Match Preview – Southport vs Bradford (Park Avenue)

The Green Army head to the seaside for Matchday 11 of the Vanarama National League North.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be heading west again for the second time in four days as they are set to take on Southport F.C. at Haig Avenue on Saturday.

Mark Bower’s men remain bottom of the National League North and are still in search their first win of the season, despite a much-improved display at the weekend in their 3-1 away loss to AFC Fylde. Avenue’s spirited performance on the Fylde Coast left the Green Army with cause for optimism, with Bower praising his side’s confidence and composure on the ball for large parts of the game.

This weekend’s hosts are heading into the game in 18th place on the back of a vital 1-0 win at home to Leamington, a result that brought to an end a six-game winless streak for the Sandgrounders. Southport were boosted by the return of their well-travelled star attacker Marcus Carver, on loan from Scunthorpe United, who received high praise for his role in the victory.

Despite hitting Boston United for five on the opening day of the season, Southport have only found the net on three occasions in the eight games that have followed. After a run of difficult fixtures against sides higher up the table, the Avenue will look to this game against a team who has struggled to find consistency as the perfect opportunity to record a first win of the season and get an important three points on the board.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will also be out for revenge following last season’s 5-0 home drubbing at the hands of the Sandgrounders. The Avenue additionally lost the away fixture at Southport in a narrow 1-0 defeat. Mark Bower will no doubt be hoping for stricter discipline from his side as both fixtures saw the Green Army reduced to 10 men.

Travelling fans can find the Haig Avenue stadium at Southport Football Club, Haig Avenue, Southport, PR8 6JZ. Click here for more info for travelling supporters.

Click here for directions to Haig Avenue. Or follow the map below.

All tickets can be purchased online by clicking here, or purchased on the gate, and are priced at Adult £13.50, Concession £10.00, Junior (12-17) £5.00, Under 12’s FREE when accompanied by a full paying adult.

Vanarama National League Secure Official Web3 Sponsor, Fanz.com

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The Vanarama National League are delighted to announce a new sponsorship agreement with Fanz.com, who have agreed a deal to become The Official Web3 Sponsor of the league.


Fanz Technologies Limited are a British company who design and develop technology to create a deeper connection between football clubs, leagues and their fans.


The Fanz technology platform allows football clubs or leagues to issue a fan engagement tokens to verified fans, enabling fans to vote on club related matters throughout a season. The club or league collect actionable responses in real-time, visualizing the results before using the data to make more informed decisions that are fan-led.


Shahid Azeem Chair of the Commercial Committee at the National League said “The profile and audiences we get at the National League are phenomenal and we have spent the last few months exploring how to embrace emerging technology. Fanz.com are a forward-thinking British technology company who we are excited to work with to deliver value through exploring new technologies to serve fans and clubs in the league”


Sam Jones, founder of Fanz, said “Every fan has an opinion about their club and how it should be run. That is nothing new. These voices are all too often not heard, aggregated, or acted on. If these fan voices could be collected on demand, analysed in real-time and used to make decisions by the club – that would be a real advantage to a club, true fan engagement.
“Through Web3 technology, this is what we can deliver to clubs, new levels of fan insight and revenues. Any club in football can embrace such technology without any upfront cost or technology build. We look forward to sharing this with the clubs in the National League in the coming months.”


The sponsorship agreement which will see Fanz.com branding on the National League website and social media activation over the coming months.

Luca Havern celebrates his goal with Will Longbottom

AFC Fylde  3 – 1  Bradford (Park Avenue)

Avenue’s loss by a two-goal margin at fourth-placed Fylde on Saturday unfortunately does nothing to reflect the hard work and endeavour put into the game by players anxious to turn their fortunes around and claim an overdue first win of the season.

Keeping the home side at a safe distance for most of the first half, Avenue managed to have a few moments of their own. After a free-flowing move early on, Will Longbottom played in Jamie Spencer who hit a strong, rising shot from 16 yards only fractionally outside the angle of post and crossbar. There was also a penetrating run by Lucas Odunston taking him into a scoring position directly in front of goal before being brought down in a heap on the edge of the box.

Fylde then made their first clear opportunity count after 25 minutes with a forceful 15-yard shot looping into the top corner of the net, but Avenue continued to show their resolve. Simon Richman had a tricky angled shot turned away for a corner before an equaliser came just two minutes before the break to give a whole new complexion to the game. Will Longbottom put a precision corner kick into the goalmouth which Oli Johnson flicked on and captain Luca Havern was there to stab in at the far post.

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Facing a tough task still against a full-time team on a six-match unbeaten run, Avenue were looking comfortable enough as the second half progressed. However, Fylde then re-took the lead from a debatable corner in the 63rd minute when a firm header from ten yards out was planted into the bottom corner of the net and Avenue were suddenly up against it.

Despite their efforts, opportunities to get back in the game did not really come their way and, with just two minutes left on the clock and Avenue desperately looking for an opening that might give them some reward, Fylde took advantage on the counter by scoring a third goal to seal their victory.

It’s perhaps worth noting that the fixture planners have unwittingly not helped Avenue in these opening nine matches of the season. Giving them seven fixtures against teams currently in the top eight, this has sadly been reflected in the League table despite a number of close games.

While understandably disappointed with the defeat, manager Mark Bower said the following the game: ‘After last week, we asked for a reaction from the players’, and on this performance he was justifiably able to add: ‘Today I thought we looked confident. We looked good on the ball’.

Team: Sykes-Kenworthy; Odunston, Staunton; Spencer (Fielding 63), Havern, Lund; Hopper, Richman, Dockerty (Church 77), Johnson (Blyth 70), Longbottom. Unused subs: Smith, Nowakowski.

Avenue yellow card: Hopper (88).

SOUTHPORT V BPAFC AWAY SUPPORTERS INFORMATION

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Admission Prices – Away Supporters:


Blowick Terrace – This is an uncovered Terrace behind the goal
ADULTS – £13.50 | Concessions* | £10.00 | 12-17 £5.00 | u12s** FREE


Blowick End – Main Stand – All seated (We reserve the right to restrict access to groups)
ADULT £15.00 | Concessions* £11.00 | 12-17 £6.00 | u12s** FREE

* With ID and to include Aged 65+, full-time students, Blue Light Cardholders, Armed Force members and disabled with carer (Carer ticket is free when purchased with a Disabled ticket)

**MUST be accompanied by an adult or concession; MAX 3 per person.


Tickets are now available to purchase online and will remain online until 1-hour prior to the scheduled kick-off time.
• Advance purchase strongly recommended for away supporters
• Online Ticket Sales ‘offline’ 1-hour prior to kick-off
• When booking online, you may be required to show ID at the turnstile
• Turnstiles will be open from 2pm on match day
Tickets can also be purchased from the Club Shop on Match Days:
Please Note: The Club Shop will be open from 10.30am and will close at kick-off


Programmes: Available for purchase, priced at £3.00, available from vendors and the club shop


Refreshments: Refreshment kiosks will be available once the Turnstiles open, serving hot food and hot & cold beverages; a licenced bar will also be available inside the stadium


Car Parking: There is no car park at the stadium, supporters can park on Haig Avenue and neighbouring streets but we request that supporters are respectful of local residents and not to block driveways.

Travelling to the game? Click here for directions to Haig Avenue

NATIONAL LEAGUE STATEMENT ON MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

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The National League has been in discussions with BT Sport on the timing restriction on Clubs placing their highlights online and the difficulties this can cause some Clubs.


Yesterday BT Sport confirmed they are in agreement for the restriction to be amended so that Clubs can upload their highlights immediately following the BT Sport National League highlights show, rather than the current restriction.


Whilst the timing of the BT Sport highlights show may vary – they are typically scheduled at 10pm, finishing at 10.30pm, with this being the case for the forthcoming weeks.


Should there be any amends to the timings we will ensure they are sent to the Clubs.


Should there not be a weekend highlights show, highlights cannot be uploaded until after the blackout in accordance with Article 48.


In relation to midweek highlights, these can be shown immediately following the completion of the game.
This amendment is effective immediately and the League are grateful to BT Sport for this concession.

MATCH PREVIEW – Stephen Grimshaw breaks down our visit to the Fylde Coast

MATCH PREVIEW – AFC Fylde vs Bradford (Park Avenue) – The Green Army travel west for Matchday 10 of the Vanarama National League North.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking to end a run of four straight defeats in all competitions as they travel west to take on AFC Fylde at Mill Farm on Saturday.

Mark Bower’s men currently sit bottom of the National League North and are still searching for their first win of the season, a stark contrast to this weekend’s opponents AFC Fylde who are looking strong in fourth place after collecting 16 points from a possible 24.

The Avenue are heading in to the game off the back of a controversial 2-1 defeat at Northern League Division One side Ashington in the FA Cup, a result which left manager Mark Bower feeling “angry, disappointed and embarrassed” in his post-match interview.

A strong reaction is expected after Bower and his men were left with some soul-searching to do following the loss to Ashington, with the Avenue boss also reflecting on the urgent need for change within his side, cautiously admitting that if he does not change something quick it might be Bower himself and assistant Danny Boshell who end up being changed.

One reason for optimism for the Green Army in the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat was the impact of substitute Will Longbottom, on for the final fifteen minutes of the game and netting a goal that made for an interesting finish. The Avenue fans will be hoping to see more of the same from the Yorkshireman as they look to finally kick-start their season with an away win this weekend.

AFC Fylde will no doubt be optimistic heading into this encounter on the back of a five game unbeaten run in all competitions. The Lancashire side currently sit in fourth position with five wins from their opening eight fixtures, and will once again be chasing promotion after a disappointing play-off defeat to Boston United ended their hopes last season. The Avenue will also need to be mindful of the Coasters’ star man Nick Haughton who already has five league goals to his name this season.

Furthermore, Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking to improve their dismal head-to-head record against the Coasters having never beaten them in league or cup since the latter were founded as Kirkham and Wesham in 1988. When the two sides met last season, AFC Fylde emerged victorious with 2-0 victories in both National League North fixtures.

Travelling fans can find the stadium at Mill Farm Sports Village, Coronation Way, Wesham, Lancashire, PR4 3JZ.

All tickets can be purchased online or on the gate. For those wishing to purchase standing tickets, the prices are; Adult £12.00, Young Guns (16-20) £7.00, Junior (12-15) £6.00, Under 12’s FREE when accompanied by a full paying adult. Alternatively, seating is available at £18.00 for Adults, £10.00 for Juniors (12-15) and £8.00 for Under 12’s.

Ashington  2 – 1  Bradford (Park Avenue)

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

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.

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