MATCH REPORT – Scarborough Athletic 2 – 2 Bradford (Park Avenue)

Scarborough Athletic (0) 2 – 2 (1) Bradford (Park Avenue)

Avenue took a welcome point from their visit to newly-promoted Scarborough on Tuesday evening, but it could and possibly should have been all three after leading 2 – 0 with only five minutes plus added time remaining.

After only six minutes Jamie Spencer put Avenue ahead with a simply tremendous goal  – a clever lofted shot from halfway – a la David Beckham – made all the more spectacular by the keeper’s valiant attempt to keep it out. If there was any justice this would earn Jamie a ticket into the Premiership and he certainly deserved to be walking on air for the rest of the game. This goal will be watched over and over again on the BPA twitter account and mustn’t be missed!

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With Avenue in the ascendancy and playing the better football, the lead was extended through the lively Andre Brooks just five minutes into the second half. Showing poise and composure on the edge of the six-yard box he took a touch before drilling a loose ball into the net following a corner.

After looking like becoming the first win of the season as the latter stages approached, the game was transformed following some controversial refereeing decisions. Scarborough pulled a goal back after 85 minutes and grabbed an equaliser five minutes later, with Jamie Spencer dismissed following a scuffle after the final whistle.

Manager Mark Bower, who was quite restrained in his after-match comments, said: ‘A lot of the performance was good, particularly up front, but I’m just gutted.’

Team: Sykes-Kenworthy; Odunston, Staunton; Lund, Havern, Maroodza; Spencer, Richman, Blyth (Nowakowski (76), Brooks (Fielding 88), Hopper.

Match Preview – Kidderminster Harriers

The Green Army will look to grasp their first victory of the league season when welcoming Kidderminster Harriers to the Horsfall Community Stadium this Saturday.

Mark Bower’s side were unfortunate to not see out three points on Tuesday night, after a brace from Dom Tear in the dying-minutes ruled out the Avenue’s two goal lead and saw the game end a close 2-2. Jamie Spencer will also look back on the match fondly, after scoring a contender for goal of the season with an irresistible half-way line goal.

Bradford were also in form last Saturday, as a late Adam Nowakowski nicked a point against Kettering Town.

Opponents:

Kidderminster will be looking for their first victory since the opening day when Russ Penn’s side narrowly saw out Blyth Spartans, before a goalless draw with Leamington and a close defeat to Curzon Ashton on Tuesday night.

Penn will be eager for Kidderminster to bounce back from their upset on Tuesday night, after declaring that his side “weren’t good enough”.

The Harriers recruited strongly in the Summer after a good season last year, bringing in players such as Tom Owen-Evans, Jack Byrne and former Bradford City defender Nathaniel Knight-Percival.

Form guide:

Bradford (Park Avenue): LDD

Kidderminster Harriers: WDL

Key player: Ashley Hemmings

A direct and powerful winger, Hemmings has impressed with Kidderminster becoming a regular on the wing and is entering his fourth season donning the red and white.

Having already opened up his account for the season, Hemmings will be eager to show similar form to last season after netting 16 goals last year.

With options like Owen-Evans and Ethan Freemantle going forward, Hemmings will have the attacking options to help him be a nuisance against the Avenue on Saturday.

Previous meeting:

The last time Kidderminster travelled to the Horsfall Stadium, it ended goalless with neither side able to find a breakthrough.

FA YOUTH CUP DETAILS

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The BPA Academy will take on Guiseley AFC this Wednesday, in the extra preliminary round of the FA Youth Cup. Kick off is set for 7:45pm, with tickets priced at just £3 for Adults, and £1 Concessions, u18s and Students (With Valid ID).

The winners of the game will host Swallownest in the FA Cup preliminary round during the week commencing 29th August.

#UTA

Partnership Agreement | ADW at the Bus Stop

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We are delighted to announce that ADW Holdings Limited, a Commercial and Residential Property Landlord have agreed to sponsor the back of the Bus stop!

The company will also have a presence around the ground with a number of boards being affixed to the pitch perimeter fencing.

You can check out ADW’s website by clicking https://www.adwholdings.co.uk/

On the deal, Secretary Calum Cullen said ‘I am delighted that ADW have once again supported our football club. The bus stop is a cult hero and to have a local business, who have a history with Bradford (Park Avenue) on the stand is fantastic.’ A massive thank you to everyone at ADW for their ongoing support. We look forward to having you down at the Horsfall for our games!’

BOWER AND BOSH SIGN CONTRACT EXTENSION!

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We are delighted to announce that we have agreed three year extension deals with both Manager Mark Bower and his Assistant Daniel Boshell.

The pair, who were into their final year of their original 3 year contracts, have now agreed deals that keep them at the club until the summer of 2026.

Since signing their original deals ‘Bowes and Bosh’ have led us to a comfortable finish in the 2020/21 curtailed season and the 2021/22 season.

On the deal Mark Bower said ”Pleased to get it through definitely, its not taken much discussion really while we’ve been focusing on training. With Pre-Season it can be difficult as it takes up alot of time. The main thing for me and Bosh is that we’re all working in the same direction.

This was echoed by Danny Boshell “After our first spells and then Martin Knight taking over 2 and a half years ago, everything he told us that day is exactly what has happened since, and for us, we’re both excited at where the club is going, we’ve just got to make sure we do our job on the pitch which we’ve done so far, and hopefully we can continue to do. “

Avenue sign future star from Football League club, Bradford City

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In an major statement of intent and backing of the club in the transfer market, by our owner Gareth Roberts, we have signed the much vaunted talent of Reece Staunton from our city neighbours for an undisclosed fee.

We are pleased to announce the successful, permanent, signing of Reece Staunton to the club on an initial one year deal with an option for a second year.

Staunton is no stranger to the Horsfall Staunton has enjoyed two previous loan spells with The Avenue over the last few years as he continued the development of his clear ability at City’s academy and within their first team squad.

Bursting onto the scene at the age of 15 years 332 days, Reece, made his debut for Bradford City, becoming the club’s youngest ever player at the time. He has since accumulated a total of 20 appearances for the first team scoring 1 league goal. He has also been capped 4 times by the Republic of Ireland U18’s.

Still only 20 years of age with a very bright future ahead of him, we wish a warm Avenue welcome to Reece, and a big thank you to the development fund for assisting in making this major investment possible.

Mark Bower –

I’m delighted that we have been able to bring in a player of Reece’s calibre on a permanent basis.

I have been really impressed with Reece’s desire to come and play regular men’s football. With the best part of two years left on his deal at City, he could easily have sat there, in his comfort zone. I think it is a great sign that he has made some big sacrifices and backed himself to come to us, to ultimately further his career.

It is our job now to push and help him take the next step in realising the potential he has and continuing to develop his undoubted football talent.’

Reece Staunton –

I’m happy to have signed for Bradford (Park Avenue), I felt as though it has come to a stage in my career where I need to be playing games consistently and start enjoying my football again.

When I came here on loan last time I really enjoyed myself and knowing the manager and assistant, well, it made my decision easier as they let me have the freedom to show what I can do.

I am hoping to help the lads finish higher in the table this season and try to push on into the play off positions’

NOWAKOWSKI THE POUND-A-WEEK MAN SIGNS ON

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The club are delighted to announce that Adam Nowakowski has re-signed for the 22/23 season on a one-year, pound-a-week contract.

This will be the third year running that Nowakowski has signed for Avenue on £1 a week, a fantastic gesture to the club.

Adam was used in a variety of positions last year, and offers strength and depth to the team.

We’d like to place on record our thanks to Novva for agreeing to sign for £1 a week, and we look forward to seeing him wearing the Green and White kit once again.

An interview with Adam will be released in due course.

#AAAW

Season Ticket Update – Kings Lynn Town

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The club would like to make the following statement regarding season tickets;

‘We understand that some supporters are yet to receive their #AAW season tickets for the 2022/23 season. All ticket sales have been ordered and we are awaiting the latest batch reaching us at the ground. If you are not in receipt of yours by the close of play today – 04/08/2022 please email us on info@bpafc.com and we will add you to a guestlist for the game on Saturday. A batch were posted earlier this week, so you may receive yours in the post today.

As soon as the latest batch arrive with us, we will post out immediately, within plenty of time for the Kidderminster game on the 20th.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause you’