MATCH PREVIEW: Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Halesowen Town

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The Avenue play host to Halesowen Town in the first round of the FA Trophy this weekend in what is an important game for both sides.

Bradford are coming into the fixture off the back of an important victory last weekend against Altrincham, winning 2-0 at home against one of the league’s in form sides and return home to the Horsfall Stadium this weekend to play hosts once again.

Halesowen, meanwhile, are on a brilliant run of form — being awarded club of the month for the Southern League Central — due to their streak of seven wins out of seven in which they scored 23 goals and conceded just one.

Halesowen come into the cup tie sitting third in their respective division despite the fact that they have played multiple games less than the teams around them and occupy games in hand which, if won, could push them to the top of the table.

Coming into last weekend, the Avenue were without a win in their last six league games, but that bad run of form was put to an end with a 2-0 victory over Altrincham at home courtesy of goals from home debutant Tom Clare and Oli Johnson, and despite the results – are starting to show the performances, that got them into the playoffs last season. Halesowen, meanwhile, are also trending in a very positive direction, without a loss in twelve, with their last three victories combining for a score of 13-0.

Both teams secured qualification into the FA Trophy with hard fought victories – Avenue winning their final qualification game 2-0 away at Gloucester City, while Halesowen secured their qualification with a 1-0 win at home to Gateshead and will be hoping to extend their stay in the competition with a victory here.

It all makes for what should be a very fun and entertaining game at the Horsfall Stadium.

Season tickets do not apply as this is a cup game. No ticket required just pay on the turnstiles. 

Match day prices are as follows:
Adults – £10
Concessions/Students – £8
Under 17’s – £1

MATCH REPORT | Bradford (Park Avenue) 2-0 Altrincham FC

Match Report by George Cliff

Bradford (Park Avenue) secured a vital 3 points at the Horsfall stadium on Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 victory over Altrincham. 

It was a cagey opening 10 minutes with neither side being able to create much, although Altrincham enjoyed the better of the possession. However, on the 11th minute, seemingly out of nothing the Avenue were able to break away on the far left with Oli Johnson playing a superb cross to Nicky Clee who then placed a fine ball across goal which fell to Tom Clare to tap into the net on his home debut to give Bradford a 1-0 lead. 

Nothing much happened afterwards leading into half time. Altricham continued to dominate the majority of the possession, but it was the Avenue who had the better of the chances. Oli Johnson had a decent shot saved by keeper Anthony Thompson, while Thompson again made a fine save from Lewis Knight’s header minutes later to keep the score at 1-0. 

Altrincham’s best chance of the half came through Thomas Peers, who was able to race through into a one-on-one battle with Joe Green, however, after trying to round the Avenue goalkeeper, his shot hit the bar. 

Coming out of the half, Bradford looked more comfortable to sit back to try and hold on to the lead. A big chance fell to Jon Royle who’s shot was brilliantly saved by Thompson to keep Altrincham in the game. 

It was a fabulous performance from the Altrincham goalkeeper who managed to keep them in the game – that was, until, the 88th minute when Oli Johnson was able to secure the victory for the Avenue after a wonderfully taken goal in which he was able to round Thompson after a burst of pace left him one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and then slot into the empty net. 

The victory earns a much needed three points for the Avenue who next week are in cup action at home against Halesowen Town in the first round of the FA Trophy. 

Duo Leave On Loan

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Jon Moran and Brad Dockerty have both left the club on loan, joining Stafford Rangers and Pontefract Collieries respectively.

Both players joined the club in the summer, but have struggled to force their way into the side recently, with injury and illness hampering their progress.

Dockerty in particular impressed fans over the summer and has grabbed three league goals so far this term, with his move to Pontefract coming due to a change in personal circumstances.

Avenue boss Mark Bower explained: “Brad’s work patterns have changed recently and he has been struggling to commit to training over the past couple of weeks.

“The loan spell will give him a chance to play games again, and we can keep an eye on his progress.

“Together with Brad we will re-assess the situation when his loan spell ends.”

Dockerty will join Pontefract until January, while centre-back Moran has signed an initial one-month loan deal with Stafford.

The defender has been out injured after starting the season with a string of appearances, but is yet to feature under Bower.

“Game time will be of great benefit to Jon,” the Bradford manager said.

“He hasn’t featured over the past few weeks due to a minor injury, and he needs to now get back on the pitch.”

Meanwhile, Cieron Keane and Kemy Agustien have both left the club following short spells at Avenue.

The club would like to thank the pair for their efforts while with the club, and wish them all the best for the future.

Match Report: Avenue 2-3 King’s Lynn

King’s Lynn twice came from behind at the Horsfall Stadium to leave Avenue bottom of the league and winless in five matches.

An Adam Marriott brace followed by Sonny Carey’s 87th minute winner in a frantic second half saw King’s Lynn run out winners, despite Lewis Knight and Oli Johnson twice having Bradford in front.

The game was pushed back to an eventual 3.45pm kick-off time, following visitors King’s Lynn becoming stuck in traffic on their mammoth journey to Bradford.

And it was the away side who had the first sight at goal, Ryan Jarvis slipping as the ball dropped from the game’s first corner, before Jordan Richards fired wide from the edge of the box.

Bradford then went straight up the other end and created their first chance, Dan Sweeney’s low cross just couldn’t find Knight, before Mitch Lund saw his effort blocked away.

On 17 minutes though, Avenue went ahead as Knight took advantage of a mistake.

Rory McAuley gave the ball away on the half-way line, Avenue’s number seven intercepting his pass before racing past him and slotting confidently into the bottom corner with his left foot.

At the other end, Liam Hughes – playing in the centre of a back three – saw his blushes spared as he headed just wide of his own goal, attempting to cut out Marriott’s header across goal.

Joe Green was then called into action as Avenue were caught out by a short corner, Chris Henderson shooting low from the left, the home goalkeeper smuggling his effort away with a decent save.

Bradford were pressing well and forcing their opposition into mistakes, Sweeney finding himself with time and space on the edge of the box, though he could only strike wide with his left foot.

As the board went up to display one minute’s added time at the end of the first half, the visitors came close once more, as Marriott flashed a header just wide of the post with Green stranded.

Green did have a save to make just after the break, Michael Gash finding time and space at the back post, but his low effort was well kept out by the Bradford number one.

It was the dangerous Marriott who commenced the comeback just before the hour, as Avenue got caught out from a cross, Green failing to punch clear and the number 10 just about managing to force the ball home.

Knight then caused danger as his cross dropped over the head of the defender, before he was forced off, and it was his replacement Johnson who put Bradford back in front.

McAuley again was the cause of his side’s downfall, a short backpass allowing Johnson in, the returning attacker rounding the goalkeeper before slotting in his first goal since rejoining the club last week.

Avenue were almost caught out in incredible circumstances from the restart, with Mitch Lund receiving treatment, Mark Bower was orchestrating a reshuffle.

But as Lund hobbled off, the referee allowed the visitors to restart, allowing them to race clear on the far side, but the furious Bradford players just about got back to avert the danger.

Just over 10 minutes later, King’s Lynn equalised again through Marriott, the striker doing brilliantly in possession, spreading play wide to Sam Kelly who delivered an excellent cross which the forward planted into the top corner with a perfect header.

And with little over three minutes on the clock, the visitors snatched all three points.

Bradford failed to properly clear a corner, and with a number of players trying to get a foot on the ball, Carey emerged into a pocket of space and placed a finish low into the bottom corner.

There was time for one last Avenue chance, Sweeney picking up a loose ball and seeing goalkeeper Alex Street off his line, but his effort from 25 yards out slipped just past the post.

King’s Lynn did end the game on a sour note, however, as striker Michael Gash was sent off in injury time. After being shown a yellow card for timewasting in the fourth minute of stoppage time, he was then sent off in the sixth for leaving a high foot in in the corner.

With a number of injuries, Avenue will be thankful to not have a midweek game, and next up is the visit of Leamington on Saturday 9 November.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Green, Lund (A.Johnson 74), Priestley, Lowe (c), Hughes, Bazeley, Knight (O.Johnson 69), Royle, Sweeney, Marriott, Nowakowski

Subs not used: Dickinson, Rathbone

Goals: Knight (17), O.Johnson (71)

King’s Lynn Town: Street, Jones, Fox (Hawkins 81), Jarvis (Carey 58), Ward, McAuley, Clunan (c), Richards, Gash, Marriott, Henderson (Kelly 58)

Subs not used: Barrows, Payne

Goals: Marriott (58, 83), Carey (87)

Booked: Ward (61), McAuley (67), Gash (90+4)

Sent Off: Gash (90+6)

Referee: Dean Watson

Attendance: 416

Match Preview: King’s Lynn (H)

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Bradford (Park Avenue) are back in league action at the Horsfall Stadium this Saturday as they host high-flyers King’s Lynn Town.

Avenue ended their three-match goal drought at Harrogate in the County Cup on Monday, and will now be hoping they can turn that into a victory as they return to league action at the weekend.

Aston Villa loanee Isiah Bazeley found the net as Bradford were defeated by two goals to one against their higher-level opponents, and manager Mark Bower has delved into the loan market once more this week to strengthen his midfield.

Telford midfielder Jonathan Royle has arrived on a temporary deal, initially until the 1st of January, looking to change the fortunes of a side who are now on a four-match losing streak.

And for the second weekend in a row, they face opposition recently promoted to the National League North, though King’s Lynn have fared much better than last Saturday’s victors Kettering.

They currently find themselves second in the division, behind only the as-yet unbeaten York, and yet to taste defeat at home this term.

The Linnetts have however drawn their last three league matches at home 2-2, but after a winless run dating back to the 3rd of September, they ran out 4-2 winners at Kidderminster Harriers last Saturday.

Avenue will assess injuries to both Germaine Agustien, who hobbled out of the warm up at Kettering, and Josh Heaton, who was replaced in the second half.

Recent League Form

Bradford (Park Avenue)
Kettering Town (A) L 0-4
Southport (H) L 0-3
Gloucester City (A) L 0-1
Hereford (H) W 3-2
Brackley Town (A) L 0-8

King’s Lynn Town
Kidderminster Harriers (A) W 4-2
Altrincham (H) D 2-2
Chester (H) D 2-2
York City (A) L 0-3
Gloucester City (H) D 2-2

Last Time Out

Bradford (Park Avenue) (vs Kettering): Green, Lund, Priestley, Lowe (c), Hughes (Bazeley 46), Heaton (O.Johnson 60), Knight, Keane (Dockerty 46), Sweeney, Hurst, Nowakowski

King’s Lynn Town (vs): Street, Jones, Fox, Jarvis, Barrows, McAuley, Clunan, Richards, Gash, Marriott (Kelly), Henderson (Carey)

Admission Prices

Adult – £10
Concession (OAP, Student) – £8
Under-17 – £1

Royle Joins On Loan

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Bradford (Park Avenue) have signed midfielder Jonathan Royle on loan from AFC Telford United.

Royle joins on an initial deal until 1st January, strengthening manager Mark Bower’s options in midfield.

Bower had hinted at a potential new signing after watching his side slip to their third defeat in a row at Kettering on Saturday, falling to the bottom of the league in the process.

Former Southport midfielder Royle initially joined Telford on a loan deal back in September 2016 which was soon made permanent after a string of fine performances.

Since joining, he has made 75 appearances in the National League North for Telford, but has been limited to just two starts and two substitute appearances this term.

Royle got his first taste of senior football as a teenager, spending two seasons at Colwyn Bay before their relegation from the then-named Conference North.

He has also notched a handful of National League appearances for Wrexham and Southport, while also lining up in a brief loan spell at Hednesford Town.

Royle will go straight into the Avenue squad ahead of their home clash with Kings Lynn Town this Saturday.

Match Preview: Harrogate (A)

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Bradford (Park Avenue) take a break from league action this Monday evening, with a trip to Harrogate Town in the West Riding County Cup.

The match is a second round tie, but is both clubs’ first involvement in the competition following byes in the first round.

It is a repeat of the 2016 final, which Avenue won at Valley Parade, lifting their second successive County Cup trophy in the process.

Goals from Lamin Colley, Reece Webb-Foster and Richard Marshall gave Avenue victory then, and three-and-a-half years later the sides meet again in the competition, this time at the CNG Stadium.

Both will be expected to make changes for the fixture, with Harrogate coming into the match after their 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end at Eastleigh on Saturday.

Avenue have the chance to give some of their fringe players a chance after three defeats on the bounce, with the likes of Jon Moran, Andre Johnson and Isaac Marriott a chance to stake their claim.

Recent League Form

Harrogate Town
Eastleigh (A) L 2-4
Barnet (H) W 2-1
Aldershot Town (H) W 1-0
Yeovil Town (A) W 2-1
Wrexham (A) D 1-1

Bradford (Park Avenue)
Kettering Town (A) L 0-4
Southport (H) L 0-3
Gloucester City (A) L 0-1
Hereford (H) W 3-2
Brackley Town (A) L 0-8

Last Time Out

Harrogate Town (vs Eastleigh): Belshaw, Fallowfield, G Smith (Taylor 75), Falkingham, Burrell, Beck, Kiernan (Thomson 66), Bradley (Emmett 59), Muldoon, W Smith, Diamond

Bradford (Park Avenue) (vs Kettering): Green, Lund, Priestley, Lowe (c), Hughes (Bazeley 46), Heaton (O.Johnson 60), Knight, Keane (Dockerty 46), Sweeney, Hurst, Nowakowski

Admission Prices
Adult – £5
Under-18 – £2

West Riding County Cup Second Round Draw In Full

Harrogate Town vs Bradford (Park Avenue) 4/11/19
Farsley Celtic vs Armthorpe Welfare 5/11/19
FC Halifax Town vs Yorkshire Amateur 6/11/19
Barnoldswick Town vs Steeton 12/11/19
Thackley vs Campion 12/11/19
Pontefract Collieries vs Tadcaster Albion TBC
Guiseley vs Brighouse Town TBC
Ossett United vs Eccleshill United OR Garforth Town TBC

Match Report: Kettering 4-0 Avenue

Bradford (Park Avenue) dropped to bottom of the league thanks to a third successive defeat at the hands of Kettering Town.

Kettering leapfrogged Avenue off the bottom with an absolute rout at Latimer Park thanks to goals from London Meikle, Connor Kennedy, Ben Milnes and Aaron O’Connor, though in truth it could have been more on a woeful afternoon for Mark Bower’s men.

The game was in doubt for most of the day, with news of a planned pitch inspection arriving as late as 11am, with the team bus well on its way. Eventually, thanks to some hard work by volunteers and the rain easing up, the match referee passed the surface as playable around 15 minutes after the Avenue coach arrived at Latimer Park.

Bower had named an unchanged starting XI for the fixture, with the returning Oli Johnson taking the place of his namesake Andre amongst the substitutes, though due to an injury in the warm-up, recent signing Cieron Keane was handed a full debut in place of Germaine Agustien.

The hosts were fastest out of the box by far and came close inside 10 minutes as Keith Lowe could only flick a cross in the direction of an unmarked Milnes, who should probably have hit the target with his volley.

Milnes definitely should have done better moments later as again Avenue couldn’t clear and he strode onto a loose ball, but could only fire over from 12 yards out.

Kettering did take the lead with 15 minutes on the clock though, on the end of a brilliant breakaway.

A sweeping move ended with a neat one-two between Daniel Nti and Gary Stohrer, with the former cutting it back to Meikle, who just about forced the ball home with a bit of a scuffed effort.

The home side were causing problems with their pace, and another breakaway almost resulted in a second goal as O’Connor got the better of Lowe, but his cross was just behind the run of Nti and the chance went begging.

It took until the half-hour for the visitors to threaten, almost drawing level through Alex Hurst. The Port Vale loanee burst onto a Billy Priestley knock-down, and his eventual shot took a wicked deflection, Kettering goalkeeper Paul White doing excellently to react and tip the ball round the post.

The half time break seemed to do nothing to reinvigorate Avenue, and Kettering were afforded the simplest of goals just 11 minutes into the half, Kennedy heading home a Milnes corner from inside the six-yard box.

And Milnes added his own goal just after the hour, Lowe pulling down O’Connor just outside the box, with the midfielder stepping up and placing the free-kick into the bottom corner.

Bradford thought they’d pulled one back with 18 minutes to spare, as the returning Johnson flicked home Dan Sweeney’s shot, but the linesman’s flag went up for offside.

Nti, who was possibly lucky to escape a second yellow card for a foul on Knight, came oh so close with a brilliant chest-and-volley, before earning his side a penalty, his opposite number seven clipping him in the box leaving the referee with no option.

O’Connor stepped up and stuttered, sending Joe Green the wrong way to complete the rout.

The Bradford goalkeeper did have time to make a great save, as Tre Milford got in behind, but the offside flag was up regardless.

Meikle should have grabbed a second in the dying minutes, as Mitch Lund’s slip allowed him in on the right, but he curled over after cutting inside.

Kettering Town: White, Stohrer, Skarz (c), Graham, McGrath, Milnes, Nti, O’Connor (Milford 83), Kennedy, Meikle, Kelly

Subs not used: Solkhon, Brighton, Carta, Sebbeh

Goals: Meikle (15), Kennedy (56), Milnes (63), O’Connor (79P)

Booked: Skarz (45), Nti (70)

Bradford (Park Avenue): Green, Lund, Priestley, Lowe (c), Hughes (Bazeley 46), Heaton (O.Johnson 60), Knight, Keane (Dockerty 46), Sweeney, Hurst, Nowakowski

Subs not used: Marriott

Booked: Hurst (18), Hughes (45+3), Lowe (62)

Referee: Daniel Lockyer

Attendance: 625

Johnson Returns To Avenue

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Entertaining forward Oli Johnson has returned to Bradford (Park Avenue).

Johnson was a popular figure under Mark Bower, playing a key role in the last two seasons as Avenue reached the National League North promotion play-offs.

The former Norwich City, Stockport County and Yeovil Town man first linked up with Bower during his time at Guiseley, where he was a key figure in their promotion to the National League.

He has made 92 league appearances in a Bradford shirt across the last three campaigns, with an impressive return of 32 goals.

Johnson initially joined on loan from Guiseley in November 2016, but hasn’t played since departing in the summer after taking some time out to recover from long-standing injury problems.

The attacker returns to Bower’s squad ahead of this afternoon’s trip to Kettering Town, which goes ahead after a lot of hard work from volunteers following heavy rainfall at Latimer Park.

Match Preview: Kettering (A)

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Bradford (Park Avenue) travel to Kettering Town this Saturday looking for their first win in three games.

Avenue face fellow strugglers Kettering off the back of two successive defeats, and having dropped back down to second-bottom in the National League North.

It is a big clash between the division’s bottom two clubs, and Bradford boss Mark Bower will see it as a good opportunity to pick up some much needed points in the fight for survival.

Kettering sit one point below Avenue, who are level on points with Blyth and Curzon Ashton in the lower reaches of the division.

Saturday’s hosts, who were promoted last season with former Avenue interim manager Marcus Law at the helm, come into the game also off the back of two scoreless defeats in the league.

Their only two wins of the season have come at home though, with victories over Alfreton and AFC Telford United.

Former Barrow and Guiseley boss Paul Cox recently returned to the club he played for to attempt to turn round their fortunes and keep them in the division for a second season.

The game kicks off at 3pm, and you can join us on the official supporters’ coach, click here for more info.

Recent League Form

Bradford (Park Avenue)
Southport (H) L 0-3
Gloucester City (A) L 0-1
Hereford (H) W 3-2
Brackley Town (A) L 0-8
Spennymoor Town (H) D 1-1

Kettering Town
Spennymoor Town (H) L 0-2
Hereford (A) L 0-1
Alfreton Town (H) W 2-1
Farsley Celtic (A) L 2-3
Boston United (H) L 0-2

Last Time Out

Bradford (Park Avenue): Green, Lund, Priestley (Keane 61), Lowe (c), Hughes (Johnson 76), Heaton, Knight (Dockerty 62), Agustien, Sweeney, Hurst, Nowakowski

Kettering Town: White (c), Stohrer, Brighton, Graham, Williams, Milnes, Nti (Carta 58), Kennedy, Mitford, Meikle (Solkhon 79), Kelly

Admission Prices
Adult – £15
Concession (Over 60, Student) – £10
Under-18 – £5