Gresford Athletic suffered a defeat to league leaders Airbus UK Broughton away on matchday 15 of the 2024/25 JD Cymru North.

The game began with both teams battling well, as Gresford Athletic proved solid in defence against a potent Airbus UK Broughton attack.

However, in the 25th minute, The Wingmakers did find the breakthrough, with Sam Baker collecting a fantastic ball forward from Joe Palmer and then slipping it home past Lewis Dutton.

Lewis Dutton then made a good save in the 34th minute to deny a dangerous effort from Airbus UK Broughton.

In the 41st minute, Dave Forbes somehow didn't grab the equaliser, firing the ball towards the net from close range, with Airbus UK Broughton's Keighan Jones making an excellent double save.

The teams went in at half time with Airbus UK Broughton taking the 1-0 lead, but Gresford Athletic were certainly not out of the game.

The second half began and it was The Wingmakers who struck first, with Sam Baker finding his second goal of the game, running through The Colliers' defence to make it one-on-one with Lewis Dutton and slot the ball into the goal.

Neither team had any real clear cut chances throughout the majority of the second 45 minutes, with Gresford Athletic doing well to defend against Airbus UK Broughton's attacks.

However, in the 86th minute, Dave Forbes almost found a goal for the second time in the game, taking the ball beyond Keighan Jones in the Airbus UK Broughton net to have a clear shot on goal, only for Sam Rickett to get there in time to clear it off the line.

Then, just moments later, Dave Forbes was shown a second yellow card in the 89th minute for dissent, being sent off and leaving Gresford Athletic down to 10 men for the remaining few minutes.

The game finished at 2-0, with Airbus UK Broughton taking the points, but Gresford Athletic can have some pride on a battling performance against the top team in the league.

Airbus UK Broughton

Starting XI: K. Jones (GK), K. Evans, Dougherty (Stevenson - 67'), Palmer (C), Rickett, J. Evans, Peers (Semple - 87'), Collins (Jones-Wellstead - 67'), Baker, Lanceley (H. Jones - 87'), Williams

Goalscorers: Baker (x2)

Yellow cards: Dougherty

Subs not used: Fenney (GK), Wood, Davies

Gresford Athletic

Starting XI: Dutton (GK), A. Smith (Buxton - 66'), Orton, Nelson, Watkin, Griffiths (C), Johnson (Ormrod - 77'), Mann, ap Gareth (Gallagher-Keenan - 66'), Edge (Deacon - 77'), Forbes

Yellow cards: Forbes

Red cards: Forbes

Subs not used: Kelly (GK), J. Smith, Oliver

Match Officials

Referee: Aled Williams

Assistant Referees: Jake Smith, Katie Hannah