Airbus UK Broughton: Wingmakers end Bangor City’s record bid

Dec 16 2010 by Paul Wheelock, Flintshire Chronicle

Airbus UK Broughton 1Bangor City 1

CRAIG Harrison’s embattled side ended Bangor City’s hopes of creating an historic record when they became the first team this season to take points off the runaway Welsh Premier League leaders.

But the Wingmakers were denied the victory their heroic efforts deserved after they conceded an equaliser deep into injury-time as Tuesday’s enthralling clash ended in a 1-1 draw.

Bangor, having won their first 15 games of the campaign, headed to the Airfield knowing three more wins would equal the all-time British record of 18 set by Glasgow Rangers at the start of the 1898-99 season.

But Airbus were in no mood to become the latest victims of the incredible team former Nomads boss Nev Powell has built.

An end-to-end encounter got the goal it deserved in the 52nd minute when top-scorer Andy Moran fired in to give Airbus the lead.

And that was the way it stayed until the 94th minute when Alan Bull snatched an equaliser at the death for the table-toppers following a period of sustained late pressure as the Citizens threw everything they had at the Wingmakers, but it wasn’t enough to take all three points.

On Saturday revenge tasted sweet for the Wingmakers as they brushed aside basement boys Haverfordwest County 4-0 to end their epic 13-game wait for a league win.

The last time the two sides met it was the South West Walians who ran out comfortable winners in front of the live S4C cameras.

But after Nick Rushton broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute, there was only going to be one winner as Airbus demonstrated a steely determination to get the job done.

Paul McManus doubled the home side’s advantage 11 minutes after the break following some neat build-up before Moran made the game safe in the 69th minute from the penalty spot.

Tom Rowlands applied the polish four minutes from time when he turned in a cross from fellow substitute Jamie Smith.

Airbus, who now occupy the vital sixth spot in the Welsh Premier, travel to Newtown on Saturday (2.30pm) and then Aberystwyth Town on Tuesday (7.30pm).

If they can hold on to sixth place or better for four weeks, they will guarantee their place in the top half when the league splits in two and eliminate the risk of relegation.