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.

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.

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.

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