Five Different Scorers Book JD Welsh Cup Quarter-Final Place – Airbus UK Broughton 2-5 The New Saints FC

Match Report

The New Saints booked their place in the JD Welsh Cup quarter-final draw after a 5-2 victory over a spirited Airbus UK Broughton side.

Goals from Redmond and Hudson sent The Saints racing into an early 2-0 lead, before a Chris Marriott own goal brought the Wingmakers back into the game. Dean Ebbe added a third for the visitors just after the break, though Airbus fought back into it once more through Lewis Buckley’s 76^th minute strike.

But goals from Greg Draper and an Adrian Cieslewicz penalty brought an end to the Airbus fightback, as The Saints advanced against the Cymru Alliance side.

First-half

The Saints were rewarded for their early dominance in the 11^th minute. Danny Redmond played a one-two after taking a corner short, before showing great skill to take the ball around the outside of the defender. The number 10 tried his luck and his effort somehow squeezed past Airbus goalkeeper Dave Roberts at his near post, giving his side the lead.

It got better for Scott Ruscoe’s side just six minutes later. It was another corner from the right, again taken by Redmond. This time, the midfielder delivered the ball into the area for the waiting Blaine Hudson, who gratefully nodded the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

TNS’ two goal advantage didn’t last long though, as almost instantly, Airbus hit back. Hampered by the wet conditions, Paul Harrison spilt an Airbus effort out in front of him and in the scrambled that followed, Chris Marriott turned the ball into his own net as he attempted a clearance, giving the Wingmakers a way back into the game through an own goal.

Conceding the goal didn’t knock Saints’ confidence though. Scott Ruscoe’s side continued to threaten throughout the remainder of the half, with Tom Holland going close, and bringing good saves from Roberts on a couple of occasions.

Second-half

Just like in the first-half, it was a fast start to the second for TNS. With just four minutes played, substitute Dean Ebbe restored The Saints’ two-goal advantage from the edge of the six-yard-box. After Adrian Cieslewicz headed the ball back across the penalty area, the Irish striker was well placed to head the ball into the empty Airbus net and make the score 3-1.

The TNS pressure showed no sign of stopping either. With 56 minutes played, Cieslewicz had an effort of his own. After the ball dropped to the Polish winger on the edge of the box, he unleashed a first-time effort on goal, and it took a great diving save from Roberts low to his right post to keep his side in the game.

It was Cieslewicz right in the thick of the action again moments later. Again collecting the ball on the edge of the area, the number 11 sent a ball arrowing towards the top corner, and were it not for a phenomenal, sprawling save from Roberts, The New Saints would’ve had a 4-1 lead.

And what a vital save it proved to be, as not long after the score was 3-2.. With 76 minutes played, Lewis Buckley brought Airbus back into it from out of nowhere. The Airbus number 12 chested the ball down, before firing a shot back across into the bottom right of the goal.

The Airbus comeback wasn’t to be though, as substitute Greg Draper wrapped up the win with six minutes remaining. A loose ball from Airbus’ Matty McGinn was picked up by The Saints’ midfield, before an expertly placed pass was threaded through to the breaking Greg Draper. The substitute made no mistake, placing an effort low to the outrushing keeper’s right, making the score 4-2.

And in the third minute of injury time, Cieslewicz did eventually get his goal. After Draper was brought down in the area, referee Tom Owen awarded TNS a penalty. The midfielder stepped up and made no mistake, firing low into the bottom right corner of the goal, securing The New Saints’ place in the draw for the next round with a 5-2 win.