After a positive performance last weekend against Guilsfield in the league, Airbus were looking forward to beginning their Cup run against newly promoted Welsh Prem side Colwyn Bay.

We made one change to our staring line-up, Orton replacing Kieran Evans due to illness, with Sam Baker coming into the squad.

Airbus started the game brightly with a good few minutes of possession, with a few long throw-ins by Tomassen to cause issues in the Colwyn Bay box.

Five minutes on the clock and Colwyn Bay had their first chance of the half. A switch of play from the right to left, caused a miss timed clearance from McManus which fell to Creamer who found himself 1v1 with Jones. The Airbus keeper made an excellent save down to his left to deny Colwyn Bay.

Three minutes later, Airbus created their first chance of the half. A goal kick from Jones, was headed on by Lindfield to reach the feet of Eyre who turned his defender and unleashed a left foot shot which ricocheted off the cross bar.

Eleven minutes in, Colwyn Bay had a throw-in on the left. From the throw-in, Edwards switched the ball to the right into Rushton, who took on Orton to see his shot go wide of the far post.

On 13 minutes, Colwyn Bay found a breakthrough with their first goal of the game. Patient build-up in possession and quick combination play just outside the box, led to a through ball played brilliantly from Rushton, which was pulled back for Hill to back heel his effort past Jones at his near post.

Just before the half hour mark, Colwyn bay doubled their lead. A mistimed clearance from Jones fell to Edwards who beat Ryan Edwards to the header. The header fell into the path of Allshorn, who crossed left footed for Colwyn Bay to pounce in the six yard box.

Another passage of play down the right from Colwyn Bay, with a cross into the box resulted in a save from Jones. The clearance fell to the edge of the box for Tomassen to make a brilliant headed clearance. From the resulting corner, Downes found himself free at the back post to see his left-footed shot blocked by Rickett.

An interception from Eyre on the right, fell to Edwards in the centre circle, who carried the ball into the Colwyn Bay half. A one-two with Jordan Evans resulted in a good ball into the oncoming Peers to force a good save from the Colwyn bay goalkeeper.

Half-time was a chance for Airbus to re-group.

Two minutes into the second half, Colwyn Bay had their third goal of the game. Great work down the left from Jones, created an opportunity for him to pull back the ball to the edge of the box. Allshorn laid the ball into Rushton, for him to strike into the bottom right corner.

On the hour fresh legs were introduce by Airbus when Palmer and Cooke replaced Rickett and Orton.

In the 69th Minute, Colwyn Bay created a great chance from a throw-in on the left. Great skill from Marsh-Hughes just outside the box led to a ball through to his Colwyn Bay team-mate which resulted in another great save from Jones.

In the 81st minute, Colwyn Bay had their fourth goal. A fantastic ball from Downes into Rushton, with a clever lay off to the right for Colwyn Bay’s number 20 to send a teasing ball across the Airbus six yard box for Edwards to tap in at the back post.

The afternoon went from bad to worse for Airbus when McManus was given a red card in the 83rd Minute for a trip on Marsh-Hughes to deny a goal-scoring opportunity and deemed to be last man.

Colwyn Bay finished the game off with an excellent worked goal from the back, with Holmes in possession the ball found it’s way to Hill, who played a brilliant timed ball behind the Airbus defence for Marsh-Hughes to finish right footed past Jones.

A difficult afternoon for Airbus, but credit to Colwyn Bay their quality and performance gave them the win they deserved.

We turn our attention back to the league, where we make the short journey to Buckley on Tuesday evening.

We also wish Colwyn Bay the best for the remainder of the season!