173 days ago when Airbus left the Richmond Park pitch, jubilant after recording a first away victory of a challenging campaign, nobody could have predicted that would be the Wingmakers last taste of match action for five months.
Whilst a return to training in recent weeks has resembled some sense of normality returning at the Airfield, the wait continues for the new season to begin.
For Captain Steve Tomassen, the wait is as frustrating as it is for everyone. However, the defender is delighted to be back with a group of players eager to battle for a return to the Welsh top-flight at the first attempt. The determination to achieve this goal is fuelled by the overwhelming sense of injustice within the club regarding the decision surrounding relegation last term.
“It’s been six months pretty much since we last kicked a ball so it’s been tough,” Tomassen explained.
“The way it ended last season wasn’t great because we’d just come into a bit of form after beating Carmarthen away, but everyone is in the same boat.
“It’s good to be out there with some new faces who have started bright and sharp. I’m just waiting to hear when we can start playing again because we’re all rearing to go and can’t wait to get going.
“We want to put a good shift in this year because of how it ended last year. We’ve got to get back to match fitness in the next couple of weeks and then when we get the green light-we’ll be ready.”
Despite there being an undoubted crop of excellent talent acquired by manager Steve O’Shaughnessy to bolster the squad, Tomassen is also aware of the value of more established members in the team who have experienced promotion previously.
The Skipper does recognise however, the quality of teams’ competing in the division which makes the race for top spot far from straightforward.
“There’s a couple of lads like myself, Ryan (Edwards), Platty (Kristian Platt), Dave (Roberts), Brady (McGilloway) and Joe Palmer who have won it before. We know what it’s going to take because it’s going to be a difficult year.
“You’ve got the likes of Prestatyn, Bangor and Colwyn Bay who are all fighting for that one promotion space, but we know what we’ve got to do and that is to perform on a Saturday.”
A series of injuries and suspensions hindered Airbus’ chances in games throughout 19/20. The 26-year-old suffered his fair share of set-backs which limited his time on the grass. He is hoping to avoid injury going forward and rectify the disappointments of the recent past.
“I probably never played as many games as I would have liked to. I missed some of the big games throughout the season. I’ve got a lot of making up to do with some of the other lads because we let ourselves down last year.”
Joe Sargent – Airbus Media
