Foundation report 14th September

The week started with games for some of our foundation phase this week as the 9 and 10’s made the short trip for closely thought games with Chester. Onto the weekend and we welcomed Newtown to Broughton for FAW fixtures. Some fantastic goals and football played across all age groups and more game time for players. It was personally good to be able to watch all age groups during the week and start to see a clear style through the age groups. The coaches comments are as followed

Under 8’s
Players of the match

Owain Jones

Superb again from Owain. Excellent feet and vision when on the ball. Great position out of possession and reading of the game and some very well taken goals.

Thomas Roberts

Thomas showed some fantastic skills and touches of the ball to beat a player. Thomas was also excellent at listening to the coach instructions and carrying them out on the pitch. Well done Thomas.

Under 9’s
Archie Adams was nominated player of the match by myself and Cam at Chester. Archie was great on and off the ball and was involved in a lot of the attacking elements of the team.

Under 10’s
A fantastic result and performance for the 10’s with most staking a claim to players of the match. In the end Henry Challoner, Benji Evans and Elliot Fawcett all put in fantastic performances and were picked by their teammates as players of the match.

Under 11’s
Another fantastic performance from the 11’s who have started the season in good form. 1st Man of the match went to Joseph Houseman-Jones who continues his impressive start to the season with some great defending and playing forward when on the ball.

2nd Man of the match goes to Theo Connah who had a great game. Off the ball Theo gives his all and pressed aggressively to win the ball. On the ball Theo linked up well with teammates and was unfortunate not too score a goal or 2.

Well done to both and the squad.

Youth Phase

Under 13

Llandudno Academy 1 -5 Airbus Academy

We travelled to Llandudno today to face Llandudno Academy, our first ever meeting with this side, and our second away game in a row following last week’s excellent win at Newtown. We were determined to keep our winning streak going and continue our strong start to the season. Before kick-off, we set two clear objectives: how we press and how we play out from the back. with one simple, clear idea for each. Our goal today was to put those ideas into practice.

First Half

We started bright and sharp, creating 2–3 excellent chances in the opening 3–4 minutes, unlucky not to take the lead, hitting the post and seeing a couple of opportunities go begging. For a period we went a little quiet, and our biggest issue was holding onto the ball too long and dribbling into trouble rather than using the width and depth of the pitch exactly what we’d spoken about pre-match.

As we settled and corrected this, we grew into the game. We were denied by the woodwork twice, Ffion and Tyler both striking the bar before our quality showed. Mason Rimmer opened the scoring with a cool finish from a brilliant Kai assist, then doubled his tally with another well-taken goal, this time set up by Blake. The half finished 2–0 — solid, controlled, and we’d restricted Llandudno to very few threats, dealing comfortably with their corners.

Second Half

At half-time we reinforced our message: make the pitch big, use our goalkeeper Will to create depth, switch the ball quickly, play simple passes, and move forward together.

Unfortunately, straight from kick-off, a momentary lapse in concentration allowed Llandudno to pull one back 2–1. But the response was instant and outstanding. Within minutes, a perfectly delivered corner from Blake found the towering header of Will, who powered it home 3–1

From that moment on, we played some of our best football all season. The boys were magnificent moving the ball quickly, one touch passing, switching play effortlessly, and stretching the opposition. It was a joy to watch.

Goal 4 was pure quality Kai, our standout performer, received on the edge of the box and picked out Max with a perfect pass, who smashed a rocket into the net! Then George created the fifth with a wonderful run and cross from the left, finding Blake who finished clinically 5–1. We pushed for more and were unlucky not to add several more.

Player of the week

Kai Adams

Kai trains with passion and determination all week. Absolutely outstanding today. Played on the left wing first half, then switched to the right and was a constant threat throughout. Hit the post, came close to scoring on multiple occasions, and provided two excellent assists. But what impressed most was his complete game brilliant skills, intelligent play, and outstanding work rate defending from the front. A true leader on the pitch.

Well deserved, Kai.

Under 14

Airbus Academy 8 - 0 Llandudno Under 15s

As we had no academy cup fixture this weekend we hosted Llandudno 15s for a 10am ko on our grass pitch.

Airbus won the toss and decided to kick up hill against the wind fist half. As soon as we kicked off we found out this was a physical team as we struggled to gain any possession.
On our first attack Joe’s strong run down the right crossed to find Zach to tap home 1-0. Llandudno put us under pressure but our defensive line were excellent with our new keeper Keir in total control.

In the 30th minute we switched play from a throw in to Gethin who hit the line to cross for Lucas to power home.
HT 2-0

In the 2nd period Airbus increased the intensity further now playing with the wind. On the 44th min we broke lines through the middle where Lucas held up the play finding Joe on the right to fire home 3-0. In the 44th minute Harri found our 4th directing a corner to the bottom corner 4-0.

Airbus attacked at every opportunity and our 5th came from a fantastic 25yd strike from Zach 5-0. Evan scored direct from a cornier in the 70th min, Lucas broke the net from close range in the 73rd min and Harri finished the game with a powerful header from William’s corner 8-0.

Although a physical match Airbus played at pace and were clinical in the final third.

Player of the week

Keir Davies (GK)

In his first match for Airbus Keir completely controlled his area with dominance. His high positioning out of possession was excellent and held all shots with ease playing against the strong winds.

Under 16

Airbus Academy v Chester

The lads welcomed Chester to the Hollingsworth Group Stadium - who turned up at late notice due to our original opposition pulling out and we thank them for playing.

The lads started brightly and scored an early goal where our adjusted out of possession shape gained rewards for Charlie Wild as he pinched the ball and lobbed the opposition keeper.

We enjoyed a lot of the ball but our passing detail was lacking at times which hindered us in key moments.

We did score.a 2nd goal before half time when Jack Hardstaff scored directly from an inswinging corner from the left hand side.

The 2nd half was scrappy with only a few chances created, however Charlie Wild scored his 2nd goal and the Airbus 3rd with a fine finish past the opposition keeper following a fine midfield counterpress.

The game ended 3-0 to Airbus

Player of the week

Charlie Wild

A constant threat to Chester in the final phase. Scored 2 goals and was unlucky not to grab a hat-trick. Well done Charlie

Under 19

Airbus Under 19s Come From Behind to Claim Deserved Victory

​Airbus Academy 2 – 1 Llandudno.

​The first half was a scrappy affair, but Airbus still carved out the better of the chances, coming agonizingly close when they rattled the crossbar and had another effort cleared off the line. However, a slight lapse in detail on a defensive-third throw-in put Airbus under a sustained period of pressure. Llandudno capitalized on the momentum, winning a free kick late in the half and turning in a great delivery to send Airbus into the break trailing 0-1.

​Airbus came out for the second half with far more control and tempo, grabbing an immediate equalizer to get back on level terms. The hosts continued to create chances and, with a bit more composure in the final third, could have made the scoreline much more comfortable.

​The moment of the match belonged to Erin Levonov, capping off an outstanding overall performance by finishing superbly from a second-phase corner to put Airbus ahead.

​With the lead secured, Airbus dug in and defended brilliantly through the final five minutes to see out the game and lock down a thoroughly deserved win.

​Player of the Week

Erin Levenov

A fantastic display today following up a solid performance on Saturday. Well done, Erin!

Reserves v NFA

A howling wind coupled with a persistent downpour greeted us in Rhyl as we travelled to play NFA on a tough looking grass pitch.

The opening moments were frantic (as the wind played havoc) with both teams digging in defensively as both midfield units tried to get a foothold of the game.

Airbus had 2 good chances where Jack Griffiths & Callum Reynolds were denied by the opposition last line.

We gave the ball away too easily at times and put unnecessary pressure on ourselves. However, defensively we were solid and the lads did well to dig in and keep their emotional control - as there were a few questionable decisions given by the official in charge - especially in the early moments of the fixture.

Thus 0-0 @ half time with all to play for

The lads started well in the 2nd half, but a lapse in concentration saw us concede the opening goal of the game.

We needed a positive reaction...and we got that reaction straight away, as it was only 2 minutes later before we equalised - as the instrumental Dylan Cusato played in Kacper Bury down the left, who beat his man, played the ball across the box for the excellent Will Hewitt to finish well.

We had numerous chances in the next 20 minutes with Olly Gilburt, Dylan Cusato & Erin Levenov and Kacper Bury all going close - hitting the woodwork on a couple of occasions.

We finally scored a 2nd goal when Jack Davies pounced on a Dylan Cusato assist and the young wingmakers were 2-1 up.

The lads managed the game well for the remaining 20 minutes, with Harry Henderson & Louis Bebb showing excellent organisational and leadership qualities throughout.

An excellent 2-1 result for the reserves in tough conditions - Well done everyone.

Player of the week

Dylan Cusato - involved in numerous positive attacking transitions to create opportunities in and around the box. He really stepped it up in the 2nd half, and the opposition struggled to cope with his quality, on, around and away from the ball in that central midfield area. Well done Dyl