Airbus Snatch Late Point

By Mark McKean
December 27 2004

A late Paul Dodd header snatches a point for Airbus UK away at NEWI Cefn Druids. The hosts had earlier taken a 2-0 lead in the second half.

A controversial last minute goal from Paul Dodd gave Airbus an unlikely point at Plas Kynaston Lane and saw them move back off the bottom of the table.

With NEWI Cefn Druids leading 2-1, a cross from Dowridge down the right was adjudged to have been handled by Mathew Dabbs, who was no more than a yard from where the cross was played. When the free kick was given with both sides arguing – Druids saying that Dabbs couldn’t have got of the way of the ball, and Airbus saying he handled inside the box – both sides had strong arguments.

With the free kick on the edge of the box, Hopkins floated in an inch perfect cross and Paul Dodd was left free to head home past Louis Mackin.

Up until then, Druids had looked reasonably comfortable after being gifted a two goal lead just past the hour mark.

The action of the final third of the match had shown no signs of happening in the first hour as both sides battled hard to get a grip of the game. Hopkins often resorted to shooting from long distances for the visitors, while the home side often saw their attacks breakdown inside the Airbus box.

Airbus were first to go close as early as the ninth minute when Hughes hit a thunderbolt from 30 yards out, but the shot sailed narrowly over.

Druids then went close in the opening period when, in the 17^th minute, Anthony Williams broke free but his shot was deflected out for a corner. Three minutes later Hayder had a shot blocked by Whitfield and the ball went to safety.

Airbus went close in the 25^th minute when Andrews’ powerful shot was tipped round the post by Mackin.

However, it was in the last hour that the game came to life.

The first came when Mick McLean seized a weak backpass in the 62^nd minute and his inch perfect lob sailed over Whitfield’s head in the Airbus goal and dropped just under the bar to give The Ancients a deserved lead.

Within seconds the advantage was doubled when Alec Stacey’s through pass wasn’t cut out by The Wingmen and Troy Hayder latched on to the loose ball and fired under Whitfield to make it 2-0.

It was nearly 3-0 five minutes later when McLean had a fierce strike parried away by Whitfield.

Airbus were given a lifeline in the 73^rd minute when Hussaney was brought down in the box and captain Steve Hughes sent Mackin the wrong way from the spot kick.

The goal gave the Wingmen a vital lift and went in search of an equaliser, but it had looked like Druids were going to hold on until the handball decision and Dodd’s header.

Druids’ misery was completed in stoppage time when Phil Salmon was booked for dissent – his second yellow of the game – and was sent off.

 

TEAMS:

NEWI Cefn Druids: Mackin, Parry, Dabbs, Rowlands, Salmon, Main (Edgar 80), I Williams, Stacey, Hayden, McLean, A Williams. Subs not used: McDonnell, Baker.

Booked: Salmon 76, Parry 83. Sent off: Salmon 90.

 

Airbus UK: Whitfield, Hopkins, Smart, Davies, Hughes, Dean (Farrell 76), Dowridge, Peers (Jones 58), S Andrews (Hussaney 70), Quirk, Dodd. Sub not used: Mutanha.

 

Referee: H Jones (Llanrhaedr).

Attendance: 202