Latest news with #RickChapman
Leader Live
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Holyhead are the visitors for early season leaders Airbus
The Wingmakers sit pretty at the head of the rankings on the back of a 3-0 opening day victory, however this was then followed by a 7-1 reverse away to the Saints in the Welsh League Cup. Asked if it would be difficult to pick the players up after that defeat, assistant boss Rick Chapman told the club's YouTube channel: 'No, I think it's a free hit. I think... anyone who faces TNS in the cup... you know they have to be not quite at it and you have to be full tilt to get anything. 'So, I don't think we ever came here with the expectations that we were going to really dictate the game, or whatever. 'We knew it was going to be this. So, we sort of come out of this, going 'right, what do we learn? What are the positives we take out of this? And how do we improve that?'.' Looking ahead to tomorrow's encounter at home to newly promoted Holyhead Hotspur, Chapman added: 'These were smart and they're coming out of Europe. 'We have to go, you know, home. First home game of the season against Holyhead and show them that, that we're smart and that we're going to do to Holyhead, or put a performance in against Holyhead, like the performance they (The New Saints) put in against us. 'So, no, I don't think there's anyone in there that's too down about it.' Sam Baker grabbed the Airbus goal in that cup loss, becoming the club's second goalscorer of the season. The other is George Peers, who slotted home a hat-trick in the triumph over Buckley. While there's been a spell away from the action, it has been far from a quiet time for Flint Mountain. With the Welsh League Cup in the spotlight last weekend, Mountain sat things out ahead of this evening's match-up with in-form Llandudno. Originally scheduled to be played at Flint Mountain's new Prestatyn home, the game will now be played in Llandudno. This week, Mountain have announced the acquisition of Calum Proctor. The 23-year-old was with Cymru North new boys Rhyl 1879 last season, where he became a fan favourite. In a post on X, Proctor said: 'Next chapter begins, keen to get going.' Meanwhile, the Rhyl club said: 'Everyone at CPD Y Rhyl 1879 would like to thank Calum Proctor for his efforts during his time with the club. 'We wish him nothing but the very best in the next step of his football journey.' This evening, Newtown make the trip to Penrhyncoch, while Guilsfield entertain Rhyl 1879 tomorrow.
Leader Live
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Airbus and The New Saints are familiar cup tie rivals
The two clubs met in the Welsh League Cup and Welsh Cup last season, with Craig Harrison's Saints coming out on top on both occasions. It's a tough ask for the Wingmakers once more and assistant boss Rick Chapman told the club's YouTube channel: 'Listen, TNS are the best team in Welsh football and have been for a number of years. 'But, from a coach's point of view, it's good to test yourselves against these coaches and, you know, they're doing really well.' George Peers will be looking to make his mark once more after he grabbed a hat-trick in last week's 3-0 league triumph over Buckley Town. It will be a tough encounter for Airbus, but they will once again put in the effort to try and cause a major upset against the cup holders. Chapman added: 'We'll do our best. We'll go away to TNS and do our best, and that's all we can do.' Saints' head coach Harrison is keen to make sure there's no European hangover from his side, who departed the UEFA Conference League in midweek. He told the club's X site: 'Obviously, everyone's going to be disappointed... but there can't be a hangover. Football is an ever-moving game and moving parts at all times and... we've got to defend our Nathaniel Cup. 'That's where it starts and then the week after, we've got to defend our Welsh Premier League and that's where we've got to make sure that we don't feel sorry for ourselves and have any pity. 'We get on with it, we dust ourselves down and make sure we perform on Saturday, and make sure we win the game on Saturday.'
