Team 1
In the first game we suffered a 2-0 loss, we were guilty of starting a little slow and not sticking to the plan. After regrouping we heading into the second game a lot more organised and pro active. Benni and Oakley were defending brilliantly and bombing forward causing havoc whenever the opportunity was there.

After going 2-1 we were a bit unfortunate to concede 2 own goals off corners. That coupled with the JAM goalkeeper being the best player on the pitch we fell to a 4-2 loss. Overall a good experience against a strong side.

Player of the Match
Jaxon Welding

Jaxon was class from front to back, winning most defensive duels, spraying the ball round effortlessly and several shot on target.

Team 2
It was a cold, windy night filled with intense football as the U7s took on a very high-quality JAM Academy side.

For us, it was a tricky first match with chances appearing for both teams. Outstanding goalkeeping at either end meant the game stayed goalless for a while, until JAM Academy managed to craft a couple of goals past us. Later in the match, we finally got ourselves on the scoresheet thanks to an unbelievable strike from Alex, pulling one back. Overall, it was a tough test to start the night.

In our second match, we really excelled in the first quarter and played some of the best football I’ve seen from this group so far — a real pleasure to watch. Going a goal down was a big blow to our momentum, but Owain pulled us back with two goals and was absolutely unplayable on the night. Alex then added to our advantage with a tidy finish, sending us into the second quarter full of confidence. Unfortunately, JAM Academy came back at us strongly and scored some fantastic goals.

Overall, I was very impressed with tonight’s performance. It was a physical battle that the team adapted to really well.

Player of the Match
Owain Jones

For his tireless work rate and real quality shown with his goals.

Under 8's

Airbus Under 8s v JAM Academy

The first fixture of a weekend featuring new formats saw the boys step up to 7-a-side with bigger goals – and what a game it turned out to be.

Airbus started brightly, moving the ball well and looking confident in the larger space. It was Albert McComb who opened the scoring, finishing well to give us an early lead. JAM responded strongly, however, and we found ourselves 3–1 down after a spell of pressure.

To the boys’ credit, their response was outstanding. Giorgio Halfpenny-Gambling pulled one back with a composed finish before Albert grabbed his second to bring us level and shift the momentum. The game became a thrilling end-to-end contest, with Oscar Williams and Harri Williams both finding the net in between further JAM goals to keep everything finely balanced.

JAM’s goalkeeper deserves huge credit, producing a string of excellent saves to keep his side in it and maintain the tension right to the end.

With the match on a knife edge, the decisive moment came in spectacular fashion – a stunning flick up and volley from Wasim El-Mounadil that secured a memorable victory.

A fantastic game played in great spirit and a brilliant way to begin the weekend’s new challenge.

Airbus Under 8s – 3v3 Regional Festival Report

The next challenge of the weekend saw the boys take on an exciting 3v3 format, with two games taking place at the same time and the aggregate score deciding the outcome. It created a fast, high-energy environment with constant involvement for every player.

The focus was clear – be brave, take risks, and express yourselves on the ball. The boys fully embraced it. Many of those risks paid off with brilliant moments of skill and creativity, while others led to conceding goals – and that’s absolutely fine. At this stage, it’s all about learning, experimenting, and growing in confidence.

The dribble-ins from all set pieces were a fantastic addition, encouraging quick thinking and positive attacking play. There were goals galore across the pitches, plenty of 1v1s, clever combinations, and some outstanding individual skill on show.

In the end, one extra goal against Flint would have seen us win the festival on aggregate – margins couldn’t have been tighter. Still, it was a fantastic day of development football, brilliantly hosted by TNS, and a great experience for the boys as they continue to embrace new challenges.

Under 9's

Airbus Academy Under 9s travelled to TNS to take part in a 3v3 festival alongside all Northern academies.

Playing a total of ten 12-minute matches, the boys had a fantastic opportunity to showcase their individual skills, creativity and goal-scoring ability.

The players really enjoyed the new format, playing some excellent football throughout the festival and producing several outstanding performances. Most importantly, the boys showed great enthusiasm, teamwork and enjoyment across the day.

Under 10's

Our Under 10 wingmakers travelled to TNS this weekend to play in their first 3v3 festival format.

They played some great fluid football at times and combined really well but struggled to adapt to the new format as quickly as others leading to a few easy goals again airbus.
We also struggled to react to adversity which would cost the young wingmakers results.
However, the 3v3 festival was still much enjoyed by the players and a lot was learnt this weekend.

Players of the Match

Dax Pearce
Ronnie Cieslewicz

Dax showed excellent intensity levels throughout the tournament pressing relentlessly and also displayed great composure on the ball

Ronnie constantly showed moments of individual brilliance creating chance after chance and scoring the majority of airbus’ goals

Under 11's

The Under 11’s enjoyed a different experience on Saturday, playing in the 3v3 FAW festival at TNS. The format meant there was high intensity and lots of positive learning opportunities for all players.

They played some great stuff at times and narrowly missed out on a couple of wins by 1 goal, while picking up a great result against Newtown. The lads give it their all and enjoyed the different format.

Under 12's

The Under 12’s travelled to Colliers Park this evening to play against a strong U14 FAW Girls side.

The first half the lads started really well, dominating the ball and causing the opposition which was topped off with a brilliant ball from Max through to Mason Davey who took his goal very well. The opposition soon equalised after a mistake at the back but this didn’t stop the lads from going again, Mason Rimmer ran onto a great through ball from Will and tucked it away calmly.

The second half was excellent all round, playing out from the back through the lines and some brilliant combination football. A great run from Mason behind the defence who had his shot saved and Blake was there to score the third. A very solid second half performance defensively, conceding minimal chances and controlling the game well.

An overall professional away performance from the lads, loads of positives to take and a 3-1 win to go with it.

Player of the Match
Max Williams

Max was outstanding today, his ability on the ball was excellent and his variety of passes was something the FAW side couldn’t live with.

Everton Advanced Talent Programme 3 – 4 Airbus Under 12

Wednesday night the boys enjoyed a fantastic trip to Finch Farm, an outstanding facility, to face Everton ATP. It was a brilliant and memorable evening: great football, a superb atmosphere, and to top it all off, a well-deserved victory against strong opposition.

First Quarter
Airbus started the game with real intent, pressing high from the first whistle. The boys executed the press trap perfectly, surrounding Everton all over the pitch and preventing them from completing more than two or three passes. It was a one-sided quarter, with Airbus dominating possession and creating chance after chance. The pressure paid off when Archie scored a brilliant goal following a successful high press. The quarter ended 1–0, although it could easily have been four.

Second Quarter
The high press continued with the same intensity and discipline. Airbus were firmly in control, and after several good opportunities, Ollie doubled the lead with a powerful header from a quality corner delivered by Blake. Moments later, Mason Rimmer made it 3–0 after pressing the goalkeeper and finishing confidently. Everton managed to pull one back after a failed defensive clearance, and the quarter ended 3–1.

Last Quarter
Everton came out pressing high, determined to get back into the game. They scored from a free kick and then equalised shortly after, following a clear foul on Shay in defence that unfortunately was not given by the referee. Despite this setback, the boys showed great character and belief. They kept pressing, kept playing brave football, and were rewarded when Will scored a fantastic goal to restore the lead and secure the win.

Overall
A superb team performance against top opposition.
Brave football throughout. Excellent high pressing and commitment from every player on the pitch.

Player of the Match
Ollie Nicholls

Outstanding performance. A rock in defence. Calm and composed on the ball. Scored a brilliant header. Simply unbeatable — nobody got past him.

Under 13's

FAW Under 16s girls North 1-4 Airbus Under 13

Airbus Under 13s travelled to Colliers park on a chilly Thursday night with a 7pm ko playing 11v11 format ( 2x 40mins)

The match started at a hectic pace and Airbus created a few early chances of which we were not clinical with. Both teams kept possession with quality but struggled to break through as both defences were in control.

After 27mins 5 changes were made for equal game time and we instantly lifted the intensity levels. On 31 mins after a switch of play Hari Morris made a great overlap run down the right coming inside passing to Peter edge of box to chip ball over keeper. 1-0
Airbus were now in total control and in the 34th min again Hari Morris drove at their defence leading to a strike which deflected to Peter to accurately place in bottom corner 2-0.
Constant pressure led to our 3rd goal just before the break where a switch of play at face saw Ted out wide left finish with a powerful low strike in the opposite corner.

HT 3-0

In the 2nd period we started brightly but there physicality increased and we struggled to hold possession but they never threatened our goal.

In the 63rd min a long ball was saved by a Lucas run to keep in play which led to Zach to play a perfect lay up on the edge of box for Ioan to strike with pace into their top corner. 4-0.

The remaining game was stop start with numerous injuries to both teams. We conceded a late goal with a lack of concentration which was well finished by our opposition.
Full time 4-1.

Overall a great performance within a very physical match 11v11 format with our first use of a size 5 ball.

Things to work on but looking forward to our 11v11 friendly on Sunday.

Friendly match
Airbus 13s - 2 -1 Waverton

Airbus 13s hosted Waverton this Sunday morning playing 11v11 format on our grass pitch.

Airbus started off at pace attacking Waverton at every opportunity. The intensity levels equalled out and both teams tried to play but the pitch played its part making it difficult.
In the 28th minute playing out from the back Hari Morris run broke through down the right crossing across the box for Ioan to fire home 1-0

After changes Zach broke the lines for Lucas to run onto. Thought he had ran too wide on the right but his strike hit top of bar into the opposite corner. 2-0

In the 2nd period Waverton drove forward at every stage but our defensive line stood strong. Airbus created chance after chance but were not clinical In front of goal to make the match comfortable.

Waverton broke through in the 67th minute with a low free kick which then put us under pressure. The way the lads controlled the game last 13 mins what a great learning curve keeping possession all over the pitch again creating many chances.
Full time 2-1

Well done to the squad playing a quality physical Waverton team on different conditions on the grass pitch

Saughall 1 -2 Airbus 13s

This Weds evening Airbus 13s travelled to play Saughall 11v11 format on the 3G at Blacon High School.

In the first 20 mins both teams were excellent in possession but both defences kept strong. Airbus continued to play out from the back finding space and creating overloads and chances of which two were cleared off the Saughall goal line. A solid first half performance from all.

HT 0-0

Airbus intensity levels in the 2nd period increased playing great football combinations in all areas of the pitch.

On 39 mins our press was effective on the right side of which saw Max striking home 1-0.
The game opened up with both trams creating with Saughall equalising in the 44th minute with a strike from edge of area accuratly in our top corner 1-1.

In the 47th minute Airbus took the lead again with a Freddie Rawson strike after a 4 pass combination eventually breaking there back line. 2-1.

Airbus started to control the game keeping possession with composure. A successful Gethin run down the left he managed to get into the pen area and was chopped down but ref didn’t give any decision. We struggled to take any chances and our opposition were throwing additional players forward. In the final seconds whilst mayhem in our area their striker hit a shot heading for goal but a great one handed save from Elliot kept them out. We defended the corner then ref blew full time.

FT 2-1 Airbus.

For the 2nd game in few days playing quality opposition 11v11 format all squad have looked comfortable and even under pressure last quarter of match continued to play football the Airbus way grinding out successful results.

Player of the Match
Peter Satchell

Difficult to pick any individual tonight but Peter was outstanding playing in the midfield areas (cdm) in & out of possession stopping their attacks and creating many chances covering a great distance all over the pitch.

Under 14's

With no Academy fixture this weekend, the Under 14s were able to arrange a friendly fixture against a strong Saughall Under 15s team.

The opening minutes were a bit frantic, with Saughall pressing aggressively on the very narrow grass pitch, which took the younger Airbus side time to adjust to. Saughall opened the scoring ten minutes into the game, with a good move down the right hand side which resulted in a cross into the Airbus area, which the defence managed to clear but the ball fell to an Saughall player, who finished strongly from the edge of the box.

Shortly after, Saughall once again benefitted from their aggressive press, winning the ball back as Airbus were trying to build up play from their final third and the center Forward finished coolly.

Airbus were creating some chances, especially on the counter attack, with the pace of Leo Killick and Daffydd Edwards giving the Saughall defence issues.

However, it was Saughall who extended their lead, with another pinched ball from pressing high leading to a goal. Just before the half ended, a good move from the Wingmakers resulted in a corner, which Shae Flitcroft delivered well and Daffydd Edwards was there to finish for Airbus to reduce the deficit.

The halftime team talk emphasised about ensuring that the team had more width in the second half, with the ball being progressed quicker through central areas.

Airbus listened to the instructions and were a lot more disciplined second half, moving the ball quicker and switching play. Airbus were now playing some good football but unfortunately failed to convert from a number of chances and this punished them when a miscommunication led to the Airbus GK picking up a back pass, which Saughall were able to score from the awarded free-kick, for the final goal of the game.

Overall, a good experience for the lads in an entertaining game of football against older opposition, that we can take learning opportunities from.

Player of the Match
Henry Jones

Henry looked to bring composure with good decision making in a chaotic midfield area.

Under 15's

Airbus Under 15 0-4 Connah's Quay Nomads

A day of learning for the young wingmakers, less than ideal preparation for the game with the early start and week of school trips and matches the players looked leggy and lethargic struggling to transition form attack to defence. Information given overloaded the players and they couldn't establish themselves and get into their stride.

Growing frustrated at each other led to errors from over working and trying to force things. They quickly found themselves 3 nil down a combination of errors and decisions. At half time a reminder of keeping things basic and simple when under pressure the second half they looked more like an Airbus side creating a number of chances from counter pressing and winning ball high, switching play with forward runs, just wasn't to be.

Limiting Nomads to almost no opportunities in the 2nd half until one final error and the last kick of the game saw Nomads get the 4th goal on a counter attack. Over all a trough in the peaks and troughs of development football. Key lesson to stick to basics which can be sustained in periods of pressure and high metal overloads.

Player of the Match
Ethan Jones

Ethan who worked and tried hard through out to do the right things well done Ethan