AIRBUS assistant manager Andy Thomas has called on his side to ‘play like champions’ in Saturday’s end-of-season derby with Flint town United.

With the league title comfortably sewn up weeks ago, the Airmen will look to sign off with an eighth successive victory against their county rivals.

After a 6-1 hammering of Bangor City in midweek, Thomas has led the calls for another clinical display at the Airfield.

He said: “We’ve been professional in our approach to every game this season and we’ve proven that in our league record.

“We’ve scored the most goals and have the best defensive record and I don’t really think any team has put our league position under too much pressure this season. There’s no easing off from anyone at the club and we’re just focused on taking three points off Flint now by playing like champions.”

Flint have three games remaining this term and are favourites to clinch a second-placed finish.

The Silkmen did briefly threaten to challenge Airbus for the title, but saw their hopes fade in early March as their rivals opened up a nine-point gap at the summit.

But after guiding his side to a 1-0 win over tomorrow’s opponents in the reverse fixture, Flint manager Niall McGuinness says his side are relishing the clash.

“We’re looking forward to testing ourselves against a team who’ve proven themselves as worthy champions”, he said.

“No team has done the double over them this season, so that’s an extra motivation. We’ve made good progress this season and want to build on that, so a positive result on Saturday would be a big statement of intent for us.”

Airbus are at full-strength, while Flint midfielder Brandon Burrows is suspended.

A home victory against Penrhyncoch would be the ‘perfect end’ to a solid season, says Buckley Town boss Dan Moore.

The Bucks have impressed on their return to the division and could still achieve a creditable sixth-placed finish this term.

Despite a 3-1 reverse at Rhyl in midweek, Moore has been delighted with his side’s progress and is determined to keep building for the future.

He said: “The Rhyl game was strange because they battered us in the first half when we barely got a touch of the ball. But we settled down after half-time and started to knock the ball around well playing out from the back.

“We had Chris Hibbert on for his full debut at centre-back against Rhyl and brought lads like Tom Gunson and Lewis Marley on too.

“These are lads who’ve done well in the reserves for us and have earned their chance in the first team.

“We’ve had a very settled team this season, which has helped but I think that’s a measure of our approach that we’re looking to bring these lads in against decent sides. These are all local lads and this one-club approach has served us well. We’re a bit stretched for Saturday in terms of injuries, but we’ll put our strongest side possible out against Penrhyncoch who are desperate to get clear of the bottom three.

“Finishing in the top six is a big incentive for us to win our last game and the perfect way to sign-off from a very decent season.”

The hosts will be without the injured quartet of Chris Roberts, Luke Blizard, Aled Bellis and Aaron Williams for the clash.