On a dull Saturday afternoon, Airbus welcomed Newtown to the Hollingsworth Group Stadium in the quarter finals of the Welsh Blood Service League Cup.

Airbus were looking to defend their title, and Mark Allen made one change to the eleven that started against Penrhyncoch, with Nath Williams returning from suspension to replace Josh Stevenson.

As we got underway, the rain had held off, and it was a scrappy first 10 minutes from Airbus as Newtown put some pressure on the Airbus goal.

11’ a great position was picked up by Tyler McManus in midfield as he drove with the ball, he played in Warren, but he was just offside as he chipped the goalkeeper.

A few minutes later, Airbus were awarded a free kick on the right of the box for a foul on Kaiden Cooke. Jordan Evans stood over the set piece and his effort from the free kick was on target but comfortable for Dave Jones in the Newtown goal.

22’ Airbus were awarded another free kick on the left. Jordan Evans delivered a ball brilliantly to the back post, which McManus met but he was unable to convert back across goal.

As we approached the half hour mark, Cooke collected the ball and played a ball inside which was a little heavy for George Peers, but Danny Warren picked the ball up and was able to get a shot on target as Dave Jones saved down low to his left.

Newtown had the games breakthrough on 42’ as Robbie Evans won a second ball and played the ball into Jamie Hyne, his first touch set himself perfectly for a shot which was too powerful for Keighan Jones as the Airbus ‘keeper managed to get a hand to the shot.

After a stoppage of play earlier on in the half for a head injury and knee injury to Kieran Evans, there was a few minutes of injury time added to the first half.

Nath Williams took it on himself to drive the ball forward from defence and he played a good combination with Jordan Evans, before finding Peers with the returned pass and the Airbus No.11’s shot was into the midriff of Jones.

45+2’ Cooke was allowed space on the right as he delivered an inviting ball across the 6-yard box, but it evaded everyone as three Airbus players were not able to make a connection.

As the half time whistle was looming, Airbus equalised through the Airbus vice-captain. Mason Blackwell-Jones played a ball into Jordan Evans; he twisted and turned as he cut inside from the right and he placed a shot into the far corner to get Airbus back on level terms.

Second half got underway and Airbus had a look of determination as they looked to capitalise on their equaliser before half time and it wasn’t long before they took the lead.

Blackwell-Jones tracked down a loose ball and played it back into Jordan Evans, his unbelievable delivery was spot on as Danny Warren finished with a volley across Jones.

The second goal for Airbus had put a spring in their step and Kaiden Cooke with a shot from outside the box looked to be curling in the top corner but Jones was behind the shot as he collected comfortably.

Jordan Evans was starting to pull the strings for Airbus, this time he found himself in space and drove into the Newtown box and decided to pull the ball back to Warren who was arriving at the box, but the Newtown defender read the situation as he cleared the ball for a corner.

With 15 minutes remaining, Airbus made their first substitute of the games as Jake Roberts replaced Kaiden Cooke.

It didn’t take long for Roberts to get his name on the scoresheet with his first touch of the game. A long forward punt from Kieran Evans was chased by Roberts and he hit it first time as he lobbed the Newtown ‘keeper and settled in the net at the back post.

Roberts’ goal settled the nerves for Airbus and Warren had a great chance to make it four and record his second of the game. The ball found it’s way to Warren just outside the box as he took on Alfie Clark in a 1v1 situation, he decided to cut inside and curl a shot which looked to be going into the bottom left-hand corner but his shot come ricocheting off the post.

With five minutes remaining of the 90, Airbus made a double substitution with Dan Collins and James Davies replacing Danny Warren and George Peers.

With 5 minutes of injury time added to the second half, Newtown put a bit of pressure on the Airbus goal. The visitors were awarded a free kick just outside the box, Louis Jacobs delivered a great ball into the box and Joe Palmer was there with a crucial header to clear for a corner.
Airbus managed to see out the late pressure from Newtown as the referee blew time on a great come back from the WingMakers to progress into the semi-finals of the Welsh Blood Service League Cup.