Richie Dorman opened the scoring in the first minute [welsh-premier.com].

A 4-2 thriller at the Airfield gave Airbus UK Broughton the advantage in their Loosemores Cup First Round tie against Newtown. The overall winners following the away leg next week will meet The New Saints in the second round and the Wingmakers currently have the edge.

Starts were given to on-loan Wrexham youngsters Leon Clowes and Nick Rushton in defence and up front respectively. Meanwhile Newtown's new boss Dr Andy Cale chose to take a look at some of his squad players but was not helped when goalkeeper Dave Roberts suffered an injury prior to kick-off - leading to assistant Lee Williams having to appear between the sticks.

Airbus made the best start possible with a first minute goal. After dispossessing the away side in midfield, Richie Dorman drove forward to power in a shot. His effort took a wicked deflection off a defender and looped over Williams to make it 1-0. The visitors had hardly recovered when on 12 minutes Airbus doubled their lead when a cross into the area was turned into the bottom corner of the net by captain Mark Allen. It was the defender's second goal in two games and doubled the lead to 2-0.

On 26 minutes the Wingmakers total dominance was emphasised with a third goal. In a near identical move a cross into the box was finished off in similar fashion by Nick Rushton, netting his first goal for the club and making it 3-0. Having raced into a three goal lead the Wingmakers continued to impress with quick, sharp passing with Newtown trying to regain their composure. The hard-working Tom Rowlands dragged a shot wide on half an hour and just before half-time Gio Feliciello played a defence-splitting ball for Rowlands to round the goalkeeper. Unfortunately no-one was on hand to turn his cross in so it remained 3-0 at the interval.

Into the second-half the game became much less one-sided as on 47 minutes the visitors were handed a lifeline. A harsh penalty was awarded against Rhys Roberts for an apparent push and Craig Davies found the bottom right corner from the spot to pull it back to 3-1. Newtown now had the momentum and capitalised on 53 minutes when loose play around the area gave midfielder Craig Hutchinson an opportunity. The veteran drove home a powerful low shot to make it 3-2.

Having seen their lead reduced Airbus hit back on 58 minutes. Right-back Phil Clarke got forward and produced an excellent cross into the area. Nick Rushton had the time and space to get up and head over Williams for 4-2. Five minutes later Newtown made their first substitutions as Callum Wright and Josh Evans gave way to Craig Whitfield and Paul Keddle.

The game continued in end-to-end fashion with both sides looking for more goals. Newtown made their final change on 71 minutes when Dave Swanick replaced Rhys Jones. Nick Rushton created a great opportunity for Tom Rowlands but his shot was well-stopped by the goalkeeper. With 13 minutes to go the Wingmakers replaced goalscorers Mark Allen and Richie Dorman with Jack Abraham and Ashley Williams,

With 10 minutes to go Airbus goalkeeper Chris Doran was called upon to make his first real save in spite of the increase in possession enjoyed by Newtown in the second-half. Despite the best efforts from both teams in the latter stages there were no more goals. Ironically it was not until stoppage-time that the first yellow card was issued - to Tom Rowlands for dissent.

The game finished 4-2 and despite another good win and quality performance from Airbus, the tie is still very much in the balance. The two away goals conceded just after half-time were disappointing but the outcome of next week's game is still in the Wingmakers hands.

Airbus - 1: Chris Doran 2: Phil Clarke 3: Giovanni Feliciello 4: Mark Allen (c) (Abraham) 5: Rhys Roberts 6: Leon Clowes 7: Matty Cook 8: Richie Dorman (Williams) 9: Nick Rushton 10: Tom Rowlands 11: Paul McManus

Subs - 12: Ryan Edwards 14: Jack Abraham 15: Ashley Williams

Newtown - 1: Lee Williams 2: Rhys Jones (Swanick) 3: Josh Evans (Keddle) 4: Shaun Jones 5: Robbie James 6: Callum Wright (Whitfield) 7: John Mckenna 8: Craig Hutchinson 9: Jamie Breeze 10: Craig Davies 11: Tyronne McFadden

Subs - 12: Paul Keddle 15: Craig Whitfield 16: Dave Swanick

By Rory Sheehan