Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking to return to winning ways and continue their impressive Emirates FA Cup run, when we welcome Lancaster City to the Horsfall Community Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off at 3pm.
The Avenue have reached the Second Round Qualifying after already overcoming opposition from the same division as Lancaster City. In the First Round Qualifying, a brace from Kareem Hassan-Smith, including a dramatic injury-time winner, saw Bradford defeat Northern Premier League Premier Division side Curzon Ashton 2-1 at the Tameside Stadium.
Bradford come into Saturday’s tie on the back of a 2-2 draw with Beverley Town on Tuesday, while maintaining their unbeaten league record. After a frustrating first half left the Green Army two goals behind at the break, a dominant second half display saw them fight back to claim a point, with captain Jameel Ible and Louie Chorlton getting on the scoresheet.
Lancaster City will be hoping that a strong cup run can provide a boost to their league fortunes. The Dolly Blues currently sit 16th in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, having won just three times in their opening nine fixtures. Their most recent outing ended in disappointment, with Lancaster suffering a 2-0 defeat to Curzon Ashton at the Giant Axe on Saturday.
The Dolly Blues entered the Emirates FA Cup in the previous round, where they were drawn at home against Northern Counties East League Premier Division side Tadcaster Albion. Lancaster looked set to progress after taking the lead through a Samuel Bailey penalty, but Tadcaster’s Oliver Green equalised in the 74th minute to force a replay.
Three days later, The Dolly Blues produced a commanding display at the i2i Stadium, with first half goals from Jim Craig and Steven Yawson securing a 2-0 victory and a place in the Second Round Qualifying.
The two sides last met during the 2023/24 season in the Northern Premier League Premier Divison. In late November 2023, the Avenue were left disappointed after failing to take all three points from their trip to Lancaster City’s Giant Axe. Chinedu Osadebe twice put Bradford ahead, but the hosts responded on both occasions to earn a point in a 2-2 draw.
The reverse fixture at the Horsfall Community Stadium followed a similar pattern, with Bradford once again surrendering a lead. Jordan Preston and Justin Iwobi had given the Avenue a commanding two-goal advantage, but three second half goals, including Dominic Lawson’s 90th minute winner, saw the Dolly Blues come from behind to claim a 3-2 victory.
The Green Army will be hoping that, should they find themselves in front this time around, they can hold on to their advantage and secure a place in the Third Round Qualifying.
With a place in the Third Round Qualifying at stake, both sides will have plenty of motivation to come away with a victory on Saturday. The Avenue will be looking make home advantage count and continue their impressive run in the Emirates FA Cup, while Lancaster City will be determined to put their recent league disappointment behind them. After the drama of the two previous meetings, the Green Army will be hoping they can finally get the better of the Dolly Blues and book their place in the next round.
Match preview by Ste Grimshaw
Emirates FA Cup Second Round Qualifying – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs. Lancaster City
Saturday 19 September
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Admission prices: Adults £10 / Concessions (65+) £7 / Blue Light, Forces, Students £5 (proof to be shown at turnstile)/ Youth (12-18) £3 / Juniors (U12s with accompanying adult) £1
This fixture is pay-on-the-gate, season tickets will not be accepted for this fixture.