WALKING ON AIR: Airbus UK Broughton lift prestigious national trophy!
WELSH BLOOD SERVICE LEAGUE CUP NATIONAL FINAL – APRIL 26
Airbus UK Broughton 3 (Peers 29, Evans 54, Williams 65)
Trefelin BGC 2 (Piper 59, Saunders 82 pen)
Probably the unluckiest side to miss out on promotion in many a year can celebrate the consolation of being crowned national cup champions.
Airbus UK Broughton had a fantastic campaign in JD Cymru North, winning 25 out of 30 games, losing just twice and scoring 102 goals, yet they still finished runners-up to even more dynamic Colwyn Bay.
However, Mark Allen’s side made sure they will end the season with a double return of silverware after beating Trefelin of Cymru South 3-2 in today’s Welsh Blood Service League Cup National Final at Park Avenue, Aberystwyth.
Airbus had already secured the Northern trophy after defeating Bangor 1876 2-1 last weekend.
The Wingmakers are also still in the NEWFA Challenge Cup so might end up with a terrific treble.
Trefelin, who finished fourth in Cymru South, put up a good determined effort in the national showpiece, but Airbus always had that little bit more.
The North Wales side dominated the first half and were at their most threatening from the 20-minute mark onwards.
George Peers headed home at the back post, but play was called back for offside, then the striker missed the target after a Tyler McManus cross clipped the bar.
However, there was no denying Peers in the 29th minute when he lashed home his – fittingly – 29th goal of the season after a sublime, controlled delivery from Danny Warren into the box created the chance.
Warren drilled wide from the edge of the box just before the break which arrived with a 1-0 scoreline.
A great move early in the second half almost brought a second for the Wingmakers.
Peers found Warren who fed a lovely outside of the boot pass to Kaiden Cooke and he offered a great ball for James Davies at the back post but it was just too far in front of him.
In the 54th minute the lively Cooke was fouled by Shaun Macdonald on the right and captain Jordan Evans’ resulting free kick from 22 yards found the net beyond the diving Alex Pennock.
Trefelin needed to hit back quickly to stay in the final and they did just that on 57 minutes when Joshua Stevenson failed to cut out a through ball and Roan Piper skipped past keeper Keighan Jones before netting from an acute angle.
Soon after Piper found the net again, but was adjudged offside. Trefelin were now on a roll and looking the likelier scorers of the next goal.
However, it was Airbus who struck on 65 minutes when a free kick from the left was poorly dealt with by the Cymru South side’s defence and the impressive Nathan Williams drilled home a low shot that Pennock should have stopped.
Trefelin kept coming and when Macdonald was fouled in the box by Ryan Edwards on 82 minutes, sub Callum Saunders smashed home the penalty to set up a nervy last 10 minutes.
Airbus saw out the game well, though, and Trefelin finished with 10 men when sub Jack Bevan was somewhat harshly dismissed for a second yellow.
Well done Airbus – 2024-25 Welsh Blood Service National Cup winners!
AIRBUS
Keighan Jones
Tyler McManus
Kieran Evans
Joshua Stevenson
Ryan Edwsrds
Danny Warren (Sam Rickett 88)
Jordan Evans (c)
George Peers (Oliver Lanceley 81)
Kaiden Cooke
James Davies
Nathan Williams
SUBS NOT USED
Jake Eyre, Toby Vickery, Thomas Dougherty, Sam Baker, Samuel Fenney