The club are running a supporters coach to FC United of Manchester Saturday 24th March 2018 and Chorley Monday 2nd April 2018, with seats costing £12 for adults and £8 for under 18’s.
Only a few seats are remaining on each bus so to book your seat please see Neil Fawcett at the Supporters Information Desk on match day or call him on 07811 959003
Last Saturday’s home game against Alfreton must have been a great game for the neutral with two teams playing an old fashioned 442 and having a really good go at each other. For us however it was a frustrating afternoon and two points dropped after creating more than enough chances to win comfortably. We certainly didn’t have much luck in the game, but we need to be more clinical with the chances we’re creating to get ourselves winning games again.
I felt particularly sorry for Ed Hall, who came back in to the team and conceded three goals despite doing little wrong. He made two smart saves in the first half, but had no chance with their two long range first half goals. In the second half only a deflected free kick could beat him and it summed up the way it has been going for us recently. With Steven Drench likely to be out for a few weeks with a hamstring injury, Ed has the opportunity to keep his shirt after waiting patiently for his chance in the team.
There have been a lot of postponements in our league in recent weeks and credit must go to our ground staff and volunteers who have not only got games on, but got the pitch in decent condition. Many clubs with much greater resources than us have pitches that are looking a real mess at the moment and this has led to several postponements.
Bring on Saturday
Mark
Huddersfield YMCA Vs BPA 7.45pm KO
The decision has been taken to make the match fully segregated and all ticket, with the well-backed visitors arriving at Horsfall Stadium on Friday 30th March.
Avenue fans will have their first opportunity to purchase tickets at the forthcoming home game against AFC Telford. Supporters will be able to purchase tickets from the Supporters’ Information desk in the Clubhouse.
Our visitors have been handed an initial allocation of 1,000.
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.
Lee Knight’s loan deal with Halesowen Town has been extended until the end of the season.
Having been released by League One side Oldham Athletic at the end of last season, young forward Lee joined Avenue after impressing on trial with Mark Bower’s men.
BT Sport has renewed its exclusive rights to broadcast the Vanarama National League for a further three years, until 2021.
BT Sport has been broadcasting live and exclusive coverage of English football’s fifth tier since its launch in August 2013. The new deal will see typically one match broadcast live each match-week, normally in a regular Saturday slot. Each season, BT Sport’s coverage will follow the championship race and the exciting end-of-season playoffs at Wembley through which one team gains a second promotion place into the English Football League.
Additionally, the deal sees the continuation of an innovative tie-up between league and broadcast partner — first launched in 2016 — through which media students from around the country receive broadcast production training from BT and go on to help create BT Sport’s weekly Sunday night National League highlights show.
BT Sport’s live Vanarama National League match coverage is led by presenters Matt Smith and James Richardson with commentators Adam Summerton and Adam Virgo. Joining them are regular pundits Dean Saunders, who has managed several National League clubs following a playing career with Liverpool and Wales, and Chris Hargreaves, who has managed National League side Torquay United.
Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said: “BT Sport is proud to continue our support for the pinnacle of English football’s non-league game. We look forward to bringing our viewers the many storylines that enrich this league’s narrative and which features some of English football’s most well-known clubs. Additionally over the past few years our student initiative has underlined our commitment to non-League football.”
Brian Barwick, Chairman of The National League, said: “After fully testing the market place, we are pleased to renew our partnership with BT Sport for a further three years. BT Sport has produced excellent coverage of the Vanarama National League, and this new deal will extend BT Sport’s investment in our increasingly watched and highly respected competition.”
SPOILS SHARED BETWEEN AVENUE AND ALFRETON
The spoils were shared between Avenue and Alfreton in a thoroughly entertaining league showdown.
Mark Bower shuffled the pack for the visit of Alfreton Town, clearly looking to avoid a repeat of the performance he witnessed in the defeat to North Ferriby United. Ed Hall replaced Steven Drench between the sticks, Mark Ross and Javan Vidal returned from injury, and Matt Hill and Danny Boshell reclaimed their starting berths.
Avenue started brightly and managed to get in behind the Reds defence on several occasions early on. Some intricate passing on the edge of the box led to Vidal breaking down the right and cutting back across goal, but Alfreton managed to hack clear.
Oli Johnson was then denied two opportunities to test Tobias Johannson, firstly by the linesman’s flag and then by a headed clearance that turned Nicky Clee’s cross away from the forward’s direction.
Avenue were rewarded for their early dominance when they struck first with fourteen minutes on the clock. Defender Matt Hill opened his account for the season with a drilled effort across Johannson that flew into the bottom corner, giving Avenue a deserved lead.
Alfreton embarked on a hunt for a quick response, but Nyal Bell’s close-range strike was palmed away by the returning Hall.
Avenue had a golden opportunity to double their lead after the ball fell kindly for Boshell in the box with Johannson stranded, but former Avenue forward Chris Sharp made a dramatic goal-line clearance to deny his former teammate.
The hosts continued to pile on the pressure but were dealt a sickening blow when Tom Platt unleashed a vicious strike from long-range that flew past Hall.
Despite conceding against the run of play, Avenue remained on top. Clee wriggled past two defenders before teeing up Johnson, who will have been disappointed to have struck the post with his tame effort.
Alfreton then took a shock lead, as Sharp found the top corner with a spectacular long-range strike that rendered Hall helpless.
Half-time brought an incredibly frustrating opening 45 minutes to a close, and the Avenue players left the pitch with disbelief etched upon their faces.
Avenue emerged after the interval with a sharpened clinical edge and were eventually rewarded for their continual pressure. Mark Ross whipped in a delightful delivery from the right that Johnson leapt to meet and nod home from close-range.
Vidal then had a golden opportunity to edge Avenue ahead but couldn’t stretch further enough to prod home an Adam Boyes cut-back.
Alfreton introduced winger Brendon Daniels in the 71st minute and the winger made an instant impact by swinging a free-kick past Hall with his first touch to regain the Reds’ lead.
Frank Mulhern was brought on in the aftermath of Daniels’ goal, and he came agonisingly close to drawing level with a curled free-kick that fizzed just wide of the post.
Despite the set-backs, Avenue continued to pose a threat going forward and soon found a breakthrough when Johnson’s cut-back was bundled home in a frantic scramble.
A dramatic finale ensued, but neither side could find the winning goal and it finished 3-3.
Bradford Park Avenue: Hall, Ross, Hill (Smith 80’), Wroe (c), Atkinson, Havern (Killock 69’), Vidal (Mulhern 74’), Boshell, Boyes, Johnson, Clee.
Unused substitutes: Toulson, Spencer
Alfreton Town: Johansson, Topliss, Allan (c), Platt, Wagner, Green, Jennings (Daniels 70’), Baxendale (Disley 76’), Sharp, Bell (Westcarr 66’), Marshall.
Unused substitutes: Elliott, Keane
Referee: Benjamin Speedie
There is currently no planned pitch inspection and as it stands the pitch is playable. However the situation will be monitored throughout the morning and so long as there is no further rain the game should be on.
Dan Pybus has returned to parent club Bradford City after making 3 appearances for The Avenue, following the end of his 1 month loan.
The club would like to thank Dan for his efforts during his time with the Club.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE – MANAGER OF THE MONTH
Daryl McMahon – Ebbsfleet United
Ebbsfleet United handed manager Daryl McMahon a new five-year contract in the summer after achieving promotion to the Vanarama National League, and the show of faith seems to have been rewarded on the pitch. In their first season back in the fifth-tier, Fleet ended February with only goal difference separating the side from a spot in the play-off places. Despite defeat in the month’s first match at Tranmere Rovers- a ground where few away sides have gained three points this season- McMahon’s men won all four of the remaining fixtures. A hard fought 1-0 victory over in-form Solihull Moors was closely followed by three points at FC Halifax Town, where debutant Corey Whitley made an instant impact at his new club. Danny Kedwell’s brace at home to Woking took his tally to 13 for the campaign, while Dean Rance scored the only goal in the final match of the month at Hartlepool United.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE – PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Elliott Durrell – Macclesfield Town
It’s been another magic month for Macclesfield Town. The Silkmen stretched their lead to five points at the top of the Vanarama National League after collecting maximum points from February. Back-to-back away matches at Aldershot Town and Tranmere Rovers looked a tough test on paper, but the table toppers passed with flying colours. Elliott Durrell’s contribution proved crucial during the two matches, creating the winning goal at The EBB Stadium and scoring twice at Prenton Park. In the final game of February, the winger’s pinpoint cross to the far post was met by Scott Wilson to earn three important points in additional time versus Maidenhead United. Durrell earns the accolade for match winning performances, which could prove vital at the end of the campaign.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH – MANAGER OF THE MONTH
Dino Maamria – Nuneaton Town
It was a phenomenal turnaround for Nuneaton Town during an unbeaten February. Only goal difference separated The Boro from the Vanarama National League North relegation zone at the beginning of the month. But four victories in five matches took Dino Maamria’s side into the top half of the table for the first time under his stewardship. The new centre-back pairing of Ryan Johnson and Kennedy Digie contributed towards three clean sheets, while Ashley Chambers maintained his ruthless run in front of goal this campaign, finding the target on three occasions. Now only five points behind the top seven, Nuneaton Town may turn attentions towards a late play-off push, which looked more than improbable just a few weeks ago.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH – PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Jason Gilchrist – Southport
It was another great month in front of goal for marksman Jason Gilchrist, and the Vanarama National League North top goal scorer is the deserving winner of the Player of the Month award for February. Five goals in just three matches takes the striker’s tally to twenty three in the league this season, including twelve since joining Southport from FC United of Manchester. The month began with the 23-year-old netting a second hat-trick of the campaign in victory over Gainsborough Trinity, with a half-volley from a tight angle to open the scoring the pick of the goals. Gilchrist scored from the penalty spot as Southport recorded a second successive three-goal victory at North Ferriby United. After falling behind against Curzon Ashton, Gilchrist’s header at the far post proved to the catalyst for an impressive comeback to secure maximum points from the month.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH – MANAGER OF THE MONTH
Marc Richards – Gloucester City
Since taking charge of Gloucester City in mid-December, Marc Richards has excelled so far in his first role in football management. A former Tigers player- having appeared over 100 times for the club- Richards was First Team Assistant Manager under the reign of former manager Tim Harris. After a brief period of adjustment- with the side sitting inside the bottom three- February was where Richards began to leave his mark. A five-match unbeaten run- including three straight victories over Welling United, Concord Rangers and Wealdstone- propelled the side rapidly up the Vanarama National League South table. Joe Hanks’ wonder strike at Havant & Waterlooville in the final match of the month may have been in vein, but the performance showed just how far they’ve come in just a short period of time.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH – PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Rory Williams – Havant & Waterlooville
After suffering relegation out of the Vanarama National League South in 2016, Havant & Waterlooville are on the trail for back-to-back promotions. The Hawks have made an immediate impact since returning to the division. They are currently on course to reach the fifth-tier for the first time in their history. Rory Williams has been one of the players key to the fluid transition back into the division, and collects the award after a fine February. The left wing-back was a consistent performer for Lee Bradbury’s side, contributing in both defence and attack. The side conceded just twice in the month, with clean sheets coming in three of their five matches. Williams also scored in the first game of February, smartly tucking a free-kick under the wall at Poole Town.
