Airbus U8s – FAW Festival (H)
The u8’s welcomed all northern Academies and the FAW girls to the Hollingsworth stadium for the latest FAW festival, the young Wingmakers played very well and were consistent in their performance levels throughout the FAW festival on Saturday from excellent defending and great passing moves leading to good attacking football. Scoring some great goals along the way, finishing the festival joint second.

The players voted Archie as the player of the day. Well done boys

Airbus U9s – FAW Festival (H)
U9’s had the FAW festival this weekend which Airbus hosted. U9’s started very strong with a 5-0 win over FAW girls before a very close game with TNS which ended 2-2.
Airbus then went on to beat Flint 6-2 before a 1-1 draw with Newtown.

Our only defeat of the day came to Connah’s Quay before we finished the day off with another win vs Caernarfon. Caernarfon game especially was a fantastic end to end match with both teams playing some fantastic football.

Overall the lads did very well and some of the goals we scored have come straight from the training sessions over the last couple of weeks which is fantastic to see. Well done all.

Player of the week - Harry Jarvis. Harry had a fantastic festival over the weekend scoring plenty of goals including a hatrick in one of the games.

Harry was a constant threat with his driving with the ball and looked like he could score every time he got in the opposition half. Harry has done amazing at listening to the coaches in training and bringing that into his game.
He always works hard on the pitch and his attitude is always positive not matter what is happening. Well done Harry on a well-deserved player of the week.

Airbus U11s – FAW Festival (H)
U11 The U11’s played in the FAW Academi Foundation Phase Tournament on Saturday afternoon. The 11 lads that were present were a delight to coach. They tried new ideas in possession, out of possession and in transition. They moved the ball well using 2/3 touch and scored numerous goals by applying excellent finishes to their attacking phase play.
They looked to press high and troubled our opponents with detailed movement out of possession. Games are won and lost in transition and the lads performed well on the day. Well done to everyone.

Player Of The Week: Blake Evans – It give you great satisfaction for a coach when a player takes on board new detail in defensive areas, becomes a midfielder in possession which contributes to goals. Blake spoke to me after the event and said I like playing in defence now – it’s great getting forward to support in midfield. For a U11 player to take on that detail in such a short space of time was brilliant and deservedly is awarded player of week.

Airbus U14s – Gresford Athletic (H)
The under 14’s welcome Gresford Under 15’s to the Hollingsworth whilst we were on a break from the current FAW programme.

It was a good opportunity for some repetition of recent training principles and the players find themselves in good form currently.

Gresford proved to be worthy opposition as they had the ball on the floor and looked to play as much as they could, Airbus however were equal to it and maintained pressure out of possession throughout the game.

With the ball, it was clearly identifiable that the Airbus players were controlling possession through the middle of the pitch and as soon as we found ourselves under pressure, we moved the ball quickly into wide areas to set up attacking opportunities.

Those opportunities turned into chances and Airbus scored several goals whilst keeping a clean sheet along the way.

Thanks to our opposition for making the journey to play us.

Player of the week – Joseph Farrell
Joe trained well prior to this game, and during the game he displayed yet another fine performance particularly with the ball at his feet, the way he manipulates the ball to escape pressure is magical in moments and so difficult to play against. We are now looking for Joe to push on with his development at training and games over the next few weeks to maximise his performances and attitude, Keep up the good work.

Airbus U15s – Newton Athletic (A)
Airbus U15 travelled up to Newton Le Willows Saturday morning for a friendly on the grass
Airbus started very well and in control of the game, playing the conditions extremely casually which was nice to see as they don’t often play on grass

After 10’ we opened the scoring through Fin Geary scoring from a corner. Controlling most of the game the U15’s created a number of chances we couldn’t finish. On 25 and again on 35’ Dylan Cusato scored assisted by Harry Phythian. Then at the end of the half Jake Pendlebury slotted home a great assist from Rhys Ineson. HT 4-1 Airbus

Second half started and the opposition came out the better team. Pretty much straight away putting the young wing makers to the sword and getting themselves back in the game. The opposition pretty much dominated the second half and came away the winners 7-4 FT Newton Athletic

Player of the week goes to Jack Booth. Jack is a great lad and always gives 100% in training and games. He saved a pen and a brilliant save at the end of the game to spare our blushes a little. Fantastic performance on match day. Well done Jack

Airbus U16s – TNS (A)
The U16s travelled to TNS on an extremely wet and windy day at Park Hall.

The squad consisted of 4 x U15 players and we knew that it would be a difficult fixture as our opponents have strengthened fiercely since Christmas and scored 18 goals in their previous 2 games.

The lads started well and the game was an even affair with both sides going close. Airbus soaked up the majority of what TNS threw at them and were unlucky not to be ahead at half time as we had a couple of good chances ourselves. We conceded a very unlucky own goal just before the half time whistle, but the lads could be proud of their 1st half performance.

The 2nd half was difficult as changes were made which made us slightly unbalanced. The Airbus lads made a couple of mistakes throughout the half to which TNS were ruthless in our penalty box. To give the lads credit, they never gave up and still looked to play where possible.

To have 4 x U15 players on the pitch at one time is a big positive as they will learn what is required physically from today’s outing. They all did extremely well and can be proud of their performance.

Player of the week: Louis Brimfield (GK) – Played well throughout the first half, was tidy in possession and made a couple of excellent saves. Well done

Airbus 19s – Flint Town (H)
Airbus hosted Flint Sunday afternoon at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium
It was a very windy afternoon and the players had to play the conditions both with and without the wind

Airbus started very well and commanded the majority of the ball in the early stages of the game. Creating several chances in the first 20 mins and really putting the opponents to the test. Going close several times hitting the post and asking questions of the opposition keeper however unable to find the back of the net. HT 0-0

Second half started reasonably evenly balanced. Flint has the wind behind them and the young Wingmakers had to be alert to the direct play.

Flint went close on one occasion and Sam Fenney pulled of a great save 1v1. Airbus kept asking questions but could not break the deadlock. In the 88’ we went very close through Alex Sharpe header from a corner which was matched by the opposition goal keeper. Final score 0-0

Player of the week this week goes to Sam Fenney. Sam trains well every week and also fancies himself as a bit of a GK coach helping the GK union out every week. He’s such a good role model for the younger keepers working their way through the academy. Sam had one of his better games this weekend and really deserves the recognition. Well done Sam