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Airbus Academy Report – 15th-16th March 2025

Airbus Academy Report – 15th-16th March 2025

Michelle Griffiths19 Mar - 17:01

Games included Newtown AFC, Macclesfield Town, NFA and many more for our Young WingMakers

Airbus U8s – Newtown (A) & NFA (H)
U8’s v NFA - The Airbus Academy Under-8s delivered a stellar performance in Saturday’s game, making their mark as a formidable young team. The squad showcased not only their exceptional talent but also their impressive teamwork, discipline, and passion for the sport. For a team of such a young age category, their composure on the field mirrored that of seasoned players, and it left opposition coaches thoroughly impressed.

From the first whistle, the team’s determination was evident. Their precise passing, solid defence, and fluid attacking movements were a joy to watch. The midfield displayed great command of the game, dictating the pace and maintaining possession, while the forwards capitalized on every opportunity with skilful finishes. Likewise, the goalkeeper played a pivotal role, making crucial saves.

What truly set the Airbus Academy U8s up for a good performance was that every player contributed meaningfully to the game, and their communication on the field reflected hours of dedication in training. The coaches are delighted to see the young Wingmakers grasping the tactical awareness and confidence in these budding footballers, allowing them to shine on the pitch.

The young Wingmakers saw moments of brilliant individual displays, including dazzling dribbles, well-timed tackles, and some clinical goals. Despite their young age, the players demonstrated great composure under pressure, especially during crucial moments.
This fantastic performance is a testament to the hard work the Airbus Academy puts into developing the next generation of talent. Saturday’s match not only highlighted the potential of these players but also hinted at an exciting future for them, should they continue their development with the same passion and commitment.

Victory wasn’t just about the goals or the result but about the way the young players carried themselves throughout the game, representing their academy with pride and determination. Games like these prove that young teams like Airbus Academy U8s have a bright future in the sport. Well done boys.

Man of the match - Oliver Loftus, outstanding in midfield and out on the wing.

Airbus U9s – Newtown (A)
U9’s travelled to Newtown on Saturday morning. After a long journey down the lads started a little slow with some of our passes and decisions not being as they would be normally.
However as the game went on the lads really started to show how good they were with some great teamwork and individual skill to score a couple of great goals and produce a great result.

With only 1 sub all players came off very tired but happy with the performance they had put in. Well done all.

U9’s players of the week
Harry Jarvis - Harry has been superb for weeks now but put in another fantastic performance against Newtown on Saturday. Playing a more defensive position for parts of the game he was superb at keeping the opposition out and then attacking with pace and power when on the ball. Well done Harry

Aston Jones - Aston has had a fantastic week with the academy working hard in training and producing some outstanding performances against both Vauxhalls and Newtown at different formats of the game. Aston has shown his creativity on the ball as well as his toughness without the ball. He’s always ready to learn and plays with a smile on his face. Well done Aston

Airbus U10s – Newtown (A)
Another good week for the Airbus U10s squad!
Our aim this week was to defend from the front with a high press to stop the opposition from playing out from the back – which we were superb at!

The first game saw us dominate from start to finish. Some excellent goals and 1v1 duels both in attack and defence. We managed to utilise the pace of Tristan up top to put him away 1v1 which led to many chances in the final 1/3. A dominant game!

Second game the challenge to the boys was to keep a clean sheet and leave Newtown having not conceded a goal. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case. We failed to take our own chances in the final 1/3 and by pushing to find a winner, left ourselves open for a counter attack which the opposition took advantage of. On another day, we score our chances. Lots of positives to take and what a run we’re currently on!

MoM – Roux
Roux did exactly what I asked off the lads, PRESS! Roux won the ball in Newtown’s half a number of times and caused lots of danger down the left-hand side, creating a number of chances in the process!
Roll on next Saturday

Airbus U11s – Newtown (A)
The U11’s travelled down to Newtown on Saturday. We only had 7 players available so it was a tough ask of the lads to play the full 60 minutes without subs. The performance from everyone was absolutely brilliant, pressing from the front, playing out from the back, work rate and togetherness as a team was outstanding. As their coach I was proud of them all and made the long journey home a lot easier.

MOM- I could name 7 MOM’s as everyone was brilliant but William Houghton in midfield, covered everywhere on the pitch and set the standards. Brilliant Will, well done

Airbus U12s – Macclesfield Select U13S (A)
Airbus Soar in First 11v11 Match

Airbus U12 took a confident step into the 11-a-side format with an impressive display against Macclesfield Select U13. Despite being a year younger on average, Airbus dominated the game from start to finish, showcasing excellent control and teamwork.
The match was a good experience for the boys as they adapted seamlessly to the larger pitch and more dynamic style of play. Airbus capitalized on their dominance by scoring numerous goals, with standout performances all over the pitch.

The build-up play from the team throughout the game was very pleasing for the coaches, as it showed plenty of the work that they had done in training that week.

M.O.M. Olly Moore, earned the Man of the Match after netting four goals. His clinical finishing and tireless effort epitomized the team’s performance.

Airbus U13s – Newtown (A)
The Airbus Academy Under-13s showcased incredible resilience and determination to secure a fantastic 4-2 victory after initially going 2-0 down in their weekend clash. The match was a true testament to the team’s fighting spirit and ability to bounce back under pressure.

The young Wingmakers started well dominating the early exchanges.

Newtown took full advantage of a mistake and scored against the run of play 1-0. This created a challenging scenario for Airbus.
Airbus U13s lost some of their initial composure, and tried a little too hard to turn things around.

After regrouping at half time the 13’s conceded a second goal 2-0 , after this setback Airbus began to find their rhythm. Smart passing, cohesive team play, and an injection of energy saw them wrestle control of the midfield. The breakthrough came for Airbus when a well-timed run and precise finish from Dafydd Edwards cut the deficit to 2-1. This goal gave the team a much-needed boost.

Airbus now playing with renewed confidence and intensity were determined to mount a comeback. Their equalizer came shortly after thanks to an Arthur Williams goal from a set piece. With the game now level at 2-2, the momentum had firmly shifted in Airbus’s favour.

The third goal for Airbus highlighted their excellent quick teamwork. A ball from Will Rishworth carved through Newtown’s defence, allowing Harry Williams to calmly slot the ball home, making it 3-2. Newtown tried to respond, but the Airbus defence, led by some outstanding performances at the back, held firm, while the goalkeeper produced a couple of crucial saves to ensure their lead remained intact.

As the match neared its conclusion, Airbus added a fourth goal from Leo Killick assisted by Fynley Wardle to seal the victory. It was a brilliant counter-attacking move that showcased both their tactical awareness and their clinical edge in front of goal. The final whistle blew shortly afterwards confirming their 4-2 comeback win.

This victory was not just about the score line but about the character and grit the U13s displayed on the pitch. Coming back from a 2-0 deficit is no easy feat, but Airbus’s young stars proved their mettle, fighting for every ball and demonstrating their never-say-die attitude. It was a proud moment for the coaches to see the boys put into practice what we discussed at half time to stay focused and believe in themselves.

Such a performance will surely serve as a confidence booster for the Airbus U13s as they continue their campaign. It’s a reminder of their potential and the greatness they can achieve when they play with unity, determination, and passion. This team is certainly one to keep an eye on for the future!

Man of the match Connor Williams , worked tirelessly in defence and set up plenty of attacks.

Airbus U14s – Newtown (A)
The Under 14s secured a vital victory against Newtown in a thrilling encounter, with Harry Williams’ decisive goal sealing the three points for the Wingmakers.

The match began with Airbus seizing the momentum early on. In the 15th minute, Jack Hardstaff opened the scoring, giving the visitors an early 1-0 lead. Airbus doubled their advantage in the 31st minute when Lucas Braisdell clinically headed home from a well-delivered Joseph Farrell corner, leaving Newtown two goals adrift.

However, Newtown found a lifeline just before the break, pulling a goal back to end the first half at 1-2. This marked a shift in momentum, and Newtown carried their renewed energy into the second half.

Only five minutes after the restart, Newtown equalized in dramatic fashion. A close-range effort was initially unclear, but after much deliberation, the referee ruled that the ball had crossed the line. This controversial decision brought the score to 2-2 and reinvigorated the home crowd.

The decisive moment came with 20 minutes remaining. As Newtown attempted to play out from the back, Harry Williams intercepted a misplaced pass and made no mistake, slotting the ball into the net to make it 3-2 for Airbus. Despite Newtown’s efforts to salvage a point, the Wingmakers’ defence held firm, ensuring they emerged victorious.

The win for Airbus cements an impressive performance, both collectively and on an individual level. Overall, Airbus showed great composure and tactical discipline throughout the game, especially in those key moments that can often decide matches. Their ability to capitalize on mistakes and maintain control under pressure was truly commendable. Taking all three points at Latham Park, where Newtown are typically strong, is no small feat and speaks volumes about their quality as a team. It’s the kind of performance that can bolster confidence moving forward.

Man of the match: Justin Newton’s performance between the posts was nothing short of exceptional. As Airbus’s goalkeeper, he played a pivotal role in securing the victory, pulling off crucial saves that kept Newtown at bay during high-pressure moments. His command of the box and quick reflexes undoubtedly made him a standout player and a worthy recipient of the Man of the Match accolade. Performances like his are often the difference between winning and losing!

Airbus U15s – Newtown (H) & South Carolina (H)
Airbus hosted Newtown early Sunday morning
Airbus started pretty slowly and the opposition jumped on the slow start and punished us in the first 10 minutes. Settling in to the game and taking a bit of control but not taking our chances in the final third came to punish us as Newtown scored 3 goals in 4 minutes through individual errors. First Half 4-0 Newtown

Second half the young Wingmakers started the better of the two teams and really took hold of the game. Struggling to finish in the final third the visitors kept their lead
In comfortable control we get our rewards through a free kick on 67’ through Rhys Inerson. Looking in more control and moving the ball well we just couldn’t score. Missing at one end then the opposition went straight down the other end and scored just topped off a tough week for the 15’s. Final score Newtown 5-1

Player of the week goes to Nataniel Rakowiecki. Nati has trained well this week and held the ball up well at times bringing his wide player in to the game on more than one occasion. Well done Nati

A clear, cold and still night at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium as we welcomed our opponents from South Carolina USA.

It was always going to be a tough game physicality wise as we were playing much older players but the lads were excellent in the 1st half in their defensive shape with Jake Pendlebury and Ben Roberts executing their press well. Dylan Cusato and Alex Mossman screened the solid defensive trio of Alfie Neal, Evan Roberts & Sam Ibbitson meaning there was little to do for GK Jack Booth. It was a tight affair and with very few clear-cut chances made the game was 0-0 @ half time.

We started the 2nd half well and looked to be better in possession. Thus we made a couple of chances and looked to take the game to our opponents.

We scored an excellent opening goal when we switched play from right back through our GK Bailey Davies & our back line out to Jack Davies on the left hand side, he found Jake Pendlebury who played an inch perfect pass through to Max Murray who struck the ball into the bottom left hand corner. A goal that had our trademark all over it.

We then went through 1v1 soon after but unfortunately missed the target from 6 yards out. A big moment in the game.

That led to a scruffy 15 minutes where we switched off and made a couple of decisions that enabled our opponents to take control of the game and score 3 goals. The physical side of the game was becoming difficult and the lads needed to show character.

They certainly showed this and from a quickly taken corner Nataniel Rakowiecki received played a 1-2 with Max Murray and struck the ball into the top corner – another excellent goal.

We peppered the opposition goal in the final stages but just couldn’t get the equaliser as the game ended 2-3.

Player of the week: Max Murray – An excellent performance in 2 positions from Max. A goal and an assist against older physical defenders. He showed excellent awareness out of possession and looked to make forward runs when we were counter attacking. Well done Max.

Airbus U16s – Newtown (H)
The lads started off well v Newtown with 5 x U15 players in the squad. We had a few early half chances with Stanley Edwards, Kacper Bury & Harri Phythian all going close.

We opened the scoring when Harri Phythian latched on to a loose pass to slot home neatly in the bottom corner.

Defensively we dealt with what Newtown threw at us and it was 1-0 @ half time to the young Wingmakers.

Both sides had chances in the 2nd half with Nataniel Rakowiecki being put through by Harri Phythian & Frankie Axon striking the ball well on receiving a pass from Harri again.

We unfortunately got caught when Newtown played a good ball in from the left and it was 1-1.

We then went through and unfortunately didn’t take our excellent chance to make it 2-1 in our favour. Fine margins but this was a big moment in the game as in the last few moments of the game a couple of defensive errors saw Newtown take the spoils on the day. The lads deserved more but on the day needed to be better in both boxes.

Player of the week: Harri Phythian – An excellent performance from Harri both in and out of possession today. He made numerous opportunities for others and bagged himself a goal with a fine finish.

Airbus U19s – Newtown (H)
Airbus hosted Newtown u19’s on Sunday afternoon

Starting the better of the two teams Airbus started the game with real purpose which was rewarded on the 4’ as Hugh Holland set Dan Semple for his first of the game. In total control Dan returned the compliment and set Hugh Holland on 20’ then Hugh set Dan on 22’ to make it 3-0 quite early on. Looking in complete control creating chance after chance unable to punish any further HT 3-0 Airbus

Second half started really strongly for the young Airbus men and the resumed control of the game. Again creating multiple chances but unable to score more goals eventually on 63’ Ieuan Jones Wellstead sets Franek Sadczuk to make it 4-0. We probably could have been a few more goals up but controlling the game and a real mature performance from the lads was a solid Sunday. Final score 4-1 Airbus

Player of the week goes to Franek Sadczuk who has trained really well and played really well too. His efforts Sunday didn’t go unnoticed and he is finding some really good form. Well done Franny

Airbus U17s Girls – Llanrwst (A)
It was a sunny but brisk morning in Llanrwst.

On the grass pitch this morning.

The visitors went to play 10 v 10 and kept one player off as sub as the hosts had a player short .

The visitors started very slowly today and were fortunate to take the lead after 4 minutes with an angled finish after Lucy being put through by Guinnie. Then 6 minutes later after a fast run down the right-wing Olivia cut it back for Guinnie to slot home .

The visitors should have had more goals in that period but were frustrated by the stubborn hosts who battled to keep the visitors at bay .

It was a frustrating time for the visitors as they struggled to keep their passing game under control.

That is how the game ended at halftime and after a good talking to at half time the intensity of the press improved at the start of the second half ,which led to two quick fire goals from Olivia.

The first from the intensive press applied by her which caused a mistake and she took full advantage.

The second she was put through on goal by a defence splitting pass by Grace .
The hosts continued to battle upset the football of the visitors and won a free kick on the edge of the box ,it was a good strike but appeared to go straight through one of Airbus players which beat the keeper and nestled into the far corner.

This seemed to spark a reaction from the visitors and Freya played herself through and followed it up and calmly stroked it home. After the hosts putting a bit of pressure on the defence of the visitors that was how it finished.

Goals coming from Lucy V, Guinnie, Freya P and Olivia N

Player of the week - Olivia N for her tireless running up and down the wing to create the second goal, then once switched to Centre Forward she used that pace to create a great press on the hosts defence and scored two quick goals after half time .

Further reading