The Avenue booked their place in The Emirates FA Cup First Round Qualifying, with a comprehensive victory against Mossley AFC, at Seel Park.
Quickfire first-half goals from Charlie Winfield and Scott Duxbury gave the visitors the lead at the break. The advantage was increased thanks to a first goal in BPA colours for Robbie Fox, and Marcus Carver netted his third of the campaign to seal the win.
Bradford, wearing a unique combination of red, amber and black shirts with green shorts and socks to avoid a kit clash, started brightly. Dominating possession and looking fluid in their movement, they took the lead, in a similar fashion to the way they did at Stocksbridge Park Steels, only a few days before.
A through ball to Carver, was struck by the striker and despite a strong hand from goalkeeper Fin Madigan, Winfield was alert to the rebound, and fired a low right-footed effort into the bottom corner.
Five minutes later, the travelling supporters were treated to a wonderful solo goal from defender Duxbury. The left sided centre-back received a pass from his throw-in, tucked inside onto his right foot and rifled a powerful right-footed strike into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.
The hosts found their way back into the game, despite trailing 2-0 and were given an opportunity to half the deficit. The Bradford defence were pressed into their own penalty area and after seeing clearances from Duxbury and Winfield blocked by the Lilywhites, the impressive winger, Campbell, was fouled inside the six yard area.
From the spot, Mason Fawns stepped up, struck the crossbar, only for the ball to bounce straight back to him, and despite a strong hand from Dec Lambton, the ball squeezed into the bottom corner. As the forward wheeled away to celebrate, protests from the Avenue suggested the goal should be ruled out for a double touch. After consulting with the linesman, the referee ruled out the goal, awarding a free-kick to Bradford.
After the break, the Avenue extended their lead. A smart ball into the area from captain Jameel Ible was nodded on by Carver into the path of Fox, who set himself, and fired a low right-footed effort between Madigan’s legs to make it 3-0.
A flurry of substitutions punctuated the flow of the game, but Avenue were in control of the game, backed by a loud Green Army on the terraces. Any attempt from the home side to break through a stubborn Bradford defence was denied.
Some may say attack is the best form of defence, and substitute Adam Haw made that cliché come true. Haw, who added energy into the final third, following his introduction, was quick to intercept Jack Grundy on the edge of his penalty area. Rather than being selfish and going for goal himself, Haw squared a lovely ball across the face of goal, for Carver to tap home from close range.
The Avenue kept the momentum going until the final whistle, keeping a confidence-boosting clean sheet and a place in the next round of The Emirates FA Cup.
Bradford (Park Avenue): Lambton, Hassan-Smith, Duxbury (Chorlton 65′), Abbott (Shanks 40′), Misambo, Ible (c), Winfield, Ekpolo, Carver (Thompson 69′), Parkin (Andreucci 58′), Fox (Haw 66′).
Unused substitutes: Brown, Moke.
Goalscorers: Winfield 10′; Duxbury 15′; Fox 49′; Carver 63′.
Referee: Martin Flynn
Attendance: 456