March 13 Congratulations to Steve Benyon on receiving his award last night.
Congratulations to Steve Benyon who was last night
honoured as Flintshire Sports Volunteer of the Year at the Flintshire Sports
Personality of the Year Awards at Theatre Clwyd. The accolade is a fitting
tribute to Steve who has made a great contribution to local football in the
area over the last 20 years, and his contribution to Airbus UK FC has been
immense. I would echo Steve's comment that Marie also deserves a share of
the recognition and I would like to give them both my sincere
congratulations and thanks for all they do at the club.
The club itself also made the final shortlist as Community Club of the Year
although we were piped at the post, and also hard luck to Julia Thomas from the
Sports and Social Club who was runner up as
Female Sports Personality of the Year.
News by Paul McKinlay.
.
March 13 Airbus UK Broughton Reserves dispatch Bala in the cup.
Another terrific reserves performance with a 3-0
away win at Bala in the quarter final of the North East Wales FA Cup.
Team: 3-5-2
Chris Doran - Jack Rowlands, Mark Heneghan, Matthew Wintle - Tom Povey,
Seam Killgannon, Jack Challinor, Damian Wilkins, George Cowell - Paul McManus,
Gary McConnell.
Subs: (none used) : Mark Atkinson, Jamie Meacock, Scott Skeen.
The lads put in a terrific disciplined performance, superbly skippered by Chris 'The Cat' Doran.
Bala started the game strongly and the first 20 mins put us under pressure, but
with Jack 'the taxi' Rowlands marshalling the defence superbly, and Heneghan and
Wintle in great form we rode the storm.
As the half progressed, the pace of Gary Mc and Paul McManus started to
prove a real threat, and after being denied an absolute stonewall penalty, Damien Wilkins
put us 1 up with a tremendous volley, his first goal away
from the airfield.
The game remained in the balance until half time, although we did have another
Tom Povey volley disallowed.
The second half performance was though an absolute credit to the club, and one
which was a real tribute to the boss and new Flintshire Sports Volunteer of the
Year Steve Benyon. We were quite simply unstoppable - the lead was soon doubled
with a bullet header from Gary McConnell, and after we had 2 more strong penalty
appeals turned down, Damian Wilkins beat 6 players in a mazy run before being
stopped by the last defender, but the loose ball broke to Sean Killgannon who
lashed in rocket from 25 yards, the ball sticking in the stanchion in the top
corner! Sean kept up his record of scoring on every appearance this season. Paul
McManus, who was superb on the day, had several other good chances, and Gary
McConnell who covered every blade of grass on the pitch, could also have added
to the tally.
It was though a great all round performance, and we look forward to see whether
we draw Buckley, Chirk or Lex in the semi - final.
Report by Paul McKinlay.
.
March 6
Chirk AAA 0-6 Airbus UK Broughton
Reserves
An excellent result for reserves
today with a 6-0 away win at Chirk AAA who had been in a
good run of form. An outstanding team performance, with a
hat trick from Gary McConnell, and one each from Niall
Challinor, Sean Killgannon and Craig Mayers. On a heavy
and bumpy pitch the team started superbly and were 3-0
ahead inside 25 mins, with Jack Challinor orchestrating
midfield and Gary McConnell's pace really testing the
Chirk defence. Playing in a 3-5-2 formation with Damian
Wilkins pushing on to support the 2 strikers, we always
looked like adding to the tally in the second half, and
the score was doubled despite us missing a host of
chances. Sean Killgannon kept up his record of scoring in
each game since he signed for the club, and Gary completed
his hat-trick with a well taken penalty. Damian had an
excellent second half, but again failed to break his "away
day drought". Matty (Twink) Wintle and Mark
Heneghan (in shiny new boots!) were superb at the back. The team now face another 3 week
break from league action , with 2 consecutive cup quarter
finals to come, but we went back to the top of the league
tonight following the win. Team was: Chris Doran - Matthew Wintle, Mark
Heneghan, Tom Povey - Craig Mayers, Sean Killgannon, Jack
Challinor, Damian Wilkins, George Cowell - Niall
Challinor, Gary McConnell. Subs: Jamie Meacock (for Craig
Mayers after 20 mins due to injury), Daniel Calvert (for
Tom Povey after 65 mins) and Paul McKinlay (not used)
Paul McKinlay
March 6
Reserves go back top
The reserves had a great win 6-0 away at Chirk AAA, and in
doing so completed a league double which has seen the team
score 10 goals without reply. We now move back to the
top of the table heading Hawarden by a point. More on
today's game to follow.
February 27
Reserves beat Acrefair in Horace Wynn
cup
The reserves had a great win 4-3 away at Acrefair from
Division 1 (after extra time) in the Horace Wynne Cup. We
are now into the quarter final with an away trip to either
Coedpoeth or Ruthin. Looks likely to be an exciting end to
the season all round, with us top in the league and into 2
1/4 finals. Game today was a very good one. We led 1
nil early with a goal from Scott Skeen before being pegged
back to 1-1 at half time, and then going 2-1 behind before
Mark Heneghan equalised late from 1 yard ( with a
miskick). We quickly took the lead in extra time through
Sean Killgannon before being pegged back again , but Scott
Skeen was on hand to strike the winner with a great finish
2 mins from the end of extra time. It was a great result
considering we were without 7 players either cup tied or
injured, and also lost young Reece Nash early in the game
with a recurrent ankle injury. Brett Davies came on as a half time substitute, and Craig Mayers
played his first game after a 3 month trip to Asia, and
played well considering he played in 3 different positions
during the game due to injuries forcing reorganisations.
The victory was also notable for a solid performance in
goal from the "veteran veteran" Wilton Evans.
Paul McKinlay was on the subs bench and we were not playing well, so the Manager Steve Benyon, made the crucial decision to
put Paul on to sort out the midfield, this he did showing all his experience, and we went from a team that was playing poorly to a team that took control of
the match with Paul dominating the midfield. The winning goal did indeed come from Paul McKinlay he was supposed to be sitting in centre midfield breaking the
play up and allowing others to push on, but he decided to take things into his own hands and made a tremendous run playing one twos with several players and
then delivering a great cross to Scott Skeen who duly scored his second and the match winner, Paul certainly changed the game."
Not many club Chairman can copy that ;) On the
league front, Lex X1 took advantage of our cup game to go
top of the table with a 3-0 home win over Coedpoeth, they
hold a point lead but have played 2 games more. Poor ole
Penycae made it 17 defeats from 17 games when they lost
3-1 at home Rhos Aelwyd. Hawarden missed out on going top,
had they won at Chirk AAA they would have been top of the
table, but they were on the wrong end of a 6-2 defeat.
Paul McKinlay
& Tony
February 21
Reserves progress in NEWFA cup
The reserves fielded a strong mix of reserves and first team
squad players and managed a narrow 2-1 win over Venture from
the Welsh National League Prem in the North East Wales
FA Cup. The game was a tetchy affair, with a number of
bookings and Venture having a man sent off after 40 mins
for a "haymaker" punch on Gareth Sudlow, who had to have
stitches as a result. Overall though we controlled the
game, James Macintosh scoring shortly after half time with
a glancing header, and immediately after Venture had
equalised with 10 mins to go, Damian Wilkins scored the
winner with a 25 yard pile driver into the top corner.
Rhys Roberts was a superb man of the match at centre half
alongside Jack Rowlands. We now travel to Bala for the
quarter final
on Sat 13 March. Team line up: (3-5-2)
Chris Doran,
Jack Rowlands, Gareth Sudlow, Rhys Roberts,
Josh Johnson, Tom Povey, Damian Wilkins, Josh
Parry, George Cowell, Gary McConnell, James McIntosh.
Subs : Mark
Heneghan( 40 mins for Sudlow), Jack Challinor(65
mins for Tom Povey)and Niall Challinor (Not used)
Paul McKinlay
February 7
Reserves held at Rhos
Airbus Reserves
drew 2-2 at Rhos Aelwyd, twice coming from behind with 2
goals from debutant Sean Killgannon. On an awful heavy
pitch ( it was the first time Aelwyd had played at home
since early Nov due to snow and waterlogging) the boys
struggled to get their normal passing game going. The game
was playing in thick fog, which at points in the second
half made it difficult to see one end of the pitch from
the other!! Our lead at the top has been cut to 1
point, with Hawarden winning at home against Llangollen
2-1, but the team everyone is watching over their
shoulders are Bala Town, who are just 5 points off the top
but with 4 games in hand. The reverse fixture against Aelwyd
is now likely to be played next Sat at the airfield.
January 30
Reserves move clear in league
Airbus Reserves move 3 points clear
at the top of the table following today's
win. The Reserves ran out comfortable 4-0 winners at
home against Chirk AAA.
January 25
Reserves beat New Brighton Villa in Horace Wynn cup
After a six
week lay-off due to the severe winter weather, the
reserves returned to action with a great 3-1 home win
against WNL Div 1 Villa. Despite being without 8 regular
starters due to them being cup-tied after appearing in
various games for the first team in the Loosemores Cup,
the patched up reserves gave an assured performance,
particularly playing in a new 5-3-2 formation and with 3
academy players in the team.
With 17 yr old Dominic
Williams looking assured at sweeper, the home goal was
rarely threatened and the lads secured a comfortable win
with goals from an excellent Scott Skeen, who partnered
goal scoring debutant
Damien Wilkinsupfront.
Sandwiched in between goals
from the new strike partnership was a good strike from
Academy juniors Reece Nash, Jamie Meacock and Lee Powell
were excellent, along with an all action performance from
the evergreen veteran Karl Atkinson who moved into
midfield from his usual centre-half berth. It gives Steve
Benyon and Paul McKinlay a massive selection dilemma for
the return to league action on
30th Jan.
Paul McKinlay
January 30
Reserves beat New Brighton Villa in Horace Wynn cup
Airbus Reserves move 3
points clear at the top of the table following today's
win. The Reserves ran out comfortable 4-0 winners at
home against Chirk AAA.
December
9
Airbus comfortable against Holt in NEWFA cup
The reserves played this fixture which
is a competition in which we could play our first team,
but as the fixture clashed with the away game at Neath,
the reserves took the game.
The reserves came away with a superb 4-1
win against the Div 1 side on a terrible mud-bath of a
pitch. With
Josh Parry dominating midfield, the side quickly
took a 3-0 lead with goals from Niall Challinor, his 23rd
of his debut season in senior football, followed by George
Cowell and young sixteen year old Reece Nash. Debutant
Daniel Calvert added a fourth in the second half to cap a
superb team performance, which was also notable for an
assured goalkeeping performance from veteran Wilton Evans.
The draw for the next round has seen us
get a home tie against Venture Community, which was
scheduled to be played on
13th Feb, but has been postponed as
Venture are playing in the Welsh Trophy (new date to be
arranged).
Paul McKinlay
December
8
Airbus Reserves crash land at Castell
Airbus UK came down to earth with a bump and they were
sunk 3-2 at Castell Alun Colts who were on target through
Dave Edwards, Damian Wilkins and Dave Bullough. Netting
the Wingmakers two goal reply was Gary McConnell.
Next weekend we are away to Holt in the NEWFA Challenge
cup.
November
30
Reserves 4 points clear at the top
Airbus Reserves are now 4 points
clear at the top of the table following their 6-0 home win
over Gresford Ath at the Airfield. Next up for the team
is an away trip to play Castell AC who the team beat 8-0
only a couple of weeks ago.
November
16
Reserves go top of the table
Wingmakers Reserves sit on top of the Reserve table 3
points clear of Ruthin Town in 2nd place following an 8-0 win over
Castell AC. We now not only top the table on points but we also top the
goal scoring table as well with 54 goals from our 13 games.
In a bad weather affected league program,
only 2 games survived the bad weather. Our 8-0 demolition
of Castell and Chirk AAA's 6-1 win over Rhos Aelwyd.
Airbus UK Broughton Reserves were held to a
goalless draw at the Airfield in a top of the table clash, the draw
see's us drop to 4th place, as Lex X11 wallop Penycae 11-1 to move up to
3rd.
Airbus
Reserves came away from The Ring with all 3 points following their
comfortable 7-1 win over Llay Welfare. Victory in the league pushes the
Reserves up to 4th on 19 points. Next up is a home game at the Airfield
against bottom and pointless side Borras Park Albion. There was only one
other game in the Reserve league and that turned into a rout as Lex X1 beat
CastelllAC 6-1 to remain in 3rd place.AC 6-1 to remain in 3rd place.
October
5
Airbus Reserves exit
league cup
The Reserves were beaten at
home on Saturday in the Reserve division league cup, Lex X1 Reserves had
better luck against Airbus than their first team. And their 2-1 success over
Airbus see's them progress into the next round.
Next up for the Reserves is
an away trip to face Llay Welfare in the league next Saturday, when the team
will be aiming to claim their first double of the season, having beaten Llay
6-1 in the league in August.
September 20 Airbus draw with
Druids
The Reserves played out a 1-1
draw away with Elements Cefn Druids, a result that see's the team remain in
2nd place in the table. Though it is tight at the top, only 3 points
separate Airbus in 2nd and Hawarden in 7th.
Table toppers Ruthin Town
maintain top spot with a 8-0 home demolition of Llay Welfare, and have now
built up a 4 point gap at the top.
The Reserves had a good 3-1
win away to Penycae, Gaffer Steve said it was a great all round performance
by the team. Airbus scorers were Niall Challinor with a penalty, Gary
McConnell and Andy Stockton.
The win pushes Airbus back
up to 2nd place 3 points behind Bala Town who were 5-2 winners over
Coedpoeth Utd.
September
7 Airbus Reserves lose
at Lex
The Reserves lost their 2nd
game of the season when they were beaten by Lex X1 on Saturday.
Lex's win saw them move to
2nd in the table behind leader Rhos Aelwyd.
Next Saturday we are on the
road again when we play Penycae who are pointless following 5 league defeats
on the trot.
August
31 Reserves make short
work with victory over Druids
Following defeat last time
out to Hawarden, the Reserves made no mistake in taking the 3 points against
Druids at the Airfield.
Niall Challinor was a
hat-trick goal hero on the night and Andy Stockton added a brace, Druids did
manage to score one to make it 5-1 to Airbus.
Next up for Airbus are 2
away games against Lex X1 on Saturday 5th and then Penycae on Saturday
September 12th.
August
28 Reserves lose first
game of the season
In mid-week the Reserves
were away to Hawarden Rangers, and the Reserves tasted defeat in the league for
the first time this season.
Even though they lost they
still head the division as one of four clubs on nine points.
We we be looking to get
back to winning ways at the Airfield on Saturday when Elements Cefn Druids
will be the visitors.
August
23 Reserves Llay siege
to Welfare
On wed 19th august we played LLAY WELFARE at Airbus 6 of the players in the
squad represented the first team in the Loosemores cup the previous night away
to Prestatyn, they were Tom Povey Andrew Stockton, Gary McConnell, Nail Challinor, George Cowell, and Jack Challinor.
The first half belonged to Niall Challinor where he scored the first 4 goals the best of which was a left footed strike where he cut into the area from the
left and unleashed a rocket which hit the side of one post and hit the net on the other side of the goal.
George Cowell got on the score sheet after some great work from Gary McConnell taking on the left back and cutting in to fire a hard low cross to the far post
for George to side foot home.
the final and 6th goal was scored by captain Dan Stanton
with a 25 yard drive into the roof of the net.
Final score Airbus 6 Llay 1
Steve Benyon
August
16 Reserves get off to
a winning start
The Reserves got off to a winning start to the new season putting 5 goals
past visitors Penycae without reply.
Yesterday we played Penycae
in our first fixture, it was a great performance by the lads with five 16
year olds all starting for the first time this season.
Danny Stanton ran the
midfield, Karl Atkinson ruled the defence and striker Gary McConnell scored
a hat-trick.
Mark Atkinson scored in the
40th minute after good link up play from Stanton to Jack Challinor who then
played the ball out wide to Mark Atkinson who hit a 35 yard rocket into the
back of the net.
Niall Challinor made up
with the 5th goal of the day. One of the 16 year olds has gone with the
first team today to Llanelli (George Cowell) the young left back made his
first team debut when we played Bethesda in a recent friendly.
Steve Benyon
July 27 Reserves kick off
with 5 games in August
The Airbus Reserves have a
busy 2 week period in the 2nd half of August, they play 5 games in 14 days
as the league games kick off on Saturday the 15th, and our first opponents
of the new season are Penycae who make the first visit to the Airfield.
Four days later on the 19th
we welcome Llay Welfare to the Airfield (which is a 6:15 pm kick off) then 3
more games before the end of the month. The first game in September is away
to Lex 1X, those are the only 6 games the league have announced so far for
the new season.
