The FAW Academy fixture programme commenced over the past weekend, with fixtures against Colwyn Bay FC being our opposition. Our 'Foundation Phase Academy' squads were in action on Saturday morning in glorious weather at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium, whilst our U12 girls squad travelled to the Midlands to play Aston Villa FC. The final fixture on Saturday afternoon saw our U18's host Buckley Town FC in the FAW Reserve League North East fixture at The Airfield.

Saturday 27th August 2022

Airbus under 8’s participated in the first game of the academy season against Colwyn Bay. The boys took full advantage of being able to put all they’ve learnt from our training sessions into practice and showcase their skills to all parents and coaches. There were two competitive games side by side with all players showing great enthusiasm and work rate whilst doing it with a smile on their face. Some excellent football on display for all to see. Well done everyone.

U8 Coaches: Alex Meredith & Pete Sutton

Fantastic first matches of season for our u9s wingmakers vs Colwyn Bay. Great football played across the squad. We specifically concentrated on retaining the ball, then once when in possession, playing out from the keepers, trying numerous passing combinations which in turn lead to opportunities for us to carry out our quality finishing in attacking areas. Well done to everyone.

U9 Coaches: Gary Williams & Gareth Williams

U10

The U10’s hosted Colwyn Bay this Saturday, in our first game of the FAW fixture list. The lads were slow to start when in possession of the ball but gradually grew better and better as the game progressed, taking on instructions and implementing them. We competed really well against a strong Colwyn Bay side in difficult heat and their desire to do well was there for all to see from the start. We scored a number of brilliant team goals and also defended really well as a group. The lads thoroughly enjoyed the battle and played the fixture with a smile on their faces throughout. A good start with lots of positives to take, well done U10’s.

U10 Coaches: Liam Smith & Leigh Owens

U11

Airbus played a strong Colwyn Bay outfit on Saturday. In a tight encounter, Airbus played well in possession, but failed to find the back of the net. Created plenty of opportunities, but just lacked the final bit of genius. On another day, those chances are taken, but the players continued to express themselves throughout and played their part in an entertaining match.

U11 Coaches: Gareth Williams & Gary Williams

U12 GIRLS

ASTON VILLA FC U12 GIRLS 6-7 AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON FC U12 GIRLS

After a great result & performance vs Wigan Athletic FC last week, the girls were on the road this weekend and enjoyed an excellent experience at Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training complex. Airbus raced into the lead in the first period of the fixture, with numerous examples of an excellent high press, which put pressure on the opposition. This enabled the Young Wingmakers to repeatedly recover the ball quickly & enabled us to have numerous efforts on goal. The second period required some determined defending with the Villa girls enjoying the majority of possession and displayed some excellent technical skills. The final period was very even and included an excellent solo goal from Neveah Byles. Special mention to Dara Acquaye and Imogen Pugh who both grabbed hatricks. Well done to everyone involved.

U12 Girls Coaches Nick Jones & Lee Starkey

U18

AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON FC 3-0 BUCKLEY TOWN RESERVES

Our first home fixture of the campaign v Buckley Town. Airbus dominated the game from start to finish. At the beginning we could have been more incisive, especially when we created and found good space, but we didn't give the opposition a chance all game. The players tried to implement what they work on in training throughout the fixture. We want to congratulate them on the win because we handled the game really well and kept our concentration. The score finished 3-0, with all goals being scored in the second half by Kaiden Cooke, Linden Puckey and Evan Smith.

U18 Coaches: Shaun Colley & Rhys Cooper

Sunday 28th August 2022

On the Sunday, our U12 played a mixed friendly fixture, whilst our U13 & U14 squads hosted Colwyn Bay FC at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium. Our U15, U16 & U19 squads travelled away down the coast to play the same opposition.

U13

AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON FC 4-0 COLWYN BAY FC

For 10 minutes as a group, we just couldn't get our passing game together - we looked very compact out of possession, but just couldn't get a foothold in the game. What you want in a scrappy moment, is a moment of quality. A goal from Nataniel Rakowiecki was just what we needed. A fantastic strike into the top corner. We thought that would settle us down, but although out of possession we were excellent, we needed to enjoy our own possession more, this will come through future training sessions and matches, but we did complete the half out without any problem. Detail was given at half way to impove the above and at the start of the 2nd half we settled down, played ourselves into the game and completely dominated for 30 minutes. We scored goals at the right time - a 1st time finish from Ben Roberts with a left foot volley, which was again a moment of quality in front of goal and 2 further strikes from Fin Hayes and Max Murray which were of high class. A very promising start for the U13's against competitive opposition.

U13 Coaches: Mike Phythian & Craig Sommerville

U14

AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON FC 3-1 COLWYN BAY FC

On a sunny Sunday afternoon the young wingmakers hosted Colwyn Bay. The boys started the game strong. Aiming to play the game in the opposition half and play attacking in and out of possession. They earned a commanding 3-0 lead coming in at the break with excellent goals from Alex Roberts, Jack Fox Cody and Callum McCulloch. The second half was a lot scrappier with the ball in the air and neither side controlling possession. Colwyn Bay grabbed a goal in the closing stages of the game, but overall, our Young Wingmakers were good value for their result.

U14 Coaches: Gareth Williams & Lee Starkey

U15

COLWYN BAY FC 1-1 AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON FC

In the end, the 15s will be disappointed after only coming away with a point from their game on Sunday. A depleted 15s dominated large periods of the first half, but wrong decision making in the final third meant we only took a one goal lead in at half time through Kenzie Pickles. The second half the lads took their foot off the gas and let Colwyn Bay back into the match, and they scored with really their only shot on target in the half. Initially, with a very depleted squad due to the bank holiday weekend, it looked a good point for the 15s, but reflecting on the match, it’s more like 2 points dropped after numerous missed chances.

U15 Coaches: Tom Adams & Dave Cunnah

U16

COLWYN BAY FC 5-3 AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON FC

The first competitive game for the U16s was a trip up the coast to Colwyn Bay. With 8 lads missing it was always going to be a tough one. After very much being on the front foot for most of the first half, we went in 1-1 at half time. Colwyn Bay took the lead early in second half and shortly adding to their lead to make it 3-1. Sam Fenny our goalkeeper playing outfield second half grabbed himself a goal and got us back into the game. CJ shortly after - stepped in with the ball, weaved in and out of three players to cross into Dan Semple to equalise. 3-3 and it was game on!! Unfortunately Colwyn Bay scored two in the last five minutes to take the three points. All in all, myself and Antonio were so proud of the lads application and efforts in very very tough circumstances.

U16 Coaches: Rhys Hewitt & Antonio Magalhaes.

U19

COLWYN BAY FC 1-6 AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON FC

Airbus made it back to back wins on the road with an excellent performance away at Colwyn Bay. Despite controlling early parts of the game it was The Seagulls who came closest to opening the scoring, striking the outside of the post on the counter attack. Airbus soon regained control and found themselves 1 up through man of the match Tyler McManus, whose energetic performance was the catalyst for The Wingmakers. Sam Baker doubled the lead 10 minutes later with the goal of the game following a well worked move. The Seagulls remained dangerous on the break and halved the deficit through Roberts’ strike before McManus doubled his tally for the day to restore the Wingmaker's two goal lead at the break. A dominant second half performance saw Airbus add further goals through Gordon and Knight before Sam Baker completed the scoring in the final minutes to cap off an excellent display.

U19 Coaches: Jay Roberts & Rhys Hewitt