Foundation Report Saturday 2nd November

After a week away the foundation report is back. This week the focus for squads was on possession in our half, looking at ways we can combine and advance the ball up the pitch. This was then followed by games away at TNS for all groups. All age groups competed well and displayed some great football against good opponents. Coaches reports are as followed.

Under 8’s
Away day against a tough opponent TNS. As soon as the whistle went both teams were switched on. Great passing and switch of play with the ball moving from side to side along the back line. Airbus really worked their opponents hard and got the ball forward with speed claiming their rewards in front of goal. A great spread across the team which shows great determination and hunger.

Players of the Week

Oakley Roberts
Charlie Gardiner

Under 9's

Players of the week

Dewi Noonan
Oli Turpin-Jones

Under 10’s

Airbus Academy Under 10s v Penrhyn Bay Under 11s

A fantastic effort from the boys today against an older age group.

Playing on a big pitch, with no substitutes, the lads worked incredibly hard across all four 18-minute quarters.

Some excellent goals, great passages of play and some really good combinations throughout. Communication and understanding between the players continue to improve all the time, which is fantastic to see.

The development of the group is clear, and performances like this show just how far the boys are progressing.

Players of the Week

Aussie Wardle
Theo
Henry Challoner

Well done, boys. Excellent effort from everyone!

Under 10’s also travelled to TNS were they faced an extremely talented TNS side. The lads started slow and quickly found themselves behind but found a bit more form and completed well in the last 3 1/4’s scoring some great goals.

Player of the match

Jude Hett with a couple of great goals and fantastic work rate.

Under 11’s

What a performance from the 11s on Saturday. From minute one the lads looked to press high and give the opposition no time and space on the ball. As the game went on the lads really found a 2nd gear and scored some great goals. Really enjoyable game to coach and watch.

Players of the week were Finn Walker and Archie Kane but anyone who played could have picked it up this week. Well done lads.

Under 12's

The young wingmakers started the game brilliantly and settled into the game very well.

Most of the first half was 0-0 until a silly freekick gave TNS the lead.

In the first half we should’ve had at least 3 goals we just lacked that cutting edge in the final 3rd.

Second half we started well again but couldn’t covert the chances, TNS got two goals which could’ve been easily avoided.

Stand out players : Reggie Dean- Unreal performance running the midfield for the whole 70 minutes. Connah speed - Very solid hold up play in the midfield and wasn’t afraid to get into a battle which was great to see. Jack Davies - very well controlled in his game and his attitude today, never lost his temper, kept the team steady which was great to see from todays captain.

A so much better performance compared to last time we played them when we lost 8-1, so a 3-0 loss wasnt bad at all, the lads came away happy which was great to see.

Extremely proud of the lads today, massive improvement today compared to recent performances

Player of the Week

Reggie Dean

Under 13's

TNS 1-4 Airbus

A great morning of football for the under 13s. After an impeccable minute silence by both teams, the young wingmakers got off to a very good start restricting the hosts to not being able to play out from the back and forcing them to go long. Airbus opened the scoring with a well worked goal. Gregson Stead ran down the left channel and cut the ball across goal for Max Williams to score at the back post. A free kick by hosts brought them back level just before half time as they went into half time 1-1.

Half time instructions were just to keep going and to move the ball and get their shots off. A ball through the middle of the TNS was brilliant by Gregson for Ffion Cochran to run on to and finish into the bottom corner.

They reduced TNS to have minimum chances as the back three defended well allowing the midfield to push on and Tyler Jones did that as he carried the ball forward and his shot was hit with some power and it came crashing off the post.

Mason Rimmer then added a double to his name, first it was a shot across the goal keeper from a pass from Tyler and his second was a set piece. Airbus were awarded a free kick just outside the box and Mason lined it up and buried it in the bottom corner.

The overall team performance from the 13s today was excellent, determination to win the ball back, moving the ball quick, and some brilliant attacking football was a good mix for the 13s and give them a comfortable win

Player of the match was hard to give today as they all played well, so we are giving it to them as a team

Under 14's

TNS 2-2 Airbus

Airbus 14s travelled to TNS for yet another 4-30pm ko. As the FAW allocated Ref didn’t show up and as we had travelled, we agreed to play a friendly match.

The first half both teams defensive lines were on top until the 28th min when a switch of play accurate long ball from Mynor found Freddie Rawson with space on the right side of which upon running into their area fired home with pace.

HT 0-1

In the 2nd period Airbus struggled to keep any possession leading to TNS equalising with a low deflected shot 1-1. The game became open with chances either end. TNS took the lead when we struggled to clear edge of our area 2-1. Airbus increased the intensity pushing for an equaliser which came in the 59th minute with Lucas showing his physical strength and firing home from close range 2-2.
FT 2-2

Player of the week

Joe Routledge

His first full match at centre half Joe was given a specific role today of which he exercised with perfection. Well done Joe & full squad with today’s efforts within the friendly atmosphere none of us wished for

Under 15's

The 15's started the game well, creating a couple of early chances through Mared and Arthur.

Mauro and Mared worked well together up front, causing TNS problems and frustrating their defence. Our shape looked good, and we were sticking to the game plan.

Eight minutes in, Henry Carter played a ball over the top. Unfortunately, Mauro was caught out as TNS transitioned quickly. Following a mix up at the back, their number 10 was able to pinch the ball and put TNS 1-0 ahead.

Airbus continued to stick to the plan and played some good football. On 25 minutes, we moved the ball well out wide to Adam, winning a free kick and then a corner. Unfortunately, we were wasteful with both set pieces.
TNS attacked quickly again. Henry C won the ball and played into Alfie, who found Hamzah. We then attempted to play into midfield, but a heavy touch resulted in us losing possession, and TNS punished us. 2-0 on 29 minutes.

Straight from the kick off, Arthur made a fantastic run through the middle and was brought down. Free kick! Shae stepped up and delivered an excellent ball into the box from around 40 yards. Mauro, on the edge of the 18 yard box, got his head to it and flicked it on towards Arthur. The keeper missed the ball, allowing Arthur to tap home. 2-1

Unfortunately, we conceded again shortly afterwards. TNS switched the ball, but Adam did well to prevent the attack, conceding a corner in the process. TNS delivered into the box, where Mauro appeared to be fouled, but the decision wasn't given. The ball fell to a TNS player on the edge of the 18 yard box, who struck a well taken third goal.
Disappointing to concede so quickly after getting ourselves back into the game.

Halftime Airbus 1-3 TNS

Second Half
We started the second half brightly and created a few half chances through Will, Arthur and Daf and Leo but unfortunately lacked the end product. The game became stretched at times. TNS scored their fourth after we attempted to play out from a goal kick but failed to secure possession. We lost the ball, TNS delivered a quick cross from the left, and some poor defending allowed them to make it 4-1.

Straight from our kick off, we forced the ball forward but quickly lost possession. TNS attacked without success, and we then played a goal kick into the final third. Once again, we lost possession. A long ball over the top exposed our defence, where we weren't strong enough in our challenges and too many players were caught ball watching. A simple square ball across the area allowed TNS to tap home at the back post. 5-1
We had a few more half chances towards the end of the game but couldn't find another goal.

A disappointing result, especially considering some of the good football we played.

Overall we need to be better in both boxes.

Player of the Week

Jamie Evans

Jamie is an intelligent player, he who moved the ball well, worked extremely hard off the ball and showed a good understanding of the game. He's starting to become an integral part of this team.

Well done Jamie.

Under 16's

We know that the TNS side in our age group are one of their best Academy side for years - so we knew we had a tough task on our hands after being already beaten by them twice this season.

We set up looking at numerous tactical solutions to which we would be difficult to break down and in turn look to transition into forward areas and cause them problems.

The lads were a credit to the Academy this morning with a fine defensive performance in the 1st half which saw us soak up pressure and limit their chances. We switched off for 1 moment which led to us to go 0-1 down but their heads didn't drop and were still very much in the game at half time.

In the 2nd half we tried to get at TNS more aggressively and made a couple of chances ourselves. The referee gave a very dubious penalty against us to which was scored but apart from that they were limited to half chances.

The final score was 0-2, however the out of possession work rate & shape was excellent. The execution of the tactics as a whole today by the entire squad at key moments was very encouraging - showing that they are able to take on the advanced details given.

As we continue to develop as a squad taking on the advanced information, the attacking transitions will become easier and the lads will be in good shape going into post 16 football next season.

I would like like to mention both our GK's today Shay & Ziad who both did very well in each half - it was also great to have our new Head Of Goalkeeping Dan Connell with us to support in this area with excellent detail throughout.

Player of the week

Levi Asamoah

Levi joined us in the summer and today stepped up to the level that we knew he can reach. He used the ball well in possession and was excellent defensively. He was disciplined throughout and showed good composure in key moments of the game.

Under 19's

A tough afternoon in the cup, but plenty of positives and valuable lessons for our young Airbus side.

We approached today’s game against TNS with a change in mindset and tactical approach, looking to be more aggressive in our press, get on the front foot and take the game to our opponents.

The lads responded really well, showing plenty of energy, intensity and bravery throughout the opening 45 minutes. Despite going into the break 2-1 down, we felt the momentum was very much with us and that we were growing into the game.

We started the second half brightly, creating two excellent opportunities that, on another day, could have completely changed the direction of the contest and given us a real foothold in the game.

Unfortunately, TNS showed their quality and were clinical when their opportunities came.

A red card in the 63rd minute made an already difficult challenge even tougher. Playing with ten men against a side of TNS’s quality eventually took its toll, and as tired legs began to show, we struggled to maintain the intensity and organisation that had served us so well for the opening hour.

The final score was a heavy one, but it certainly doesn’t tell the full story of the first 60 minutes.

There are plenty of lessons for this young group, particularly around maintaining discipline, managing key moments and sustaining our performance levels against top opposition.

We will take the positives, learn from the difficult moments and continue to develop. That’s what this journey is all about.

Player of the week

Will Hewitt

A thoroughly deserved recognition for Will, who continues to perform at a consistently high level.

Will has bags of quality and is becoming a player we can really rely on. His attitude, application and performances are a credit to him, and he’s a fantastic lad to have around the group, both in training and on matchdays.

He has all the attributes to become a really good player for Airbus in the future, and it’s great to see his continued development.

Well done, Will!