The club are running a supporters coach to Alfreton Town Saturday 29th September 2018, with seats costing £15 for adults and £10 for under 16’s.
To book your seat please see Neil Fawcett at the Supporters Information Desk on match day or call him on 07811 959003
Bradford (Park Avenue) advanced into the third qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup with a narrow win over Darlington.
Mark Bower’s side came into the game on the back of two consecutive defeats but edged past their National League North counterparts with an impressive display.
The visitors threatened from the first whistle and Ben McKenna accelerated away from left-back Ben O’Hanlon twice in the opening three minutes. Despite seeing his deliveries collected by Jonathan Maddison, it was an indication of Bradford’s willingness to drive at the Darlington backline and test the hosts in the opening exchanges.
Forward Jake Beesley was a source of frustration for Darlington defenders throughout and he came close to registering an assist after six minutes. He switched the ball to the Nicky Wroe on the right but the midfielder fired wildly over the crossbar.
18-year-old goalkeeper Jack Atkinson was introduced for his debut between the sticks and displayed maturity beyond his years. He was called into action twice in as many minutes but thwarted Liam Hughes and Stephen Thompson.
McKenna continued to experience joy against O’Hanlon and lifted a cross in for Beesley, who escaped his marker but headed over the woodwork.
The winger then had the opportunity to score from a free-kick but his low drive was held by Maddison.
Bradford were eventually rewarded for their persistence and took the lead through Danny Lowe. The defender intercepted a pass intended for Luke Trotman before unleashing a vicious strike that flew past Maddison, opening his account for the season in style.
The attacking intent of the visitors didn’t relent and Maddison was forced to beat away a diving header from Nicky Clee on the stroke of half-time.
HALF-TIME: Darlington 0-1 Bradford (Park Avenue)
Pressure eased on the Quakers after the break as they gained a grip on the game but Atkinson was unassailable in the Bradford goal. He made a particularly superb save to deny David Syers, who had struck with venom from just outside the 18-yard box.
The young goalkeeper then had to be alert to hold on to a flicked header from Syers, who had made a bright start after entering the fray as a substitute at the beginning of the second-half.
Bradford did, however, come close to doubling their lead when a neat exchange between Chris Dawson and Conor Branson opened up space for the latter to shoot. He generated power in his strike but Maddison held.
A flurry of chances for the hosts followed and Darlington duo Liam Hughes and Reece Styche missed opportunites to draw level. The former’s header was plucked out of the top corner by Atkinson and latter’s volley was held by the Bradford debutant.
Mark Ross shone on his return to the starting eleven and he made a crucial block to divert Simon Ainge’s piledriver away from danger.
As the game entered its latter stages, Darlington desperately hunted for an equaliser but found that their direct style was dealt with comfortably by the Bradford backline.
The frustration of the Quakers players soon became evident and Stephen Thompson blazed over the crossbar with a wild effort from distance.
Gibraltar international Styche then followed suit, blasting over the woodwork twice in as many minutes during stoppage time.
FULL-TIME: Darlington 0-1 Bradford (Park Avenue)
Darlington: Maddison, Trotman, O’Hanlon, Elliott, Hughes, Galbraith, Henshall (Syers 45′), Nicholson (Saunders 79′), Styche (c), Ainge, Thompson.
Unused substitutes: Glover, Burn, Lycett, Alderson, Stansfield.
Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Lowe, Wroe, Killock (c), Havern, McKenna (Toulson 79′), Branson, Beesley, Dawson (Spencer 69′), Clee (Johnson 62′).
Unused substitutes: Knight, Nowakowski.
Referee: Dean Hulme
The Emirates FA Cup journey begins today as Bradford make the trip to Blackwell Meadows to face Darlington.
The Quakers did the double over Mark Bower’s side last season but have made a slow start to the 2018/19 campaign. They sit 17th in the league, seven points adrift of 4th-placed Bradford, who remain in the play-off positions despite stuttering with two consecutive defeats in recent weeks.
Bradford were dealt a difficult hand in the prestigious competition last year but advanced into the next round with an impressive away win over National League North counterparts Southport. They faced Harrogate Town in last year’s third qualifying round but despite forcing a replay, were beaten and subsequently knocked out.
Darlington didn’t fare as well in the competition last year, suffering a 3-0 home defeat to South Shields in the second qualifying round.
Speaking after last week’s defeat to Altrincham, midfielder Nicky Clee stressed the importance of producing a response against the Quakers:
“It’s really important that we produce a response. We discussed how important it was before the Altrincham game and our performance was better but we didn’t get the result. Hopefully, we can get both next week (performance and result).”
GUIDE TO THE OPPONENTS:
The Gaffer:
Tommy Wright
Darlington’s manager, alongside assistant Alan White, was presented to Quakers supporters at Blackwell Meadows ahead of the club’s league win over Bradford in October 2017. A young boss at 33, he enjoyed two spells with Darlington as a player and plied his trade in Yorkshire with Barnsley and Harrogate Town. The former striker has also played in the Premier League, entering as a substitute in Leicester City’s 2-0 defeat to Leeds United in March 2002. His management career began in 2013 with Corby Town, where he registered as a player but also took on managerial duties. Wright made the switch to Nuneaton Town as a player-coach three years later before eventually being handed the reins. He was officially appointed as Darlington manager on 20th October 2017.
One To Watch:
Stephen Thompson
The likes of Gibraltar international Reece Styche and former Bradford man Simon Ainge may grab the headlines, but Thompson is key for the Quakers. The winner of the club’s 2017/18 Player of the Year award, Thompson can operate as a striker or on either flank and his direct running makes him one for opposition defences to look out for. He joined the club in September 2012 from Durham City, having failed to make the grade at Middlesbrough and finding first-team opportunites limited at Port Vale. Thompson also had a stint with AFC Telford United and scored against his former employers a fortnight ago.
Live updates: @BPAFCOfficial on Twitter
Bradford (Park Avenue)’s academy will be in FA Youth Cup action tomorrow evening, welcoming Harworth Colliery to the Horsfall Stadium.
Alex Meechan’s youngsters advanced into the First Qualifying Round with an impressive win over Staveley Miners Welfare and will be looking to pick up where they left off against Harworth.
The action kicks off at 7:45pm and admission is FREE for season ticket holders. For those without a season ticket, admission is priced at just £3 for adults and £2 for concessions.
The Horsfall College of Sport has made great strides in the last twelve months and the academy’s involvement in the prestigious competition is a testament to the hard work of Alex Meechan and his team.
As well as providing crucial support, it is also a great opportunity to catch a glimpse of potential stars of the future…
#WeAreBradford
Altrincham condemned Bradford (Park Avenue) to back-to-back defeats at the Horsfall Stadium.
Both sides suffered bitterly disappointing defeats last week but it was Altrincham that produced a response with an impressive win over Mark Bower’s side.
The hosts nearly opened the scoring after just four minutes when Chris Dawson forced Elliot Wynne to parry and Nicky Wroe struck the rebound into the goalkeeper’s midriff.
However, it was the visitors that took the lead after six minutes. John Johnston’s cross caused a scramble to ensue in the box and Thomas Peers eventually poked over the line.
The lead was almost doubled shortly after, but Steven Drench produced a vital stop when Joshua Hancock struck with venom inside the 18-yard box.
Bradford did have chances of their own and Ben McKenna found himself in a promising position after some trickery on the right flank from Ryan Toulson. The full-back squared to McKenna but he blasted high and wide.
McKenna then turned provider and squared to Nicky Wroe after reaching the byline, but the midfielder’s poor touch deprived him of the opportunity to shoot.
As pressure continued to mount on Altrincham, Wynne made an excellent save to deny Shane Killock, who struck from close-range after meeting Toulson’s long-throw.
The Robins’ opener had proven that goalmouth scrambles can be dangerous and Thomas Hannigan was forced to blast clear when a sea of bodies contested a corner delivery from Wroe.
Bradford eventually drew level through Killock, who got the better of Wynne following his early denial by volleying into the roof of the net.
HALF-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 1-1 Altrincham
Seven minutes after the restart, Bradford took the lead. Jake Beesley advanced down the left before pulling back to Conor Branson, who fired past Wynne.
However, it took just four minutes for the visitors to respond and they were back on level terms when Johnston’s long-range piledriver took a deflection and was taken beyond Drench.
With the wind in their sails, Altrincham remained on the front foot and edged themselves ahead when substitute Max Harrop found the bottom corner with a low drive from the left-hand side of the box.
Frustration was etched on the faces of the Bradford players and both Wroe and Luca Havern went into the referee’s book for needless fouls shortly after conceding.
The hosts hunted for an equaliser but failed to carve Altrincham open in the late stages Wynne punched a Branson header away from danger and Adam Nowakowski flicked a header wide after connecting with Nicky Clee’s long-throw.
Clee delivered a free-kick with barely a minute remaining on the clock but Killock’s header looped over the woodwork.
Phil Parkinson’s side even had an opportunity to extend their lead in stoppage time but Johnston’s powerful strike was beaten away by Wynne.
FULL-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 2-3 Altrincham
Bradford (Park Avenue): Drench, Toulson, Lowe (Nowakowski 82′), Wroe (Spencer 87′), Killock (c), Havern, McKenna, Branson, Beesley, Dawson (Johnson 70′), Clee.
Unused substitutes: Ross, Boshell.
Altrincham: Wynne, Richman, White, Jones, Hannigan, Moult, Johnston, Williams, Peers (Poole 76′), Hancock, Dale (Harrop 58′).
Unused substitutes: Hulme, Goulding, Thompson.
Referee: Adam Herczog
Attendance: 454
Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking to return to winning ways after last week’s humbling at the hands of Chester.
Today’s opponents, Altrincham, are also looking to bounce back after being brushed aside by Curzon Ashton last week. It was the Robins’ second consecutive defeat after being beaten by Blyth Spartans at the beginning of September.
Mark Bower’s side currently sit 3rd in the National League North table, eight points ahead of 15th-placed Altrincham.
Speaking after last week’s defeat to Chester, defender Danny Lowe emphasised the need for a response against the Robins:
“It’s massively important to produce a response because losing can become a habit. If you carry on conceding goals in the manner we did today, it can become a bad habit. We need to get back on the training ground, have a good week and put things right. Hopefully, if we tighten up, the results will come.”
GUIDE TO THE OPPONENTS:
The Gaffer:
Phil Parkinson
Parkinson was appointed as Robins manager in April 2017. He joined the club from Nantwich Town, who he had been in charge of since February 2015. During his time with the Dabbers, he guided the club to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy in 2016 and the semi-finals of the Northern Premier League play-offs in 2017. An FA Vase-winning captain as a player with Nantwich, he also represented Port Vale after having spells with Crewe Alexandra and Reading as a youth player.
One To Watch:
Jordan Hulme
One of the most dangerous forwards in the division, Hulme is currently in a rich vein of form. The clinical finisher has found the back of the net on seven occasions already this season, picking up where he left off last season when he was the Robins’ top-scorer. He was also crowned the Northern Premier League Player of the Year after breaking the 30-goal barrier. Hulme worked with management duo Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson at Ramsbottom United and Salford City before making the move to Moss Lane in July 2017.
Admission prices:
Adults: £12
Concessions: £7
Students: £5
Under-18s: £2
The club have received confirmation from Darlington that the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round will take place as originally announced on Saturday 22nd September. This confirmation comes after Darlington Rugby Club agreeing to move their game to the Sunday as they already had a home game arranged ahead of this fixture announcement.
The club are running a coach to the game with seats costing £15 for adults and £10 for under 16’s, pick up times to be announced.
To book your seat please see Neil Fawcett at the Supporters Information Desk on match day or call him on 07811 959003
The MANarama National League kicks off as Prostate Cancer UK and The National League partner.
* Prostate Cancer UK has been named as the National League’s first ever official charity partner for Season 2018/19.
* In celebration of this partnership, for the first time in English football history, a league will re-brand mid-season.
* Title sponsors of the league Vanarama has changed its name to MANarama throughout the month of September, and to support this initiative the National League will rebrand as MANarama until the Non-League Day on 13th October.
The National League has chosen Prostate Cancer UK as its first ever official charity partner, to unite in the fight against the UK’s most prevalent male cancer, a cancer that kills one man every 45 minutes. In a first for English (and world) Football a national football league will change its branding midseason. Vanarama, the title sponsor of the National League, is changing its name to MANarama throughout the month of September to raise awareness of a deadly cancer that every man should know about. The rebranding to MANarama features a new league logo that will draw attention to the fact that every forty-five minutes a man dies from Prostate Cancer – Vanarama’s own site has also been completely re-branded to reflect its commitment to the fundraising drive.
Prostate Cancer UK and the National League also unveiled a new captain’s armband, which will be worn by all Club captains on Non-League Day on Saturday, October 13th. The clash will see all skippers proudly displaying the unique bright orange band, which includes the iconic Prostate Cancer UK logo, to illustrate their clubs’ united stand against the most common cancer in men.
Vanarama has also pledged to raise £150,000 in just 45 days from a vehicle-leasing incentive that runs across September, as they tell the nation to ‘lease a van, save a man’. Vanarama and its newly-launched car leasing platform, Motorama, will donate £50 for every vehicle leased from the start of September until Non-League Day, when a cheque will be presented on October 13th at FC Halifax Town vs Chesterfield live on BT Sport. The 45-day challenge reflects the tragic fact that every 45 minutes a man dies from prostate cancer.
The plans have been hailed by long-serving television presenter Jeff Stelling, a lifelong Hartlepool United fan.
Stelling, who has raised £800,000 for the charity during two March for Men events:
“This partnership reinforces Prostate Cancer UK’s work in football and how hugely important it is to raise awareness and funds to make a difference to the lives of men and their loved ones.
One man dies every 45 minutes from this disease, so we need to take action. The passionate fans in the National League – including my lot at Hartlepool United and throughout the non-league pyramid – represent the perfect platform for us to unite against the toughest opponent of all.
I know Vanarama have been long-time supporters of the charity so it’s great to see them taking the bold move of rebranding the league to MANarama to help raise even more awareness.
Although more women now go to matches, it’s still a stronghold of male life. A lot of these supporters at some stage in their life may get prostate cancer. The more they understand that the better, the more we can help beat it. For them, and for their friends and families.”
Andy Alderson CEO at Vanarama said:
“We’re ready to help tackle prostate cancer with the National League and Prostate Cancer UK. The charity does great work in football and so we thought we’d do our bit too.
“The decision to change our name from Vanarama to MANarama was an easy one. The fact that more than 11,000 men die from prostate cancer in the UK each year is staggering and if us changing the league’s name helps raise awareness of the disease for even one man, then that’s a success for us.”
James Beeby, Director of Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said:
“It’s terrific to see the National League join us in the fight against the deadliest opponent of all, and, after backing us for a number of years, we once again thank Vanarama for their ongoing support.
We stand together in our quest to change the game for men and their families and the grassroots game is the perfect platform to do this. The money raised will fund ground-breaking research to help fight this disease and the awareness generated across the length and breadth of the country will be vital.
We thank the National League and Vanarama for creating this milestone moment and look forward to our most successful Non-League Day in October.”
National League Chief Executive Michael Tattersall said:
“We’re thrilled to announce our first ever official charity partner, Prostate Cancer UK. We couldn’t think of a charity that better reflects our football values. Just like Prostate Cancer UK we want all our men united against the fight of this deadly disease.
In celebration of our partnership, and with the support of our title sponsors, Vanarama, we will re-brand the league to MANarama. This temporary change is a first for English football and we’re proud to be a part of this historical moment.”
Many people are unaware that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It’s a huge issue that cannot be ignored. In 2018 one man every 45 minutes will die from prostate cancer in the UK. That’s more than 11,000 men this year. Based on current trends, if we ignore prostate cancer and do nothing, this number will rise to over 14,500 men a year by 2026.
To find out more information about Prostate Cancer UK’s work in football go to: www.prostatecanceruk.org/football
Bradford (Park Avenue) will travel to Darlington in the Second Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup.
The tie will take place on Saturday 22nd September 2018 September, after the draw which took place this lunchtime.
The draw can be seen in full below.
1 Chester v City Of Liverpool
2 Ashton United v Trafford
3 Radcliffe v Curzon Ashton
4 Farsley Celtic v Southport
5 Mossley v Kidsgrove Athletic
6 Staveley MW v Guiseley
7 South Shields v Stockport County
8 Knaresborough Town v Newcastle Benfield or Workington
9 Cleethorpes Town v Bamber Bridge
10 York City v Ashton Athletic or Morpeth Town
11 Marine or Scarborough Athletic v Frickley Athletic
12 Dunston UTS v Irlam
13 FC United of Manchester v Colne
14 Nantwich Town v Blyth Spartans
15 Darlington v Bradford (Park Avenue)
16 Chorley v Parkgate or Leek Town
17 Witton Albion v Spennymoor Town
18 Altrincham v Whitley Bay
19 Consett v Warrington Town
20 Sutton Coldfield Town v Alfreton Town or Rushall Olympic
21 Boston United v Peterborough Sports
22 Saffron Walden Town v Grantham Town or St Ives Town
23 Kidderminster Harriers v Atherstone Town
24 Stourbridge v Leamington
25 Rugby Town v Hednesford Town
26 St Neots Town v Romulus
27 Nuneaton Borough v Brackley Town
28 Alvechurch v Corby Town
29 Kettering Town v AFC Mansfield
30 Anstey Nomads v Mickleover Sports
31 Halesowen Town v Chasetown or Gainsborough Trinity
32 King’s Lynn Town or Histon v Stafford Rangers
33 AFC Telford United v Bedford Town
34 Buxton v Coalville Town
35 Hampton & Richmond Borough v Burgess Hill Town
36 Northwood or Kings Langley v Farnborough or Lewes
37 Wealdstone v Great Wakering Rovers
38 Welling United v Chesham United
39 Hendon or Harlow Town v Phoenix Sports or Lancing
40 Woking v Tooting & Mitcham United
41 Hanwell Town v Lowestoft Town
42 Egham Town v Brightlingsea Regent
43 Chelmsford City v Worthing
44 Concord Rangers v Margate
45 Leverstock Green or Hadley v Dorking Wanderers
46 Haringey Borough v Erith Town
47 Cheshunt or Leiston v Hastings United
48 Coggeshall Town or Berkhamsted v Beckenham Town or Walton Casuals
49 St Albans City v Corinthian Casuals or Whyteleafe
50 Bowers & Pitsea v Hemel Hempstead Town
51 Billericay Town v Burnham
52 Chalfont St Peter v Aylesbury United or Marlow or Kempston Rovers
53 Hitchin Town v Didcot Town
54 Bognor Regis Town v AFC Sudbury
55 Haverhill Rovers or Long Melford v Leatherhead
56 East Thurrock United v Whitehawk
57 Brantham Athletic v Eastbourne Borough
58 Oxford City v Merstham or Cray Valley (PM)
59 Gosport Borough v Ramsgate or Sevenoaks Town
60 AFC Hornchurch v East Grinstead Town
61 AFC Uckfield Town v Dartford
62 Hayes & Yeading United v Moneyfields
63 FC Romania v Beaconsfield Town
64 Corinthian or Horsham v Heybridge Swifts
65 Dulwich Hamlet v Tonbridge Angels
66 Metropolitan Police v Needham Market
67 Merthyr Town v Frome Town or Winchester City
68 Lymington Town or Lydney Town v Torquay United
69 Chippenham Town v Swindon Supermarine
70 Bristol Manor Farm v Paulton Rovers or Basingstoke Town
71 Gloucester City v Plymouth Parkway or Street
72 Weston Super Mare v Salisbury or Yate Town
73 Tiverton Town v Wimborne Town or Dorchester Town
74 Hereford v Truro City
75 Poole Town v Cinderford Town
76 Taunton Town v Bitton
77 Weymouth or Banbury United v Bath City
78 Hungerford Town v Wantage Town
79 Binfield v Cirencester Town
80 Slough Town v Sholing or Hamworthy United
A catalogue of defensive errors cost Bradford (Park Avenue) dearly as they were beaten 5-3 by Chester.
The Blues hadn’t hosted anyone since early August due to stadium damage but marked their return to the Swansway Chester Stadium with an impressive win.
Bradford headed into the game as one of the league’s most in-form sides and made a dream start. Jake Beesley accelerated down the left flank before squaring to Ben McKenna, who steered past Chester goalkeeper Grant Shenton to fire the visitors ahead.
Chester, however, produced the perfect response when Anthony Dudley’s cross caused chaos in the box and allowed Dan Mooney to bundle home.
The momentum shifted in Chester’s favour after the equaliser and Craig Mahon forced Steven Drench to palm a thunderous volley wide of the post.
Dangerous forward Dudley, who had provided an assist for Chester’s leveller, etched his own name on to the scoresheet with a powerful header in the 11th minute after connecting with a superb delivery from Simon Grand.
Both sides looked nervy in defence and looked to capitalise on each other’s defensive fragilities.
Nicky Wroe darted forward before searching for Oli Johnson with a lofted pass but Steven Howson headed clear.
Blues wingers Mahon and Mooney caused endless problems for the visitors and the latter was unlucky to see his powerful drive saved by Drench.
Mahon then demonstrated some deft footwork to evade several challenges before finding Matty Hughes, who wriggled away from Nicky Wroe but struck into the clutches of Drench.
Hughes continued to make intelligent runs and find pockets of space in and around the Bradford box but headed wide after connecting with an in-swinging cross from Dudley.
Chester were eventually rewarded for their pressure when Mahon darted into the box before skipping past Nicky Clee and poking past Drench.
A golden opportunity to pull a goal back was then handed to OIi Johnson on a plate, but he blazed over after Jake Beesley had rounded Shenton and squared to him.
Beesley was the most lively of Bradford’s attacking contingent and spun past two Chester midfielders before threading through to Johnson once again. The forward’s cross, however, was diverted away from an on-rushing Ben McKenna by Jon Moran.
With half-time looming, Bradford clawed one back as Shenton saved a strike from Johnson and Beesley stabbed the rebound into a vacated net.
HALF-TIME: Chester 3-2 Bradford (Park Avenue)
Chester’s lead was very nearly extended just four minutes after the restart, but Mooney dragged wide after the ball was worked to him in a swift counter-attack.
Despite a spell of early pressure, it was Bradford that drew first blood in the second-half. A powerful header from Conor Branson was saved by Shenton but the goalkeeper pushed the ball into the path of Johnson, who tucked away.
Chester came close to producing yet another quick response but Hughes’ curling effort struck the woodwork.
Barely a minute later, the hearts of Chester supporters were in their mouths as Shenton was forced to pluck a Clee free-kick out of the top left-hand corner.
It was then Drench’s turn to produce an impressive stop, thwarting Mooney after he had wriggled away from Shane Killock and unleashed a powerful strike,
The entertainment levels didn’t dwindle as the half progressed and Danny Lowe was forced to make a crucial block to deny Dudley after the forward embarked on a mazy run and pulled the trigger.
Mahon then saw a drilled effort deflected wide and Grand’s looping header dropped over the crossbar as pressure mounted on Bradford.
Chester regained their lead with fifteen minutes left on the clock through Mooney, who found the bottom corner with a composed finish after Mark Ross gifted possession away in a dangerous area.
Debutant Luke Jordan was introduced in the 80th minute to stretch Bradford with his pace and delivered a cross with such venom that Drench lost grip on the ball. Fortunately, the goalkeeper recovered to pounce before Dudley could.
Jordan then tangled with Branson in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Dudley stepped up to convert the penalty and wrap up the three points for Chester.
FULL-TIME: Chester 5-3 Bradford (Park Avenue)
Chester: Shenton, Dominic Smalley, Grand, Burton (c), Moran, Howson, Mooney (Deane Smalley 80′), Stopforth, Dudley, Hughes (Pritchard), Mahon (Jordan 80′).
Unused substitutes: Thomson, Noble.
Bradford (Park Avenue): Drench, Ross, Lowe, Wroe, Killock (c), Havern (Nowakowski 77′), McKenna (Knight 73′), Branson, Beesley, Johnson, Clee (Spencer 63′)
Unused substitutes: Boshell, Dawson.
Referee: Aaron Jackson
