AIRBUS RESERVES 0 GRESFORD ATHLETIC RESERVES 2
By Captain Web

In my 30 year involvement with Welsh National League soccer I can't ever remember travelling to a midweek away game ay the end of the season with a full 15 man squad. To be fair nowadays at most clubs, a bare eleven for a Reserve team is the norm. The hardest test of all therefore for Ady and Sam was who to leave out. Presumably, based on last Saturday's fine 5-0 win at Rhos Aelwyd, we stuck with the same squad with Huw replacing Chal who is still struggling with a foot injury. There was an enforced change in goal when the gallant Craig Trow came in for the unavailable Pricey.

What a contrast in the weather to our recent fixtures when we basked in the sun against Brickfield and Rhos. I think it must have been the coldest and wettest April day in history, it was a real horror show for the spectators and it clearly prevented the game from being anything but a total lottery.

We had the best of possible starts though when a long punt up-field was handled by the Airbus centre half who conceded a 6 th minute penalty. Up stepped Haggis but his well struck spot-kick hit the right upright but the rebound was despatched by the very alert Broady.

To be fair Airbus matched us in most departments and at times had us on the rack. Defending the wind we looked uncomfortable but a series of corners were plucked to safety by Trowey.

The rain came down even harder at the start of the second half and to say the game got scrappy was a sheer understatement.

The one black-spot on our unblemished record was a 54 th minute booking for Haggis who went charging into the tackle in the centre circle like a raging bull in a china shop and his challenge would be best described as reckless and needless.  I have every confidence however that one day he will mend his way !!

I can only assume the tactic to replace him on the hour mark was a safety measure as up to then he was coping with the conditions better than most. A further yellow card would have meant an automatic suspension clashing with a semi final game against Cefn United.

We worked the flanks well, Huw and Gaz made an impression down the left and Rob and Darren forged a good partnership on the right but we created very few chances for the front two.

We did manage to double our tally in the 73 rd minute when Gaz came over to the opposite side of the pitch to beat the keeper with a well flighted free-kick which was wind assisted.

On came Chris Hughes and Owen up front for the latter stages and Sean had another run on the right of midfield. It certainly helps our cause to have three quality subs oozing enthusiasm and energy

Ady had no hesitation to giving the man of the match award to Craig Trow. “His handling was immense and in awful conditions his concentration was also superb. Once again I was also impressed with his throwing capability. To be honest, I couldn't wait for the final whistle and it was absolutely impossible to play any form of decent football in those conditions”

MOM Craig Trow

TWA – Tea Award: Big Sam had the final say on this one and broke new ground giving the award to an opposition official for his continual ranting “Go through ‘em. Go through 'em” which were obvious tactics from the Ron Harris coaching manual.

Team: 1. Craig Trow(8) 2. Robbie Jones (6) 3. Hugh Jones(6) 4. Darren Jones (7) 5. Steve Halliwell (7) 6. Luke Peate (6) 7. Paul Jones (6) 8. Gaz Pugh Jones (7) 9. Richie Carr (6) 10. Matt Davies (7) 11. Chris Broadirst (7) SUBS: 12. Owen Roberts (7) 14. Sean Winter (7) 15.Chris Hughes(7)