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Young Wingmakers - Academy Weekend Review

Young Wingmakers - Academy Weekend Review

Airbus Academy Administrator29 Mar 2023 - 17:41
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Matches Were Played On 25th & 26th March 2023

U8

A trip to Latham Park to play Newtown this week for the under 8’s. We started with lots of confidence on the ball and moved it around the pitch really well opening passing lanes to get us high up the pitch. We switched the play really well in the first half an hour which was great to see, the fact they’re able to take our principles from training and apply that in the very next matchday in my opinion, is one of the biggest successes we can hope for when developing our foundation phase players.  This was achieved with some excellent starting positions for the boys that allowed them to get the ball across quickly and then attack the space setting up many chances.

Individual skill was aplenty as always and the boys look to use their wingmaker moves when in 1v1 battles in different areas of the pitch, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, however they are really good at problem solving and often find solutions when faced with different moments of pressure during the game and that is something they’ve really pushed on with since the beginning of the season. We’ve one more Welsh academy game left of the season and both myself and Pete are immensely proud of the work ethic, commitment and skill the boys have shown throughout the season.

Player's of the week:

George Graydon - George applied himself really well, some great recovery runs but also his positioning when playing out from the back and during the switch of play showed me he has been focused during our sessions mid week and you can see he is loving his football and doing so with a smile on his face.

Bobby Dean - Bobby once again provided a really positive performance, every time he received the ball he was able to successfully effect the game, wether that be with individual brilliance or passes through and around the opposition that created chances for his teammates.

U9

Our u9s young wingmakers travelled to Newtown for their final away league fixture. From the outset they dominated possession attacking with pace successfully converting quality chances.

Player's of week:

Tyler Jones - Controlled game and pace of play with a clinical pass/move display.

Max Williams - Energetic display showing his fantastic close control footwork & assisting many quality chances for team.

U11

After a week of focus on specific transitional moments in the game, the wingmakers were challenged to bring out this detail in todays game. After a slow beginning they grew strongly into the last half getting their rewards by hitting the back of the net. Individually, there was some brilliant performances on display.
Goalscorers: Harry Williams, Sam Griffiths & Oscar Williams.

Player of the week:

Dafydd Edwards - Since his return from injury Dafs has been brilliant both in training and games. Today he demonstrated a lot of positivity in possession aswell as positive encouragement for his teammates throughout.

U12

The U12s are scheduled to finish their league campaign with back to back games against mid-Wales outfit Newtown, with today’s away game coming first. After the disappointing performance against TNS last weekend, the team have worked hard this week on some of the shortcomings that became apparent in that game. The young wingmakers started brightly and pressed the visitors with intent at every opportunity. With Jack Melia spearheading the pressure imposed by the well-organised and equally intense trio of Alfie Edwards, Ellen Marsh and Jack Mitchell.
Their efforts were soon rewarded when, in the 12 minute, the press forced a corner. Stanley Dowridge excellently finding Joseph Farrell who fired a rocket from his left foot into the back of the net. Newtown soon settled themselves and started to show their quality too. However, a top-class save from Charlie Shelton and an outstanding last-ditch clearance from Jack Mitchell ensured that Airbus went into the break with their lead intact. The young Wingmakers started the second half with the same pressing intensity as they did the first, now with Zach Williams and Stanley Dowridge taking up more advanced positions. After a couple of close shaves, they did manage to win possession high up the pitch, with Ellen Marsh feeding Jack Melia who calmly slotted the ball home.
At 2-0 up, it gave Airbus an opportunity to work on their game management and, in particular, ball retention. The movement of Myles McElmeel and Alfie McManus created some good build up play and further chances came Airbus’ way. It was far from a one-way street though. McElmeel and McManus also had to be defensively at their best and in the final few minutes ’keeper Shelton somehow managed to save from point-blank range. Overall, a very impressive performance from the group.

Player of the week:

Ellen Marsh - Who was effective in the press but was also unlucky to have her goal ruled out for offside

U13

A game of 2 halves today. First half was below par - in all areas. Careless, slow and predictable in possession, whilst we lacked discipline and desire out of possession. Although we were not at our best the decision not to award us with a penalty (which was clearly in the box) straight away after conceding didn't help us out. But as we conceded a 2nd soon after we went in 0-2. At half time, in 'football terms' we told the players (individually and as a collective) that they must try and improve and asked for them to at least show the non negotiables of work rate, discipline & desire in the 2nd half. The reaction from them all was excellent tbf. They started well and on the front foot from the off and we scored a goal as Fin battled through and a ricochet put the ball into the bottom corner. In the first 20 minutes of the 2nd half we had a couple of chances, but also looked solid throughout. We were disciplined in and out of possession and played the way in which we would expect. However to concede a goal in the way in which we did was really disappointing and undeserved. We didn't give up though and on another day would have scored a couple ourselves late on - but it wasn’t to be. A mixed day and I would imagine that it was frustrating to watch. We didn't get the rub of the green with the ref, but as last week the performance from ourselves has be to the required standard for 70 minutes...not just 35/40.

Player of the week:

Jack Davies - Put in a captains performance down the left side especially in the 2nd half. 1v1 domination of his opponent on numerous occasions and created chances for others in key areas.

U14

The lads started off well but as on many occasions this season, the team conceded a preventable goal early on. However, it was great to see us get an equaliser soon after from Charlie Jones who reacted well to a 2nd ball. Unfortunately though, we conceded 4 further goals in the 2nd half. We needed to ensure that we competed all over the pitch in the 2nd half and it was much more positive, as although the team conceded a couple more, we were much better in 2 formations & scored 2 excellent goals ourselves through Alex Roberts. Overall a difficult fixture, but on a positive note it was nice to see 3 under 13 players step up, do well and experience the 11 a side FAW Academy fixture.

Player of the week:

Jayden Ball - Defensively strong in 2 positions. Transitioned well when in possession and his work rate was excellent.

U16

The first meeting of a double header against Newtown. Newtown took an early lead within 5 minutes after capitalising on an airbus mistake to break down the left wing and cross. Although Airbus went down early this didn’t change our approach, Newtown being very well organised out of possession caused airbus some problems. After a decent little combination airbus slid Rob Austin in down the right hand side for Rob to then tremendously well beating his man and assisting Dan Semple for a cool and calm finish. The last 10 minutes of the second half Newtown changed their approach and began applying pressure on airbus a lot further up the field. This continued into the second half until got back in control of the game  after 10 minutes. A very mature performance by airbus in the second half seen us create numerous good chance and felt like it wasn’t going to be our day until Warren got slid on down the left hand side for an outside the boot pass to Theo Williams to score the winner with 5 minutes to go.

Player of the week:

Rob Austin - A threat throughout the whole game in his 1v1 battles and clever runs in behind. Also shown the desire and intensity needed when working to win the ball back

U19

Sunday saw Airbus 19’s travel to Colwyn Bay. Airbus started the game bright and dominated a lot of the ball. Colwyn Bay were well organised and gave us the challenge of breaking down them in a low block. The 19’s remained patient and kept moving the ball asking questions of the opposition. Eventually Kaiden Cooke turns the ball in with a very well taken shot, starting with his back to goal. With the lead Airbus looked in control moving the ball well and it was only a matter of time until we broke the opponents down and Kaiden scored a second goal slotting home after some tidy combinations with the forwards, ending the half with a comfortable 2-0 lead. Second half we started very bright and within the first minutes could and should of scored twice. Scrambling our way to the 70’ we saw a nice piece of link up play find the feet of Will Gordon who put it beyond the keeper to make it 3-0. The last thirty minutes of the game became a bit complacent and we started to leave spaces for our opposition to play. This lead to Colwyn Bay scoring twice in quick succession and finishing the game the stronger team. Final score Airbus 19’s win 3-2

Player of the week:

Will Gordon - Will is one of the hardest working players in the squad. His desire and attitude are always infectious and he he sets good examples for players around him. Bagging himself a rare goal, coupled with a fantastic performance was very pleasing way for Will to end the week. Well done Will Gordon

Further reading