Following a fantastic 0-2 away win against the Seasiders on Saturday afternoon in the JD Cymru North, we take a look at three things we learnt from a game which saw the Bus rack up their tenth consecutive league triumph.

Wingmakers succeed with 10-men

The disciplinary record of Steve O’Shaughnessy’s side has been largely exemplary leading up to the crunch clash in Llandudno - Callum Humphries the only Airbus player to have been red-carded in the 2021/22 season for a late tackle in a convincing display against Prestatyn in late October.

With the game in the balance midway through the first half against the high-flying Seasiders, the tally of red cards received by the Wingmakers so far this campaign doubled. Referee Aaron Jones had no hesitation in dismissing Joe Palmer for a second bookable offence to offer Sean Eardley’s side impetus to go on and earn three points.

However, after a period of regrouping heading into half time, the Bus overcame adversity by producing an energetic, front foot performance in the second period despite being a man down.

Jake Eyre’s goal from the penalty spot and a late Oli Lanceley strike secured a spirited win meaning O’Shaughnessy’s troops remain unbeaten on the road in the league this term.

The Bus have become accustomed to inflicting high scoring defeats on opponents in many matches in the opening months of the season. An average of three goals scored per game in the first 13 league outings tells this story.

Ending a tough 90 minutes against a top Llandudno outfit with maximum points after competing for two thirds of the contest with 10-men, also showed how this Airbus side can stomach the fight when the going gets tough.

Solid defensive display rewarded

The Wingmakers have been defensively strong for much of the campaign to date. Only second placed Guilsfield have currently conceded less league goals.

An array of defensive talent at the club including summer arrivals Simon Spender and Gaz Edwards, the emergence of Elliott Orton from the academy, as well as top class goalkeeping performances by Lewis Dutton have helped facilitate this security at the back.

It’s surprising given all of this that the Bus had failed to keep a clean sheet before the battle with Llandudno since the end of August against Penrhyncoch.

An admirable grit, determination and will to defend from attack through to defence ensured a shut out against the joint third highest scorers in the Cymru North this season on Saturday afternoon.

Whilst goals haven’t been in short supply from the Airbus forwards since the season opener in July, keeping more clean sheets in matches to come will certainly aid title aspirations.

Hit and miss from the penalty spot

The top of the table clash at the OPS Wind Arena wasn’t short of drama. Racing out the blocks from the outset in the second 45 minutes was rewarded for the Bus in the early exchanges of the half.

Top scorer Adam Davies was impeded by Lee Thomas in the box and a penalty was awarded after a wicked Spender cross reaped havoc in the Llandudno defence. The in-form striker fired over from the spot in unfamiliar fashion. The last penalty the 25-year-old had taken was expertly converted in the derby day victory against Buckley Town last month.

Just 20 minutes later, with hopes dwindling of finding the target, a second penalty of the nail-biting encounter was given. Thomas was the guilty party once again; this time handling the ball following a looping cross into the area.

Eyre who was fresh off the bench after replacing George Peers was the man to step up on this occasion - taking over penalty duties from his strike partner. The 26-year-old who had already netted against the Seasiders in a tense JD Welsh Cup triumph earlier in the season, coolly wrapped home in a vital moment in a blockbuster match at the seaside.