Gresford Athletic put in a good shift, but the new year began with a defeat against Airbus UK Broughton at home on matchday 16 of the 2023/24 JD Cymru North.

The game started with Airbus UK Broughton taking a very early advantage, with Joe Palmer smashing the ball into the top corner in spectacular fashion in the seventh minute to open the scoring.

Mike Jones was called upon in the 18th minute and pulled off a fantastic save to deny Airbus UK Broughton a second goal.

The Wingmakers continued to pile on the pressure and almost made it 2-0 in the 23rd minute, but the ball was fired over the crossbar.

Gresford Athletic did have their fair share of chances, though, and in the 25th minute, Toby Gallagher-Keenan did superbly to dribble with the ball and play it to Paul Johsnon, whose shot fell to the feet of Charlie Mann, but the final effort cannot quite squeeze into the bottom corner.

Captain Joshua Griffiths looked for the equaliser when he fired from long range, but the ball went over the crossbar in the 42nd minute.

Nathan Williams did well to whip the ball into the box in the 43rd minute, looking for Toby Gallagher-Keenan to tap the ball into the net, but he can't reach it and Airbus UK Broughton's Keighan Jones collects just before the half time whistle blew.

Gresford Athletic continued to look for an equaliser at the start of the second half, with Alex Buxton doing brilliantly to dribble the ball through the Airbus UK Broughton midfield and play the ball through to Toby Gallagher-Keenan, but his shot went just wide of the post.

Despite chances from Gresford Athletic, it was Airbus UK Broughton who scored, doubling their lead through James Davies' header in the 61st minute.

Then, an error from the Gresford Athletic defence allowed The Wingmakers to push through on goal and score a third, with James Davies bagging a brace in the 67th minute.

The Colliers continued to fight back, however, and in the 69th minute, it was Alex Buxton who once again made a great run with the ball down the right side and put in a good cross to find Simon Smith, but his effort was blocked by the Airbus UK Broughton defence.

Haci Ozlu and substitute Charley Edge had some great play in the 73rd minute, before the latter having a good curling effort that was met with a fantastic save from Airbus UK Broughton goalkeeper Keighan Jones.

Then, Keighan Jones made yet another good save, pushing Charley Edge's powerful shot onto the post in the 75th minute.

Airbus UK Broughton retained the 3-0 lead up until the full time whislte and, whilst Gresford Athletic can have pride in their battling performance, the new year started in defeat for The Colliers.

Alex Buxton was voted as Gresford Athletic Man of the Match, putting in a real shift and a good performance, despite the result.

Gresford Athletic

Starting XI: Jones (GK), J. Smith (Killilea - 73'), Bennett (Hesp - 81'), Williams, Buxton, Griffiths (C), Johnson, Mann (Edge - 57'), S. Smith (R. Reynolds - 73'), Ozlu (Spridgeon - 81'), Gallagher-Keenan

Subs not used: Wakefield

Airbus UK Broughton

Starting XI: Jones (GK), K. Evans (Baker - 82'), Tomassen (C), Palmer (Gordon - 74'), J. Evans, Peers, Cooke (Grogan - 82'), Orton, McManus, Lanceley (Lindfield - 72'), Davies

Goalscorers: Davies (x2), Palmer

Subs not used: Dutton (GK), Knight

Match Officials

Referee: Huw Jones

Assistant Referees: Connah Sears, Simon McCormick