9 Sep 2019

Avenue Draw Morpeth in FA Cup

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Bradford (Park Avenue) will play Morpeth Town at home in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.

The draw was made this Monday lunchtime for the second qualifying round, Avenue’s first involvement in the competition this season.

Marcus Law’s men will play North-Eastern side Morpeth, who defeated Avenue’s neighbours Brighouse Town in a preliminary round replay last Tuesday.

The Highwaymen then eased past Hyde United on Saturday with a 3-1 home win in the first qualifying round tie.

Northern Premier League side Morpeth, who finished top of the Evo-Stik East Division to earn promotion last term, currently sit in mid-table after two wins and two defeats from their four matches so far this season.

All second round qualifying ties will take place over the weekend of 20-22 September, with Avenue’s match against Morpeth expected to take place on Saturday 21 September, with a 3pm kick-off.

Winning clubs will receive £6,750 from The FA prize fund while losing clubs will collect £2,250.

Find the draw in full below:

1 Marine v Dunston or Sunderland RCA
2 Southport v Scarborough Athletic or Marske United
3 Chester v Altrincham
4 Curzon Ashton v Blyth Spartans
5 Bradford (Park Avenue) v Morpeth Town
6 Irlam v York City
7 Tadcaster Albion or Ashton United v Pontefract Collieries
8 South Shields or Colne v Thornaby or Ossett United
9 1874 Northwich v Whitby Town
10 FC United of Manchester or Atherton Collieries v Warrington Town or City of Liverpool
11 Trafford v Darlington
12 Gateshead v Ramsbottom United
13 Guiseley v Stockton Town
14 Lancaster City or Northwich Victoria v Spennymoor Town
15 Runcorn Town v Farsley Celtic
16 Alfreton Town v King’s Lynn Town
17 Stamford v Boston United
18 Leamington v Chasetown
19 Kettering Town v Sutton Coldfield Town or Redditch United
20 Belper Town v Witton Albion
21 Loughborough Dynamo v Tamworth
22 AFC Telford United v Nantwich Town
23 Rushall Olympic v Banbury United or Gainsborough Trinity
24 Halesowen Town v Stratford Town
25 Boston Town v Leek Town
26 Buxton v Corby Town
27 Matlock Town v Kidsgrove Athletic
28 Hednesford Town v Barwell
29 Kidderminster Harriers v Stafford Rangers
30 Coalville Town v Stourbridge
31 Beaconsfield Town v Hemel Hempstead Town
32 Corinthian Casuals v Chelmsford City
33 Kingstonian v Grays Athletic
34 Walthamstow v Abbey Rangers
35 Balham v Royston Town
36 Tonbridge Angels v Eastbourne Borough
37 Margate v Concord Rangers
38 Hendon v Deeping Rangers or AFC Sudbury
39 St Ives Town v Waltham Abbey or Canvey Island
40 Maidstone United v Cheshunt
41 Potters Bar Town v Hornchurch
42 Bishop’s Stortford v East Thurrock United or Peterborough Sports
43 Dulwich Hamlet v Bognor Regis Town
44 Sutton Athletic or Flackwell Heath v Slough Town
45 Billericay Town v Basildon United
46 Tooting & Mitcham United v Dorking Wanderers
47 Hadley v Ramsgate or Arundel
48 Leatherhead or Lewes v Bowers & Pitsea
49 Cray Wanderers v Soham Town Rangers
50 Harrow Borough v Carshalton Athletic
51 Biggleswade v Chertsey Town
52 St Neots Town or Biggleswade Town v Ware
53 Badshot Lea v Hayes & Yeading United
54 Lowestoft Town v Dereham Town or Needham Market
55 Barton Rovers v Hitchin Town
56 Enfield Town v Braintree Town
57 Maldon & Tiptree v Wingate & Finchley
58 Moneyfields v Whyteleafe
59 Hartley Wintney v Chichester City
60 Metropolitan Police or Horsham v Dartford
61 St Albans City v Hastings United or Worthing
62 Kings Langley v Folkestone Invicta
63 Haringey Borough v Staines Town
64 Farnborough v Wealdstone
65 Welling United v Chipstead
66 Chesham United v Hampton & Richmond Borough
67 Weston Super Mare v Merthyr Town
68 Sholing v Weymouth
69 Hereford v Truro City
70 Portland United v Salisbury
71 Havant & Waterlooville v Taunton Town
72 Cirencester Town v Chippenham Town
73 Tavistock or Shepton Mallet v Highworth Town
74 Tiverton Town v Bristol Manor Farm
75 Poole Town v Hungerford Town
76 Swindon Supermarine v Bath City
77 Oxford City v North Leigh
78 Kidlington v Gloucester City
79 Brackley Town v Cinderford Town
80 Blackfield & Langley v Dorchester Town

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: The FA

7 Sep 2019

Match Report: Boston 2-1 Avenue

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Bradford (Park Avenue) fell to a third successive defeat despite significant improvement away at in-form Boston.

Marcus Law’s men were the better side for much of the afternoon, defending admirably and creating the best chances, but two goals in two second half minutes led to an unfortunate defeat.

Brad Abbott and Jordan Thewlis capitalised to hand Boston their third win in four, substitute Brad Dockerty giving Avenue hope by pulling one back with six minutes to play, but the visitors just couldn’t find another goal to come away with what would have been a deserved point.

Bradford had the first opening of the match as they attempted to use the breakaway against their hosts, Isaac Marriott finding Alex Hurst who drove forward, but saw his shot from range comfortably saved by Peter Crook.

Avenue then had to throw one or two bodies on the line as the ball dropped following a Boston free-kick, but managed to break once more to create a hairy moment for the hosts.

The same pair combined and Hurst’s good run ended with his powerful cross just too far ahead of Lewis Knight.

Law’s men were struggling once more with discipline, Riccardo Calder booked early on before a poor Nelson Digbeu foul nearly cost them.

The referee was ready to give Avenue’s French defender a talking to, but the home side took the free-kick quickly and Brad Abbott sent a shot crashing wide of the near post.

Avenue were dealt a blow as Knight was forced off injured on the half-hour, but they should have gone ahead moments later on the end of a great move.

Calder, who had moved forward in the formation following Knight’s departure, drove into the box and cut back for Richard Cresswell, but the defender playing in attack skewed his shot when he should have scored.

The unusual number nine then had another chance after more good play between Hurst and Marriott saw the Huddersfield loanee get a good cross in which Cresswell met on the volley, but it deflected just wide of the near post.

Boston were being kept at bay by a sturdy Avenue defence, and the free-scoring side showed their frustration late in the first half, Tom Platt and Ainge firing high and wide from range.

The visitors continued to defend admirably into the second period, Ainge firing high and wide once more, but after a double substitution led to a dangerous spell, Boston took the lead.

Bradford had cleared three crosses in succession, but a high ball came in from Karl Byrne which Dominic Knowles headed down and Abbott arrived to finish into the bottom corner.

And moments later is was two as Avenue heads went down, Thewlis, one of those substitutes, picked up a loose ball and skipped past a challenge before finding Jack Bennett’s bottom corner.

Ainge had a real chance to seal the match, as he was allowed a free header from a corner, but he planted it firmly wide of the target.

With six minutes to play, Avenue brought themselves back into it.

Calder played an excellent deceptive ball over the top which was chased by Dockerty and fellow substitute Myron Gibbons, with the former left to simply touch the ball past Peter Crook and roll it into an empty net.

The goal caused a late rally from Avenue and Boston looked nervous, the hosts having to defend for their lives as Gibbons touched down for Hurst, but his shot couldn’t get through the crowd.

Bradford’s best chance late on came through the exceptional Calder, who took down a pass with a brilliant touch, working space for a shot which he fired just wide of the top corner from 20 yards.

In the end it wasn’t to be, but there were plenty of positives for Law’s men following a handful of disappointing performances.

Boston United: Crook, Byrne, Whittle, Thanoj (Adebayo-Smith 56), Ainge, Shiels (c), Platt, Abbott, Knowles (Green 69), Walker (Thewlis 56), Rollins

Subs not used: Willis, Jackson

Goals: Abbott (64), Thewlis (66)

Booked: Thanoj (53)

Bradford (Park Avenue): Bennett, Bazeley, Calder, Wood (c), Lund, Digbeu, Knight (Headley 31), Marriott, Cresswell (Gibbons 82), Hurst, Holmes (Dockerty 61)

Subs not used: None

Goal: Dockerty (84)

Booked: Calder (19), Cresswell (77), Marriott (78)

Referee: Scott Simpson

Attendance: 1,110 (47 visitors)

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes

5 Sep 2019

Match Preview: Boston (A)

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Bradford (Park Avenue) look to return to winning ways as they travel to Boston United this Saturday.

Marcus Law’s Avenue have lost two home games on the bounce, following their first win of the season on Bank Holiday Monday.

Bradford had in fact kept successive clean sheets in the previous two games, but three-goal hauls for both Telford and Farsley saw Law’s men fail to register any points from their double header of home matches.

Contrasting Avenue’s results, Boston have lost just once this term, running out 2-0 victors away at Kettering in their fixture on Tuesday night.

A run of two wins and a draw from their last three has seen them keep a trio clean sheets on the bounce, with a defence which includes former Bradford man Simon Ainge.

The powerful centre back is joined in the squad by a number of fellow former Harrogate Town men, the likes of Peter Crook, Luke Shiels and Andy Thanoj to name but a few.

A number of draws has left the side sitting in mid-table though, with the win over Kettering pushing them up to tenth.

Bradford, meanwhile, missed their chance to overtake Kettering and Spennymoor, and remain second-from-bottom in the National League North standings.

Law will be hoping for a return to happiness on the road, where four of their five points have been gained this term.

Recent League Form

Boston United
Kettering Town (A) W 2-0
Hereford (A) D 0-0
Altrincham (H) W 5-0
Gloucester City (A) L 0-3
Guiseley (H) D 1-1

Bradford (Park Avenue)
Farsley Celtic (H) L 0-3
AFC Telford United (H) L 2-3
Darlington (A) W 1-0
Blyth (H) D 0-0
Alfreton (A) L 0-4

Last Time Out

Boston United: Crook, Byrne, Whittle, Thanoj, Ainge, Shiels, Platt, Abbott, Knowles (Clare 81), Walker (Thewlis 74), Rollins (Jackson 85)

Bradford (Park Avenue):  Bennett, Lund (c), Calder, Wood, Digbeu, Bazeley, Knight, Marriott (Holmes 67), Cresswell, Hurst, Headley (Dockerty 58)

Admission Prices
Adult – £13
Concession (OAP, Student) – £10
Under-16 – £4

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes

3 Sep 2019

Match Report: Avenue 0-3 Farsley

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Bradford (Park Avenue) fell to a second successive home defeat at the hands of near neighbours Farsley Celtic.

Full-back Thomas Allan opened the scoring before both sides struck the woodwork in a frantic second half.

However late in the game, Jack Bennett allowed a Jordan Richards shot to trickle through his legs, with Ben Atkinson adding a third deep into added time with a thumping effort.

It was a miserable defeat for Marcus Law’s men, who had shown much promise in recent matches.

The away side actually had the ball in the back of the net with just five minutes on the clock, but Farsley captain Danny Ellis was adjudged to have fouled his man as he climbed to win the header.

Celtic were enjoying a lot of space out wide, and fashioned the next opening as Luke Parkin cut inside but dragged his effort past the post from 20 yards.

Moments later, Bradford had the best chance of the first period, after a brilliant move.

Isiah Bazeley and Lewis Knight combined excellently down the right before the on-loan Aston Villa man pulled the ball back, only for Knight’s finish to just fade away from the top corner and fly wide.

Farsley had a few questionable shouts for a penalty and Riccardo Calder hit a tame effort into Kyle Trennery’s arms as a tight first half ended goalless.

The second period continued in a particularly fast paced manner, and Farsley fired Avenue a warning moments before taking the lead.

Left-back Allan delivered a brilliant cross and James Spencer struck the near post with his effort.

Avenue scrambled the ball away for a corner but weren’t awake to a short move, Tyler Walton delivering a great inswinging cross which Allan rose to flick into the bottom corner.

Alex Hurst then worried Trennery with a low drive before Bradford stopper Bennett was down sharply to deny Spencer after the home defence failed to clear a throw-in.

Avenue conceded a cheap free kick on the edge of the box seconds later, and were almost made to pay as Parkin’s thunderous strike rattled the post with Bennett rooted to the spot.

Less than five minutes later is was the hosts’ turn to strike the woodwork as Marcus Wood’s weaving run through midfield ended on the edge of the box, his low left-footed effort cannoning off the foot of the upright.

Both sides chased the all-important second goal, but it was Farsley who got it with four minutes to play in the cheapest fashion.

Substitute Nathan Cartman played a brilliant through-ball for Richards, who took on the shot first time and his effort straight at Bennett slipped through the goalkeepers grasp and trickled over the line.

And the visitors added a third in stoppage time to add some deserved gloss to the final score. Cartman brilliantly dummied Spencer’s cut-back and Atkinson arrived to thump the ball into the top corner from just outside the box.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Bennett, Lund (c), Calder, Wood, Digbeu, Bazeley, Knight, Marriott (Holmes 67), Cresswell, Hurst, Headley (Dockerty 58)

Subs not used: Gibbons, Laird, Moran

Booked: Headley (16), Digbeu (42)

Farsley Celtic: Trennery, Richards, Allan, Walton (Maltby 90), Ellis (c), Clayton, B.Atkinson, C.Atkinson, Spencer, Parkin (Cartman 79), Syers (Baldwin 67)

Subs not used: Wynne, Hayhurst

Goals: Allan (50), Richards (86), B.Atkinson (90+4)

Booked: Ellis (57)

Referee: Aaron Bannister

Attendance: 508

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes

3 Sep 2019

Orlando-Young Joins Ilkeston

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Bradford (Park Avenue) winger Rod Orlando-Young has joined Ilkeston Town on a permanent transfer.

Orlando-Young lined up for The Robins as they won promotion from the Midland Football League Premier Division under the guidance of now-Avenue assistant Lee Fowler.

The 24-year-old, who had previously won the chance to train with Bundesliga side Red Bull Leipzig, played just once in a short stint at the Horsfall Stadium.

He came off the bench at half-time of the 4-0 defeat to Alfreton, missing a glorious chance to bring Avenue back into the game, skewing wise Isaac Marriott’s pow centre when it looked a certain goal.

Everyone at Avenue would like to thank Rod for all his efforts with the club, and wish him all the best for the future.

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes

2 Sep 2019

Match Preview: Farsley Celtic (H)

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Bradford (Park Avenue) will look to earn their first home win of the season as near neighbours Farsley Celtic visit the Horsfall Stadium on Tuesday.

Avenue won for the first time this term with a dramatic victory over Darlington last Monday, but slipped to defeat at the hands of Telford at the weekend.

Marcus Law’s side managed to double their season’s goal tally in the Telford clash, as Lewis Knight and Riccardo Calder both got on the scoresheet, but a late Brendon Daniels winner condemned them to defeat.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Law and Avenue, who had previously managed two consecutive clean sheets against Darlington and Blyth.

New signing Isaiah Bazeley came off the bench for an Avenue side who had seen five players depart during the week.

Lewis Rathbone had joined Pickering Town on loan, while Zayn Hakeem, Sam Wright, Jake Croft and Matty Clarke were all allowed to leave the club.

Tuesday’s visitors Farsley bring a number of familiar faces with them to the Horsfall Stadium, with former Avenue men Adam Clayton, Nathan Turner and Mark Bett among their ranks.

Fellow former Bradford winger Paul Walker this week joined Scarborough Athletic on loan, and hence won’t make his return to a ground on which he became a firm fan’s favourite over the years.

Promoted in the summer, Farsley have had an up and down start to the season, but come into the Avenue clash on the back of two straight defeats.

A home loss against fellow league newcomers King’s Lynn was followed by a comfortable defeat at Altrincham on Saturday as Adam Lakeland’s men continue to find their feet.

The match kicks off at 7.45pm at the Horsfall Stadium.

Recent League Form

Bradford (Park Avenue)
AFC Telford United (H) L 2-3
Darlington (A) W 1-0
Blyth (H) D 0-0
Alfreton (A) L 0-4
Gateshead (A) D 1-1

Farsley Celtic
Altrincham (A) L 1-3
King’s Lynn (H) L 1-2
Gateshead (A) W 3-0
Spennymoor Town (H) W 1-0
Southport (H) L 0-3

Last Time Out

Bradford (Park Avenue): Taylor (c), Lund (Bazeley 56), Calder, Wood (Holmes 56), Moran (Gibbons 64), Digbeu, Knight, Marriott, Dockerty, Hurst, Headley

Farsley Celtic: Wynne, Richards, Hayhurst (B. Atkinson 74), Higgins (Ellis 74), Allan, Clayton (c), Walton, C. Atkinson, Spencer, Cartman (Syers 74), Parkin

Admission Prices
Adult – £10
Concession (OAP, Student) – £8
Under-17 – £1

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes

31 Aug 2019

Avenue Secure Premier League Loanee

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Bradford (Park Avenue) have today signed right-back Isaiah Bazeley-Graham on loan from Premier League side Aston Villa.

The 19-year-old full-back has joined Marcus Law’s side until January, being allowed to leave Dean Smith’s top flight side on loan.

Bazeley-Graham has featured heavily for Villa’s under-23 side since the start of last season, without managing to break through into the senior set-up.

He was also part of Villa’s success in the annual end of season ‘Soccer Sevens’ trophy, a competition which has previously seen Villa blood the likes of Jack Grealish and Gabby Agbonlahor.

Right-back was a position Law knew he needed to strengthen in, especially after Mitch Lund was forced off at half-time in the win over Darlington on Monday with a groin injury.

Bazeley-Graham goes straight into the squad for Saturday’s home match against AFC Telford United.

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes

31 Aug 2019

Five Depart Avenue

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Matty Clarke, Jake Croft, Zayn Hakeem and Sam Wright have all departed Bradford (Park Avenue) by mutual consent.

Interim manager Marcus Law is continuing to shape his Avenue squad, and following the arrival of a number of new signings, the four players have been allowed to find new clubs.

Meanwhile, midfielder Lewis Rathbone has joined Pickering Town on a month’s loan.

The former Nebraska Bugeaters midfielder has struggled for opportunities in Avenue’s young squad, and has been allowed to enjoy some much-needed game time at Pickering.

Fellow midfielders Clarke and Wright have hardly been involved since Law took charge, both sitting as unused substitutes in the 1-1 draw at Gateshead in their last involvement at the club.

Both players started the 5-0 defeat at home to Guiseley – Garry Thompson’s final match in charge – and have since been unable to force their way into an increasingly strong side.

Full-back Croft also last appeared in the defeat to Guiseley, but has seen the arrival of Riccardo Calder and the return of Jaheim Headley limit his opportunities.

Forward Hakeem, who started in Law’s first three matches in charge, has suffered a similar fate, as the interim manager has strengthened in his position with the likes of Myron Gibbons and Joseph Chidyausiku.

Avenue would like to thank all four players for their efforts in red, amber and black, and wish them all the best for the future.

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes

30 Aug 2019

Taylor Named in Team of the Week

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Avenue goalkeeper Rhys Taylor has been named in the Vanarama National League North team of the week.

The Bradford skipper had a tough debut away at Alfreton Town, but has followed that up with consecutive clean sheets – the club’s first of the season – against Blyth and Darlington.

Taylor has impressed in those matches despite carrying a knock, making a string of fine saves to keep both North-East based sides at bay.

He had to be alert within 30 seconds of the Blyth clash, keeping out Adam Wrightson, before doing brilliantly to deny the same player as the visitors scored from the rebound – though the offside flag went up.

It wasn’t until the dying seconds of that match that Taylor showed his ability once more, denying Robbie Dale who looked a cert to score when through one-on-one.

He started the Darlington game in similar fashion, blocking Will Hatfield’s effort well before reacting brilliantly to prevent Justin Donawa from prodding the ball past him.

The former Fylde stopper then made a stunning save to keep out a Darlinton header which had rebounded off the inside of the post and looked destined for the back of the net.

Taylor went on to save with his legs from Adam Campbell and keep out Louis Laing’s deflected effort, before guessing right for Stephen Thompson’s 97th minute penalty, only to see it thump the outside of the post.

The goalkeeper will be looking for more of the same this Saturday as he will be expected to line up in Avenue’s home contest with AFC Telford United.

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes

30 Aug 2019

Match Preview: Telford (H)

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Bradford (Park Avenue) will look to follow up their first win of the season with another as they welcome AFC Telford United to the Horsfall Stadium.

Interim manager Marcus Law has overseen a change in fortune recently, as Avenue defeated Darlington at Blackwell Meadows to record their first three-point haul of the season.

The match also saw a second successive clean sheet, kept by a defence which had previously shipped 18 goals in the first five matches of the campaign.

That backline was particularly resistant to a late peppering by a Darlington onslaught that saw them hit the woodwork three times – including with a 97th minute penalty.

Goalkeeper Rhys Taylor, brought in by Law to add experience to a young defence, made a string of fine saves to keep Darlington at bay, most notably reacting phenomenally to beat away a header which looked to be destined for goal having cannoned off the inside of the post.

And it was 17-year-old Jaheim Headley – making the first appearance of his loan from Huddersfield Town – who grabbed the match-winner, finishing neatly on the end of Isaac Marriott’s excellent through ball.

Telford, meanwhile, have claimed just two points more than Avenue so far this season, a victory at Southport on Saturday followed up by defeat at home to Leamington.

Gavin Cowan’s side have gained just one further victory this term, against Kidderminster, and recently signed Crewe youngster Lewis Reilly on loan in an attempt to bolster their attacking options.

Bradford were defeated 2-1 in the last meeting between the sides in a rearranged fixture this March, the hosts will be looking to make sure a similar result is not matched this time around.

Recent League Form

Bradford (Park Avenue)
Darlington (A) W 01-0
Blyth (H) D 0-0
Alfreton (A) L 0-4
Gateshead (A) D 1-1
Kidderminster (H) L 0-3

AFC Telford United
Leamington (H) L 1-3
Southport (A) W 1-0
King’s Lynn (H) L 1-3
Hereford (A) L 0-1
Gateshead (H) D 0-0

Last Time Out

Bradford (Park Avenue): Taylor (c), Lund (Chidyausiku 46), Calder, Wood, Moran, Digbeu, Dockerty (Hedley 66), Marriott, Knight (Gibbons 74), Hurst, Headley

AFC Telford United: Addai, White, Morley, Royle, Sutton, Streete, Cowans, McQuilkin, Brown (Reilly 69), Williams (Dinanga 63), Lait (Knights 69)

Admission Prices
Adult – £10
Concession (OAP, Student) – £8
Under-17 – £1

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes