It may be the Easter holidays, but the work doesn’t stop at the Horsfall College of Sport. Bradford Park Avenue scholars continue to work hard, both on the pitch and in the classroom. You can take a look at some of their training on our official YouTube channel by following the link.
Remember to contact horsfallcollege@gmail.com if you think the Horsfall College of Sport would be ideal for yourself or someone you know.
Mark Bower has recalled Lee Knight from his loan deal at Halesowen Town. With current injuries and Oli Johnson’s suspension Lee will offer some much needed cover up front for the remainder of the season.
Confidence in football is massive and it is clear at the moment that we are struggling on that front. Earlier in the season when we were playing well and winning games, you could see the players playing on the front foot, anticipating things and taking risks going forward. Recently we’ve been a bit more hesitant and maybe over thinking things and this has led to us becoming disjointed and not as fluent as we were. It is certainly not for a lack of effort as it may look at times from the terraces, we have a great dressing room full of lads that are desperate to do well and work hard for each other. It is our job as a management team to re install that confidence and belief and remind the players that only a month ago we were matching Salford away from home who look set to win the league. We have to find a way with the limited numbers we have to get back to winning games and the players need to draw on their experience to help them get through this period.
We’re having to contend with a few injuries at the moment. This league is the strongest it has ever been, so for us to be missing Rob Atkinson, Adam Nowakowski, Nicky Clee, Javan Vidal, Oli Johnson and effectively Adam Boyes is making it tough for us. The loss of six important players would effect even the likes of Salford and Harrogate with their sizeable budgets, so it’s obviously going to impact us. We’re having to patch others up also to get them on the pitch and it is so frustrating that we have gone through most of the season without too many injuries to then be hit with numerous within a week of the transfer deadline passing and leaving us with few options.
On Saturday we face Leamington who have had a good season so far after they were written off by many at the start of the season. Paul Holleran is an experienced manager and has done fantastically well to get them promoted last season and competing well this season. They beat us in the away fixture earlier in the season and we know what they’re all about. It will be another tough game, but we must concentrate on ourselves and our performance first and foremost to give ourselves a chance of winning the game.
Mark
Are you in Year 11? Interested in a career in the sports industry? Then Horsfall College of Sport could be the place for you.
The college will hold the second open trial on Friday 6th April 2018 at Horsfall Stadium. The day kicks off at 10.30am for a presentation, parents are welcome and openly encouraged to attend, followed by a trial (please bring suitable kit).
The college is open to both male and female students who wish to progress in a sporting or academic environment. At Horsfall College of Sport we aim to develop the skills you already possess and offer support for your future career.
We are affiliated with Bradford Park Avenue Community Football Club who currently play in the National League North (6th step of the English football pyramid) and are in discussions with various sports clubs in the area to offer a wide range of sporting activities.
The college will use the power of sport to educate, motivate and inspire the local community. We will assist you to develop as an individual and inspire you to become the best you can. You will be assessed throughout your time at the college which will help us to offer the best advice on your progression after leaving the college.
The college provides an educational programme for 16 – 18 year-olds who wish to study for a BTEC Level 1, 2, 3 in Sport. During the course you will learn subjects such as Fitness for Sport and Exercise, Anatomy and Physiology, Designing Exercise programmes, and Sports Leadership along with daily coaching from our fully qualified A Licence Head of Academy Alex Meechan. We currently play in the National Youth Alliance and College Leagues and from 2018/19 the academy will represent Bradford Park Avenue CFC in the FA Youth Cup
We currently offer three pathways for entrance into the college dependent on your academic abilities. Option 1 is the one-year BTEC Level 1 in Sport, with the option to progress to Level 2. Option 2 is a one-year Level 2 BTEC in Sport with the option to progress to a subsidiary Level 3, . Option 3 is a BTEC Level 3 in Sport, this is a two-year course and has the same value as 3 A-levels. On completion of your BTEC we are able to offer progression to a variety of opportunities that include; University courses, career in the sporting industry, employment with Avenue in the Community and a possibility to continue your education and sporting development in America.
For further information or to register your interest email info@horsfallcollege.com
Gaffers Review Stockport County & Chorley FC
It has been a disappointing Easter for us with two defeats against sides chasing a play-off place in Stockport and Chorley. In both games we were guilty of conceding poor goals and having to chase games. Against Stockport we responded well in the second half to get back on level terms, so then to concede in the fourth minute of injury time was a real sickener. Against Chorley the first goal was always going to be vital against a team who do not score too many goals but concede fewer. We had a great chance mid-way through the first half to take the lead and had that gone in things may have been different, but we then conceded on the stroke of half time and in truth we found it very difficult in the second half.
Finally I must thank the Avenue fans who dug themselves out on Monday morning and travelled through horrendous weather conditions on the M62 to support the players at Chorley. I am sorry that we were unable to put on a performance to reward their dedication and hope that we can put things right with a strong showing on Saturday.
Thanks for your amazing support
Mark
A despondent Avenue suffered a 2-0 defeat to Chorley to further dent their fading play-off hopes.
Mark Bower made two initial changes to the side that lost to Stockport County on Good Friday, but a late change to the starting line-up saw Adam Smith make his first start for the club in place of Javan Vidal. Jamie Spencer’s impact from the bench against the Hatters earned him a place in the starting eleven and Danny Boshell reclaimed his spot in the centre of midfield. Adam Boyes dropped to the bench and Oli Johnson missed out altogether through suspension.
The home side dominated large portions of the first-half, with Avenue struggling to catch many glimpses of goal.
Alex Newby was the first to call Steven Drench into action, forcing the goalkeeper to beat away a powerful drive from the edge of the box.
A breakdown in communication between Drench and Luca Havern almost allowed Marcus Carver to shoot from mere yards out but the striker was challenged quickly, and the ball was hacked clear.
Avenue’s only chances of the half fell to Frank Mulhern and Jamie Spencer. The latter blasted over from just inside the box and Mulhern’s low drive from a free-kick was held by Matt Urwin.
Josh O’Keefe had an opportunity to fire the hosts ahead when the ball fell kindly for him on the edge of the box, but his drilled effort flew wide.
Chorley were, however, rewarded for their continuous pressure when Carver steered past Drench after Newby had provided a pinpoint cross from the right.
The half-time whistle was music to the ears of Avenue players, who seemed frustrated by their inability to carve open more opportunities and their failure to hold out in the latter stages of the opening 45 minutes.
Avenue found themselves 2-0 down shortly after the restart as an Andy Teague cross picked out an unmarked Jason Walker, who directed his header past Drench with no defender around him.
The visitors continued to struggle to test Urwin, and both Mulhern and Wayne Brooksby glanced headers wide of the post.
Mark Bower’s side knocked on the door repeatedly in the second-half, but Chorley’s defence held strong, leading to praise for the Magpies’ backline in the Avenue manager’s post-match interview.
The Magpies could have extended their lead further in stoppage-time but Drench made a tremendous save to deny Carver’s low drive.
Nicky Wroe and debutant Antoine Remi Recizac both saw long-range efforts blocked before they could reach goal in the late stages, which was symbolic of the afternoon that the Yorkshire side had had.
Avenue have a chance to respond on Saturday, as they face strugglers Leamington at Horsfall Stadium. The action kicks-off at 3pm.
Chorley: Urwin, Challoner, Blakeman, Teague (c), Leather, Jordan, Newby (Wilson 72’), O’Keefe, Carver, Walker (Hughes 82’), Cottrell (Molyneux 89’).
Unused substitutes: Gregory, Brewster.
Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Ross, Hill (Boyes 69’), Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby, Boshell (Recizac 87’), Mulhern, Smith (Toulson 45’), Spencer.
Unused substitutes: Hall.
Referee: Steve Copeland
Bradford Park Avenue have received confirmation from Chorley that there is no planned pitch inspection for today’s game and the game is on.
However we would like to advise all travelling Supporters to take care when travelling and to set off in good time as delays are to be expected.
A stoppage-time volley from James Ball ensured that Stockport County took maximum points at Horsfall Stadium despite a second-half rally from hosts, Bradford Park Avenue.
Mark Bower made two changes from the side that saw off AFC Telford United on Monday night, handing a starting berth to Frank Mulhern after he stepped off the bench to bag a brace against the Bucks, and re-instating Adam Boyes following injury. Danny Boshell dropped to the bench and Nicky Clee was withdrawn from the squad altogether.
The Hatters took an early lead when Matthew Warburton’s strike cannoned off Jason Oswell and nestled in the bottom corner, shocking an Avenue side full of confidence after an impressive win over AFC Telford United four days prior.
The hosts struggled to find their rhythm in the first-half, allowing Stockport to carve out a host of chances for their plethora of talented attackers. Steven Drench was forced to make two sensational stops to deny Oswell after the forward got on the end of two teasing crosses.
The experienced goalkeeper also had to stretch to tip over a curled effort from Scott Duxbury, whose free-kick came very close to finding the top corner.
Some excellent intricate passing provided an opening for Wayne Brooksby to burst through the Stockport defence, but Boyes’ cut-back was behind the winger.
Avenue were much-improved after the interval and should have drawn level when Matt Hill picked out Boyes with a cross from deep, but the forward uncharacteristically rushed his effort and made Hinchliffe’s save a routine one.
With the hosts beginning to grow into the game, Oli Johnson glanced a header wide as pressure began to mount on the nervy Hatters.
Mark Bower’s side were, however, punished for squandering opportunites when Drench spilled a high ball into the path of Oswell, who stabbed home to double the away side’s lead.
The introductions of Jamie Spencer and Adam Smith to the Avenue midfield seemed to rejuvenate the side, and they were soon back in the game.
Ross found Javan Vidal with a delivery from the right, and the in-form utility man steered the ball into the bottom corner to offer Avenue a glimmer of hope.
They soon equalised through Mulhern, who netted his third goal in two games after clinically dispatching past Hinchliffe. Substitute Spencer had relentlessly chased down Hatters defenders and was rewarded when he dispossessed Jamie Stott before gaining an assist with a perfectly executed through ball to his former Huddersfield Town teammate.
The game seemed destined to end level, but the visitors had other ideas and Ball broke Avenue hearts with a well-struck volley that rendered Drench helpless deep into stoppage time.
Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Ross, Hill, Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby, Vidal (Toulson 74’), Boyes (Smith 65’), Johnson (Spencer 56’), Mulhern.
Unused substitutes: Hall, Boshell.
Stockport County: Hinchliffe, Cowan, Duxbury, Winter (c), Clarke, Stott, Thomas (O’Halloran 76’), Ball, Oswell, Warburton (Minihan 64’), Turner (Stephenson 55’).
Unused substitutes: Ormson, Turnbull.
Attendance: 1,044
Referee: Leigh Doherty
Following the clubs decision to appeal Matt Hill’s sending off against FC United of Manchester on Saturday 24th March, the club are happy to announce the appeal has been successful and his automatic suspension has been rescinded.
