Aberystwyth Town 1 Airbus UK Broughton 2

Nathaniel MG Cup Second Round
Tuesday 3rd October
Aberystwyth Town 1 Airbus UK Broughton 2

Aberystwyth Town fell to another desperately disappointing home defeat last night, losing to Cymru Alliance side Airbus UK Broughton by two goals to one. Ryan Wade gave the Black and Greens a 24th minute lead, but two goals in seven minutes from Leo Riley (42 minutes) and Alfons Fosu-Mensah (49 minutes) won the tie for the Planemakers.

Both teams struggled to get an early foothold in the game with a distinct lack of clear-cut chances, but it was the visitors who had the first real effort on goal as Fosu-Mensah sent a low shot just wide of the post on 11 minutes. Shortly afterwards, Aber created their own meaningful chances as Ryan Wollacott and then Luke Borrelli both sent low drives straight into the hands of Airbus goalie Andy Coughlin. On 22 minutes, the lively Fosu-Mensah again wasted a good opportunity, as he slid the ball beyond the far post after being played clean through on goal by Ryan Edwards. But, on 24 minutes Aber broke the deadlock when Ryan Wade finished calmly after being played through on goal thanks to a deft flick-on by striker Luke Borrelli. Town suddenly looked to have stepped it up a notch as Cledan Davies’ goal-bound effort was blocked by Jamie Crowther, and Joe Phillips’ right-wing cross was narrowly missed at the far post by the sliding Mathew Jones. The game changed, however, on 42 minutes when Aber's defencefailed to deal with a dangerous cross into the six yard area, and Leo Riley pounced to tap home the equaliser from close range to make it 1-1.

The second half was largely dominated by a resurgent Airbus side, who to their credit played some free-flowing football that Aber were unable to keep pace with. Jack Rimmer and Joe Culshaw replaced John McKenna and Cledan Davies as manager Nev Powell looked for more urgency from the home side. On 49 minutes, Fosu-Mensah again charged down the left flank before cutting inside and curling the ball past Chris Mullock to make it 2-1 to the visitors; a goal that their second half play thoroughly deserved. Aber struggled from then on, with the visitors evidently gaining in confidence by the minute. Viera and Fosu-Mensah both wasted good chances to wrap up the game as Aber huffed and puffed to no avail. There was one final chance for the hosts to send the game into extra time as substitute Liam Doherty went close, but Airbus comfortably saw the game out to advance on to the Quarter Finals of the Nathaniel MG Cup.

Another disappointing display in front of the expectant Park Avenue faithful will be a concern for manager Nev Powell, as Town now look to kick-start their season with what would be a massive 3 points against Barry Town in the JD Welsh Premier League on Saturday afternoon.