Wood at the double to sink Airbus
A DOUBLE from Jamie Wood - his first goals since February - virtually assured The New Saints a passage into the last eight and ended Airbus UK's League Cup hopes. The Wingmakers' defence opened up for Wood on 21 minutes from a Luke Holden pass and he powered a 20-yarder past keeper Andy Hughes. A ball over the top again found Wood five minutes after the break and he coolly rounded defender Rees Darlington and a stranded Hughes to stroke the ball into an empty net. With an eye on Sunday's key clash with Rhyl, Ken McKenna fielded a side much changed from Saturday's disaster at Connah's Quay, and they turned in a much-improved performance which could have yielded a more emphatic victory. Steven Beck had the ball in the net only to be ruled offside and the Airbus goal survived a barrage of shots shortly before half-time. Sub Ronnie Morgan made his first domestic appearance on the hour after a long injury lay-off and almost scored immediately, just failing to get on the end of a left wing cross from Holden, who then hit the crossbar. Airbus battled to the end and James McIntosh sent one effort over the bar, before beating the offside trap to set-up Paul Hallows who fired wide. But Holden had the last word, again rattling the woodwork with a scorching drive from 25 yards. |