20 Sep 2022

Ashington  2 – 1  Bradford (Park Avenue)

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Avenue travelled to Ashington in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup and, despite their recent excellent League record in this part of the country, came away at the wrong end of a 2 – 1 score line.

No team ever relishes a Cup-tie in the north-east and Avenue came a cropper against Northern League opposition, a fate becoming many teams over the years.

The home side took an early fifth-minute lead with the unlucky Reece Staunton being credited with an own goal, before they went further in front following a corner after 74 minutes giving Avenue what felt like a mountain to climb.

Will Longbottom then entered the fray as a substitute and managed to pull a goal back seven minutes later. This raised hopes of a comeback and, when Harrison Hopper made a short pass inside, the unmarked Eddie Church stretched to put the ball into an open goal from close range. The linesman made an immediate offside call, yet both Avenue players involved in the move appeared to be onside and no one else was interfering with play.

Avenue were not at their best in this match, but could reasonably have felt they should have been heading home looking forward to a replay.

Manager Mark Bower sent on academy prospect George Eze for his senior debut in the final few minutes, a moment George will remember for a long time and a move which will have been noted by all the other players at the academy, giving them real hope that they may be able to follow in his footsteps.

Disappointing as it may be, Avenue were not alone as Vanarama North sides Brackley, Leamington, Spennymoor and Telford all suffered defeat to lower-ranked opposition.

And, they mustn’t let this setback affect their optimism for Fylde on Saturday. Influential captain Luca Havern is hoping to be back after injury and fortune favours the brave, as the saying goes.

Mark Bower was honest about Avenue’s form after the game in saying: ‘The lads are better than what they’re producing at the minute. Clearly, we need to change something because we’re not getting the results we should be.’

Ashington have now got through four rounds of the FA Cup, which includes beating Northern Premier League high-flyers Ashton United less than two weeks earlier, and were naturally cock-a-hoop after the game. Manager Ian Skinner said: ‘I’m hoping for another home tie in the next round because nobody will want to come here – we’ll be the team that others will be saying, ‘I don’t fancy going up there!’

Team: Sykes-Kenworthy; Odunston (Eze 87), Staunton; Spencer (Longbottom (75), Lund, Fielding; Hopper, Richman, Blyth, Dockerty, Smith (Church 65). Unused subs: Hall, Johnson.

Avenue yellow card: Odunston (60).

Att. 711

19 Sep 2022

Roger Banks Funeral | Academy to Close for the day

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Roger Banks’ funeral will be held this coming Friday 23rd. The service begins at 13:15 at Nab Wood Crematorium, whilst if you are unable to get to the crematorium, you can go to Hadley Golf Club from 13:30.

Roger had, more recently, been helping our Academy with fund raising for the juniors, and as such, the entire Academy will shut down for the day on Friday as a mark of respect.

19 Sep 2022

RIP Frank Thornton

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Everybody at the club are devastated to learn of the passing of former chairman Frank Thornton last Tuesday.

Frank was chairman from September 1999 until January 2003.

He took over after Mike Firth quit, and stood down because of a few health issues, work commitments and long-distance travelling from Oxford to Bradford.

Frank also donated thousands of pounds to our cause whilst Chairman.

Details of Frank’s funeral will be announced as soon as we know

Frank Thornton – RIP

15 Sep 2022

MATCH PREVIEW – James Fletcher gives his thoughts on our FA Cup tie v Ashington AFC

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Match Preview – Ashington AFC vs Bradford PA – The Green Army travel north for their first FA Cup match of the season in the 2nd Qualifying Round

Bradford (PA) and other fellow Vanarama National League North and South teams enter the fray in this season’s FA Cup competition, which sees Bradford (Park Avenue) playing away at Ashington AFC.

The level 9 club currently play their football in the Northern League Division One and boast an impressive unbeaten league run, winning 5 out of 6 as well as progressing through the extra Preliminary, Preliminary and 1st Qualifying Round’s to make it this far, their only defeat came in the FA Vase losing 4-6 to Billingham Town.

Ashington score on average between 2 or 3 goals a game, which could be problematic for The Avenue as they have only managed to average one goal per game so far this season but playing lower league opposition this could be the perfect opportunity to build the confidence of the Bradford forwards.

Bradford PA’s best run in the FA Cup was reaching the Quarter finals on three seperate occasions with the most recent being 1945/46 season, but since their reform they have only managed to reach the first proper round three times, in 2003/04, 2011/12 and finally 2012/13.

The Avenue will be hoping to put their dismal league form out of their minds as they look to progress to the next round, and cup competitions can provide a welcome distraction for clubs and a win this weekend could see an up turn in form when they return to league action the following week. 

Mark Bower will be hoping for his sides first win of the season and not a repeat of last season, when The Avenue were knocked out in this very round, losing to Gateshead who were later found guilty of fielding an ineligible player during the game which caused major controversy, with Gateshead only receiving a fine rather than dismissal from the competition by the FA.

The club called the decision ‘a disgrace and a scandal’

The game will be played on Saturday the 17th of September and played at Woodhorn Lane, NE63 9FW, discounted tickets purchased online for this game are £7 for adults, £1 for under 16s and £3 for seniors/students.  

Please note that tickets purchased on the turnstiles are priced at £8 Adults, £4 for Seniors/Students, and £2 for u16s.

Travelling to the game? Check out the map below, or click here.

To purchase tickets, click here.

13 Sep 2022

Match Report – Bradford (PA) 1 vs 3 Darlington

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FT: Bradford (PA) struggling at the wrong end of the table as they make it four defeats in four at home. (ATT –  705)

Another dismal result for the Avenue, as they fail to hold onto a 1-0 lead against Darlington and continue to struggle at the wrong end of the table.  

James Spencer opened the scoring for the Avenue in the opening 5 minutes, Darlington gifting possession on the edge of the box and there was James Spencer to curl his effort into the bottom corner.

The opening goal certainly woke Darlington up as they dominated possession and chances after going behind, but some fine goalkeeping and resolute last ditched defending kept their lead intact. 

Bradford (Park Avenue) did manage to work in the odd chance, catching Darlington on the break on the 24th minute, with Odunston running through the midfield unchallenged but his through ball to Oli Johnson was adjudged to be offside.

And on the stroke of half time Darlington managed to find the equaliser, the ball coming in from the left side and Fielding worked hard to make the block, but his attempted clearance accidently directed the ball over his own keeper’s head and into the back of the net.

Darlington nearly added a second in quick fire succession with a freekick on the edge of the box, but the wall did its job and the Avenue managed to clear their lines as they went into the break all level.

The Avenue started the second half the brighter but failed to capitalise on their chances, Darlington seem to switch their tactics as they soaked up the Bradford pressure and on the 60th minute they took the lead, a Beck corner from the far side swung in the middle and Sukar guided his header into the bottom corner.

Beck put the game beyond Park Avenue’s reach 15 minutes from time with a rocket into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Bradford desperate for their first home point of the season went all out to get it but were limited to half chances until the ball broke for Richman on the edge of the box 10 minutes from time and nearly producing a rocket of his own, unfortunately the Darlington shot stopper Tommy Taylor tipped the ball over for corner which came to nothing in the end.

Its now four defeats in four at home for the Avenue as they still search for their first win of the season, but this weekend they have a break from league action as they face Ashington AFC away from home in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.   

11 Sep 2022

A Statement from the National League – National League Fixtures

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Further to the announcement that the funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be held on Monday 19th September, the League can confirm fixtures scheduled for week commencing Monday 12 September will go ahead as scheduled.

Clubs are asked, for all fixtures up until the funeral, to observe a one-minute silence prior to the game and to wear black armbands as a mark of respect.

11 Sep 2022

DARLINGTON GAME TO GO AHEAD!

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We understand there may have been some confusion on the Monday night fixture v Darlington, and we can now confirm that the game will go ahead.

Kick Off at the Horsfall is set for 7:45pm, with gates opening at 6:30pm.

Tickets are priced at £14 Adults, £10 Concessions, £5 Students, £3 Youths and £1 Juniors.

Parking at the Horsfall is free, and please note that parking on yellow lines on Cemetery Road will incur a £70 parking fine. Parking in the Cemetery is prohibited for stadium users.

10 Sep 2022

RIP Roger Banks

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The club are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of lifelong supporter, Roger Banks after a long battle with illness.

Roger, who’s personality, hard work, and incredible generosity earned him friendships all around our club will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.

10 Sep 2022

Dockerty back that the Horsfall

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We are absolutely delighted to announce the transfer of exciting striker Brad Dockerty from Alfreton Town for an undisclosed fee.

Brad, who joined Alfreton in the summer, has signed a deal at the Horsfall until the end of the season.

Before joining Alfreton, Brad had endeared himself to the Horsfall faithful, bagging 10 goals and numerous assists as we secured safety with games to spare.

On the move, an excited Brad said: ‘I am absolutely buzzing to be back here. As soon as i knew there was an interest to bring me back I knew there was only one place I wanted to be as I enjoyed my time here previously. I love working under Bowes and Bosh and feel under them I have played my best football so coming back was a no brainer. Hopefully I can get into the team and help us move up the table.’

With Brad having options elsewhere, an equally happy Mark Bower had this to say ‘I’m delighted to welcome Brad back to the club. I know it was a very difficult decision for him to leave in the summer and look to try something different. That has not worked out as he expected, so we have taken the opportunity to get him back with us where he has thrived and enjoyed his football in recent seasons. Brad is a player who needs to be playing week in, week out to get the best out of so we will get him up to speed and hope he can provide that missing ingredient we need to turn these tight games in our favour’.

We can also confirm that following a brilliant loan spell, Andre Brooks has been recalled by Sheffield United. Andre has been training with the first team at Bramall Lane following his excellent performances with us. Brooks becomes the latest player to take their opportunity here to try and further their career and we wish him all the very best!