On Saturday morning the U10s travelled down to Newtown to take part in the FAW competitive football festival. We won 3 games, drew 2 and lost 1. Only conceding 3 goals (2 penalties) all festival. Really proud of all our players today with only having 7 players available. The wingmakers worked really hard out of possession, by protecting the goal and forcing their opponents out wide. Our keeper produced some great saves when called upon. While in possession playing the ball into pockets of space creating chances which led to success in front of goal. Really pleased with the whole teams effort.

Player of the week:

Lucas Lovell - Lucas has worked really hard at training the past few weeks which continued into the FAW Festival. It was a progressional and comfortable display from Lucas at the back. He won all of his 1v1 duels and showed some intelligent positioning and movement throughout the festival.

U12

AIRBUS 5-2 C Q NOMADS

At a very windy Airfield the U12’s welcomed Connahs Quay Nomads. After two defeats earlier in the season, we were hoping to improve after working hard in training. C’quay opened the scoring in the first 2 minutes before the boys had even settled, however we quickly recovered and created several chances against the wind before an excellent equaliser from Harry Williams on 16 mins brought us level. C’quay took the lead again with a breakaway goal on 27 minutes and it stayed 2-1 to C’quay at half time. At half time we had a really positive team talk and the lads were determined to win the second half. Fast out of the traps, we equalised on 46 minutes with a goal from Connor Williams then took the lead 2 minutes later with a second goal from Harry Williams. The game ebbed and flowed before we extended our lead on 66 minutes with a goal by Arthur Williams from a Harry Williams corner. Finally an excellent through ball from Harry Pae controlled on the turn and smashed into the top corner from Frank Jones making the final score 5-2 to the young wingmakers - Well done boys.

Player of the week:

Harry Williams - Playing with confidence and determination.

U13

C Q NOMADS 1-4 AIRBUS

The under 13s produced their best performance of the season, resulting in a 4-1 victory over the title-challenging CQ Nomads. An overnight coach journey back from Austria, leaving London at 4am, and leaving Nottingham at 6am, wouldn’t normally be considered the best preparation for derby day. However, such challenges did not seem to bother the young Wingmakers as they arrived for their early kick-off. They started brightly, enjoying the majority of the ball in the early stages. Jack Mitchell dominating the centre of the pitch, even when outnumbered. Airbus moved the ball well and limited touches where necessary to help increase the speed of their attack. Stanley Dowridge and Noah Al-dulayymi were linking up well down the right and on 24 minutes, it was Al-dulayymi who showed some of his magic to find Jack Melia, who in-turn found captain Alfie Edwards who fired his team into the lead. However, the goal seemed to spark the home team into life and they were back level moments later. At half-time it was honours even, but the visitors knew that they deserved more and were determined to go out and get what they deserved in the second half. Their intentions were clear and only 5 minutes in their lead was restored. Again, Al-dulayymi’s magic feet created an opening and a delightful cross found the onrushing Edwards who guided the ball back past the ‘keeper into the bottom corner. 2-1 to the visitors. Airbus’ new-look core defence with Lucas Braisdell and Piotr Wlodarczyk in-front of Charlie Tonge as been the fulcrum of their change in recent fortunes and today was going to be no different. On 55 minutes, Edwards turned provider. This time crossing the ball and finding Joseph Farrell, who executed an excellent header to extend the lead. 3-1 Airbus. Two minutes later, Farrell also switched to provider as he set up Melia to wrap up the scoring and ensure Airbus took all of the points. The home side did finish the game strong but Tonge, supported by Braisdell, Wlodarczyk and Myles McElmeel were definitely not going to be beaten.

Player of the week:

Alfie Edwards - Has settled in well in his new more advanced role. Excellent work rate, two goals and some of his link play was outstanding.

U14

AIRBUS 3-2 C Q NOMADS

We had a game plan and thought we executed it well against the howling wind in the 1st half as in the main Nomads rarely caused us any issues. They were always going to have moments with such an advantage, but overall, Evan Roberts, Rhys Ineson and Alfie Neal were strong as a 3 with Dylan Cusato & Alex Mossman screening well in front. Our only issue was that we struggled to support Harri Edwards quickly enough in forward areas when he took up a number of good positions when we were in the final phase. We played out well from the back against a high press confidently today, Caiden Baker-Williams had a lot of joy on the right and we were impressed how brave our midfield lads were on the ball. We were delighted with the goal that we scored when we were on top as our training topic for the week was breaking lines. We played out from Bailey Davies in goal and after a number of 1 and 2 touch passes which were played and received with excellent detail, we got our rewards with Fin Hayes breaking forward & scoring his 3rd goal in the last 2 league games. 2nd half we knew we wouldn't have it all our own way as we expected a reaction from Nomads. Our intensity as a unit dropped for a period though and thus we went 1-2 down because at times we didn’t cover our distances and let the opposition back into the game. We also can't forget the save that Bailey Davies made 1v1 to keep us in the game...fine margins. We did have a couple of half chances with Josh Banks finding space on the left & Nataniel Rakowiecki striking well from 18 yards out. However, great resilience was shown by the lads. They all showed belief and we started to play ourselves back into the game after a few tweaks. Fin Hayes & Max Murray showed great energy in centre midfield with Jake Pendlebury & Fin Geary taking up good forward positions. Evan Roberts then scored directly from the 1st phase of a corner from a tempting in-swinging ball from Jack Davies. He himself then went on to score a good winner after reacting well in the box assisted by Harri Edwards. The lads defended well in the final moments, kept the ball well in the opposition half and ensured they were successful on the day.

Player of the week:

Alfie Neal - Alfie had a great game. Probably his best performance of the season so far. He missed nothing in defensive areas and moved the ball well when in possession. Well done Alfie.

U15

AIRBUS 1-4 C Q NOMADS

The U15s hosted Connah’s Quay Nomads to the Airfield on Sunday. The boys were challenged to a new formation that really enabled them to play their possession play and move the ball well. Once settled the boys were great in possession and moved the ball well in to the final third. They were excellently organised out of possession and dealt with transitions quickly and effectively. Just lacking that cutting edge in the final third that could have had them ahead at the break with the score at 0-0. The second half the visitors, as predicted, changed shape and were fast out the blocks scoring two goals within 7 minutes. A habit the boys will address. The boys then settled and were dangerous in possession scoring a great goal and creating chances to come back to 2-2. With the wingmakers pressing for the equaliser Nomads delivered a sucker punch to go 3-1 ahead and right at the end scored a 4th. Final score 4-1.

Player of the week:

Aiden Armbruster - Played well all game, was excellent both in and out of possession and was key to our quick switching of play.

U16

C Q NOMADS 1-3 AIRBUS

On Sunday we travelled to Connahs Quay Nomads looking to get back to winning ways after a defeat last time out. The lads started very slowly and were a goal down after 3 minutes. We eventually woke up and got ourselves into the game, with the half finishing 1-0 with Nomads having the better chances. In the second half, Airbus rallied, played higher and dominated large parts of the half. Airbus drew level on 55th minute through Harry William’s’ half volley, striking the up right on the way in after good work from Josh Edwards. The Airbus dominance continued and we got ourselves in front 8 minutes later after Warren Leech tapped home from a Lloyd Robinson cross. Airbus saw out some late pressure with Harris Albiston adding a third to top off a good second half display.

Player of the week:

Josh Edwards - Led by example driving the team forwards and dominating the midfield area, especially in the second half!

U19

C Q NOMADS 3-1 AIRBUS

Sunday saw the 19’s travel to Connah’s Quay. Nomads started the brighter of the two teams and were rewarded for efforts early with the opener in the early minutes of the game taking the lead. Airbus soon took control and created chance after chance eventually being rewarded with the equaliser through Williams Gordon on 36’ assisted by Dan Collins. Airbus created plenty of chances but just couldn’t capitalise whilst on top. Half time 1-1 Second half saw Nomads start the better of the two again. With a slight change of shape they caused us some problems and were rewarded mid way through the half from an Airbus mistake gifting them their second goal. Chasing the game Airbus created more and more chances including a 1v1 with the keeper which we could not put away. Then the inevitable happened when you chase a game, the opposition score on a counter attack finishing the game 3-1 Nomads.

Player of the week:

Will Gordon - Will has scored some important goals in the last few weeks adding more to his already very impressive qualities. Will is always reliable and can read a game well. Will leads by example in training and remains positive in the face of adversity. Well done skipper.

U17 Girls

It was a difficult game for the girls today for different reasons. We only started with 9 players as Northop Hall had reduced numbers and we reduced the size of the pitch as one goalmouth was waterlogged. As the game begun the opposition struggled to get it past the Airbus midfield and Sophie pounced on a chance and put it away. The girls started to knock the ball around nicely and controlling the game. Olivia was released down the wing and crossed nicely for Freya to eventually tuck away nicely and then 7 minutes later the same duo combined this time Freya timed her run perfectly to finish brilliantly on the run. It was just 5 minutes later that Anna Owen slipped a ball through to Freya to finish to complete her hat trick in 12 minutes. Olivia then caught a defender in possession and quickly punished her. Abbey replaced Freya and continued in the same vein with Anna O slipping her in to finish. Northop Hall never gave up and kept battling but the girls were knocking the ball through Lilley and her distribution was on song today finding the players out wide. Half time came after Northop Hall losing another player through injury and we had to lose another player. The second half started in much the same way with Abbey playing in the opposite winger and Olivia calmly despatching. Then came a magical moment for a player who has spent 6 seasons at Airbus without scoring. That is because she normally plays full back but playing striker she not only scored her first goal but the second came along 3 minutes later. Kiera picked up possession with 30 yds out drove forward and hit a strike which left the keeper no chance. Ellie S then slipped a ball through to the on rushing Abbey who unleashed a curling effort in to the far corner. Then from about 40 yards out Ellie S picked it up and drilled a strike which arrowed in. It was soon after that the another player went down injured for the hosts and that meant that the game had to be finished early. This was a game that meant we now go into the last home game of the season wanting to be runners up in a U17’s league with predominantly U16 players.

Player of week:

Rubie Bennett - Scored her first goals after playing full back for 6 seasons.