REDS HELD AS AIRBUS MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RECORD

In blistery conditions at the Airfield in Broughton, North Wales last Sunday, Llanelli were held to a 1-1 draw by the unbeaten Airbus UK Broughton in the Reds third Welsh Premier game of the season.

 

Victory would have moved Andy Legg’s team into second place in the table and this looked on the cards until Ian Sheridan equalised Craig Moses first half opener midway through the second half.

Glenn Rule had an early shot wide for Airbus, but the Reds started well stringing some enterprising passes together with Thomas, Corbisiero, Venables and Moses linking well.

After just eight minutes a Moses cross was knocked back by Williams who just failed to find Jordan Follows. Follows then had a close range shot saved by Airbus keeper Bulmer who also saved his follow up. While a minute later, Airbus missed a great chance to take the lead as a corner flashed past the face of Ashley Morris’ goalmouth.

With just 12 Minutes gone Airbus missed the best chance of the game, Sheridan through on goal and slotting wide of Morris and the far post.In the 25th minute the Reds took the lead, a Reds corner was cleared, but Corbisiero put in a second ball and it found Craig Moses, fresh from his return from representing Great Britain at the World Student games,who clinically found the net from close range.

Airbus came back strongly from this setback and despite having Desormeaux booked for a foul, Hayes forced Morris to dive to his right and then race from his area to make a superb clearance to clear the danger from a long Airbus ball. The Reds came close to another goal as half time approached a stunning ball from Follows to Moses who forced a save from Bulmer. The Reds were passing Airbus off the field against the wind as well, but Airbus were still dangerous on the break as the half time whistle went.

The second half started with no changes for either side. The wind was torrid as the first half as both teams failed to get the ball down and play. The Reds next chance came on 51 minutes when Follows put Moses through but Bulmer saved from close range.

However with 61 minutes gone Airbus equalised with Sheriden firing home as Morris and his defence fail to clear a corner. The Reds could have been back in the lead minutes later though as Craig Williams was fouled outside the box, and Chris Venables hit the post from the resultant free kick with the keeper beaten.

After 64 minutes Jason Bowen came on for Corbisiero. Lloyd Grist was working well with Williams down the left as the Reds continued to look dangerous going forward. After 66 minutes Follows had a long range shot saved by Bulmer after a great tackle by Williams. Holloway was providing Venables with a good platform as the Reds tried to play Jason Bowen into the game, while Lee Surman and Stuart Jones were rocks at the back for the Reds as Airbus continued to play the long ball game.

As the game moved into its last twenty minutes, Stuart Jones forced a fantastic save out of Bulmer from a corner. Follows and Bowen nearly conjured up some magic but Airbus were tackling well and had a great chance to take the lead themselves, but Ashley Morris was up to the 50/50 challenge with Hayes outside his box, before brining off a great save from sub Roberts after a great Airbus move.

Chad Bond came on for Craig Williams with 73 minutes gone. Holloway fired wide from 25 yards after good work from Bond and Venables. As the game moved towards a close, Bowen headed weakly at Bulmer from a Moses cross, Bond went close twice in a minute, forcing two good saves from Bulmer, and a superb shot from Thomas outside the box was charged down.

A disappointing result for the Reds in the end given the possession they had but at the end of the day, a 1-1 draw at Airbus will be deemed a good result around the principality. Airbus will take teams apart at home, so looking at the positives, a well earned point away from home.

Goals

Airbus UK Broughton 1 Ian Sheridan 61′

Llanelli AFC 1 Craig Moses 25′

Airbus UK Broughton

Niki Lee Bulmer, Danny Taylor, Adam Worton, Gavin Cadwallader, Danny Grannon, Glenn Rule, Ryan Edwards

(Mark Cadwallader 85′), Danny Desormeaux, Ian Sheridan, Mike Hayes, Gareth Owen (Joshua Roberts 54′)

Subs not used: Mark Allen, Rees Darlington, Lee Jones, Josh Atkin (gk)

Red Cards: None

Yellow Cards: Desormeaux 28′

Llanelli AFC

Ashley Morris, Chris Thomas, Lloyd Grist, Chris Venables, Stuart Jones, Lee Surman, Antonio Corbisiero (Jason

Bowen 64′), Chris Holloway, Craig Moses, Jordan Follows, Craig Williams (Chad Bond 73′)

Subs not used: Ashley Evans, Andy Legg, Chris Llewellyn

Red Cards: None

Yellow Cards: Holloway 80′

Attendance: 165

Referee: Bryn Markham-Jones