Airbus UK Broughton

The Airfield, home of Airbus UK Broughton based in Broughton, Flintshire, Wales and play their trade in the Welsh Premier League. Nicknamed the “Wingmakers” as it is based right next to Hawarden Airport and the Airbus Aerospace Factory.

This club was started as a team for the workers of the Airbus UK Aerospace Factory but has since gone to the big time. In 2013, this little club in North Wales reached the First Qualifying Round of the Europa League and did so twice more but failed to get past the first round on each occasion sadly. Tonight they face Bala Town who bowed out of the First Qualifying Round of the Europa Conference League to Sligo Rovers but only on Penalties whereas Airbus who have had a torrid start to the season with no manager sit bottom of the table… There could be goals tonight!

My 250th ground tonight so I’m branching out a bit! Straight from work, through the Peak District, onto the M56 and onto the M53 which sees me here and parked up with an hour to go before kick off. £8 to watch this Welsh Premier tie! Genius! It’s that time of the year where arriving early will give me some shots of the ground in the daylight and moonlight. Time goes by and finally out come the players, it’s time for my first taste of the Welsh Premier League! Brought to you live on S4C!

Kick Off! 4 minutes in and Bala get it out to the left wing, it’s crossed in and here’s Christopher Venables with the header… OH! Just over! He probably should be doing better there! Just over the roof of the net…

10 minutes now and Airbus play the ball back to the keeper who lumps it up field but only to Dave Edwards who plays it to Lassana Mendes and he plays it to Christopher Venables and it’s set up for him to volley… OFF THE POST!! Nearly a peach of a goal but it rolls away for a goal kick… Close!

2 minutes later and Bala are looking much the superior side here so far! They have it down the right wing with Mendes who plays it into the middle, Airbus head it down but only to Nathan Peate on the edge of the box who will shoot first time… It’s in! The Airbus defender can’t keep it out and Bala Town have a deserved lead here!! 0-1! Good strike! “BOOOOOO!” A group of young Airbus boys don’t like it!

“Airbus! Airbus!” Those boys behind the goal are rallying their team on now, can they get themselves going here tonight? 16 minutes on the clock and Bala come forward again, they have it on the left and in comes the cross, it’s VENABLES! Good save… But George Newell is there to poke home! A proper poachers goal! And Bala double their lead! 0-2!

32 minutes gone and Airbus give the ball away in their own half and Bala get it out left, it’s crossed in, it’s fallen beautifully for Lassana Mendes who takes a touch and shoots… NO! He’s missed… From just outside the 6 yard box… And how!!? That’s a massive opportunity there for Bala! What a chance!

42 minutes now and Bala continue to shine, they have it on the right wing, it’s crossed in, George Newell chests it down… And he finishes!! Really well taken goal! It is a case of how many are Bala going to score tonight… 0-3!

Right on half time and Bala have a corner, in it comes… Keeper gets a hand on it but it’s loose in the 6 yard box… It comes for Venables to poke towards goal… Oooooh! Off the line and out for another corner, in it comes again… Venables with the header… He gets his goal!! He finally scores!! It’s FOUR for Bala!! 0-4! That is how it will stay at half time.

A quick look at the bar for a latte and back and it is great to meet Mark who works as a steward here tonight!

Second half, Airbus are showing a little bit more fight this time around but Bala are looking comfortable.

It’s great to hear the stories of the club along with Chester FC formerly Chester City by Mark and plenty of good information about Welsh football with certain clubs stories and how the authorities are trying to raise attention to the league! The sort of story for the FANA Fan Podcast? I certainly hope so!

This second half is a real drag… It would be nice to see a plane take off… Oh hello!

It’s the 86th minute… Yes that half really was poor! But here come Bala with Kieran Smith, he tries to play it out left but it’s intercepted by Airbus who play it back… Oh no! It’s Adam Roscrow… He pokes it home! I think that sums up Airbus’ night… 0-5!!

89th minute and Bala battle for the ball on the right and they win it, it’s played across the middle and here’s George Newell for the tap in… And he gets it!! SIX OF THE BEST!! Bala Town have taken off here tonight!! 0-6!! Play goes on… And that is how it will finish!

FT: Airbus UK Broughton 0-6 Bala Town

Ratings

• Atmosphere: 2.5/10 – It was deafly silent at times but the young boys behind the goal were in good spirits at times despite their teams struggles.
• The Ground: 8/10 – I really like this ground! 2 good stands and a unique seating area where the tunnel is! The bar just outside is really nice as well! I’d say it’s a good National League North level ground for me but I just like the location of it all right next to an airport and Aerospace factory more than anything!
• Expense: 8/10 – £8 ticket, £3 pin badge and £40 in fuel. Was it worth it? Nearly! The game just lacked that bit of entertainment for me…
• Overall Experience: 9/10 – I really enjoyed tonight! My first taste of the Welsh Premier League was a good one and I will be back for more soon! The game was a bit flat at times especially in the second half but it was meeting Mark that made the night for me! Best part of the hobby strikes again!

27.5/40