AIRBUS UK Broughton boss Craig Harrison has swooped to sign a trio of former Chester City youngsters – and is chasing three other players with vast top-flight experience. Goalkeeper Phil Palethorpe made one appearance for the Blues last season and was on the Tranmere Rovers bench for the first two matches of this campaign having joined the Prenton Park outfit on non-contract terms. Also arriving at the Airfield is centre-back Jack Rowlands and right-back or midfielder Brett Robson. But not that ambitious Harrison is stopping there. He hopes to pip a number of clubs to the signature of Craig Garside following his release from Rhyl and is looking to bring in Bangor’s Craig Hutchinson, who like Garside is a former Gap Connah’s Quay midfielder. And Harrison is also planning to approach the league’s all-time leading goalscorer Marc Lloyd-Williams, a free agent since being let go by Rhyl on Wednesday. Rhyl, managed by former Airbus number two Allan Bickerstaff, have culled their squad in recent weeks after recruiting a host of former Football League stars, including Harrison’s predecessor Gareth Owen. The ex-Wrexham midfielder did not feature in Rhyl’s 6-1 success over the Wingmakers on Tuesday night in Group Five of the Loosemores Challenge Cup. Paul Hallows was on target for the visitors, who never gave in but simply could not cope with a side Harrison believes will take the title off Llanelli. The heavy defeat followed Friday night’s opening-game 2-1 reverse at new boys Prestatyn, who were grateful to an inspired goalkeeping performance by Jon Dunt. He was eventually beaten by debutant Jon Slater, but by then it was too little, too late. John Davies and Gary Lovell are unavailable for tomorrow’s trip to Newtown (2.30pm). In a bid to boost attendances at the Deeside Stadium, Gap Connah’s Quay are running a special offer for supporters. Only 106 attended the opening-game 2-1 victory over Haverfordwest on Saturday, secured by lovely strikes from Danny Forde and Liam Loughlin and some fantastic goalkeeping by Chris Maxwell, while 124 watched Tuesday night’s 2-0 reverse to The New Saints in Group Six of the Loosemores Challenge Cup. The club’s new owners Gap Personnel therefore are introducing a half-price offer. Adults paying to get into tomorrow’s home clash with Neath (2.30pm) will be charged £3 and concessions £2, and fans who take advantage of this offer will get continual reductions by means of a half-price voucher issued at the turnstiles for the visit of Aberystwyth a week on Saturday. The chain will continue but only if you attend tomorrow. Nomads boss Steve O’Shaughnessy has signed Ben Alston’s brother and fellow defender Andy from Warrington Town, which follows the return of striker Tommy Mutton to Deeside for the fourth time in his well-travelled career. Tommy Baker and Craig Jones are unavailable for the next three weeks, with Jones acting as Baker’s best man for his wedding in America. Adam Dickinson and Craig Davies remain sidelined. | 
Flintshire Sport 
