Both TNS and Airbus met for the third time in the last 12 months on a sunny afternoon at Park Hall. With Keighan Jones serving a suspension, 17-year-old Harry Davies made his debut in goal and Blaine Hudson made his first start of the Season against his old team.

TNS got us underway shooting from right to left. The first 5 minutes were very frantic with Airbus presenting a high press to stop TNS getting out and playing.

Nine minutes in Kaiden Cooke had his first run of the game and his run resulted in a corner for Airbus. From the resulting corner, Nathan Shepperd managed to get a fist to the ball to punch the ball away, but the resulting clearance fell to Nathan Williams who lofted an effort towards goal, and it was headed clear by Ryan Astles on the line.

Airbus were starting to have a bit of joy in the TNS final third and a delivery from Jordan Evans found James Davies, but the Airbus forward was unable to keep his header down.

TNS were rewarded a free kick in a dangerous position on 16’. Aramide Jay Oteh stepped up to take the set piece and Harry Davies managed to get his hands to the ball to parry and Hudson was there to clear Airbus’ lines.

TNS were starting to get involved in the game after some early pressure from Airbus. This time it was a long-ranged effort from Adrian Cieslewicz was fired just wide of the far post.

34 minutes and TNS had their breakthrough. Jack Nadin found some space between the Airbus defenders; Nadin picked the ball up and found Louis Phillips free at the back post to fire through Harry Davies’ legs and give The Saints the lead.

With 5 minutes left of the 45, a free kick was rewarded after a foul on Phillips by Nathan Williams just to the left of the penalty area. Rory Holden stood over the set-piece to deliver a powerful free kick, which was over Harry Davies’ head and 2-0 to the home team.

Airbus deserved a goal from their first half performance, and this nearly happened with some brilliant link up play between Tyler McManus and Kaiden Cooke released Cooke, and his shot took a deflection for a corner.

This was the end of the action for the first half and the hosts went in with a 2-0 lead.

Airbus got us underway for the second half looking to get back into the tie, but Airbus started slowly in the second half.

2 minutes into the half, Harry Davies was able to parry the first shot, and the ball fell to TNS new signing Ben Wilson six yards out where he missed an open goal to increase TNS lead.

TNS come out with some purpose in the second half and Josh Stevenson had to stand up and produce some outstanding defending to deny Oteh.

The home sides pressure on the Airbus goal soon paid off when Holden scored from close range for his second goal of the game.

On 65 minutes, Airbus made a substitution with Sam Baker replacing James Davies, after the No.20 put an excellent shift in leading the line.

67’ Airbus were awarded a free kick on the left-hand side of the pitch which was taken by Kieran Evans. Unfortunately, the pass was loose, and Wilson was first to react, and he rifled a shot into the top corner.

Four minutes later, TNS had their 5th goal of the afternoon. Oteh intercepted a pass from Mason Blackwell-Jones and found Cieslewicz, who found a way past Stevenson and poked a shot past Harry Davies.

81 minutes and another chance come TNS’ way when Oteh had a shot from distance which flashed over the crossbar.

With 8 minutes remaining, Ieuan Jones-Wellstead replaced Mason Blackwell-Jones.

Harry Davies made a brilliant reaction save as he saved to his left with an outstretched leg on 83’

TNS made it 6 on 86 after a scramble in the box where Airbus failed to clear their lines and Oteh managed to bundle it over the line. It was 7 for the home side two minutes later, when Oteh attempted a shot from the edge of the box and this found the bottom left-hand corner.

In the 90th minute, Airbus had a consolation which was their first goal in 6 years against the Welsh Premier side. Sam Baker with a turn of pace managed to get passed the TNS defender and strike an excellent shot into the bottom corner.

We would like to wish TNS all the best for their upcoming season and for the next round of the Nathaniel MG Cup.