Airbus UK Broughton return to action this weekend as boss Andy Preece looks to fine-tune ahead of the Welsh Premier League kick-off.
The Wingmakers have won their last two games 9-2 and 8-1 following successive victories over Conference North sides Stockport and AFC Fylde, and will be confident of more goals against Cymru Alliance side Caernarfon Town at the Airfield on Saturday (2.30pm).
Preece gave his squad a well-earned break following the demolition of Gresford Athletic two weeks ago, but will want his side to hit the ground running during the final preparations for his fourth season at the helm.
Former Chester FC striker Tony Gray, who signed from AFC Telford earlier this summer, bagged a brace in his last two outings and is now raring to go.
He told The Chronicle: “It’s been a good pre-season and I’m looking forward to the league starting now. It was good to have a bit of time of as it’s been pretty much non-stop with Europe, but I’ve settled in well and I’m ready to get going now.”
Preece has high hopes that Gray will form forge a potent partnership up top with tireless targetman Chris Budrys, who was superb in the Wingmakers’ Europa League games with Croatian side NK Lokomotiva Zagreb, and the early signs are promising.
Gray said: “I’ve played up front on my own in a couple of games, but I’ve enjoyed playing with Buds because he works so hard and he holds the ball up well, which takes defenders out of the game and creates space for me and others to attack.
“We’ve only played together a couple of times as he’s been injured, but it’s gone well so far and we’ve had a good pre-season as a team.”
He added: “We’ve had a good break now and will come back a bit more relaxed and refreshed for Saturday, and we can’t wait to get going for the new season.”
The Wingmakers start their WPL campaign at home to Carmarthen, and then face a trip to Bala on Bank Holiday Monday (both 2.30pm) before Nev Powell’s Bangor visit Broughton on Friday, September 4 (7.30pm).
Airbus have not yet made an announcement regarding a replacement for Preece’s former assistant manager Andy Morrison, who left the club last month.
