Goalkeeper Ryan Neild saved a penalty in his first game since signing for Airbus UK Broughton as Andy Preece’s side came from behind to claim a 2-1 pre-season win at Chorley.

Following James Coates’ decision to end a three-year spell at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium and link up with Droylsden, Preece brought Neild in after he impressed on trial. The 20-year-old began his career in the Chester FC’s academy before spells at AFC Liverpool, FC Nomads of Connah’s Quay and Witton Albion.

Airbus, who take on Chester FC at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium on Wednesday evening, found themselves under pressure from the outset against National League North side Chorley at Victoria Park and conceded a penalty when an underhit back pass forced Neild to bring down Sefton Gonzales but his spot-kick was saved and the keeper did well to block Marcus Carver’s follow-up.

Summer signing Paul Connolly goes up for a header against Chorley
Summer signing Paul Connolly goes up for a header against Chorley

Gonzales made amends a few minutes later when he headed home from Matt Challoner’s wing cross to make it 1-0 to the hosts at the break althoug Neild again showed his quality with a smart save from a Will Beesley free-kick.

The Welsh Premier League side started to take control of the game after the break with Matty McGinn going close before trialist Jean-Charles Coly levelled with a 25-yard strike into the bottom corner.

And the Wingmakers got the winner when McGinn’s long range free-kick took a wicked deflection before finding the back of the net to secure their first pre-season victory.

Liam Blake fends off a defender during the Wingmakers' win at Chorley
Liam Blake fends off a defender during the Wingmakers' win at Chorley

Last week Preece’s team gave League Two visitors Colchester United a good run for their money before going down 3-2 in a pre-season fixture.

Airbus gave as good as they got in a competitive first-half and, after Neild had made an excellent save to keep the visitors at bay, Kevin Monteiro fired the hosts ahead with an angled drive past keeper Dillon Barnes.

Airbus keeper Ryan Neild gives the orders during the pre-season defeat to Colchester
Airbus keeper Ryan Neild gives the orders during the pre-season defeat to Colchester

But the lead last only seven minutes before Sammie Szmodics crossed from the byline for Chris Porter to turn home from close range.

Neild made another great save to keep the scoreline level at the break, but a raft of substitutions during the interval and second half disrupted the Airbus rhythm as Preece took the opportunity to look at several triallists.

Colchester started to dominate but, despite creating several chances, did not take the lead until around the hour mark when Brennan Dickenson set-up an opening for Kurtis Guthrie to convert.

Drey Wright added a third with a deflected shot, but one of the several Airbus triallists reduced the arrears in the final minute.

Ex-Chester duo Tony Gray and George Elokobi picture during the pre-season game between Airbus and Colchester
Ex-Chester duo Tony Gray and George Elokobi picture during the pre-season game between Airbus and Colchester