Airbus U9s – Newtown (H)
Our u9s Wingmakers hosted Newtown Saturday morning with 2 x 5v5 format matches.
From the outset Airbus played at pace switching play at ease leading to a healthy half time lead with both matches.
Newtown then brought some of there u10s players on which made them stronger. This made the second period a more closer and physical challenge of which our Wingmakers rose to the challenge once again playing fast possession football leading to success.
A great morning on show from our Airbus u9s

Airbus U10s – Newtown & Borras Park Albion (H)
The U10s had a double header against Newtown and Borras Park Albion U11s.
Both games were very competitive and filled with quality. The boys moved the ball well against a physical U11s Borras side and scored some well worked goals.
Being able to change their game slightly to adjust to new opponents was today’s main task. Going in to the Newtown game, it took the boys a few minutes to adjust to the tempo. Once they got into their stride they were managing to find space in the wide areas and creating good scoring opportunities. Airbus coming away with wins in both Newtown fixtures. Man of the Matches were Jude Speers and Iestyn Davies.
A great morning of football

Airbus U13s – Newtown (H)
The boys started brightly dominating the open exchanges and deservedly took the lead through Harry Williams on 12 minutes.
Harry Williams scored an excellent second goal incorrectly ruled out by the referee, Tony Owen’s then hit the frame of the goal , the 13’s could easily have been 3 up.
Newtown scored a couple of quick goals from long balls over the top before Thomas Wright equalised with an excellent strike from the edge of the box.
Another long ball over the top lead to another goal for Newtown before an instant reply from Dafydd Edwards with a long range strike 3-3 at the break.
Newtown were awarded a penalty in the second half, 4-3 Newtown.
A tactical change to chase the game left us open at the back to the counter attack 5-3 Newtown, relentless pressure got us a goal back through Harry Williams 5-4, final score 5-4 to Newtown.

Man of the match Harry Williams

Airbus U14s – Newtown (H)
The under 14’s welcomed Newtown to the Hollingsworth for a tea time kick off in the pouring down rain.
Both teams, having won all their games up to this point, would surely be full of confidence going into it, which offered a great spectacle for those involved.
It was the Wingmakers that flew out of the blocks and were lively from the outset, continuously pressuring the Newtown back 4, both with and without the ball. Not surprising, giving that we asked them to take risks and be brave to turn the ball over high up the pitch.
This happened continuously and the first chance presented itself when Joe Farrell and Junior Kelly linked up brilliantly to pass around the Newtown pressure and force a handball on the edge of the box. Joe Farrell stood over the ball and curled over the wall into the top corner for a deserved 1-0 lead.
Not two minutes later, 4 Airbus players pressed the Newtown back 4 aggressively forcing a mistake from the goalkeeper with Junior Kelly picking up the loose ball and earning another free kick from a crossing position. This time, Alfie Edwards clipping a ball across the face of the goal for Jack Melia to poke home and give the Wingmakers a 2-0 lead.
Half time arrived and the Airbus players had delivered near perfectly what the match objectives had asked of them, it was up to them now to try and replicate that throughout the second half.
7 minutes into the second half and the high aggressive press remained with substitute Noah Al-Dulayymi pouncing on an under hit pass to dispossess the centre back and drive to goal to slot home for a 3-0 lead.
The players continued to enjoy possession and move the ball around looking to build into the final third, the fourth goal coming when Airbus built in the middle third, momentarily losing the ball before Myles McElmeel initiated the counter press we have worked so hard on, followed by Junior Kelly before Joseph Farrell eventually won and retained the ball, feeding Harry Williams on the left side who crossed for Noah Al-Dulayymi to slot home his second of the game.
Newtown did produce threatening moments, and almost pulled a goal back, but Myles McElmeel demonstrated great commitment to back up a great save from Charlie Tonge in goal and produced an outstanding goal line clearance.
Heading towards the end of the game and Harry Williams found himself on the end of a headed clear corner which he volleyed past the goalkeeper into the bottom corner.
Airbus 5-0 winners with a really strong performance against a team which hadn’t dropped points before today.

Player of the week – Junior Kelly.
Junior has led the line in terms of having energy without the ball high up the pitch, he has been the catalyst for everyone else matching his work rate in the press and counter press for it to be effective and he played a pivotal role in today’s win because of that. That being said, he also shows the quality he has on the ball too, and his ability to link up with team mates to create problems for the opposition.

Airbus U15s – Newtown (A)
Another grey & rainy day greeted our U15’s away at Latham Park as we travelled to play Newtown.
The first half was a tight affair with both defenses on top. Both teams had moments but couldn’t break the deadlock and it was 0-0 @ half time.
The 2nd half started badly as the home side took the lead after the young Wingmakers conceded possession and couldn’t react to get back in. It was a blow for the lads as the Newtown received the ball in an offside position in the 1st phase but unfortunately not given by the referee. He then sent off one of our players to give the home side a big advantage.
The lads never gave up and pushed to get an equaliser only to get caught on the break in the last minute as we pushed forward in numbers.
We weren’t able to capitalise on our set plays (which need to improve) and punish the opposition. A tough day for the lads but they will be better for the learning experience & will have gained knowledge in how to deal with the situations they encountered today.

Player of the week: Evan Roberts – An excellent performance by Evan, who was solid throughout the game. He took responsibility in key defensive moments and looked composed on the ball when in possession.

Airbus U16s – Newtown (A)
We took a trip to Newtown for a lunchtime kick off. Airbus looking to take two wins in a row in the academy cup. The game started quite frantic with neither team really controlling the game.
Airbus were giving away possession a little too easily at the start of the game. Although still looking dangerous when going forward we created two or three very good chances in general play and looked threatening from set pieces.
Newtown settled into the game and really started to control the game. Although 0-0 at half time, Airbus’ performance needed to improve.
The second half started the same but Airbus conceded early on disappointingly from two scenarios that we spoken about at half time.
A second goal went in shortly after when Newtown broke away and we failed to clear our lines.
Airbus bounced back almost instantly to make it 2-1 after Finn Hayes played through Kasper Bury who finished very neatly.
At this point Newtown were still controlling possession of the game so Airbus slightly changed shape which helped us get a grip on the game. With 25 minutes to go Airbus started to apply a little more pressure. Getting into some very good situations but failing to covert into an equaliser.

Player of the match – Finn Hayes.
Playing a year up in his first game made a huge difference in the second half and looked comfortable throughout.

Airbus U19s – Newtown (A)
Airbus travelled up the road to face Newtown Sunday afternoon
Airbus started the game well in the wet conditions having their fair share of the ball and moving it well
Newtown were strong and also had their moments in the first half hitting the bar in a good phase of pressure
It was Airbus who broke the deadlock with Harry Jones adding to his seasons tally on the 40’ chasing down a loose ball and capitalising on the moment
The second half started fast as we expected with the hosts coming out strong. Newtown kept trying to get in behind the Airbus team but they were denied time and time again
Finally on 69’ the hosts scored from a corner and the wind changed in their direction for the next 20’ again asking questions of our defence
Again on 82’ Newtown scored from another corner. Showing lots of character the Airbus squad refused to give up and scored the equaliser on 92’ from a Harry Henderson thunderbolt from outside the box
Nearly taking all 3 points Airbus created a few good chances in the final moments of the game but could not turn them in. Final score 2-2

Player of the week goes to Tom Dougherty the skipper and defensive stone wall. Tom always sets high standards for the group and helps create the current culture the group enjoys. Tom himself also regularly trains with the first team looking to challenge himself and earn some valuable experience in the senior environment. Tom won pretty much every header in open play today against a very tricky opponent. Fantastic performance from the skipper, well done Tom!