After a disappointing result on Friday evening against Denbigh Town, Airbus were looking to bounce back on Tuesday evening. With the game on familiar territory, Airbus took on Gresford looking to defend their title after winning the NEWFA Senior Men’s Challenge Cup last season.

Airbus made a few changes to their starting line-up with Keighan Jones, Kieran Evans, Sam Rickett, Dan Collins, James Davies and Ieuan Jones-Wellstead coming in for Sam Fenney, Danny Warren, Jordan Evans, Joe Palmer, George Peers and Blaine Hudson.

With the wind swirling round the Hollingsworth Group Stadium, Airbus got us under way for the evening kicking towards the runway.

Airbus had the first chance of the half as they worked the ball from back to front and James Davies unfortunately over hit his cross. Davies had another chance not long after as Jake Roberts did well to control the ball and pull the ball back to Davies who was off balance and was unable to get a connection with the ball to trouble ‘keeper Lewis Dutton.

The weather was causing the game to be a bit scrappy as once the ball was played in the air; the weather was having other ideas.

Just before the half hour, a ball into the box fell to Roberts and his connection wasn’t quite there to direct the ball on target.

Three minutes later, Roberts had a similar chance, as Kieran Evans delivered a brilliant ball into the box which Roberts brought down beautifully but his was unable to direct the shot goalwards.

5 minutes before half time, Gresford managed to work it well down the left for the Gresford captain Paul Johnson to deliver a ball into the box, but Davies read the play as he cleared for a corner.

The referee called time on an uneventful first half for both teams.

At half time Airbus were forced into a substitution with Jordan Evans replacing Nath Williams. Gresford got us underway for the second half as they were now kicking into the wind.

Kieran Evans had the first chance of the second half as he tried his luck from 25 yards out and his ferocious shot skimmed the top off the crossbar as Dutton watched on.

Some great play on 56’ found Jordan Evans in some really good space and the Airbus vice-captain took it on the half turn and sent a shot goalwards but the effort was wide.

Gresford won a corner on the hour and from the corner the second ball fell to Billy Nicholas and his shot was wide of the target.

A great cross from James Davies on 65’ was inviting for Roberts as he met it with conviction. Unfortunately for the Airbus striker the ball headed over the crossbar from 6 yards out.

Gresford were creating chances, the ball fell to Thomas Smith on the edge of the 18-yard box and he struck a nice shot towards the far corner but it just angled away from goal as Keighan Jones looked on.

With the game heading towards the last 15 of the 90, Airbus introduced George Peers, Danny Warren and James Allen for Mason Blackwell-Jones, Ieuan Jones-Wellstead and Jake Roberts.

76 minutes it was the half time substitution Jordan Evans that put Airbus into the lead. James Davies did well to win a corner off Elliott Orton and from the resulting corner, Evans’ delivery was too good and found its way into the net.

With the goal settling Airbus, they were doing well to keep the ball down and play. Sam Rickett did really well to win the ball in defence and play the ball forward to Evans. Evans played a great pass into the path of Davies and his shot from the edge of the area looked to be settling in the net but come crashing of the back post.

88’ Billy Nicholas had another chance at goal and this time he was a bit closer with his effort which wasn’t troubling Jones.

With the game approaching injury time, Danny Warren came close to making it 2-0. A long ball forward fell into the path Warren and he tried to lob the onrushing Dutton as his effort fell the wrong side of the post.

The game come to an end, which wasn’t the spectacle as the weather played it part, but Airbus progress to the quarter finals.