Cymru North title joy comes at a painful cost for Airbus UK Broughton

JD CYMRU NORTH REPORT – APRIL 1, 2022

Airbus UK Broughton 1 (McGilloway 90+4)
Llandudno 0

Airbus manager Steve O’Shaughnessy admitted having mixed emotions after his team clinched the JD Cymru North title but had to deal with a serious injury to leading goalscorer Adam Davies.

Substitute Brady McGilloway’s 94th minute winner sealed a second tier 2 championship in as many completed seasons for the Wingmakers.

But the occasion was soured after 32-goal star and league top marksman Davies suffered a suspected broken leg in the 76th minute following a challenge from Llandudno midfielder Gareth Evans, who was shown a red card.

While delighted to secure the title by beating their nearest rivals, O’Shaughnessy said he could not fully celebrate because of Davies’ injury.

“I’ve got mixed emotions,” he said. “I think we deserved it in the end, we’ve been excellent over the season, but I’m gutted for Adam.

“I’m delighted (to win the league) but it’s on a sour note as well.”

Needing three points tonight to cement top spot, Airbus started extremely nervously at the back.

Only a last-gasp Simon Spender intervention prevented Marc Williams putting the visitors ahead after 30 seconds after Tudno capitalised on defensive indecision.

Lee Thomas’ shot was well saved by Lewis Dutton and from a Toby Jones corner, Gareth Evans clattered the bar and the ball fell kindly for the keeper.

Neil Ashton was guilty of an air-shot after a delivery into the Airbus box caused mayhem.

Eventually, the home side settled and Davies showed great skill to create a 20th minute opening which saw his fierce shot beaten away by Shaun Pearson.

The rest of the half was much tighter, more of a battle. Airbus’ Jamie Crowther had the best chance but volleyed wide from a corner.

Llandudno started the second half strongly, Morgan Owen and Danny Hughes threatening with powerful shots before on the hour, Airbus’ George Peers drilled across the face of goal, but no-one could finish.

Crowther met a corner with a downward header, but Marc Williams managed to block with his chest.

Then came the horrendous moment where Davies was left on the ground in agony and had to be stretchered off.

Llandudno’s Evans was genuinely devastated by what had happened and was consoled by home and away players. He was shown a red card by referee John Andrew Jones and play continued some minutes later.

With the extra man, Airbus were now knocking on the door, both subs Nathan Brown and McGilloway going close with shots.

Nine minutes of added time were signalled and in the fourth, McGilloway drove the ball from the right side of the box and his effort went in off Llandudno defender Ashton.

The Airbus players and bench initially celebrated wildly before toning down their rejoicing with obviously the injured Davies on their minds.

Previously Cymru Alliance champions in 2018-19, Airbus were relegated from the Cymru Premier in the shortened 2019-20 campaign.

Last season was scrapped below tier 1 due to Covid, so the Wingmakers returned to action in the Cymru North this term and have now sealed a return to the top flight.

Congratulations to the club and very best wishes to Adam Davies – a true hero of the 2021-22 season.