Today marked the first pre season match ahead of the 2024/2025 season. The opponents were English side 1874 Northwich who compete in the Northern Premier division

The visitors won the kick and got us off playing left to right.

An early stoppage as a collision between Tyler McManus and the Northwich number two leaves the opponent on the floor.

As the two sides began to settle into the game the first chance came to Northwich from a long throw on the left flank floating into the centre of the box, but the header was tame and easy to claim for Keighan Jones.

This long throw continued to cause issues as K. Jones was forced into a punch and then immediately made to catch a header.

Some wonderful trickery came into display as Jordan Evans brought the ball down with his ankle and then took a small touch through the legs of the visitors right back.

We began to take a foothold on the game with some slick passes which allowed McManus to win a free kick on the edge of the box following a foul by the keeper but the effort from J. Evans was deflected for a corner.

Hopes were raised with a huge chance that went unpunished. K. Evans delivered an unreal curling ball over the entire visitors back line which was met by an equally impressive touch by Danny Warren. The number nine got his body in front of the centre half to prevent him getting a foot in. Unfortunately, his right footed effort is straight at the keeper and the follow up is blocked.

First change for the hosts as Mark Allen looked to get minutes in the legs changing K. Evans for Lewis Bebbington-Rogers with the young left back making a first appearance for the home side.

A ball in behind beat the 74’ back line once again as Edwards floated a ball to Davies but again the effort is tame as he tried to chip it over the keeper but didn’t get it through.

That chance would be the final action as the referee calls a close on the half with both sides getting valuable minutes in their legs in this 0-0 affair.

The second half saw a return to action for Cooke with Wisset making way for the winger.

There was a huge chance for the Wingmakers as Warren found himself with space to shimmy in the box and unleashed a powerful strike that was parried over the bar.

Another big chance went astray as we caught the visitor’s lacking numbers at the back. Collins ran through slipping Warren at the perfect time in a three on one but unfortunately an impressive low save kept the scores level.

More changes as Warren made way for Lancely and Davies switched for Baker.

Baker had an immediate impact as he turned his man and was afforded space to pick out a shot. As he delayed and released the ball it was too high to make a difference.

Baker continued to cause issues as he was superb from the moment he came on. He took on a man once again and played a one two with McManus which saw him one on one with the keeper, but his chipped attempt is saved.

And finally, the deadlock was broken, and it was again that man Baker. Good ball from McManus to J. Evans and the choice to delay the pass was the perfect one as Baker was allowed to beat the offside trap and slot across goal. 1-0 Airbus.

He was then almost able to steal a brace as Cooke pickpocketed the Northwich right back leaving a two on one for the hosts. It was played across to Baker, but another fantastic save kept the tie only one goal apart.

Allen decided to give the youth a run out in the final 10 with three youth academy products brought into the lineup.

As the final whistle blew at the end of the match, notably there were 11 Airbus academy graduates making up every player on the home side as they took a hard fought 1-0 victory which will hopefully be the norm as attention turned to Rhyl on Tuesday.