After a comfortable win against Ruthin Town on Wednesday, Airbus had a quick turnaround as they welcomed Flintshire rivals Buckley Town to The Hollingsworth Group Stadium on a crisp but very sunny February afternoon.

Mark Allen made a couple of changes to the starting line-up that played against Ruthin mid-week, with Joe Palmer and Jake Roberts replacing Mason Blackwell-Jones and Kieran Evans.

Our mascots on the day were Broughton Under 6s, where one of their players is the older brother of a very brave boy Rupert, whose family are raising awareness for AHC, which is a rare condition Rupert is living with along with his family. If you would like to donate to one of the charities Airbus are supporting this season, Rupert’s Rainbow please clink on the link below:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ruperts-rainbowahc?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=CL

Buckley got us underway for the afternoon kicking towards the runaway for the first half.

Our visitors had a free kick on 4’, the set piece was swung into the box, but it was competently headed out of danger by Blaine Hudson.

Buckley had the first clear chance of the game on 9’. Lewis Hodson intercepted a pass and ran into the box; his shot was blocked by Sam Rickett and Hodson’s shot went wide for a corner. The resulting corner was well defended by the hosts.

As the half went on, Airbus were continuing to build up possession and progress up the pitch, but they were struggling to find the final ball.

29’ George Peers found himself through on goal and he was pulled back by Liam Ellis, who was put into the referee’s book.

Buckley were having a spell in the game for around 10 minutes as they had most of the possession, but they couldn’t make the possession count as they struggled to create a clear-cut chance.

With half time approaching, Airbus broke the deadlock as they entered injury time. Jordan Evans delivered a corner into the Buckley box, and at the back post Blaine Hudson managed to wriggle free as he touched the ball back into the 6-yard area. Joe Palmer was the quickest to react as he got his head to the oncoming ball to give Airbus a 1-0 lead.

Shortly after, the referee blew time on the first half with Palmer’s goal being the difference between both teams as they made their chances count.

Airbus got us back underway for the second half looking to extend their lead, after a well-timed goal from Joe Palmer.

The hosts started on the front foot and on 47’ Jake Roberts’ cross was scrambled by Sebastian Osment, but the ball didn’t drop to a player in blue quickly enough for Airbus to capitalise.

Shortly after, Roberts was involved once again. George Peers charged down the right and found Roberts whose shot was over the bar.

It was all Airbus from the second half kick-off; this time a cross-field pass from Peers found Danny Warren in space. Warren picked out Cooke with a good pass, the youngster decided to take the shot and his effort ended up just wide.

On 54’ a corner from Jordan Evans was punched clear by Osment and fell into the path of Peers, but his effort was too high and wide to trouble the Buckley ‘keeper.

There was another chance for Airbus on 58, as Jordan Evans fizzed a quick-paced cross into the box. The pass found the boot of Warren who couldn’t quite guide the ball home as the effort trickled just wide.

Just as the game entered the last 30 minutes, Airbus had their second through our vice-captain Jordan Evans. The ball started with Keighan Jones as he played a ball into the path of Nath Williams, who had some great link-up play with Kaiden Cooke and Danny Warren. Williams played the ball into Evans who turned his player well and travelled towards goal, he chopped back onto his left foot on the edge of the box and curled a wonderful shot towards the top left corner, which clipped off the post and in.

Airbus made a substitution 3 minutes later, as Dan Collins replaced Kaiden Cooke.

69’ on the clock and Airbus made it three. This time Jordan Evans become creator. A cross from Tyler McManus from the right was cleared by the Buckley defender but his header fell to Jordan Evans, his touch took him past the Buckley player, and his cross found Peers in space unmarked, and he hit his effort first time and riffled his shot into the top left corner and give Airbus some breathing space.

With just over 15 minutes remaining, Airbus made a double substitution with Kieran Evans and Josh Stevenson replacing Nath Williams and Blaine Hudson.

Buckley had a quite second half due to rise in tempo from Airbus, but they did carve a chance on 77’. Marcus Yakou hit a shot from distance, but it was calmly collected by Keighan Jones.

As we entered the last 7 minutes of the 90, Airbus made their final substitution as James Davies replaced Jake Roberts.

Peers won possession on the edge of the area, and he tried his luck, but his effort was wide of the post.

As we entered injury time of the second half, Warren could have had his goal. His effort from an in-swinging cross from Dan Collins was just off target.

The referee brought the game to an end and after a very good second half performance, Airbus ran out winner taking all three points and another clean sheet.