3 Nov 2022

MATCH PREVIEW – Chester FC (A)

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Match Preview – Chester FC vs Bradford (Park Avenue) – The Green Army are back on the road as they travel to the English-Welsh border this weekend in the Vanarama National League North.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking for consecutive away wins for the first time since March 2019 when they take on Chester FC at The Deva Stadium on Saturday.

Mark Bower’s men head to Chester in fine form following a hard-fought 2-1 victory at home to high-flying Gloucester City on a wet Monday evening under the lights of the Horsfall Community Stadium, a result which saw them bag a fourth win in five games. The three points meant Avenue climbed out of the relegation zone and into 19th, however, Tuesday’s National League North results elsewhere were less than favourable as points gained for Kettering Town and Boston United pushed the Avenue back down to 21st.

Regardless of this, the picture remains optimistic for Avenue who are currently one of the in-form teams in the National League North. Only last weekend’s opponents Brackley Town, who sit joint-top of the table, have gained more points in the last five games. Bower will also be hoping he can call on in-form striker Jacob Blyth for the trip to Chester. The number nine was withdrawn early in the second half on Monday after scoring the opener and has netted three goals in his last four games for the Avenue.

This weekend’s hosts are also enjoying a good run of form themselves, having picked up ten points out of a possible twelve on their current four-game unbeaten run. However, the Avenue will be looking to take advantage of Chester’s inconsistent home form, as The Seals are yet to register back-to-back wins this season.

Avenue’s defence will be keen to shackle Chester’s top scorer Kurt Willoughby. The 25-year-old, who joined Chester in the summer from last season’s play-off winners York City, has netted six goals in fifteen appearances this season, averaging 0.41 goals per game.

The head-to-head table shows Avenue and Chester all square.  Since the formation of Chester FC as a phoenix club to the former Chester City FC in 2010, the sides have met on nine occasions in the National League North, sharing three wins apiece and three draws. The most recent meeting came in the penultimate game of last season, with Chester emerging 4-0 winners over an Avenue side that had already secured National League North football for another season. The Green Army will be hoping to swing the head-to-head table in their favour this Saturday with the prospect of once again climbing out of the league’s relegation places.

Kick off: Saturday 5th November 2022, 3pm

Stadium address: Deva Stadium, Bumpers Lane, Chester, CH1 4LT – Directions to the Deva Stadium can be found here

Tickets: In advance online purchased here – Adults £17.00, Concessions £14.00, 18-21yo £12.00, 12-17yo £3.00, Under 12s FREE.

Please note there will be a £1 increase on these prices when buying online, paying at the turnstile or purchasing from the ticket office on the day of a game.

Writer – Stephen Grimshaw

2 Nov 2022

MATCH REPORT – Bradford (Park Avenue) 2 – 1 Gloucester City

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The Avenue’s faithful were treated to a ‘Spooktacular’ three points beating high-flying Gloucester City on Horsfall’s hallowed ground.

Mark Bower wanted a response from his side’s 1-2 defeat to Brackley Town at the weekend and he got just that.

A rain-soaked evening that could have been a nightmare turned out to be a thriller as Bradford secured an entertaining 2-1 win over a Gloucester side boasting a six-game unbeaten run.

Avenue took a seventh minute lead through the in-form Jacob Blyth.   He got on the end of a low cross into the box and tapped it in from close range. 

This provoked Gloucester into a response which they secured in the 35th minute through Matt McClure, taking them into the break on even terms.

Avenue weren’t disheartened by the set back and it was they who eventually found the killer blow. Bradley Dockerty hit a fabulous strike from the edge of the box ten minutes into the second half, the ball taking a deflection on its way past the helpless Gloucester keeper.

Gloucester had their chances to equalise, including a scary long-range lob which hit the top of the Avenue bar, but the home defence held firm.

The victory lifts Avenue into 21st position and makes it four wins out of five.

Avenue have now put a bit of daylight between themselves and the bottom two as they go into this weekend’s game, confident they can pull off another upset against mid-table Chester FC.

Writer: James Fletcher

1 Nov 2022

Buxton (a) KO Time Changed

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We can confirm that our game against Buxton, on December 3rd will now KO at the earlier time of 12:30.

This is to ensure that, as is hoped, if England or Wales are involved in the World Cup round of 16, there will be no clash.

26 Oct 2022

Blyth sinks Blyth to make it three wins in a row for the Avenue.

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Bradford (Park Avenue) moved level on points with safety after securing their third win in a row away to Blyth Spartans on Tuesday night, courtesy of a fourteenth minute goal from the in-form Jacob Blyth.

The Avenue headed into the game against fellow strugglers Blyth Spartans with the confidence of back-to-back wins for the first time since January, and it didn’t take long to settle in front of the 683 in attendance under the lights at Croft Park. In the fourteenth minute, Jacob Blyth struck through a crowded penalty area to give Bradford a deserved early lead, netting his second goal in as many games.

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As the first half wore on, the Avenue sensed the hosts were there for the taking and pressed to double their lead. Jacob Blyth came close to netting a second after firing narrowly wide, while Eddie Church remained a constant threat with his pace and determination.

Blyth Spartans appeared rejuvenated following their half-time team talk from manager Graham Fenton and quickly pushed for an equaliser in the opening minutes of the second half, with repeated dangerous crosses flashing across the Avenue goalmouth and goalkeeper George Sykes-Kenworthy producing a fine save to keep out a goal-bound flick from Blyth’s Jordan Hickey.

Worryingly for the Avenue in amongst the Blyth pressure early in the second half, captain Gianluca Havern was forced off with a knock and replaced by Will Longbottom. Manager Mark Bower will be hoping the injury is nothing serious with two home fixtures on the horizon within the next week.

As the second half wore on the hosts continued to dominate possession and create chances but were unable to breach Sykes-Kenworthy’s goal due to a combination of wasteful finishing and resolute defending. Blyth’s dangerous young winger Corey McKeown twice came close with efforts drifting just wide of the post. One final clear-cut opportunity came in added time when a Nicky Deverdics close-range effort was well held by the impressive Avenue goalkeeper.

The final whistle brought a sigh of relief for the Avenue manager Mark Bower, who reflected on the challenge posed by the midweek trip to Blyth. “Coming away to Blyth on a Tuesday night is always a tough one and we saw how good they were against Wrexham in the FA Cup last week. They’re very good at keeping the ball and pulling you around so you have to be very disciplined out of possession”. Bower was also full of praise for the way his side defended their lead: “You know the lads have kept going and for their effort, work rate, desire and commitment tonight, I’ll happily take three points”.

The result takes Bradford (Park Avenue) above Blyth Spartans in the National League North into 21st position, level on goal difference with 20th placed Boston United. Next up for the Avenue is the tough task of hosting the in-form Brackley Town this Saturday, who are currently unbeaten in their previous five games and will arrive at the Horsfall Community Stadium occupying third place. The Green Army will be hoping their own consistency prevails, knowing that a point may be enough to finally climb out of the relegation zone.

Blyth Spartans 0 – 1 Bradford (Park Avenue) – Jacob Blyth (14’)

Attendance – 683

Writer: Stephen Grimshaw

24 Oct 2022

MATCH PREVIEW – Blyth Spartans v Bradford (Park Avenue)

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Avenue could launch themselves away from danger tomorrow night with a third win on the bounce.

Tomorrow evening (25th October) The Avenue could propel themselves away from the danger zone when they travel to fellow strugglers Blyth Spartans who sit just two places above Bradford (PA) in the league table.

Since The Avenue secured that first win of the season against Curzon Ashton, they have won back-to-back games after an 86-minute penalty which was dispatched calmly by Jacob Blyth, securing victory over Hereford Town and come the final whistle tomorrow it could be a hattrick of wins for Bradford (PA).

Blyth Spartans have not won in the league since the end of August when they beat Buxton 2-1 away from home, since then they have only managed three points out of their last five games all of which have come at home.

The last five meetings between these two sides have predominantly seen the Avenue come out on top beating them three times and drawing twice, with the last away win against Blyth ending in a 3-1 victory for the Avenue at the end of last season. 

A win tomorrow could see the Avenue climb as high as 18th in the league depending on the score line and other results going in their favour and could set them in good stead when they host high flying Brackley Town at the weekend.

(Park Avenue) have had a torrid start to the season losing seven of their opening league games and it looked as though that first win would never come as they lingered above the trap door, but if Bradford (Park Avenue) could go on a little run, it would give their survival chances a huge boost.

Writer: James Fletcher

Standing Tickets are priced online at £12 for Adults, £7 for Concessions, £5 for 11-16s and Students, and £3 for under 10s.

Seated tickets are priced online at £14 for Adults, £9 for Concessions, £7 for 11-16s and Students, and £2 for under 10s.

You can purchase tickets to the match on the Blyth Spartan’s website by clicking here.

For travel details, follow the map below or click here to visit footballgroundguide.com for more details on Croft Park.

23 Oct 2022

MATCH REPORT – Bradford (Park Avenue) 1 – 0 Hereford

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Late Jacob Blyth penalty gives Bradford Park Avenue their second win of the season

1-0 win at home against Hereford FC means back-to-back wins.

The home team Bradford (Park Avenue) came into the game on the back of their first win of the season against Curzon. Their aim was to build on that and ensure it wasn’t a false dawn.

Their opposition Hereford came into the fixture in fine form having not lost in their last 6 matches and coming off a 2-1 win in the FA Cup and a 4-2 demolition of Boston United.

The game started slowly with chances coming few and far between, Avenue looking to create through crosses from Reece Staunton into the target man Jacob Blyth.

This led to a near chance for joint top scorer Jamie Spencer whose shot from the edge of the box was blocked by a Hereford center back.

Hereford’s first clear cut chance came in the form of an Evans cross dropping to right-winger Mclean who scuffed his shot into Sykes-Kenworthy’s gloves.

Both teams looked to build up quickly, Hereford with their midfield double pivot and Bradford using the height of Blyth with Dockerty making runs off him.

The last chance off the half came in the 32nd minute when Hereford’s Tyler failed to claim a Staunton free-kick, the ball falling nicely to Hopper whose attempt was cleared just in front of the 6 yard box with the keeper in no man’s land.

Hereford began the second half lively, building up on the left then creating a chance for Hanson just on the edge of the box. His shot was collected calmly by Avenue’s keeper.

A long period of possession for Bradford lead to Thomas Angell having a great chance in the 57th minute, as he faked onto his weaker right foot and shot into a Hereford defender.

Clever footwork from Reece Staunton who drifted over to the right wing gave him space to get a shot off which was saved comfortably by Hereford’s Cian Tyler.

In the 84th minute the pressure paid off. Hopper was slotted in behind on the right and was bundled over winning a penalty for the home side.

Jacob Blyth Bradford’s number 9 then blasted the penalty into the top left corner making it 1-0 with 5 minutes to go.

From that point onwards, Avenue’s only aim was to run down the clock as much as possible. They did this successfully not allowing Hereford any late chances with game finishing 1-0.

Bradford (PA) now see themselves off the bottom of the table. This puts them in a great position going into their next game against Blyth Spartans on Tuesday.

Attendance:561

Referee: Helen Conley

Writer: Ethan Illingworth