Our third fixture against TNS this season, it’s always a tough game both technically and physically and we struggled to start quickly however we settled into the game and had some really good moments, most notably how we made a lot of overloads in the transition but we weren’t quite able to use them effectively. A big positive from the game was how well we pressed our opponents and didn’t allow them to have any time on the ball, we were able to prevent them from creating lots of chances like they did in the reverse fixture. We accept sometimes it can be difficult to use our offensive attributes against strong teams and that was replaced by the lads sticking to their defensive principles throughout.

Player of the match:

Iestyn Davies - He has really come out of his shell these last few weeks and was getting stuck in and trying to make things happen. He played with high intensity throughout and applied the coaching points we gave him really well.

Bobby Dean - Worked tirelessly, linking up and creating play for other team mates, showing his excellent passing ability with both feet breaking the lines through his opponents on several occasions.

We hosted TNS on grass pitches at the Airfield. Our young wingmakers had to play at pace & take advantage of 1v1 domination to gain success in a competitive close encounter. Great football on display by both teams. Well done everyone.

Players of week:

Kai Adams - Showed constant determination throughout leading the team in all aspects along with taking his quality chances.

Freddie Lewis - Showed composure within 1v1 situations in front of goal taking his many chances successfully.

U13

The weekend started with mixed age matches against Colorado Rapids with our U12 squad. The lads scored numerous goals throughout and it was a good opportunity for our player's to get 60 minutes game time. It is great that these matches enabled the entire U13 available outfield squad to play this weekend - it was a very worthwhile exercise as we are able to reflect on player performance with other coaches from within the club.

AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON U13 4 - 4 TNS U13

On Sunday - A match v TNS that went one way and then the other - and then back again. A fast start and we could have been 2 up in 5 minutes, but after the early chances the lads just didn't get to grips with the system out of possession that had been detailed. For 15 minutes we were 2nd best and got punished. Then it clicked and we got back into the game with 2 quick goals from Ben Roberts & Nataniel Rakowiecki. Both a TNS penalty and our 3rd goals could have been disallowed as the foul was outside the box for the TNS penalty and even our lads weren't sure if our 3rd from Jack Davies was over the line or not...but we'll take it. We were disappointed to concede a 4th goal unopposed from a corner but it was a good finish from the TNS lad and we then had more possession than TNS for 10 minutes and got our rewards after a great finish at the near post from Ben Roberts after great work out wide from Fin Hayes. We thought we were going to nick it with the last kick of the game with a decent chance, but it wasn’t to be, the score ended 4-4 - but overall an excellent 2nd half performance. We asked the lads for a reaction at half time - win the 2nd half - we certainly got it and was definitely one of the best 35 minute spells this season. Our press was correct, Bailey had very little to do in goal and we were solid out of possession. In training over the past week, we worked on being better in possession. We have been working on switching play to create overloads, creating a 2v1 out wide, ball across into the box - for the striker to apply the finish. Delighted to see that happen today with goals being scored. The lads were actively looking to stretch TNS which was great to see. Great support from the U13 squad over this weekend - well done everyone.

Player of the week:

Ben Roberts - Definitely Ben's best performance of the season so far. Played in 2 positions and scored goals in both, whilst showing excellent work rate throughout. Ben is developing well at the moment & is delivering goals on a regular basis - well done Ben.

U15

AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON 3 - 1 MISSISSIPPI RUSH UTD

TNS 7 - 4 AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON

The weekend started with an entertaining game vs American touring side Mississippi Rush United. The game was played in good spirits with Airbus dominating possession and chances in the first half but failing to convert any. It was a similar story in the second half, again Airbus creating a number of good chances and possession, but this time airbus made it count with Harry Jones netting 2, and Lloyd Robinson getting the third, topping off a good performance. Then onto Sundays match away to TNS which is always a difficult fixture. Airbus carried the good performance from Thursday's match into the start of this game, going toe to toe with TNS in the opening exchanges. Airbus took the lead from a brilliant finish from Warren Leech after a good counter attacking move. TNS levelled the game up before Airbus won a penalty, which was converted by Warren Leech. 2-1 up at half time, with Airbus being denied a second penalty too. TNS came flying out at the start of the seconds half, and managed to level the score. Airbus then retook the lead through Warren leech converting his hat trick, tapping home the ball as it came back off the bar. 3 minutes later Dan Davies added a fourth and a 2 goal margin, nothing more than Airbus had deserved! Unfortunately, we believe that the referee missed a clear handball in the build up to our opposition's third goal which got them back into the match. TNS added a fourth quickly after and the scores were level at 4-4. Bizarrely, the referee then pulled back play for a free kick 20 seconds after a foul had been committed. From this free kick, TNS took the lead. As Airbus were pushing for the equaliser, TNS scored 2 more in added time. This was a real low blow, the lads had worked incredibly hard all match, and deserved their lead. However, the lads can be incredibly proud of their efforts this week, and this has set the standards of what is required from the remaining games of this season and into next season.

Player of the week:

Harry Jones & Warren Leech - Hard to pick one across the two matches. Harry worked hard and linked play brilliantly in both matches, netting two goals on Thursday night. Warren again worked relentlessly on Sunday out of possession, and was rewarded with his hat trick of goals vs TNS.

U15 GIRLS

A tough morning at The Airfield for our U15s who came up against a much sharper @Brickfieldgfc on the day. Lots to learn & build on as we kick on with the rest of the season.

Scorers: Elise & Mollie

Players of the week: Mollie & Lilley

U18

AIRBUS RESERVES 0 - 3 TNS RESERVES

Saturday saw us play host to a TNS team who have been in some great form. The game started as we suspected it would and we had to concede a lot of possession and find our way in to the game minute by minute however very pleasingly we frustrated the opposition by being defensively structured behind the ball and made them find solutions to play. Huge moment mid way though the first half when the opposition found themselves one v one with our GK who managed to get enough on it to force him away from goal then Ben Holmes with a goal line clearance straight after - keeping the game even. However shortly after TNS take the lead 5 mins before the end of the half after Airbus successfully defend the first phase of the attack but fail to see the second phase and they score from a loose ball. The second half saw Airbus start reasonably well and we felt the game opened up a little for us. Chasing an equaliser left us a little exposed at the back and we conceded a second goal on the hour and quickly a third on seventy minutes. The game was not without our chances though. We created upwards of ten opportunities of our own in the final third but just couldn’t get it past the posts from both set pieces and in play. This is pleasing to see as it indicates our process and recent changes are working.

Player of the week:

Ben Holmes - Ben has has a run of good form recently and I had not gone unrecognised. His performance against a very good TNS was excellent and echo’s his great attitude and mentality on and off the pitch. Well done Ben. Keep up the good work!

U19

LLANDUDNO U19'S 0 - 0 AIRBUS U19'S

Sunday saw Airbus 19’s travel away to Llandudno (in Bangor). We knew from the moment we arrived we would be in a challenging game due to the facilities and pitch - nonetheless we prepared ourselves for battle. Playing on a tight small pitch, probably the smallest we have played on all season, it took us time to adapt to our usual style of football. The game started a little chaotically with neither team really getting a foothold in the game. Midway through the half, our quality started to show and we dominated the majority of the ball without any goals ending the first half honours even, frustrated we did not turn the ball in the net after creating several chances. In the second half we didn’t seem to really get going and struggled our way through the majority of the half. The match became a little like basketball at one stage, very end to end with both teams having opportunities to open the scoring. Game ended 0-0 with a flat finish to the game by our usual standards, but on the bright side, we kept our first clean sheet of the new year

Player of the match:

Jim McHarrie (GK) - Jim is a great keeper and was challenged more than most today. He lead the way and kept us in the game when we needed him most. Jim joined us in the transfer window in January and has been a very welcome addition to the group. Not for his cat like reflexes we would of surely suffered a defeat this afternoon, thank you Jim.