A reminder to all fans that this game is strictly all ticket. Ticket prices for the match are fixed at the regular £10 adults, £7 concessions, £5 students and £2 under-18s. Season Ticket holders will gain entry to the match as usual, without the need to purchase or collect a ticket prior to the match.
With full segregation in place, Avenue fans will only be able to enter the ground on the day of the match via the Cemetery Road turnstiles. There will be no access to the Park Road car park for home fans, as that is where visiting Stockport supporters will be directed to.
A separate burger van and additional portable toilets will be located at the Park Road end of the ground, where away fans will be housed. However there will be no beer tent and no alcohol will be sold at the away end of the ground on the day.
Home supporters will, as usual, have access to the clubhouse and in-house cafe, and will be able to view the match from the main stand, one half of the pavilion side, and the stand behind the goal.
Fans are, however, asked to arrive at the ground early to avoid queues, and take up their position in plenty of time with seating especially limited.
A spirited Avenue comeback reinvigorated their fading play-off hopes as they overcame AFC Telford United at the Horsfall Stadium.
Mark Bower made four changes from the side that suffered a crushing defeat to FC United of Manchester on Saturday, with experienced midfield duo Danny Boshell and Nicky Clee returning alongside Steven Drench and Gianluca Havern. Matt Hill and Oli Johnson both featured despite their dismissals in the previous game.
The best of the early opportunities fell to the home side, with Nicky Wroe and Shane Killock seeing close-range efforts blocked and frantically hacked away after the pair pounced on a deflected free-kick delivery.
The Bucks very nearly self-destructed shortly after as a weak header back to the goalkeeper from Dominic Smith allowed Wroe to intercept. Luckily for the visitors, a heavy touch allowed Ben Wilson to collect.
The visitors did, however, grow in confidence as the game progressed and very nearly opened the scoring through defender Shane Sutton. Telford’s skipper powered a header towards goal after meeting a corner delivery only for Drench to make a terrific stop to deny him at point blank range.
Avenue then came close to breaking the deadlock with a header as Danny Boshell made a late run into the box and rattled the crossbar with his effort.
Controversy was the last thing Avenue will have wanted following the dubious nature of Saturday’s red cards, but it came nonetheless as Killock brought down Kane Richards and the referee pointed to the spot. The official was crowded in the aftermath of the decision with players convinced it took place outside of the box but a spot-kick was awarded. Marcus Dinanga stepped up and coolly slotted home to fire the Bucks ahead.
HALF-TIME: Bradford Park Avenue 0-1 AFC Telford United
An injury forced Danny Boshell to be withdrawn at the interval, with on-loan Guiseley forward Frank Mulhern entering the fray in his place.
It proved to be an inspired switch, as the loanee netted his first goal in Avenue colours with a flicked header past Wilson to draw level.
Telford then had a golden opportunity to regain their lead after Elliot Newby’s effort was palmed into the path of Dinanga, who blazed over from six yards despite demonstrating composure with his earlier finish.
Clear-cut chances were few and far between as the final whistle approached, with a John Marsden strike that trickled into the Drench’s clutches being the most notable incident in a lull in entertainment and quality.
That was until Mulhern edged Avenue ahead with three minutes left on the clock, rising to meet an in-swinging delivery from Hill and glancing a header across Wilson and into the back of the net.
FULL-TIME: Bradford Park Avenue 2-1 AFC Telford United
Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Ross, Hill, Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby, Boshell (Mulhern 45’), Vidal, Johnson, Clee (Smith 36’, replaced by Spencer 80’).
Unused substitutes: Toulson, Hall.
AFC Telford United: Wilson, White (Murphy 89’), Harris, Smith, Sutton (c), Deeney, Lussey (Giles 80’), Cowans, Richards (Marsden 74’), Dinanga, Newby.
Attendance: 334
Referee: Dean Watson
Unused substitutes: Johnson, Singh.
Writing these notes prior to the Telford game, I hope we come in to today’s game on the back of a positive result after the shambolic afternoon we endured at FC United last week. I felt we started the game looking like a team that had only played once in the previous four weeks, but once we got going, I felt we had started to create chances and we were growing in to the game. Then two decisions from the referee to send off Matt Hill and Oli Johnson completely changed the game and from that point forward we had no chance of getting a result. The fact that we have appealed both red cards and expect to have them both rescinded, tells you all you need to know about our opinion of the decisions.
I not only felt sorry for our fans in particular, but everyone who paid to watch the game, which became a complete non event once we were down to 9 men. The support the players received from our fans in the second half was fantastic and much appreciated by everyone in the dressing room and I hope we can repay that support with some good performances and results between now and the end of the season.
Cheers
Mark
Bradford Park Avenue will be hosting a programme and badge fayre Sunday 15th April 2018.
Entry will be £1 for adults and free for children, with the fayre open from 10am until 1pm. Refreshments will be available.
Two dubious red card decisions paved the way for FC United of Manchester to comprehensively defeat Bradford Park Avenue at Broadhurst Park.
Mark Bower shuffled the pack once again, making three changes to the side that were held by Alfreton Town a fortnight ago. Nicky Clee dropped out of the squad altogether, whilst Gianluca Havern and Danny Boshell settled for a place on the bench. Shane Killock replaced Havern in the heart of defence, Jamie Spencer returned to the midfield and Wayne Brooksby regained his spot on the right flank after overcoming his injury troubles.
The first-half certainly lived up to the pre-match expectations, as the boisterous supporters from both sides were treated to a thoroughly entertaining, end-to-end encounter.
The attacking intent of both sides was evident, with both the hosts and visitors showing little hesitation in piling bodies forward.
The hosts looked to test Ed Hall early on, but the young stopper demonstrated why Mark Bower has placed faith in him with a series of saves.
Jamie Spencer almost broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion, but his long-range piledriver was tipped over the crossbar by Lloyd Allinson.
Former Avenue cult hero Tom Greaves then came close to opening the scoring for the hosts, sliding and failing to capitalise on a Craig Lindfield cross that evaded him by mere inches.
Chaos then ensued in the closing minutes of the first-half as Matt Hill received his marching orders to the shock of the ground, after seemingly making a strong-but-fair challenge.
The resulting free-kick was rifled into the top corner by Jeff King, stunning Avenue and their supporters.
Moments later, the shock turned to fury as Oli Johnson was dismissed in as equally bizarre fashion for a foul that didn’t seem deserving of the punishment it received.
Avenue struggled to remain in contention after the break and were dealt a further blow in the shape of an injury to Adam Boyes, who joined Rob Atkinson in the treatment room after the defender’s earlier withdrawal.
The hosts doubled their advantage with another King free-kick, with a deflection helping it on its way as Hall was rendered helpless.
With Avenue camped in their own half, substitute Gerard Garner hammered home from close-range after the ball broke loose in the box to extend FC United’s lead.
A Shane Killock handball presented the hosts with another opportunity to find the back of the net and King converted from twelve yards with an audacious chip down the middle.
Avenue supporters remained loud and passionate, but their side faced an uphill battle to regain a foothold in the game and predictably failed to do so.
The game finished 4-0, with Mark Bower sympathetic towards the travelling supporters at the final whistle after two red cards marred the encounter.
FC United of Manchester: Allinson, Senior, Higham, Kay, Hughes, Fagbola, Crawford (Garner 65’), Irwin, Greaves, King (McCarthy 79’), Lindfield (c) (Glynn 36’).
Unused substitutes: Racchi, Tattum.
Bradford Park Avenue: Hall, Ross, Hill, Wroe (c), Atkinson (Toulson 26’), Killock, Brooksby, Vidal, Boyes (Mulhern 45’), Johnson, Spencer (Boshell 55’).
Unused substitutes: Havern, Smith.
Referee: David Underwood
Following the clubs announcement last week regarding our continued partnership with The JAMES project and the current vacancy for a new Community Sports Coach. We would like to remind any one interested in the vacancy that the closing date for applications is Monday 26th March 2018.
Below is the clubs official statement on our continued partnership along with details of the job vacancy:
The JAMES project are delighted to announce that the National League Trust have approved a further year of funding for a part- time community sports coach. Over the last 3 years the James project , a charity based in Frizinghall, Bradford successfully secured funding to deliver a range of community projects in South Bradford and the wider community. The partnership has seen the delivery of a range of community projects, that includes, school breakfast & after school clubs, football tournaments, hostel football, holiday camps and outreach youth engagement programmes.
Mandy Lakes , Operations Manager said ‘We are extremely proud that our partnership with Bradford Park Avenue Community Football club has been a tremendous success and to secure further funding will see more projects to be delivered which will make a difference to many residents and young people.’
Jayne Spencer , Community & Operations Manager said ‘ We are absolutely thrilled that the National League Trust recognises the difference the club are making within our community. This funding will allow us to recruit a new member of the team and continue to work in partnership with JAMES.
Please see below further details on the Community Sports Coach vacancy:
Community Sports Coach – Job Advert
Community Sports Coach – Job Description
Community Sports Coach – Personal Specification
Community Sports Coach – Job Application Form
Following Saturday’s postponed game against AFC Telford due to a frozen pitch. Both clubs have agreed for the game to be rearranged for Monday 26th March 2018 with 19:45 kick off.
Home Supporters who have yet to purchase a ticket for the upcoming Stockport County game will be able to do so from the Supporters Information Desk in the clubhouse.
Due to this rearranged fixture the scheduled academy game at the Horsfall Stadium against Ossett Albion has been postponed. A new date for the fixture has yet to be agreed.
For any home supporters needing to purchase a ticket for the upcoming Stockport game on Friday 30th March 2018, the clubhouse will be open on the follow dates:
Wednesday 21st March 13:00-20:00
Monday 26th March 14:00 – 22:00 (AFC Telford Game)
Usual match day prices apply and season ticket holders will not need to purchase a ticket.
The club will be opening the clubhouse and bar 12:30-16:00 this afternoon (Saturday 17th March) for Supporters to call in for a drink and to purchase tickets for the upcoming Stockport game.
