7 Feb 2023

MATCH REPORT – Gloucester City 5 – 1 Bradford (Park Avenue)

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Avenue hit for five at Gloucester.

Bradford (Park Avenue) fell to a heavy 5-1 defeat at Gloucester City on Saturday afternoon, a second loss in successive games as their winless run extends to eight matches.

The game got off to the worst possible start for the Avenue who found themselves a goal behind inside two minutes as Dominic McHale calmly slotted a right-footed effort beyond George Sykes-Kenworthy into the bottom corner.

The Green Army responded well and quickly went in search of an equaliser, but less than ten minutes later Gloucester had doubled their lead, McHale this time turning provider as his well-weighted cross from a free kick was nodded in by Kennedy Digie.

Once again, Bradford (Park Avenue) were not to be deterred, and on the quarter of an hour mark Brad Dockerty latched on to a perfectly timed cross from Lucas Odunston to half the deficit. The score remained the same until half time in what was a back-and-forth 45 minutes that saw both sides trying to seize the initiative and add to their respective tallies.

Despite a promising end to the half, Bradford (Park Avenue) started the second half in similar frustrating fashion to the first as they gave away a penalty within two minutes of the restart. Temitope Obadeyi powered his spot-kick beyond Sykes-Kenworthy to double Gloucester’s lead once again.

As the second half wore on the Avenue continued to try to find a way back into the game, stringing together some promising passing moves. However, clear-cut chances were at a minimum and with little over twenty minutes remaining, the hosts once again caught the visitors cold as McHale doubled his assist tally for the afternoon, calmly squaring for Kieran Phillips to tap in with the goal at his mercy. McHale compounded Avenue’s misery on 75 minutes, rounding off a fine performance by adding his second, and Gloucester’s fifth, of the afternoon.

After the game, Avenue boss Mark Bower acknowledged the damage inflicted by defensive mistakes throughout the game with “four or five errors leading up to the first goal”. Bower also shared his concern over his side’s growing injury list, adding “we lost Reece Staunton injured which is a blow, with the likes of Blythy (Blyth), OJ (Johnson), Jordan Preston out, Spenner (Spencer) and Lundy (Lund) not a hundred per cent fit yet, we are thin”.

Nonetheless, Bower did look to the positives, taking particular satisfaction with the response to going two goals behind. “We got to grips with our shape against theirs; we moved the ball quite well and scored a good goal”. The Avenue manager also was keen to point out the battling nature of his side since the early months of the season, adding, “that’s the first game we’ve lost by more than one goal since early October. The lads compete well and have been in games. It hasn’t felt like this on the side-lines for quite a while”.

The result has seen Bradford (Park Avenue) slip to 19th in the Vanarama National League North, but the Green Army remain three points clear of the relegation zone, albeit having played more games than the sides below. This only adds to the importance of Avenue’s next fixture as they prepare to welcome Leamington to the Horsfall Community Stadium this Saturday. The visitors sit one point and one place below Bradford with three games in hand, meaning a win is vital for the Green Army’s efforts to re-climb the table and stave off relegation as the season continues.

FULL TIME: GLOUCESTER CITY 5-1 BRADFORD (PARK AVENUE)

(2’) GOAL – Gloucester City 1-0 Bradford (Park Avenue) – Dominic McHale

(13’) GOAL – Gloucester City 2-0 Bradford (Park Avenue) – Kennedy Digie

(15’) GOAL – Gloucester City 2-1 Bradford (Park Avenue) – Brad Dockerty

(49’ pen) GOAL – Gloucester City 3-1 Bradford (Park Avenue) – Temitope Obadeyi

(69’) GOAL – Gloucester City 4-1 Bradford (Park Avenue) – Kieran Phillips

(75’) GOAL – Gloucester City 5-1 Bradford (Park Avenue) – Dominic McHale

Writer: Stephen Grimshaw (@sgsportswriter on Twitter)

3 Feb 2023

David Bruce RIP

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It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of club stalwart David Bruce during the night in hospital. David and his late wife Maria were both previous directors of the club who both donated and raised monies for the club during their time, his health had deteriorated recently but he still managed to come down to Horsfall a couple of times this season. Our sincere condolences go to David’s family and he will be missed by all that knew him, funeral arrangements will be announced once known. David was 85 years old.

R.I.P

3 Feb 2023

MATCH PREVIEW – Gloucester City (A)

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Avenue are back on the road again this Saturday.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be on their travels again this weekend as they make the 175-mile journey to mid-table Gloucester City on Saturday. The trip to New Meadow Park will be a second successive away fixture for the Avenue, following on from Tuesday’s narrow defeat at promotion chasing Kings Lynn Town, a result that took the opposition to the summit of the Vanarama National League North.

Despite the loss in midweek, Bradford boss Mark Bower expressed pride in his side’s performance against a full-time team, and felt unfortunate not to take anything from the game after Will Longbottom had put the Avenue ahead early in the second half. The Green Army were boosted by the return of Reece Staunton after a recent spell on the side-lines, but now expect to be without striker Jordan Preston for the trip to Gloucester after he was forced off inside the opening fifteen minutes with a suspected hamstring injury.

Bower also made clear his desire to improve Bradford (Park Avenue)’s league position this Saturday. It is now seven games without a win for the Avenue after what was an impressive end to the calendar year. The run has left the side looking nervously over their shoulders, just three points clear of the relegation zone having played more games than the chasing pack. A win at New Meadow Park on Saturday could lift Bradford up a place into 16th, providing results go their way elsewhere.

Gloucester City are also approaching this weekend’s fixture struggling for consistency, with only one win recorded from their previous seven games. The Tigers have struggled at the back this season, with their leaky defence conceding the second-highest amount of goals in the National League North, a statistic the Avenue attack will no doubt look to exploit. The hosts are also reeling from the loss of top goal scorers Matt McClure and Tré Mitford. McClure had netted 14 goals in 24 games before moving to National League South club Chippenham Town in January, whilst Mitford had netted eight times this season before departing to Boston United last month. The Gloucester fans may understandably be left worrying where their goals will come from in the absence of their star strikers.

The Green Army will be hoping for more of the same when reflecting on the reverse fixture between these sides. The Halloween encounter saw Bradford (Park Avenue) emerge victorious with a 2-1 win at the Horsfall Community Stadium, courtesy of goals from Jacob Blyth and Brad Dockerty. Furthermore, the Avenue are unbeaten in their previous three away matches against Gloucester City, one of which included an enthralling 4-4 draw back in November 2020. Bradford (Park Avenue) came back from 3-1 down to lead 4-3, only to be denied by a Gloucester equaliser in the second half. The Avenue faithful will be hoping for similar free-flowing attacking football this Saturday.

Match Preview by Stephen Grimshaw (@sgsportswriter on Twitter)

Getting to the ground:

TigerTurf Stadium, Sudmeadow Road, Gloucester, GL2 5HS

Public transport – The nearest train station is Gloucester, which is about a 25 minute walk away. Stagecoach buses 8 and 11 stop just a minute or two walk from the stadium and both leave from the City Centre.

​Car – There is limited space for car parking at TigerTurf Stadium, and as such parking is only available on matchdays for blue badge holders (email before matchday info@gcafc.co.uk), guests and officials.

​

Local Car Parks

  • 3 Hours free parking is available at Sainsbury’s on St Ann Way GL2 5SA, a 5 minute walk from the ground. 
  • Castlemeads Car Park, GL1 2NH is a Pay & Display car park and is a 10 minute walk
  • Gloucester Quays Car Park, Baker Street GL2 5RG offers up to 4 hours parking for £5 and is a 12 minute walk 

Directions (from the North)

Exit the M5 at junction 11 and take the A40 westbound towards Gloucester. At the roundabout take the 4th exit (A40) towards Ross. At the next roundabout go straight on (2nd exit) staying on the A40. At the next roundabout take the 1st exit left towards the city centre. Go right at the next junction towards Hempsted (A430). Straight ahead at the next set of lights and Sudmeadow Road is the third right turn just before the next set of traffic lights.

Directions (from the South)

Exit the M5 at junction 12 and head towards Gloucester. Go straight ahead at the roundabout on the A38 Quedgeley by-pass. Ahead at the next roundabout and straight ahead at the next two sets of traffic lights. onto Secunda Way (A430). Follow this road past three more sets of lights onto marina junction. Stay in the left hand lane towards Cheltenham/Ledbury/Ross. At the next lights with ‘The High Orchard’ to your right, go straight ahead and text the first left onto Sudmeadow Road.

To purchase tickets ahead of the game, click the link below

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/gloucestercityafc/840520#

2 Feb 2023

MATCH REPORT – Chorley (H) and Kings Lynn Town (A)

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Avenue held their own against two top teams in the division.

Avenue’s goalless draw with Chorley and the narrow defeat to Kings Lynn means they pick up one point from a possible six against two of the league’s promotion chasers.

491 fans witnessed the goalless home draw against play-off chasers Chorley. It took a while for Avenue to get going.

The first half saw Chorley have the better of the chances and most of the game’s possession. But as the first half went on Avenue became stronger and nearly broke the deadlock just past the half hour mark.  Maroodza found some space for a shot but it was claimed well by the Chorley keeper.

Chorley came out into the second half with fire in their belly.  They created several chances but Avenue absorbed the pressure and waited patiently to try and catch the away side on the break.  Towards the end Avenue made some good chances and, had fortune favoured them, they could have nicked all three points.

The Bradford boss Mark Bower wasn’t happy with the performance rating most of his players five or six out of ten, but was happy to take a point as he stated,

“When it’s not going for you and you can’t string anything together its important you keep a clean sheet, but I thought we defended well today and when they had as many chances as they had we earned the right to take a point at the end of the day.”

The following Tuesday saw the Avenue travel to the league leaders Kings Lynn who were unbeaten in their last five games.  It was always going to a tall order for the Avenue to come away with anything.

In contrast to the Chorley game, Avenue started the brighter of the two sides and looked well on top throughout the first half, having most of the chances, but the home defence held firm.

Avenue’s pressure was rewarded five minutes into the second half.  Great effort from Brad Dockerty, who played it down the left, and through the defences before passing to Longbottom who dispatched the ball into the back of the net to give Bradford a well-deserved lead.

This setback stirred the home side as they drew level after only four minutes.

Undeterred, Avenue kept up the pressure with Longbottom heading over and Dockerty harassing the home side’s keeper and backline when out of possession.

But it would be the home side who would find the winner with 20 minutes to go.  A good strike from Christian Oxlade Chamberlain found its way past Sykes – Kenworthy to make sure the points stayed firmly on home soil.

Mark Bower had nothing but praise for his side’s performance,

“I thought we were good today, they didn’t really trouble us, a bit disappointed with the goals we conceded. I’m just disappointed and frustrated that we haven’t taken something from the game because I thought we deserved it.” 

2 Feb 2023

AWAY SUPPORTER INFORMATION – Gloucester City

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Here is your guide to the TigerTurf Stadium, where we are hosted by Gloucester City on Saturday 4th February!

Kick Off is set for 3pm, for directions to the stadium, follow the link below.

https://www.gloucestercityafc.com/tigerturfstadium

For tickets, visit the link below.

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/gloucestercityafc/840520#

#UTA

2 Feb 2023

THE VIEW FROM THE BOARDROOM – Paul Armitages Notes (28/01/23)

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Hopefully the end of January will mean an improvement in the weather. Non league clubs struggle with the loss of off-field income and on-field momentum when snow and ice hit.

We all know that Odsal Top suffers greatly with its own micro climate! No wonder lots of our former players came from the bleaker regions of Scotland, though Canterbury Avenue wasn’t quite as tough as Horsfall!

As ever at the halfway point in the season Mark and Martin have strengthened the squad and added flexibility, cover and competition for places too, helped by the fundraising of the Development Fund, loan recalls and returning loanees. All the moves seem to have been well received by supporters too, which is good to know. No panic buys either.

In this economic environment we are also seeing many clubs reviewing how they can continue to afford the challenges of running a football club. It makes it frustrating to listen to the more extravagant tales of the transfer market where clubs, players and agents can earn enough to live well and could still afford to sponsor a non-league football club!

It would seem reasonable to tap into these massive transfer deals with a small percentage being drained away to support lower league clubs, which is an idea that may come through with an independent regulator.

At January’s EGM meeting of the National League we were advised that a NLN game would be tested for streaming very soon. The NL Premier League has already got streaming under way on Boxing Day.

Whilst we won’t be able to stream matches between 3pm and 5pm on Saturdays due to old legislation from decades ago, all other kick-off times would be available for streaming.
EFL analysis apparently suggests that gates are not affected adversely by streaming. It will be important to encourage participation in streaming through the NL website.

Whilst about 3% of streamers are international, that runs to over 50 countries already. 85% of streamers are UK based and the next largest audience are in North America.

The league should cover the cost of the camera, the signal and a camera operator. A clubhouse license to show games will cost £180 per match and NL profits from streaming will be shared monthly or quarterly with clubs.

Amongst other issues discussed, which hopefully won’t be part of Horsfall life:
Concern was raised by the FA and NL about the increased crowd problems with pyrotechnics, discriminatory abuse, be that racial, homophobic or misogynistic and obscene chants.

Another interesting nugget was that in League 2 the ball was in play on average for just under 50 minutes, which led to concerns raised about the increasing level of time-wasting in games.

Back to Horsfall and we are planning to experiment with a ‘double header’ sporting day soon, with West Bowling starting their Challenge Cup journey with a Saturday morning kick-off and Avenue having its usual afternoon game against Leamington. It’s an imaginative solution to WB being drawn at home and the ensuing fixture clash created.

In a city with fans who like both football and rugby league, it is hopefully going to be a truly successful day, with the RL fans being encouraged to stay and watch Avenue after their game is over and Avenue fans being allowed to indulge their fondness for rugby league by arriving early.

Until then, let’s get behind the lads and win three more points.

30 Jan 2023

UPCOMING FANS FORUM – 10TH FEBRUARY 2023

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We are happy to announce that a Fans Forum will take place on Friday 10th February in the Clubhouse, from 6pm.

Supporters are invited to ask questions, with a number of Club personnel in attendance.

Please note that there are limited spaces available, please email bee.calam@bpafc.com to reserve your space.

The clubhouse bar will also be open on the night.

26 Jan 2023

Match Preview – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Chorley

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Home form could be key against promotion hopefuls.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will welcome promotion-chasing Chorley to the Horsfall Community Stadium this Saturday following back-to-back away games in the Vanarama National League North.

The Avenue will be entertaining the Lancashire-based side buoyed by a hard-earned point away to Kidderminster Harriers last time out.

The fixture was one of only a handful of National League North games to get the go ahead during Saturday’s cold snap, and despite the heavy fog, the Green Army gave an impressive account of themselves against professional opposition to bring a point back to West Yorkshire, denied all three only by a wonder goal from the hosts.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be hoping to make home advantage count against Chorley. Despite losing their first four games at the Horsfall this season, the Avenue have settled well and are currently unbeaten in four on home turf.

A win this Saturday would be the first in six games, and could see Bradford climb a place to 16th. More importantly, with only three points separating the club from the relegation zone, a win would be essential in taking another step closer to safety as the season enters its final months.

Like Avenue, Chorley also made a slow start to the season with just two wins from their opening eight games, but have since recovered and now find themselves on the brink of the league’s promotion places. However, one win in four appears to have halted the Magpie’s progress. Fortunately for Chorley, the teams sitting above them have also struggled for consistency since the turn of the year, meaning the promotion places are still in reach for this weekend’s visitors.

Chorley manager Andy Preece will be counting on attacker Connor Hall to continue his fine goal scoring form away at Bradford (Park Avenue) this Saturday. The former Sheffield United youth forward has netted 14 goals in 26 appearances this season, averaging 0.57 goals per game. The Avenue defence will need to keep a watchful eye on the Magpies talisman who has scored five times in his last six games in all competitions.

The reverse fixture back in August saw Bradford (Park Avenue) secure a valuable point at Victory Park by holding their hosts to a goalless draw, a result made even more impressive considering the Green Army had to play the entirety of the second half with ten men. Incidentally this was the same score line as when the Avenue hosted the Magpies last season.

There has been little to separate both of these sides in recent contests, with the last four meetings all resulting in draws. Still, Bradford (Park Avenue) should take inspiration from Chorley’s wretched record at the Horsfall, with the Magpies managing just one win in their last eight visits. This weekend’s opposition have failed to score in each of their last four trips to Bradford, a record that the Green Army will be hoping to maintain beyond this season.

Match Preview by Stephen Grimshaw (@sgsportswriter on Twitter)

Where To Find Us:

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC, Horsfall Community Stadium, Cemetery Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD6 2NG

Directions By Car:

Leave the M62 at junction 26 and follow signs for the M606. Continue on the M606 to junction 3 and take the A6117 exit to Ring Road West. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit on to Rooley Lane / A6036 signposted Halifax. Pass the Odsal Stadium on the left hand side and at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit on to Halifax Road / A6036 signposted Halifax. After approximately one mile turn left down Cemetery Road immediately before the Kids Planet Children’s Nursery, and the ground is 150 yards on the left. We have a car park which will be signposted off Cemetery Road and parking charges may apply.

Directions By Train:

Bradford Interchange rail station is the nearest to the ground and trains operate on the  Calder Valley Line timetable from Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Manchester, Preston and York.

From there you can catch the bus directly to the ground (details below):

Bradford Forster Square rail station There are regular services from Leeds (Leeds-Bradford Line timetable), Skipton (Airedale Line timetable) and Ilkley (Wharfedale Line timetable).

From Forster Square it is a 10 minute walk to Bradford Interchange bus station for a bus onwards to the stadium.

Directions By Bus:

From Bradford Interchange bus station bus services 681 and 682 and Halifax Bus Station bus services 508, 681 and 682.

These services stop at the Halifax Road Cemetery Road stop near to the stadium.

Turnstiles: PAY ON GATE

The turnstiles open around an hour and a half before kick off and are located at either end of the ground on Cemetery Road and Park Road. Matchday prices for league games are as follows:

Adult – £14

Concession – £10

Student – £5

Youth (12-17) – £3

Junior (under 12, must be accompanied by an adult) – £1

25 Jan 2023

Valiant Avenue secure a point at Kidderminster.

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Bradford (Park Avenue) picked up a hard-fought point on the road at a foggy Kidderminster on Saturday afternoon.

The cold January snap meant an anxious wait for football fans all across the country on Saturday morning, as announcements flooded in of multiple postponements up and down the English football ladder. However, at the Aggborough Stadium in Kidderminster concerns were eased as the referee deemed the pitch playable.

The Avenue were keen to atone their defeat last time out at the hands of Spennymoor Town, their first loss in seven games, and had to deal with plenty of pressure in the opening half an hour from the Harriers. Nonetheless, some determined Bradford defending combined with a string of Sykes-Kenworthy saves managed to keep the home side at bay. 

The resolute defending paid off just past the half hour mark as Avenue forward Jordan Preston produced a calm finish beyond the Harriers goalkeeper Thomas Palmer to give the Green Army the lead, the perfect way to celebrate the news of his loan extension from Spennymoor Town earlier in the week.

Buoyed by the opener, Bradford (Park Avenue) soon went in search of a second as the fog began to worsen, with Jacob Blyth’s dangerous cross narrowly dealt with by the Kidderminster defence. The Avenue continued to manage the game well as the first half came to a close, with a dangerous Will Longbottom free-kick once again causing problems for the home side.

As the second half progressed, the Kidderminster attack began to turn the screw in their search for an equaliser, with Shane Byrne’s long-range effort sailing just over the crossbar and more fine goalkeeping from George Sykes-Kenworthy, this time denying the Harrier’s Ashley Hemmings.

As the fog worsened and the view from the stands became more obscure, it was clear that it was going to take something special to beat the in-form Avenue stopper. Sadly for Sykes-Kenworthy this proved to be the case, as the Kidderminster equaliser came from a stunning overhead kick courtesy of Amari Morgan-Smith, the Harriers striker following up on a deflected Joe McGlynn effort in spectacular fashion.

With sixteen minutes of normal time remaining, both sides pressed through the thick fog to try to find a winner, but the two sets of defences remained firm as clear-cut chances were hard to come by.

The Avenue faithful will no doubt be delighted with the resilience shown by their side to earn a point on the road at Kidderminster, but such is the ambition of manager Mark Bower that he felt a tinge of regret over the result. When asked if he was pleased with the point, Bower reflected: “overall pleased with the performance, just a little bit disappointed that we’ve not managed to hold out to get three points.” Bower was also full of praise for the travelling fans, adding “credit to our supporters, great support for us, we couldn’t actually see them from where we were when the fog came down, but they made themselves heard”.

The point means Bradford (Park Avenue) remain 17th in the Vanarama National League North, three points above the relegation zone. Next up for the Avenue is the visit of promotion hopefuls Chorley this Saturday. Despite only one loss in eight games, it is now no wins in five for the Green Army. Having played more games than most of the sides below, Avenue will be hoping to make the most of home advantage before back-to-back away fixtures next week.

FULL TIME: KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS 1-1 BRADFORD (PARK AVENUE)

(31’) GOAL – Kidderminster Harriers 0-1 Bradford (Park Avenue) – Jordan Preston

(73’) GOAL – Kidderminster Harriers 1-1 Bradford (Park Avenue) – Amari Morgan-Smith

Attendance – 2,193

Writer: Stephen Grimshaw (@sgsportswriter on Twitter)

25 Jan 2023

THCT TO RUN MENS FIT CLUB!

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The Horsfall Community Trust have received funding from the National League Trust to run a ‘Men’s Fit Club’ project at the Horsfall Community Stadium. The purpose of the project is to promote health and wellbeing to “older” men. We have twenty participants signed up and are delivering the project in partnership with Bradford (Park Avenue) Academy. Each participant has received a BPA home shirt so they can wear when training. This is good PR for the club and helps to promote the BPA brand. We are using GPS technology to track running distances and general fitness so we can measure improvements. Some have even gone and bought their own GPS equipment so they can use when exercising away from the project which is great and shows already the impact the project is making. At the end of the project we will hold a celebration event where each participant will be invited to the BPA v Leamington game. 

As a football club with a strong community focus it is imperative that we not only focus our attention on our children and young people but also wider society. Making a real impact in our community takes time, patience and lots of effort. We are extremely fortunate to have the support of the National League Trust and they have also agreed to fund a ‘Eat Healthy, Stay Healthy’ project which is being rolled out in local primary schools to educate and encourage children to look after their health and wellbeing.