Date: Saturday, December 2, 2024
Venue: Horsfall Community Stadium
Bradford (Park Avenue) returned to winning ways in style with a commanding 4-1 victory over Sherwood Colliery at the Horsfall Community Stadium. Goals from Jack Goodman, Ted Lavelle, Iyrwah Gooden, and Brad Williams sealed the win, ending a three-match run without a victory and moving Avenue closer to the playoff spots with a game in hand.
Avenue began with purpose and had strong appeals for a penalty within the first 10 minutes when Connor Shanks’ cross appeared to strike a Sherwood defender’s hand, but the referee waved play on.
Just minutes later, Jack Goodman broke the deadlock in the 16th minute, racing onto a ball played in behind the defence. With composure, he outpaced the covering defender and slotted home from close range.
Avenue doubled their advantage in the 21st minute when the ball fell kindly to Ted Lavelle on the edge of the box. With time to pick his spot, he unleashed a powerful strike that left the Sherwood goalkeeper, Jordan Pierrepont, with no chance.
Avenue had the chance to extend their lead further before halftime when Goodman won a penalty, but the forward struck his effort wide. Moments later, Connor Dimaio unleashed a long-range strike that forced a superb save from Pierrepont, keeping Sherwood just about in the game at 2-0 heading into the break.
The second half began much as the first ended, with Avenue on the front foot. Shanks came close to adding a third, delivering a low cross that somehow evaded everyone in the box.
Sherwood threatened briefly through Harry Birchumshaw, whose curling effort was well saved by Jack Hall. However, Avenue reasserted their dominance on the hour mark as Iyrwah Gooden bundled the ball home from close range to make it 3-0.
Sherwood pulled one back shortly after when goalkeeper Hall conceded a penalty for a foul in the box. Mason Lee stepped up and confidently converted to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
Any hopes of a comeback were dashed in the 85th minute when Sherwood’s Robson Doolan was sent off for a second yellow card after a poor challenge on the edge of the box. Avenue capitalized immediately, with substitute Brad Williams receiving the ball on the right and firing a brilliant shot into the far corner to round off the scoring at 4-1.
The victory was a much-needed boost for Craig Elliott’s men, who head into next weekend’s clash with Carlton United full of confidence as they aim to break into the playoff positions.
Key Moments:
- 16′ Jack Goodman opened the scoring with a composed finish.
- 21′ Ted Lavelle doubled Avenue’s lead with a powerful strike.
- 31′ Goodman missed a penalty to keep the score at 2-0.
- 60′ Iyrwah Gooden made it 3-0 with a close-range effort.
- 68′ Mason Lee scored for Sherwood from the penalty spot.
- 85′ Robson Doolan was sent off for a second yellow card.
- 86′ Brad Williams sealed the win with a brilliant finish.
Lineups:
Bradford (Park Avenue):
Hall, Hassan-Smith, Francis, Dimaio (Hogg 86’), Blythe, Beevers, La Bastide (Williams 31’), Lavelle, Goodman (Normanton 88’), Shanks (Whittingham 87’), Gooden (Sykes 79’).
Sherwood Colliery:
Pierrepont, Widdowson (Jebbison 70’), Lobley, Goundry (Conroy 72’), Gascoigne (Grant 69’), Robson, York (Monington 72’), Doolan, Duhameau (Pacheco 73’), Birchumshaw, Lee.
Bradford (Park Avenue) will travel to Carlton United next Saturday, aiming to continue their push towards the playoff places.