A disappointing afternoon in Derbyshire ended with Bradford (Park Avenue) receiving a thumping from Alfreton Town.

Goals from Dayle Southwell, Yusifu Ceesay, Bailey Hobson, Elliott Reeves and former Bradford man Conor Branson meant that the Reds hit five at the Impact Arena, despite a consolation goal from substitute Adam Nowakowski.

Alfreton rose to eighth into the table and just one point adrift of the play-offs, whilst the Avenue linger two places above the relegation zone thanks to defeats for Blyth Spartans, Gloucester City and Hereford.

Bradford got off to the worst possible start just a minute in, as former Wycombe Wanderers striker Southwell bended in the opener from eighteen yards, before Ceesay latched onto a fancy lay-off by experienced attacker Matt Rhead and coolly finished his chance.

The Reds were rampant at the Impact, with Rhead being a menace to the Avenue defence and once again teeing up teammate Hobson, who hammered the ball past a frustrated Jonny Saltmer.

Tempers began to flare with Rob Evans and Isaac Marriott both picking up cautions, whilst Nicky Clee nearly grasped a goal back with a directed free-kick.

Heading into the second half, the Avenue continued to pressure with the hopes of sparking a fightback, as Brad Dockerty and Marriott had chances heroically cleared by a brave Alfreton defence.

Bradford’s very own pound-per-week man finally notched a goal for the Avenue, as a brilliant piece of trickery from Clee ended with a cross into Nowakowski, who was composed in smashing the ball past George Willis in the Alfreton goal.

But with the hopes of a comeback in the sights of Bower’s team, Rhead continued to terrorise, flicking on a cross and finding Reeves who could fire past Saltmer from close-range.

The day worsened through Branson, scoring against his former team. The midfielder came within inches to adding a fifth, but would later get to punish some more disappointing defending, as Rhead  held the ball up and laid the ball off to Branson, who charged through and was composed in smuggling the ball beneath Saltmer.

Bower’s side will look to bounce back next Saturday at the Horsfall, with AFC Telford the next test.

Alfreton Town: Willis, Clackstone, Preston, Branson, Smith, Wiley, Southwell, Evans (Johnson, 48), Rhead, Hobson (Butterfield, 82), Ceesay (Reeves, 67)

Subs not used: Smith-Eccles, Lund

Bradford (Park Avenue): Saltmer, Ross, Lund (Gomis, 72), Havern, Clee, Marriott, Richman, Arblaster (Odunston, 55), Mottley-Henry, Rawson (Nowakowski, 62) Dockerty

Subs not used: Windass, Francis

Attendance: 398

Referee: E Duckworth

We are delighted to announce that we have agreed terms with Simon Richman on a deal until the season end.

Originally brought in on a short term deal, Richman has earned a contract.

A massive thank you to the development fund also, who’s help made the deal happen!

Gabriel Ramsey provides the write up!

An excellent second half turnaround from Mark Bower’s Bradford Park Avenue helped grab the West Yorkshire side their second victory of the season.

Two wonderful goals from captain Gianluca Havern and Luke Rawson in the space of nine minutes rendered JJ O’Donnell’s earlier goal void.

Prior to kick-off, Bower’s side needed a win to pull away from the relegation zone, whilst Blyth sat in 17^th position after an underwhelming start to the league campaign.

It was an even start at the Horsfall Stadium, but Blyth looked to penetrate the Bradford defence immediately as O’Donnell and veteran midfielder Robbie Dale linked up, with the latter having a strike heroically blocked.

Last week, Park Avenue announced the dual signings of Sheffield United youngsters Nicksoen Gomis and Oliver Arblaster on loan, and it was Arblaster who made his second consecutive start and threatened, having a long-range strike comfortably held by Alex Mitchell.

Avenue began to dominate and toy with the idea of an opener, as Isaac Marriott, Brad Dockerty and Akeel Francis all came close to beating Mitchell in goal.

But the closest Bradford would come in the first half would be through defender Mitch Lund, who pounced on a teasing cross from Mark Ross but the woodwork would deny the former Morecambe man his first goal of the season.

With the end of the first half fast approaching, Avenue’s pressure was nearly rewarded by Francis dragged his strike wide, allowing Blyth to punish. First, Dale had a 25-yard free-kick cannon off of the crossbar, before Maguire acted superbly to round Johnny Saltmer in the Bradford goal and tee up O’Donnell, who made no mistake in converting the chance and granting Blyth a first half lead.

Heading into the second half, Bradford needed a response and nearly immediately got one from Dylan Mottley-Henry, who was left unmarked but his header could only tamely bounce wide.

Blyth weren’t going to roll over though, as the Spartans attacked through Maguire, who fed Robbie Thomson in behind before his powerful strike was saved by Saltmer at his near post.

But just as Blyth were looking to equalise, they were instead pegged back- through captain Havern. Youngster Arblaster played a silky one-two with Marriott before bending a ball onto the head of Havern, who was composed in heading past Mitchell from an awkward angle.

Avenue had to be careful to defend their equaliser however, as Sean Reid and Maguire both had chances well stopped by Saltmer.

And despite the pressure, it took a moment of beauty for Bower’s side to take the lead, and step up Rawson.

Coming off of the bench, Rawson took aim from distance and hammered a rocket past the stranded Mitchell, producing a moment of glory for the home side who had the three points in their clutches.

Marriott nearly replicated Rawson’s brilliance with an attempted half-volley, but Mitchell was equal to it.

But with the clock into stoppage time and three points moments away, there would be controversy at the Horsfall, as Dale’s tricky cross allegedly crossed the line, but the linesman remained vigilant and no-goal was given, granting Bower’s side a crucial three points.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Saltmer, Ross, Lund, Havern, Clee, Marriott, Richman, Arblaster (Odunston, 90), Dockerty, Francis (Rawson, 63), Mottley-Henry (Nowakowski, 85)

Subs not used: Hall, Gomis

Blyth Spartans: Mitchell, Evans, Lees, Watson, Liddle, Reid (McNall, 87), Deverdics, O’Donnell, Thomson, Maguire (McKeown, 78), Dale

Subs not used: Hickey, Milburn, Tear

Attendance: 486

Referee: Richard Holmes

We are delighted to announce that we have captured the double signing of Nicksoen Gomis and Oliver Arblaster on youth loans from Sheffield United.

The duo join until 3rd January, and come highly rated by Sheffield United.

Boss Mark Bower said ‘Its great to get these two over the line and bolster our options within the team. We have a lot of games coming up and the whole squad will be needed. We saw last year with (Harry) Boyes that these deals can work in your favour, and we look forward to seeing the lads in action. A big thank you to Sheffield United for their help in doing the deals.’

Both Arblaster and Gomis are available for tomorrow’s game at Kidderminster, find out if they are involved when the teams are announced at 2pm!

We are devastated to announce that Avenue fan Alan Dalby has passed away due to complications with Covid 19.

Alan, also a Campion FC fan will be missed by everyone here at the football club.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.