Wingmakers end title winning JD Cymru North season with goalless draw at Guilsfield

The Wingmakers were held to a goalless draw at the Cloys Mytton Stadium in the final match of the 2021-22 campaign.

In a game of few chances, George Peers came closest to grabbing the win, but he saw his penalty saved in the first half by Michael Jones.

After defeat against Holywell Town one week ago – a game were lots of changes were made - Steve O’Shaughnessy picked a line-up that included more of the big-hitters who have featured consistently this term.

Gaz and Ryan Edwards both started, and Beau Cornish also returned in midfield to make his last appearance for the Bus before the end of his loan spell from The New Saints.

It was the hosts who started fastest. Lewis Dutton was called into action to deny Iwan Lewis from range. The 20-year-old tipped the midfielder’s powerful hit around the post to safety.

A front three of Nathan Brown, Oli Lanceley and Peers were causing problems for the Guils defence. Jay Crowther picked out the forwards on multiple occasions with long-raking passes, but it was proving difficult to manufacture any real goalscoring opportunities.

In the 24th minute, Guilsfield came inches away from a breakthrough. An enticing low cross from out wide ricocheted off the shin of G.Edwards and rebounded off the post to the defender’s relief.

O’Shaughnessy’s men established a foothold of proceedings after Guilsfield nearly benefitted from this good fortune. On a tricky surface, Airbus were playing through the thirds and making use of Steve Tomassen’s excellent long-throws.

In the 37th minute, the Bus had a golden chance to take the lead. Peers was fouled in the box and stepped up to take the penalty. Jones pulled off a wonderful stop to keep the scores level heading into the break.

Just five minutes after the restart, the Wingmakers once again had the intervention of the woodwork to thank. Chris Cathrall’s shot from distance looked to be heading for the top corner but struck the crossbar.

Dutton made two more eye-catching stops – adding to his save in the first – to preserve his clean sheet. And with the Bus also struggling to find a cutting edge up top, Jake Eyre was introduced from the bench in an attempt to inspire victory.

But despite dominating possession for large periods in the latter stages, Guils held firm to keep Airbus at bay. The deployment of a low block made it tough to find space in and around the area.

There was a scare for the Bus when Tomassen clashed knees minutes with an opponent minutes from time. While the captain walked off the pitch, he was replaced by Callum Humphries due to the problem. The centre-back slotted in seamlessly to clear a couple of Guilsfield set-pieces before full time.

The curtain has now come down on the season for the Bus. It would have been nice to end it with three points, but the main thing is that we will be playing JD Cymru Premier football again from August.