Airbus UK Broughton 2-3 Everton - July 18th
Double the normal
home game crowd watched Airbus Broughton FC put on a spirited performance
against Everton in a pre-season warm-up.
Airbus employees cheered on the home team and were joined by Everton
supporters who swelled the ranks of supporters to nearly 570. Players James
McIntosh and Gareth Sudlow both work for Airbus, as does the team’s
assistant manager Andrew Thomas. The Wingmakers were narrowly defeated 2-3 as
they came unstuck to the Toffees’ mixed bag of youth players and potential
new signings for the first team.
| Pictures
from the Everton game 1-4 (Click picture to see enlarged
version) |
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The home side were leading 1-0 with Ryan Edwards scoring a penalty after a
foul inside the box. In the second half, the Wingmakers were trailing 3-1 when
Mark Allen came back with a well taken goal.
Airbus Broughton FC secretary Phil Bailey said attracting a premier league
team to Airbus was a massive coup, and a great opportunity to see one of the
best-run teams in the UK in action close up.
| Pictures
from the Everton game 5-8 (Click picture to see enlarged
version) |
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“We pulled out all the stops to get this game and a lot of people from the
factory turned up to watch,” said Phil.
“Our lads stepped up to the mark and when Ryan Edwards sent the keeper the
wrong way and won the penalty it was pretty exciting.
“The Everton players are full-time and some of their lads are giants. The
fact that the game was so close shows how good the Airbus team is.”
Phil said for him, the best Airbus team player was midfielder Danny Desormeaux.
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Pictures
from the Everton game 9-12 (Click picture to see enlarged
version) |
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Rob Lythe, Broughton Facilities leader and fundraiser for the club, said:
“Considering the potential of the Everton side, Airbus played really well
and gave the visitors a close game. It was an entertaining match and it was
great to see so many Everton supporters come along to watch. Both the Airbus
team and the improved facilities were looking in good shape for the up and
coming campaign.”
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Pictures
from the Everton game 13-16 (Click picture to see enlarged
version) |
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Everton’s reserve team manager, Andy Holden, said just before the match:
“We are looking forward to playing Airbus. I am aware of the strength of the
Welsh Premier League and I am sure that it will be a good test for our young
players. We’ve played teams from that area many times before and they’ve
always been good contests, which is just what we want at this stage of our
preparation.”
The match was arranged by Airbus Broughton manager Craig Harrison, a former
Middlesborough and Crystal Palace player, and Everton manager David Moyes.
They were both on the management team at Preston.
The Wingmakers now look forward to a local derby against Chester before the
season starts in earnest. They finished 13th in the Welsh Premiership and need
to improve their performance this season if they are to stake a claim in the
new Welsh Super 12 League in 2010.
Report by Roger Wasley
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