It was a busy weekend for our youngest academy squad who firstly travelled to Everton FC to play a couple of games against their academy development squads. The young wingmakers did extremely well on the night as they came away with two victories 5-0 and 6-0. Man of the matches were Alex and Oscar who has also been invited in to Everton for a trial. Saturday saw them playing Flint Town U8’s at the Airfield. Straight from the start, the lads continued their form from the previous night and got another convincing win 8-0. Goals from Max, Tom, Sam and Alex (5). Man of the match went to Sam Griffiths.
It was a week off for the rest of our foundation squads so the only other team to play Saturday were the Youth team who travelled to Brymbo to Play Borras Park in the NEWFA Premier League. It was not a good start for Airbus as within the first minute, unconvincing defending allowed the Borras striker through on goal and finish cooly. However this did not deter the Wingmakers as they started to produce some excellent football and they got their rewards when Stu McHarrie headed in the equaliser after 15 minutes. Airbus continued to produce some very entertaining attacking football and it was not long later when we took the lead after a good move down the right hand flank saw Will Mullock drive into the box and produce a low cut back cross which Stu McHarrie met and drove the ball low and hard passed the Borras keeper for his second in the game. Airbus were now controlling the game and looking to take the lead into the half time but five minutes before the break Borras put the scoreline back level with an absolute fantastic strike from 30 yds that beat Keeper Tom Lewney to rocket in off the crossbar. This lifted the home side and they came out for the second half rejuvenated and they extended their lead 15 minutes into the period with another good goal as a Borras substitute acrobatically volleyed into the net. Airbus continued to try and get themselves back into the game but did not really threaten the Borras keeper and with 15 mins left the game was put to bed when another defensive mixup let the Borras striker in to get a fourth and final goal of the game.
Sunday saw our 12’s play Cefn Druids at the Airfield in their first game of the championship phase of fixtures. The result of 1-2 to the visitors was a tough one to take for the lads as they started the game extremely well and scored the opening goal in the first few minutes with an excellent move. Druids found themselves level after Airbus got caught looking to play out from the back and they went on from this to take the lead just before half time after some excellent pressing play. Airbus were unlucky not to score in the second half but Druids defended well throughout, whilst also looking dangerous on the counter and they eventually saw the game out.
The U14s were involved in an enthralling match as they kicked off their super 6 campaign with a2-2 draw at home to Bala Town. It was a pulsating affair between two very good sides at this age group. Bala went in front in the first half after a tidy finish from their winger, but Airbus pegged them back immediately as Bradley Johnson fired in a free kick to equalise. The second half was as competitive as the first with both teams creating chances with Airbus’s Ellis Haldon coming close from another set piece. However it was Bala who went in front for the second time after a defensive mix up allowed the striker the easiest of tap ins. Again it was Bradley Johnson to the rescue for the Wingmakers as he hit a stunning low strike to make it 2-2. Both teams battled for the winner and created chances but none were taken as they game finished level. Overall a positive start and an excellent result against a very good Bala side.
The U16’s were also in Academy cup super 6 fixture action against Bala Town and our boys were in excellent form as they came out convincing 6-0 winners. It was a professional performance from Jamie Crowther’s squad as they were very clinical in front of goal and defended well when Bala put pressure on. A hatrick from Lucas Smith earned him the M.O.M whilst the other goals came from Connor Cox [2] and Mike Watkins.
Sunday also saw our 13’s and 15’s with fixtures against Llandudno academy. The 15s were not as free flowing as in recent games but still did enough to continue their good run and win the game 2-0. Theo Jenks-Gilbert got both goals with two excellent finishes, the first a powerful volley into the roof of the net and the second a great strike from 20yds after a clever Cruyff turn to evade defender. The 13’s also continued their good from as they returned home with a 2-2 tie.
Last up for the weekend were the U19’s development squad with a Welsh FA Youth cup tie at home to Aberystwyth Town. The Wingmakers started the game well against the side that won the 19’s development league national title last season and went into the half time with the score still at 0-0. However just after the game resumed in the second half, Aber took the lead when they scored from a corner routine and from this point they went onto dominate the game and go 4-0 up. A consolation goal for Airbus came in the 93 minute as Connor Randall finished from an Airbus set piece.