14 Aug 2018

Match Preview: Bradford (Park Avenue) Vs. Spennymoor Town

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Bradford return to the Horsfall Stadium after two away trips to host the side that they pipped to the post in last season’s race for the final play-off spot. 

Spennymoor Town crumbled as the finishing line approached in the 2017/18 season, allowing Mark Bower’s side to secure a 7th-placed finish on the final day in dramatic fashion.

The Moors, however, have invested heavily in their squad over the summer and are among the favourites for promotion this season.

Jason Ainsley’s side are yet to succumb to a defeat and will be hoping that their record remains unblemished after tonight’s fixture. Despite avoiding defeat against Chester, Darlington and Altrincham, Spennymoor failed to clinch victory in all three ties and find themselves two points adrift of their opponents for the evening, who sit in 6th despite losing to Leamington in their previous fixture.

Bradford will be keen to make the Horsfall Stadium a fortress this season after celebrating victory there on the opening day, and welcome sides to their West Yorkshire home in quick succession with Stockport County awaiting after tonight’s visit from Spennymoor.

Tonight’s hosts last welcomed the Moors to the Horsfall in January, and suffered a 2-1 defeat despite Nicky Clee’s second-half strike sparking hope of a comeback.

Two members of Bradford’s 2017/18 squad could feature for the opposition, with Rob Atkinson and Adam Boyes now plying their trade in County Durham. Former Bradford loanee Jake Hibbs also joined the Moors during the summer and could line-up against his former employers.

The signing of former Leeds United forward Lewis Knight was announced today and he could be in line for a debut after receiving international clearance.

GUIDE TO THE OPPONENTS:

The Gaffer:

Jason Ainsley

48-year-old Ainsley has been in charge at The Brewery Field since 2007, where he took the reigns after bringing his playing career to an end and enjoying a spell as Assistant Manager. He has delivered four promotions, five league titles, two domestic cups and lifted the FA Vase as manager in 2013. As a player, he captained Spennymoor and also represented the likes of Hartlepool United, Blyth Spartans and Barrow. The former midfielder also played in Singapore and Australia. The 2018/19 season marks his 12th in charge of the Moors, making him one of the longest-serving bosses in the country.

One To Watch:

Glen Taylor

The robust 28-year-old forward has already notched two goals this season, including a crucial equaliser in a 4-4 draw with Altrincham. Taylor has proven himself to be a prolific marksman, surpassing the 20-goal mark last season having netted 19 in the 2016/17 campaign. A former FA Vase winner with Whitley Bay, he scored over 100 goals during his spell with Ashington and spent time with Jamie Vardy’s V9 Academy in the summer of 2017.

Admission:

Adults: £12

Concessions: £9

Students: £7

Under-18s: £2

 

14 Aug 2018

Bradford Sign Lewis Knight

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Bradford (Park Avenue) have completed the signing of forward Lewis Knight after the 19-year-old was granted international clearance.

Knight joins having featured as a trialist throughout pre-season, making an instant impact with a goal against Silsden on his first outing in a Bradford shirt. He continued to impress manager Mark Bower in a series of friendlies, earning a contract with the club and becoming the eighth new addition to the squad.

He is a product of Leeds United’s academy and featured regularly for the club’s under-18 and under-23 sides as a scholar before being released in 2017.

Following his Elland Road exit, the forward moved to the USA to study at Marshall University and was prolific for the University’s football team in the Conference USA league.

He returned to England this year and spoke to us about his delight at joining Bradford (Park Avenue):

“I’m really happy to have joined Bradford (Park Avenue). It’s a great club and I’m really looking forward to being part of a successful season. I’m eager to help the team achieve its goals and learn along the way. I just can’t wait to get playing now.” 

Knight is available for this evening’s clash with Spennymoor Town.

Lewis Knight is now available to sponsor and supporters are able to sponsor either his home or away kit for £60. To download a player kit sponsorship form please click here

11 Aug 2018

Bradford Suffer First Defeat At Hands of Brakes

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Leamington condemned Bradford (Park Avenue) to their first defeat of the season despite a late rally from the West Yorkshire side.

The hosts started the game on the front foot, piling a lot of pressure on Leamington as they looked to assert their dominance early on.

Chris Dawson and Jake Beesley had shown signs that an impressive partnership was developing during the win over Blyth Spartans, and they picked up from where they left off against the Brakes.

They combined well to release Beesley in the opening three minutes and the forward won a corner when he was felled by James Mace. Nicky Clee’s delivery found Shane Killock, but the defender’s header was hooked away from danger by Jamie Hood.

Beesley then connected with a free-kick delivery from Nicky Wroe but looped his header over the crossbar.

The on-loan forward was the target of several deliveries and he headed narrowly wide minutes later when he connected with a Ben McKenna cross.

Leamington began to grow into the game as the half wore on and caught their first glimpse of goal when Matt Stenson headed wide after stooping to meet a Joe Clarke cross.

The hosts’ best opportunity came barely a minute later when Stenson rattled the crossbar with a header and Jamie Hood’s follow-up was blocked.

The chances seemed to breathe life into Leamington and the latter stages of the second-half were much more closely-fought.

Connor Taylor found space on the left-hand side of the box but blasted wide despite being in acres of space.

Dawson had an opportunity to open his Bradford account when Ryan Toulson drilled a cross in from the right, but he leaned back and blazed over.

With half-time looming, the brakes found another gear and took the lead with a devastating counter-attack. Toulson challenged Callum Gittings but the deflection was picked up by Stenson, who accelerated and tucked the ball away in the bottom corner.

The hosts started the second-half in similar fashion to how they finished the first and doubled their lead just four minutes after the restart. Shane Killock could only clear a corner as far as Gittings om the edge of the box, who rifled into the bottom corner.

Stenson then made an incisive dart into the box but fired wide under pressure from Luca Havern.

Stenson made his way into the box again moments later and this time, found the target. Drench was helpless as the forward’s well-struck effort flew past him and nestled in the bottom corner.

Adam Nowakowski was introduced on the hour mark and began causing problems instantly. He chased a seemingly lost cause before winning possession and pulling back to Oli Johnson, who delivered for Beesley but watched as the forward flicked wide.

As Bradford looked to defy the odds and overturn the deficit, they piled bodies forward in a desperate search for opportunites. A Beesley header was hooked off the line and McKenna drove an effort into the clutches of Breeden.

The winger then unleashed a curling effort towards goal that flew barely an inch wide of the post.

Nowakowski brought down a lofted pass from Conor Branson magnificently, but lifted a half-volley over the crossbar.

Late drama then ensued as Killock connected with Jamie Spencer’s cross and caused the roof of the net to bulge with a powerful header.

Barely a minute later, McKenna delivered the ball on a plate for Johnson and the striker steered home.

Hope of a comeback, however, was killed when Dwyer converted past Drench with a neat finish after escaping Killock.

Leamington: Breeden (c), English, Bowen, Clarke, Hood, Mace, Dunbar, Gittings, Stenson (Dwyer 75’), Edwards (Magunda 69’), Taylor (Steele 80’).

Unused substitutes: Morris, Obeng.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Drench, Toulson (Johnson 45’), Ross, Wroe (Spencer 58’), Killock (c), Havern, McKenna, Branson, Beesley, Dawson (Nowakowski 61’), Clee.

Unused substitutes: Atkinson, Boshell.

Referee: Scott Simpson

11 Aug 2018

Match Preview: Leamington Vs. Bradford (Park Avenue)

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Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking to pick up a third consecutive victory against a Leamington side renowned for being formidable at home. 

The West Yorkshire side hadn’t succumbed to a defeat in their previous eight games when they last visited the Phillips 66 Community Stadium, but were beaten as goals from Kieran Dunbar and Ahmed Obeng cancelled out James Knowles’ opener.

However, when the Brakes visited the Horsfall Stadium in April, Adam Boyes notched the winner in the first minute and Steven Drench saved a penalty in the second-half.

Today’s hosts have made an impressive start to the season, holding Altrincham to a 2-2 draw at Moss Lane on the opening day before dispatching Boston United on Tuesday night.

GUIDE TO THE OPPONENTS:

The Gaffer:

Paul Holleran

Holleran took charge of the Brakes in November 2009 and has guided them to promotion to the National League North twice since his appointment. He also led Leamington to their first Birmingham Senior Cup win in 45 years in 2017. He joined the club in 2009 having previously managed Kings Norton Town, Solihull, Halesowen Town and Rushall Olympic. As a player, he represented Birmingham City and the Republic of Ireland as a schoolboy, before moving into senior football with the likes of Alvechurch and Solihull Borough.

One To Watch:

Matt Stenson

24-year-old forward Matt Stenson put pen to paper on a one-year contract with the Brakes yesterday, having netted his first goal for the club in their shock win over Boston United on Tuesday night. After ascending the youth ranks of Coventry City, Stenson made 23 appearances for Hinckley United as a midfielder before suffering a hip injury that sidelined him for over two years. He returned with Leicester Road as a striker and caught the attention of Barwell after scoring a remarkable 42 goals in 25 games. The forward found the back of the net on 20 occasions in the Northern Premier League with Barwell last season, earning a move to Paul Holleran’s Leamington.

Today’s hosts have provided an ‘Away Fan Guide’ and you can take a look at some key information from the guide right here…

FOOD AND DRINK:

Behind the Harbury Lane End stand, there is the Brakes Bar which is open to all fans unless the ground is segregated. If the ground is segregated, then you can find beer in the temporary bar in the away end. You can consume alcohol pitchside if it is in a plastic cup. Food is available from either the burger bar or the refreshment and sweet shops found as you enter the ground.

THE GROUND:

Whilst being a widely ‘open’ ground, the capacity of our ground is 2,300 with 254 seated. As you walk into the ground on a non-segregated match, on your right is the Main Stand, housing most of the seats, and the terrace on the right is the Harbury Lane End Terrace. If you walk past the Harbury Lane End Terrace and turn left you are on the Sheepside Bank which occupies a small open stand and standing open terraces overlooking the dugouts. If you carry on and turn left again, you are on the open standing North Bank, which is used as an away end if the game is segregated. Away fans also get the West Terrace, next to the main stand and 50 seats on the away stand. The capacity in the away end is around 800, and can be maximised to 1,000 with half of the Sheepside Bank.

PARKING:

Follow the postcode on the first page of this fan guide to get directions to the ground but please note that the stadium has limited parking with no road parking nearby. For high profile matches we run a Park and Ride from Leamington Train Station to the ground, so keep an eye on our social pages and website for any news of that!

DRUMS:

Please also note that the ground has a no drum policy as
neighbours have complained at the noise before. Make sure
you bring your singing voices down and make as much noise
as you can!

ADMISSION PRICES:

Adults: £12

Concessions: £8

Students: £6

Under-18s: £3

Under-12s: Free

Kick-off: 3pm

10 Aug 2018

FC United & Chester Away Travel

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The club will be running a supporters coach to the FC United & Chester games and the prices are as follows:

FC United Sunday 2nd September 2018
Prices – £12 Adults / £8 Under 16’s
Pick Up – TBC

Chester Saturday 8th September 2018
Prices – £15 Adults / £10 Under 16’s
Pick Up – TBC

To book your seat please see Neil Fawcett at the Supporters Information Desk on match day or call him on 07811 959003

8 Aug 2018

Blyth Beaten By Beesley Brace

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A brace from recent loan recruit Jake Beesley made it back-to-back victories for a Bradford (Park Avenue) side riding high on a wave of confidence.

Beesley arrived on a season-long loan from Salford City prior to Bradford’s final pre-season friendly, and fired his new club to an impressive victory with two cool finishes.

An early error from Luca Havern allowed Dan Maguire to get in behind the Bradford defence early on, but after pulling back to the edge of the box, could only watch as communication broke down between Jamie Holmes and Kieran Green. The former’s shot was delayed and subsequently blocked by Shane Killock.

The hosts did threaten in the opening exchanges and Conor Branson received an early booking after clipping the legs of an advancing Holmes in the 9th minute.

Despite signs of attacking potency from Alun Armstrong’s Spartans, it was Bradford that took the lead when Beesley rounded Peter Jameson and slotted into a vacated net.

The goal seemed to light a spark in Bradford, who began to ask more questions of a Blyth backline that proved to be prone to lapses in concentration.

Beesley wriggled away from Nathan Buddle before nodding into the path of Nicky Wroe, who lost his footing at the crucial moment and saw his tame effort collected by Jameson.

When Blyth did advance forward, they failed to maintain composure in front of goal and Jarrett Rivers fired his effort straight into the clutches of Steven Drench after finding space on the right-hand side of the 18-yard box.

Robbie Dale, making his 601st appearance for the Spartans, won a free-kick in a dangerous area after being felled by Chris Dawson but drove his effort into the wall.

Connor Oliver took the next free-kick that was won moments later, but Drench held his dipping strike.

Dawson, operating at the front of Bradford’s midfield three, was a constant thorn in Blyth’s side and cut the hosts open with a defence-splitting pass that found Nicky Clee. Clee’s low-driven effort, however, was beaten away by Jameson.

Beesley eluded his marker to run in behind Blyth’s defence when the game reached the half-hour mark and looked to round Jameson again. Despite leaving defenders in his wake, Beesley couldn’t beat Jameson this time and was shepherded wide before the goalkeeper won possession with a slide tackle.

As half-time approached, Blyth enjoyed some opportunities of their own and Dan Maguire raced through on goal after Havern misjudged a hopeful punt forward. Despite having just the goalkeeper to beat, Maguire fired wide to the frustration of the Blyth supporters.

A clearance from Wroe was then badly misjudged by Sean Reid, allowing Beesley to race through on goal in similar fashion to how Maguire had moments earlier. The forward, however, couldn’t add to his tally and rifled wide.

With a minute remaining until the half-time whistle, Havern was forced to make a crucial block on the line to prevent a powerful effort from Rivers nestling in the bottom corner.

HALF-TIME: Blyth Spartans 0-1 Bradford (Park Avenue)

The hosts emerged with a heightened sense of urgency after the break, and Bradford were forced to weather an early storm. Michael Liddle’s strike took a deflection off Maguire and changed the direction of the ball, forcing Drench to be alert and scramble across to save.

The Bradford stopper then pulled off another magnificent save, denying Holmes by tipping his thunderous effort over the crossbar.

After a snapped corner flag caused a brief stoppage, the action was resumed and Blyth continued to pile pressure on Bradford. A series of efforts on goal, however, were blocked as the visitors defended with admirable resilience.

A catalogue of errors from Blyth’s defence enabled the tide to turn in Bradford’s favour, and Beesley saw a well-struck effort hooked off the line after Buddle misjudged a Killock clearance.

After a brief spell of Bradford dominance enabled by sloppy Blyth defending, momentum shifted once again and Mark Bower’s side returned to the back foot for the final fifteen minutes.

Drench was forced to scurry across his line and thwart Liddle, who tested the goalkeeper with a series of long-range efforts from the left.

Midfielder Jamie Spencer entered the fray for Bradford in the 84th minute, providing a much-needed injection of energy. He registered an assist after just a minute on the pitch, drilling in a cross from the left and finding Beesley, who poked home.

Blyth produced a rapid response as Reid stooped to meet a delivery from the left and steered a header past the outstretched glove of Drench.

As Blyth bodies piled forward, Bradford had to defend with desperation. Drench was able to send the ball deep into the hosts’ half with a goal-kick when Bradley Fewster nodded over from an Adam Wrightson cross, and it proved to be the end of the late onslaught.

The Yorkshire side will be keen to continue their excellent start to the season when they visit Leamington on Saturday.

FULL-TIME: Blyth Spartans 1-2 Bradford (Park Avenue)

Blyth Spartans: Jameson, Nicholson, Liddle, Green, Buddle, Reid, Rivers (Wrightson 86′), Oliver, Maguire, Holmes (Fewster 90′), Dale (c).

Unused substitutes: Watson, Horner, Skirpan.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Drench, Toulson, Lowe, Wroe, Killock (c), Havern, McKenna (Ross 73′), Branson, Beesley, Dawson (Spencer 84′), Clee (Johnson 65′).

Unused substitutes: Boshell, Nowakowski.

Referee: Andrew Kitchen

 

7 Aug 2018

Match Preview: Blyth Spartans Vs. Bradford (Park Avenue)

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Bradford (Park Avenue) hit the ground running with a 1-0 win over Brackley Town and will be keen to establish themselves as one of the league’s pacemakers with another win this evening.

Alun Armstrong’s Blyth Spartans suffered a 3-0 defeat to Hereford on the opening day and will be desperate to prevent a gap opening up between themselves and their rivals in the play-off race.

Blyth were mauled on their last visit to the Horsfall Stadium, as goals from Wayne Brooksby, Oli Johnson, Jamie Spencer and Adam Boyes condemned the shocked Spartans to a heavy defeat. Tonight’s hosts did, however, strike back with a convincing win over Mark Bower’s side at Croft Park in February thanks to a Dale Hopson brace and a Jarrett Rivers strike.

Take a look at our brief guide to this evening’s opponents…

THE GAFFER: 

Alun Armstrong

42-year old Alun Armstrong took charge of Blyth in September 2016 and guided the Spartans to the Northern Premier League title in his first-ever campaign in the dugout. As a player, he represented Bradford’s neighbours Bradford City during a brief loan spell in the 2003-2004 season, as well as featuring for Yorkshire sides Huddersfield Town and Doncaster Rovers on loan in 2000 and 2006. His most successful spells, however, were enjoyed outside of Yorkshire. The former forward made 160 appearances for Stockport County between 1994 and 1998 after ascending the youth ranks of Newcastle United, and found the back of the net on 49 occasions for the Hatters. He also represented Middlesbrough, Ipswich Town, Darlington and Rushden & Diamonds in a career spanning 14 years, before retiring after a very brief stint with Newcastle Blue Star. Armstrong famously scored the only goal during Ipswich’s 1-0 win over Inter Milan in a UEFA Cup first leg tie in 2001.

ONE TO WATCH:

Robbie Dale

Despite reaching the age of 34, Dale remains one of the biggest talents outside of league football. He made his 600th appearance for the Spartans on the opening day of the 2018/19 season, having netted a hat-trick on his debut against Wakefield & Emley in March 2005. The winger was named the Evo-Stik Premier Division Player of the Year in 2015 and turned down a contract with Oxford United as a 21-year-old. The Blyth stalwart was instrumental in both of the club’s recent FA Cup runs, featuring in the 3rd round in 2009 and 2015.

KEY SIGNING: 

Bradley Fewster

22-year-old forward Bradley Fewster joined Blyth in July and is a man with a point to prove. After progressing through Middlesbrough’s youth ranks, he made his professional debut in August 2014 and then scored on his second senior outing, against Preston North End. He found the back of the net on eight occasions for York City during a loan spell in the Minstermen’s 2015/16 League Two campaign but then struggled during a stint on loan at Hartlepool United. He was released by Boro in 2017 and spent last season with National League North side Spennymoor Town, where he failed to rediscover his goal-scoring form. A player who was prolific for England at under-19 level, Fewster will be keen to kickstart his career at Croft Park and could prove to be a canny addition if he finds form.

You can follow live coverage of this evening’s game via Twitter – @BPAFCOfficial.

Croft Park admission prices:

Adults: £12

Concessions: £7

13-16: £5

Under-12s: Free

Kick-off: 7:45pm

 

4 Aug 2018

McKenna Magic Sinks Saints

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A sensational free-kick from Ben McKenna gave Bradford (Park Avenue) an opening day victory over Brackley Town.

Kevin Wilkin’s side knocked Bradford out of the play-offs last season, but McKenna’s sublime strike ensured that the West Yorkshire side emerged victorious this time.

The hosts set the pace early on, and recent loan recruit Jake Beesley forced Danny Lewis to beat away a powerful effort in the opening five minutes after he had dispossessed Luke Graham.

Nicky Wroe then stung the palms of Lewis with a thunderous strike from the right, and Graham was forced to blast clear after the effort was parried.

Mark Bower will have been pleased with the slick nature of Bradford’s passing in the early exchanges, and his side believed they should have had a penalty when Beesley was seemingly shoved in the back by Gareth Dean.

Brackley showed glimpses of their ability to cause problems going forward in the first-half and Bradford debutant Conor Branson had to make an excellent sliding challenge to thwart Matt Lowe, who had accelerated away from Wroe.

Saints stopper Lewis then had to be alert to tip Chris Dawson’s close-range effort over the crossbar as pressure began to mount on the hosts.

Opportunities continued to fall to the hosts as Brackley could only clear a corner as far as the edge of the 18-yard box, where Danny Lowe was waiting to drill towards goal. His effort, however, flew narrowly wide.

The tempo of the game slowed as the interval approached, but Ben McKenna produced a moment of inspiration on the stroke of half-time to edge Bradford ahead. Beesley was bundled over by Graham on the edge of the box, and McKenna stepped up to strike past a helpless Lewis.

The action wasn’t as enthralling after the break, and chances were few and far between. Lee Ndlovu headed wide after meeting Lowe’s cross and that was as close as Brackley got to troubling Steven Drench in the early stages of the second-half.

Jamie Spencer, a replacement for the ill Dawson, slipped through to Ryan Toulson who fired wide under pressure from Glenn Walker.

In the final twenty minutes, Brackley pressed forward more frequently and began to pile bodies forward in search of the elusive equaliser. Substitute Luke Fairlamb demonstrated impressive trickery on the left flank to evade the challenge of Toulson but his cross was steered away from danger by Luca Havern.

Drench then spilled a Walker delivery but Havern was once again on-hand to blast clear before Ndlovu could capitalise on the goalkeeper’s error.

Daniel Nti saw a strike from around 15-yards out blocked superbly by Shane Killock, before Ndlovu blazed over the follow-up.

Three minutes into stoppage time, a Shane Byrne delivery found Connor Franklin, but his header was blocked by his own teammate, Lee Ndlovu.

Bradford held on and celebrated a thoroughly-deserved victory on the opening day of the 2018/19 campaign.

FULL-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 1-0 Brackley Town

Bradford (Park Avenue): Drench, Toulson, Lowe, Wroe (Boshell 90′), Killock (c), Havern, McKenna, Branson, Beesley, Dawson (Spencer 50’), Clee (Johnson 72’).

Unused substitutes: Ross, Nowakowski.

Brackley Town: Lewis, Lowe, Franklin, Byrne, Graham (Fairlamb 63’), Dean (c), Walker, Armson, Smith (Nti 66’), Ndlovu, Murombedzi (Myles 76’).

Unused substitutes: Walker, Hall.

Referee: Aaron Williamson

4 Aug 2018

Atkinson Added To Squad

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Bradford (Park Avenue) have completed the signing of goalkeeper Jack Atkinson ahead of the 2018/19 season.

The 18-year-old joins to provide cover between the sticks and provide competition for Steven Drench, who signed a new deal with the club in May.

He spent last season with FC Halifax Town, where he impressed enough for the under-19 side to be called up to train with the first-team on a regular basis in the second year of his scholarship.

The young stopper was crucial as the young Shaymen reached the National League U19 Alliance League Cup final, and played at Walsall’s Bescott Stadium as they lost to Chester.

Jack will be available for selection for this afternoon’s season opener against Brackley Town.

Welcome to Bradford, Jack!