Gap Connah’s Quay 4Airbus UK Broughton 1
AIRBUS boss Andy Preece is grateful of the quick chance to make amends for his side’s New Year’s Day loss to Connah’s Quay.
The Wingmakers take on the Welsh Premier League’s basement club, Afan Lido, on Saturday (2.30pm).
Preece is unlikely to make wholesale changes to his line-up at the Marston Stadium, despite being well beaten by Nomads.
Preece said: “It was a poor performance in that game but people look at our position this season and forget we are a bottom six club. The lads have done fantastically well to get us to this position.”
With the transfer window open Preece is looking at his options, with the position of goalkeeper at the forefront of his mind having been forced to play the injured Aaron Morrison between the sticks after Airbus were refused permission for an emergency loan.
“It’s not fair to Aaron as after the games he can barely move,” said Preece. “But he’s showing great commitment. Perhaps we should have fielded an outfield player to make a point but that would make a mockery of the league.”
There could be some movement before Saturday’s trip to Afan Lido, while Preece is also aware that on-loan defender Steve Tomassen could be recalled by Wrexham.
Airbus were well beaten by their local rivals on Tuesday. Nomads won courtesy of a brace of first-half penalties from Ricky Evans and second-half strikes from Jamie Wynne and Jamie Petrie. Sam Hart scored a deflected consolation for the hosts.
The two sides also clashed on Boxing Day, when Airbus battled back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw on home turf.
A strike by Tomassen and an own goal by Danny Wynne levelled the scores.
