NEWFA CHALLLENGE CUP
Airbus travelled to a picturesque Llangollen ground but did not enjoy the view in this preliminary round match.  Airbus started brightly and won a series of corners in the first ten minutes but were unable to grab a goal. 
Llangollen eventually ventured forward on the quarter hour mark winning a corner, Josh Atkin pushing a header over the bar.  Airbus responded immediately with the best move of the game, moving the ball quickly from back to front for the advancing Josh Roberts to smash a shot, brilliantly tipped over by the home keeper. 
Airbus did grab the lead on 20 minutes when Tom Littler chased down a huge Josh Atkin kick and bravely headed over the swiftly advancing Llan keeper.  The home side came into the game more and were gifted an equaliser following a defensive mix-up on 32 minutes.  The game drifted for the rest of the half.                                       
HT  1  -  1
The second half opened with a flurry of action from the kick off.  Llan worked the ball straight through the visitors and their centre forward drove past a hapless Josh Atkin.  Almost immediately Paul McManus went on a mazy run leaving three defenders in his wake before seeing his drive saved by the Llangollen keeper. 
However Dan Lloyd, a half-time substitute, was on hand to head the rebound and level the scores.  Airbus failed to pick up the momentum and were indebted to keeper Josh Atkin who kept Llan at bay for the next 20 minutes.  On 50 minutes he pushed a goal bound header against the bar and somehow managed to catch the follow up header. 
Even better Josh made a great save from a Llan penalty awarded after more sloppy defending.  Josh’s hard work looked like paying dividends when on 86 minutes Paul McManus again mesmerised the home defence before coolly driving into the corner to give Airbus a 3-2 lead.  The home side were however not finished and in the last minute were awarded a controversial free kick.  From an acute angle the ball was drifted into the top corner to take the game into extra time. 
The first period saw little of consequence, the sides effectively cancelling each other out.
In contrast the second period saw the home side change gear and they produced fireworks scoring on 108 and 111 minutes, the latter being a real rocket.  A disappointing Airbus were left with a depressing trip home.             
FT  5  -  3
Team – Josh Atkin – Joe Jones (Ben Evans 63) – Josh Roberts – Dan Calvert – Grant Wain - Leigh Owens – Jordan O’Brien (Connor Boyle 68) – Josh Parry – Tom Littler (Dan Lloyd 45) - Josh Griffiths – Paul McManus