New Airbus Women’s manager Mari Edwards gets off to a flyer

Mari Edwards (in dark tracksuit) is the new manager of Airbus Women. Pic: Matt Jones Images

New Airbus Women’s manager Mari Edwards was more than happy with her team’s performance in a 4-1 victory over Wrexham today.

The pre-season friendly at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium saw Becky Lees lead the way for the Wingmakers with a hat-trick, while debutant Courteney Page also found the net.

Also making their first starts for the Broughton side were defender Annest Jones, formerly with Bala, and goalkeeper Shaunie Kennedy.

“It was a great first pre-season game today,” said Mari, who is set to begin her fourth season with the Flintshire club.

“The team adapted well to the new formation and it was good to see the new and current players gelling well together on and off the pitch.”

Airbus, who played in Division One of the North Wales Women’s League last season, hope to be challenging for honours in the campaign ahead.

Mari, 28, has been involved in the promotion of girls and women’s football for a number of years, latterly through her role as a development officer with Flintshire Council.

Mari Edwards (blue) on the ball for Airbus. Pic: Matt Jones Images

Her first-ever team was Ruthin Under-12s, then she played for Corwen before in 2014/15 standing out as a prolific goalscorer in the Denbigh Town team which won the North Wales League and reached the Welsh Cup quarter-finals.

The following season Denbigh went one stage further, getting to the Welsh Cup semis where they lost to Llandudno.

Mari, who hails from Ruthin and whose dad David played football in the Vale of Clwyd area for Ruthin Town and Trefnant Village among other clubs, has also been a community officer at Bala Town in the past.

Mari (red) in past action for Denbigh Town

She joined Airbus in 2016-17 as assistant player-boss and now steps up to the manager’s role for 2019-20.

Lee Starkey, Heidi Scammell and Sian Smith will all be part of the coaching team for the Wingmakers this term.

Airbus Women are holding an open training session this Wednesday, July 31, at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium, CH4 0DR, from 7pm. Players aged 16 and upwards are welcome.