jones who found himself bearing down on goal with the keeper rushing out. He opted to chip the goalie but saw his effort go wide of the mark.
Airbus’ first real effort on goal came after 15 minutes, Nathan Brown firing a shot way over the bar.
Airbus opened the scoring after 20 minutes with New Saints loanee Beau Cornish firing into the bottom left-hand corner after a throw in wasn’t cleared by Llandudno.
Llandudno continued to look dangerous throughout the first half, combining well in attack. They fired a few shots at the Airbus goal after 25 but the Wingmakers backline stood strong.
Brown who looked lively in the first half then had to be replaced by McGilloway because of an injury just before half time.
The second half started with the Seasiders on top. Hughes-Jones had a glorious opportunity to draw level, but his shot lacked power and was cleared off the line as the Airbus defence scrambled to clear.
Despite Llandudno’s dominance early in the second half, Airbus made it two. Morgan Owen lost the ball in defence opening the door to Jack Eyre to put the Wingmakers two ahead. It looked a long way back for Llandudno.
The fans were up for it at the newly named OPS Wind Arena, they and the players never lost belief. Lewis Dutton in the Airbus net made a fantastic save ten minutes into the second half which saw a curling effort go goal bound. Dutton was up for the challenge.
On the hour mark, Llandudno were back in it. Lee Thomas finishing well. 2-1
The Seasiders were shouting for a penalty kick with ten to play after Morgan Owen drove a shot towards goal. It hit one of the Airbus bodies on the floor, but the referee waved away the appeals.
Shaun Cavanagh had an opportunity late on as Llandudno won the ball high up the pitch, the pass was on to the left-hand side, but Cavanagh opted to shoot. His shot went way over the bar.
Another chance fell Llandudno’s way with only a few minutes left. The ball was frantically bouncing around the area just waiting to be hit. A Llandudno player managed to get a strike away amongst all the bodies and hit the woodwork! So close for the Seasiders.
It looked to be all square in the 93rd minute, yet another scramble in the Airbus area, a shot was unleashed, the crowd were starting to cheer but the effort went narrowly wide to let Airbus off the hook.
Despite Llandudno’s resilience and hard work in the second half, Airbus defended well and held out to progress into the next round of the JD Welsh Cup.
Llandudno 1-2 Airbus UK
Llandudno: Shaun Pearson, Morgan Owen, Guto Williams, Jack Robinson (56’), Gareth Evans, Daniel Hughes (C) (78’), Shaun Cavanagh, Aron Hughes-Jones, Danny Brookwell (71’), Neil Ashton, Lee Thomas.
Subs: J.Bennett (56’), J.Smith (78’), D.Seager, M.Moore, M.Williams (71’)
Goal: L.Thomas 61’
Yellows: G.Williams, M.Owen, G.Evans 72’, L.Thomas 42’, A.Hughes-Jones 38’.
Airbus UK: Lewis Dutton, Stephen Tomassen, Gareth Edwards, Oliver Lanceley, Jake Eyre, Simon Spender, Owen Payne, Adam Davies(79’), Nathan Brown (44’), Beau Cornish
Subs: R.Williams, B.McGilloway (44’) (82’), G.Peers(79’), G.Burrows(82’), E.Orton
Goals: B.Cornish 21’, J.Eyre 49’,
Yellows: G.Peers 89’, B.McGilloway 62’, J.Eyre 59’.
