Foundation Report

Another busy week for the foundation phase with no scheduled FAW fixtures the academy got the chance to experience some different environments and footballing conditions. The 8’s and 10’s travelled to Chester to fixtures against Playmakers with some high scoring matches in both games. The u11’s got the opportunity to travel to Shrewsbury on Friday and faced tough opposition in a 9v9 fixture while the U9’s got to travel to Blackpool for a futsal tournament against the Seasiders and Sheffield Wednesday. Overall a great week for the foundation and some fantastic memories for the players. Coaches comments are as followed:

Under 8

Player of the week

Ted Hallam

Ted was outstanding in goal today! His penalty save was a huge moment and showed fantastic reactions, bravery and concentration. He stayed switched on throughout and gave the team confidence from the back. A thoroughly deserved Man of the Match!

Under 9

FUTSAL FESTIVAL! AIRBUS TAKE ON BLACKPOOL & SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY!

What a fantastic experience for our young Airbus Academy players as they travelled to take on Blackpool FC and Sheffield Wednesday in a thrilling futsal tournament!

Played indoors in a sports hall with the tunes pumping, the atmosphere was electric and the football was fast, furious, intense and absolutely breathless!

The games were played at a relentless tempo, with quick transitions, sharp passing, clever movement and plenty of physical battles. Our Airbus youngsters acquitted themselves superbly, more than matching the physicality and intensity of their opponents and showing tremendous determination, resilience and quality throughout.

At both ends of the court, there was plenty to admire! Airbus goalkeeper Dewi Noonan produced a string of wonderful saves, showing outstanding reactions, bravery and agility. Meanwhile, the Wing Makers’ stand-in goalkeepers, normally outfield players, stepped up brilliantly with some remarkable stops of their own!

Going forward, the quality was equally impressive. There were some wonderfully worked team goals, showcasing quick combinations, intelligent movement and excellent decision-making, alongside moments of individual brilliance as players demonstrated their confidence and creativity on the ball.

Players of the Match

Airbus – Dewi Noonan

An outstanding goalkeeping display, producing a series of brilliant saves.

Wing Makers – Harri Williams

A superb performance, demonstrating excellent quality, determination and a willingness to compete throughout.

A brilliant experience for everyone involved and another fantastic opportunity for our young players to test themselves against quality opposition, embrace new challenges and continue their development.

Under 10

Whole team did excellent in poor weather and no subs. Plenty of goals scored and some very good football played.

Under 11

Tough game on Friday night against a very good cat 3 academy. As they say you learn more when in uncomfortable situations and the lads definitely did. The togetherness and work rate to keep going even when a few goals down was outstanding and some fantastic saves and defensive performances on display.

Players of the week

Henry Jones and Dax Pearce who both were excellent on the ball and looked to get the ball forward when possible.

Under 12

On a lovely Sunday afternoon, Our U12s had the short trip to Connahs Quay for their next academy cup game. It was a game of very few chances, with both teams playing some good football but the defences were coming out on top. The first goal of the game came when a missed place pass whilst Airbus were trying to build up from a goal kick was pounced on and finished into a empty net. Both teams continued to strive for goal scoring opportunities for the remainder of the half but neither could find that clinical pass to break through, until the very closing stages when a long range shot from Nomads went in the top corner. The second half continued in pretty much the same vein, but the hosts were now playing the better football and were starting to create a few better chances but Airbus were still digging in with good attitude, and were actually unlucky not to reduce the deficit when Connah Lewis-Speed was played through but saw his shot go wide. Airbus did eventually score when Elson managed to squeeze the ball in from a corner but there was not enough time left in the game to go for another to level.

Player of the week

Ellis Hollins

Ellis did well for the team in all phases of the game.

Under 13

Connah’s Quay Academy 0-11 Airbus Academy

The Under 13’s made the short trip to Connah’s Quay Nomads, which always proves to be a brilliant test for the group.

Before the match, I asked the team to respond after a poor performance last week, it was way off our standards and we needed to bounce back.

The team started the game brilliantly, on the front foot, pressing as one and on the ball being affective and playing some outstanding football. The hard work paid off with Blake breaking the deadlock after a Mase Rimmer assist. This was the start of an unbelievable performance from the team, we went in at the break 6-0 up after scoring some excellent team goals and minimising Nomads chances to minimal, with Shay making one or two brilliant saves to keep the clean sheet.

At half time, I challenged the team to keep the clean sheet. Be compact and improve in our pressing when Nomads tried to transition from defence to attack. On the ball, to keep calm and enjoy it.

The team took every bit of advice on board in the second half, we were again absolutely brilliant. Scoring early on with a brilliant assist from Tyler and finished by Ffion. The team was a pleasure to watch and it was brilliant to see them playing with a smile on their faces and battling for one another, the work rate was relentless and the team has most definitely set the standards from the rest of the season.

We finished the game with an 11-0 win, some outstanding goals scored and a clean sheet for Shay who played his part with some excellent saves.

Goalscorers -

Blake - Mase Rimmer (A)
Mase Rimmer - George (A)
Mase Rimmer - Blake (A)
Tyler
Tyler
Ffion - Mason D (A)
Ffion - Tyler (A)
Mase Rimmer - Leo (A)
Tyler - Mase Rimmer (A)
Ffion
Ffion

Player of the week

Ffion Cochran

A very difficult one, every single player was absolutely outstanding and the team performance was nothing short of brilliant. Ffion is going to be my pick, scoring 4 goals and her hold up play and relentless work rate up the top of the pitch was excellent. Well done Ffion!

Under 14

Connah’s Quay Nomads Academy 1-1 Airbus Academy

Airbus started strong creating chances from the start playing with aggression & pace. After missing many chances we eventually took the lead on the 9th minute when Hari Murphy headed home at the back post from Ioan’s Corner.

As the week before Airbus dominated the match but missed many opportunities to increase the lead before our opposition equalised with a deflective shot in the 58th minute. Airbus pressed for the winner but every opportunity was a near miss, bad luck or poor finishing of which lads were upset leaving with just the draw.

Player of week

Gethin Shields-Owen

A constant threat on the left side creating many chances going forward and solid in his defensive role when asked.

Under 15

It was local neighbours Connahs Quay Nomads that were this week’s opponents for the Airbus U15s squad in the academy cup league. On a perfect day for a football game, the early stages saw both teams play some good football, keeping the ball on the floor and keeping good possession. It was good to see some aspects of the Wingmakers training being implemented within the game, especially the Fullbacks of Fletcher Jones and Henry Carter getting higher up the pitch and supporting the attacking phases. The first really chance of the game resulted in a goal for the visitors as Airbus failed to deal with a cross into the box and the Nomads striker was on hand to put the ball into the net.

Airbus did not let this set-back deter them from playing their style of football, looking to keep possession via good build-up play and they pinned Nomads back into their own half, and won a number of corners, that unfortunately came to nothing. The Wingmakers were nearly back on level terms after Henry Jones played a great pass which released Fletcher Jones, who played forward into Airbus striker Leo Killick’s path, whose shot just went over the bar.

As the first half was coming to its closing stages, Nomads increased their lead in very similar circumstances to their first, when a cross from the right hand side was not dealt with and a Nomads player managed to loop a header over Alfie in the Airbus goal.

The second half continued in the same manner as the first, with both teams having good phases but no real chances. Fifteen minutes in the game was put out of the Wingmakers hands when the strong Nomads striker won a dubious penalty, which was converted to make it Three – nil to the visitors. Airbus continued to show good character and attitude, however could not find the finishing touches in the final third to reduce the deficit. In the very final minute of the game, Nomads got a fourth when a missed place pass during build-up ended up at the Nomads strikers feet, who finished well from outside the box.

In summary, it was a frustrating day for Airbus as some lacks of concentration and defensive discipline cost the team and took away from some of the positive steps the team took once again.

Player of the week

Henry Jones

Henry always looked to get himself on the ball and was instrumental in most of the good possession play the team had throughout the game.

Under 16

For 30 minutes the game was an even contest - both sides having half chances but neither on top in the game.

Unfortunately 2 errors cost us and we found ourselves 0-2 in the blink of an eye.

We asked the lads for a reaction in the 2nd to which we got and had 2 excellent chances to get back on level terms - to which we squandered both.

Unfortunately further errors in key positions cost us in the latter stages of the game to which the score became silly from our point of view...the lads emotionally disconnected from the game & stopped running in numerous areas which certainly didn't help matters. They will look to improve in all areas in the coming weeks.

However this afternoon - it was very encouraging that 2 of our U16 players Jack Hardstaff & Hari Bloomfield stepped up to play for the U19's today - both did extremely well with Jack getting on the score sheet. Great effort lads.

Player of the week

Adam Price

Adam is improving week by week in his new position. He has a great profile and is taking on the required detail when needed.

Under 19

TNS 4–0 Airbus Broughton

Airbus Under 19s faced a tough battle against TNS, with a demanding evening providing plenty of learning for our young squad.

The hosts ran out 4–0 winners, but there is more to take from the game than the scoreline alone. Against strong opposition, the lads were challenged to make decisions under pressure and maintain their concentration throughout—valuable experience as they continue their development.

The focus now is on taking those lessons into training, understanding where we can improve and turning that experience into progress. Nights like these are a tough but important part of the pathway, both individually and as a team.

Player of the Week

Oskar Dymowski

Oskar was excellent in a difficult game, producing a performance that deserves real recognition. His contribution was a positive for Airbus on a challenging evening and earned him this week’s award.

Well done, Oskar. Plenty to learn, plenty to work on, and we move forward together.

Airbus Development 5–0 over Gresford in the Arena Projects Youth Cup victory rounds off a busy week

Airbus Development rounded off a demanding week with a 5–0 cup victory. It wasn’t the group’s cleanest performance, with spells where the quality and fluency fell below their standards, but five goals and a clean sheet provided a positive finish to a busy schedule.

Airbus took the lead after 11 minutes through Dylan Cusato, assisted by Caiden Baker-Williams. Oliver Gilbert added a second two minutes later following an assist from Dylan Cusato, before Kacper Bury made it 3–0 on 18 minutes, with Caiden Baker-Williams again providing the assist.

There were two further goals after the break. Jack Hardstaff came on and got himself on the scoresheet in the 57th minute, completing a hat-trick of assists for Caiden Baker-Williams. Oliver Gilbert then scored his second on 63 minutes, assisted by Jack Davies, to complete the scoring.

Player of the Week

Oliver Gilbert

Oliver’s two goals capped another strong contribution to the group.

A special mention also goes to Jack Hardstaff and Hari Bloomfield, who both stepped up into the PDP and performed well. Jack adding a goal made it an especially memorable afternoon and another encouraging sign of the young players progressing through the pathway.

Plenty to improve on in the performance, but a convincing scoreline, valuable experience for the younger lads and progress in the cup. Well done, boys!