WELSH PREMIER
IN the fight for a place in the European play-offs, Newtown maintained a two-point advantage over Llandudno at Latham Park, as the sides shared a pulsating 2-2 draw with Jason Orwell breaking Llandudno hearts with a dramatic lastsecond equaliser.
It was the striker’s second of the match and his 17 goals have been pivotal to the Robins success.
Lack of goals has been Llandudno’s Achilles heal this season and the outcome left goalkeeper Dave Roberts dumbfounded.
“I’m lost for words,” he said. “Time and again this season we have failed to win games we should have won and we are devastated. We now have to hope Newtown slip up but we need to try to win our final four matches to put pressure on them.”
Newtown boss Chris Hughes was elated: “We kept going, kept going, kept passing and got our reward in the end.”
The swirling wind made for great entertainment and Llandudno’s Danny Hughes, in the 14th minute, took full advantage with a superb, wicked curling 20-yard shot that was too good for Robins’ keeper Jack Perry.
The lead was shortlived as a deft chip by Alex Fletcher was brilliantly headed home by Luke Boundford. The scorer should have put his side ahead within minutes but headed over an even simpler chance.
Midway through the second period the visitors edged ahead, a free-kick headed on by Mike Williams which Danny Shaw chested down and volleyed home superbly. It looked enough to see Llandudno leapfrog Newtown but Oswell had the last word as he stylishly swept home from 18 yards.
Being 2-0 down inside 20 minutes to fellow strugglers Aberystwyth, and staring relegation in the face, concentrated the minds of Airbus who bounced back to record a sensational 4-2 victory that gives them a brief stay of execution.
However, seven points from safety with just four matches to play, still leaves them in a hopeless position. Geoff Kellaway and Mark Jones put the Seasiders ahead but the Wingmakers hit back with a Ryan Edwards brace and further strikes from Steve Tomassen and Jonny Spittle.
Champions The New Saints added to Cardiff Met’s recent misery with a comprehensive 5-0 victory at Cyncoed, the students’ heaviest top-tier defeat. Doubles from Alex Darlington and Greg Draper spearheaded the win with Adrian Cieslewicz also on target.
Connah’s Quay kept alive their runners-up ambitions, which would give them a Europa League place, with a handsome 3-1 triumph at Carmarthen. Ryan Wignall, Kai Edwards and Lewis Short were the visitors’ goal-scorers with the reply coming from Luke Cummings.