Wales U-19's 0-1 Northern Ireland U-19's

As admittance for this youth international friendly at Airbus UK's Airfield ground was free - despite the early 6:00 PM kick-off - it seemed too good an opportunity to miss to cast eye an over the future of Welsh and Nothern Irish football.

Five years ago I watched a Wales Under-16 team that included the then relatively unknown Gareth Bale and Chris Gunter in the full-back positions.

Since my last visit to the Broughton based Welsh Premier side in January the club has added a new seated stand behind one of the goals in attempt to gain their FAW Domestic Licence. Only a safety certificate issue with the local council appears to be preventing confirmation of their place in the 'Super 12' next season. Hopefully this will be resolved shortly.

On the field the Under-19's of Northern Ireland just had the edge over their Welsh counterparts with a late well-taken James Gray (Middlesbrough) goal the difference. The game was fairly even with some encouraging play from both sides. Daniel Alfei (Swansea), Kai Edwards (Wrexham) and Ryan Doble (Southampton) stood out for Wales while Jonathan Breeze (Wigan) dictated play in midfield for Northern Ireland.

Hopefully my match report and full team line-ups will feature in Issue 142 of Welsh Football Magazine - due out in June.

The current issue of Welsh Football Magazine (Issue 141) is out now and features a piece I have written on Wrexham FC and their progress, or lack of, under manager Dean Saunders.

See - http://www.welsh-football.net/

NEWFA Cup Final: Buckley Town 3-0 Airbus UK

The NEWFA Cup Final presented an opportunity to take a look at the Racecourse Ground following the end of Wrexham FC's season a couple of weeks ago.

As Media Officer for Buckley Town it was pleasing to see them lift the trophy following a dramatic game which saw them overcome a strong Airbus UK second string. Having missed an early penalty and then reduced to 10 men - with forward Neil Wynne taking over in goal for half an hour - it was even more remarkable that Buckley dominated the game and won 3-0 thanks to some excellent goals.

A full match report and more pictures can be found at http://www.buckleytownfc.com/

As for the Racecourse - developments are quickly starting to take shape, certainly the speed in which the flats are being built on the car park right next to the Yale Stand. Unfortunately they will overlook a pitch in its worst state for quite some time. Clearly the demands of top-flight Rugby League (Crusaders RL) and Blue Square Premier football are taking their toll. Its pock-marked, the white markings for both sports clash and are unclear, while the ball bobbles when passed along the ground.

Pitch apart, it was a great way to end the term from a Buckley Town perspective with some silverware and Cymru Alliance status assured - follwoing an enjoyable and entertaining season.

Airbus UK 2-3 Wrexham

With the snow and freezing temperatures over the last month causing postponement after postponement - from frozen to waterlogged pitches - many have been without their football fix since the festive season and in the case of Wrexham fans, well over a month.

The lack of games meant a trip to Broughton for this friendly between two familiar teams was a must. With Wrexham majorly under-achieving in the Blue Square Premier and Airbus going well in the Welsh Premier, it made for an intriguing clash. Wrexham did omit a few of their 'bigger name' players and much-heralded new signings but still brought a strong squad to the Airfield.

On a bitterly cold, damp evening it was the full-time professionals who made the early running. Matty Wolfenden headed home Wrexham's first goal nad not long after Wolfenden added a second to give the Dragons a 2-0 lead at half-time.

At the break the Airbus introduced ex-Wrexham midfielder Josh Johnson as a trialist on the right-hand side As the second period got underway the Trinidadian made an excellent impression, beating Wrexham's Sam Williamson on numerous occasions to provide good crosses. The flashes of pace and skill he displayed were similar to those during his time at the Racecourse but somehow he never could convince enough that he could earn a regular spot at the Racecourse.

Airbus upped their game considerably as Wrexham dropped off and were worth the two goals they pulled back through Niall Challinor and Tom Rowlands. A scrappy goal for James Owen - on trial from beleaguered neighbours Chester City - edged the win for Wrexham though in the second-half it was the Wingmakers who had played the better football.

While not quite the real thing, both Wrexham boss Dean Saunders and Airbus UK's Craig Harrison will have got something out of it - a fitness top-up at least.

For a friendly it was competitive and good value - with many fans just glad to be able to go and watch a game again.

Man of the Match: Luke Holden. The young wide player is on trial with Wrexham from Welsh Premier champions Rhyl. Recently returned from a loan spell at 'League 1' side Charlton Athletic, having played little football at The Valley, he did his hopes of a move to Wrexham no harm with his effort throughout the game. Showed the pace, skill, trickery and crossing ability so sorely lacking on Wrexham's left-hand side - and tried to make things happen all night, tracking back when required.

Airbus UK 2-0 Newtown

With many local games in the North Wales region falling to the weather over the last week it was a nice surprise to find that this Welsh Premier fixture at The Airfield was still on. That said the prospect of getting soaked seemed to have a negative effect on the attendance although the away turn-out was good.

Broughton based hosts Airbus UK are having a good season and ground improvements notwithstanding, look on course to be a part of the reduced Welsh Premier ‘Super 12’ next season.

The away side Newtown from mid-Wales are also hoping to continue in the top-flight. Their ground is one of the league’s more impressive and should have no problems gaining a Domestic Licence. However they have struggled to find consistency so far this season and are in the wrong half of the table, though manager Darren Ryan is considered one of the Premier’s brightest prospects.

Featuring in their line-up was 18 year-old Obi Anoruo on loan from Wrexham where he made an impression at the end of last season, grabbing a couple of goals showing pace and an eye for goal.

Conditions were dreadful with swirling wind and rain throughout the game really affecting the play.

The visitors looked very poor. The Wingmakers took control of the game and went close with a few pieces of magic from Marc Lloyd-Williams creating openings in the box but firing just wide.

The veteran marksman and the league’s all-time leading goalscorer provided the only real spark in a drab game.

When Newtown did have possession they looked toothless, unable to feed their front two, supply a telling cross or provide a decent final ball.

Anoruo hardly had a kick and was subbed half-way through the second-half. His lack of presence in the game owed more to the poor quality build-up play and lack of service from his team-mates than his own frustrated efforts.

Newtown were a goal down by half-time. An Airbus corner was cleared from the 6 yard-box where Carl Owen pounced to give the home side the lead in scrappy fashion. It was nothing less than they deserved though.

Into the second-half Newtown did raise their game a little bit but defensively Airbus were more than equal to their threat.

The game was put beyond doubt in the closing stages when the away side failed to clear their lines leading goalkeeper David Maguire to race off his line. With the ball falling to Airbus midfielder Danny Desormeaux though, Maguire had strayed too far and Desormeaux comfortably placed his shot around the ‘keeper to make it 2-0.

Airbus manager Craig Harrison will be the happier of the two managers, a polished performance from his team in form puts them firmly in the top-half of the table.

The main concern will be whether they receive a grant from the Football Trust in time to increase the seating available at the Airfield ready for next season.

For Newtown, manager Darren Ryan will be looking for a response from his side in effort and performance to show they are serious about staying in the top-flight. It would be a shame if Newtown were not a part of the Welsh Premier set-up next season.

Man of the Match: Danny Desormeaux. The Airbus midfielder worked hard in the engine room throughout game and his efforts were rewarded with his well-taken goal near the end.

Airbus UK 3-1 Haverfordwest County

An overcast afternoon spent in the shadow of the giant Airbus factory in Broughton, near Chester, provided the backdrop for my for my first taste of Welsh Premier action of this season.

The hosts Airbus UK are a well-run friendly club based within the grounds of the plane-making factory and runway. The Airfield is a welcoming little ground with a social club on one side and a covered, seated stand on the other.

The ‘Wingmakers’ aren’t big-hitters in Wales’s top flight but have held their own since promotion 5 years ago. Managed by former Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace midfielder Craig Harrison, notable amongst their ranks are the Welsh Premier’s all-time top goalscorer Marc Lloyd-Williams and ex-Wrexham goalkeeper Kristian Rogers.

The away side Haverfordwest had made a better start to the season under ex-Man.U defender Derek Brazil and are a solid Welsh Premier outfit.

The game began at a good tempo and as with a lot of part-time non-league football was end to end with plenty of committed challenges. Gradually the home side were on top and took the lead shortly before half-time.

The visitors’ otherwise excellent goalkeeper Lee Idzi spilled the ball when collecting it in an aerial challenge, only to see it fall to Carl Owen. The tall No.9 did the hard work in creating the angle to slot home.

Haverfordwest came out after the break visibly fired up and were back on terms almost immediately. A fierce Robbie Walters shot cannoned off the underside of the bar beating Rogers and landing just over the goal-line for the equaliser.

Airbus were still the better side though and regained the lead through Marc Lloyd-Williams. Controlling the ball on his chest in the area he found the space to turn and lash home one of his trademark goals to make it 2-1.

Lloyd-Williams then turned provider to wrap up the points sending over a cross for hard-working midfielder Matty Cook to volley the 3rd goal. Haverfordwest couldn’t complain, they were second best for much of the afternoon and created fewer chances.

It was the first win of the season for Airbus. With the top-flight restructuring next season meaning fewer teams involved, they stand as good a chance as any of making up the ‘Super 12’. Like most sides in the division they draw regular crowds of just a few hundred people but their facilities and on-field play could make the difference.

Haverfordwest should be in with a shout of making the cut too, but will have to improve their performances on this showing.


Man of the Match: Marc Lloyd-Williams. Still leading the league’s goalscoring charts at the age of 36, the veteran striker continues to show why he had spells in the Football League and is one of the most-feared strikers domestically. Diminutive and hard-working, he showed his class by scoring his 5th of the season and creating the assist for Cook’s goal.