icNorthWales - Airbus boss seeks winning return
icNorthWales logo
icNorthWales Daily Post Motors Homes Jobs Wales Dating Yr Herald
Search icNorthWales for:


Airbus boss seeks winning return

Nov 10 2006

The Flintshire Chronicle, Llandudno

 

AIRBUS UK player-manager Gareth Owen is looking for a reaction from his team at leaders Llanelli tomorrow (2.30pm) following their shock Welsh Cup exit.

The Wingmakers crashed out of the third round on penalties at lower-league Bridgend on Saturday.

Ryan Maloney's missed spot-kick proved costly as the Welsh League Division One outfit won the shoot-out 5-4 after it ended 1-1 after extra-time.

Yet Owen's men should have put the game to bed long before then.

After Ryan Crawford cancelled out the home side's early opener by tap-ping in a cross from the boss, the visitors missed a string of chances, with Maloney, Owen, Crawford and Dave Hughes all going close.

Owen said: 'It's really disappointing to be out because we've been playing well lately and it would have been nice to keep the momentum going.

'But as Sir Alex Ferguson said this week after his side lost to Southend, there will be no suicides or sweeping changes in the squad because the lads are good players, but they know they should have won the game.

'I shouldn't need to say anything before the game against Llanelli. For one, we want to erase the Bridgend defeat, and two, we're playing the top team in the league.

'We know it's going to be very difficult but we've got to go there believing we can get something.'

Although 13th-placed Airbus have lost only one of their last seven league outings, their record - along with everyone else's in the top flight - pales in comparison to Llanelli.

Since becoming full-timers in the summer of 2005, Peter Nicholas' side have rarely tasted defeat. Yet the Wingmakers did get the better of them last season, when they produced a heroic performance at the Airfield.

Owen knows they will have to turn in a similar display tomorrow if they are to become the first team to beat Llanelli this term.

He said: 'It was an 'over our dead bodies' type of performance. We got the goal and then threw everything in the way of every shot, and it was a very good 1-0 win.'

Striker Darren Williams is back tomorrow having missed the trip to Bridgend as he was cup-tied.

His return is a major boost to Owen, who has been rocked by James Hussaney's injury, the departure of Nathan Mapletoft, and the unavailability of Airbus worker James McIntosh, who has been seconded to the company's Toulouse headquarters until Christmas.

As the Chronicle was going to press, Owen was in discussions with a number of forwards and is hopeful he will get one in for tomorrow.

 

Top Top | Back Back |

E-mail to a friend | Printable version

 
HAVE your say on our sport Messageboard - click here

 


Copyright and Trade Mark Notice
© 2012 owned by or licensed to Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales Limited.
icNorthWales™ is a trade mark of Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales Limited.
Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement before using this site.
 

  • Find a new job
  • Find a home
  • Find a Business
  • Create your CV online
  • Search our Surprise Surprise! ads
  • Online dating
  • Online shop