Druids hold on for Airbus victory

By Mark McKean
January 8 2005

First half goals from Ian Williams and Mick McLean seal victory for Druids over fellow strugglers Airbus at the Airfield in front of a stadium record crowd.

Two early goals lifted NEWI Cefn Druids away from the bottom two after beating Airbus UK in front of a record crowd at the Airfield.

 

The 251 crowd had hardly settled when, as barely 60 seconds had elapsed, Alec Stacey broke down the right for Druids. His cross was met on the edge of the box by Ian Williams and his low strike left Paul Whitfield in the home goal stranded to put The Ancients 1-0 up.

 

The visitors kept the pressure up and in the fifth could have doubled their advantage. Anthony Williams cut in from the left into the Airbus box, but he shot straight at Whitfield.

 

Seven minutes later the same player cut in again from the left but as he lost control of the ball Stacey was ready to pounce. However he shot weakly and failed to trouble the keeper.

 

It was 2-0 on the quarter-of-an-hour mark. Another right wing cross was laid off for Mick McLean, who met it on the edge of the box, and his sweetly struck first time volley gave Whitfield no chance.

 

Airbus finally started to threaten in the 20^th minute. John Dowridge sent in an inch-perfect cross that was met by Simon Andrews’ strong header, but his luck deserted him as the effort came back off the bar. From the rebound, the ball worked its way back to Steve Hopkins, but his shot from range went just wide.

 

At the other end, Anthony Williams continued to cause trouble, and his shot from the edge of the box went narrowly over just after the half-hour mark,

 

The Wingmen came back into the game after 35 minutes.

 

A re-taken free-kick, after the assistant referee had adjudged that McLean received treatment for a head injury on the pitch while play continued, found its way to James Dean inside the Druids box and his lobbed shot caught Louis Mackin off his line to pull the score back to 2-1.

 

Airbus came close to equalising just before the break when Hopkins’ free kick was caught by the strong wind and sailed just inches over the bar.

 

After the restart it was The Ancients who once again went on the front foot. A long through ball from midfield was nearly capitalised on by Troy Hayder, but the bounce of the ball beat him and Whitfield was able to gather easily.

 

Whitfield was again called into action three minutes later when he instinctively saved a Hayder shot from close range with his legs.

 

The final half hour saw concerted pressure from the home side as they searched for an equaliser.

 

A high cross saw Simon Andrews rise above his marker on the hour, but his header was weak and Mackin gathered comfortably.

 

The introduction of Craig Jones gave Airbus added attacking impetus down the right and he put his pace to immediate effect. His bursting run down the wing saw him get past two defenders and his pull-back from the goal line found Simon Andrews in space in the box. His tame shot though, was blocked by his marker.

 

The pressure continued and Hopkins again tried his look from range, but his left-footed strike went high and wide.

 

It should have been 3-1 in the 74^th minute as a counter-attack down the right by Hayder saw him surge into the box. However, he went for goal when the pull-back to the waiting strikers appeared the better option.

 

Airbus continued to dominate possession in the closing stages, without failing to trouble Mackin.

 

However, in stoppage time, James Hussaney went down in the box under a Druids challenge.

 

The referee waved away the home appeals and with it went the hopes of another Airbus comeback as Druids held firm for just their third win of the season.