The run up to the start of the academy season continued this week with another busy week of football for our academy. Our 9’s and 11’s squads hosted Rhyl Academy on Saturday and the two games produced big wins, one for each club. Rhyl brought to the Airfield a very strong U9’s team and they proved too much for our young Wingmakers on the day and left the Airfield with a convincing win, although it was not entirely disappointing for the home team as they did produce some entertaining and good football throughout the game. It was a different story for our U11’s as they put in a comprehensive performance and came away with comfortable win. Coaches Mark Allen and Colin Parsonage were very pleased with the some of the combination football the lads played during the game. A number of players got themselves on the score sheet which included impressive goals from Kenzie Pickles, Rhys Evans and in particular Liam Bevan, however pick of the bunch was a bullet header from Joseph Harrison. Airbus looked composed in possession against a dogged , hard working Rhyl team who caught Airbus on the break a few times to create a number of chances themselves. M.o.m Liam Bevan.
The U14’s continued their impressive pre season with another win as they beat Chester side Blacon Youth 4-1. Goals from Josh Stennett and Brad Johnson in the first half and then Leo Branch and Jake Stalker in the second ensured the that despite not firing on all cylinders, the young wingmakers emerged victorious. The Sunday also saw our 13’s in action against Rhyl academy in an entertaining game which saw the visitors take the victory back up the coast with them. Airbus could not deal with the impressive Rhyl striker and the direct play in a game that showed our squad are still learning to adapt to 11 a side football and the bigger pitch. Last of our academy squads to play over the weekend were Jamie Crowther’s 16’s who hosted the Lakesiders, Bala Academy. In their best performance so far in their pre season preparations, some excellent attacking football produced goals from Finley Savage, Jack Kelly (2) and Connor Cox but most pleasing was keeping a clean sheet against a very good Bala side.
Both the Youth and Development squads were in action this week as the U19’s had their first game of the season in the Welsh Premier Development League against Llandudno academy who made the trip down the coast to visit the Airfield. However, it was the Youth who played first as they had a trip Friday night to play Brymbo FC in the NEWFA Premier division. The evening kick off time must not have agreed with the Airbus squad as a very lack lustre first half performance saw the score line 5-0 at the break to the home side. Airbus came out more determined in the second half which stopped the home team from scoring any more goals and although the wingmakers created a number of good chances they were unable to breach the home team’s goal and the score remained 5-0 at the final whistle. Sunday saw a reverse of the Youth team game for our 19’s as they came out all guns firing in the first half of their game against a good Llandudno which saw them take a 2 – 0 lead after a brace from striker George Peers and the lead increased early second half after midfielder Josh Wright scored with a long range shot. However, the 3-0 score line saw the Wingmakers relax and this allowed Llandudno back into the game which they took advantage of with two goals from a penalty and corner. A fourth goal for Airbus came from a set piece when Airbus center half Connor Hughes headed home powerfully and this looked to ease the pressure, however another converted penalty to Llandudno late on in the game made the final moments of the game nervy for the home side but they managed to see out the game to get their first win of the season.