Late Airbus FC penalty seals victory against Prestatyn to open up a 6 point lead

PRESTATYN:  Prestatyn Town 2 – Airbus FC 3

Airbus go into the weekend as six-point leaders of the Welsh Premier League after a superb 3-2 away win at Prestatyn Town.

But they needed a late penalty to secure the spoils after surrendering a two-goal interval lead at Bastion Gardens.

 

Mike Roddy heads the second goal past Dave Roberts.

Director of football Andy Preece named strike duo Steve Jones and Chris Simm on the bench but any fears that the chosen formation was defensively-minded were soon allayed.

Ryan Wade’s superb shot from the edge of the box flew beyond keeper Dave Roberts into the far corner after just eight minutes before Mike Roddy headed home midway through the half after a well-worked corner.

It could well have been four, with debutant Jay Owen heading narrowly wide from Tom Field’s cross and Lewis Short charging into the box only to be denied by the combined efforts of Dave Hayes and Chris Davies. 

As the Wingmakers dominated, Prestatyn found it difficult to create chances with their only notable efforts a Ross Stephens header that was comfortably saved by James Coates and a Lee Hunt header just before the break that drew a great save from the keeper.

But the Seasiders looked a different proposition after the break and were level with 11 minutes.

Hunt was adjudged to have been tripped as he ran into the box and dusted himself down to reduce the arrears from the penalty spot.

Seven minutes later the equaliser arrived when a left wing corner found Greg Stones unmarked and he fired home at the far post.

But, as the second period wore on, Airbus gradually regained their composure and the introduction of Simm and then Jones from the bench lent support to Chris Budrys, who had worked tirelessly upfront on his own.

Airbus now looked the side most likely to score and they were eventually rewarded in the last minute of normal time when a Prestatyn hand intervened in a goalmouth scramble and Field despatched the penalty to secure the three points.

Team-mates celebrate with Tom Field after the winning penalty.