12 Mar 2020

MATCH PREVIEW: Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Curzon Ashton

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Saturday afternoon represents massive time period in Bradford (Park Avenue)’s season as they welcome relegation rivals Curzon Ashton to the Horsfall Stadium.

After two games and two big victories against Chester and King’s Lynn over the last week, this game on Saturday now brings a different meaning than what it looked like two weeks ago.

After Avenue’s painful loss to Gloucester City just over a month ago left them 16 points from safety, the two victories in the two games since now mean they are 11 points from the drop, but they can reduce that to 8 with a win on the weekend.

It’s been an unbelievable week for Mark Bower’s side after a month off due to postponed fixtures. Firstly, they welcomed playoff chasing Chester to the Horsfall Stadium last week in a game not many thought they had a chance in — but the Avenue players and Avenue staff clearly had their own self belief as they were able to pull off a shock 2-1 win after goals from Tom Clare and Oli Johnson sandwiched a Matty Waters goal for Chester.

Then just three days later on a very cold and windy Tuesday night, Avenue made the long trip to Norfolk to take on Kings Lynn, who, with a win would’ve put themselves in first place in the league table.

They normally say the league table doesn’t lie, but on this occasion it did, as Bradford stunned the hosts, completing another shocking upset — two within three days — as a Tom Clare efforts gave the Green Army a 1-0 victory.

Meanwhile for Curzon Ashton, they currently occupy the final spot of safety in the league table, sitting in 20th place, 11 points above Avenue at the bottom of the table.

That’s what makes this clash so important for Bradford. A win and they are 8 points from safety with 9 games left which is very doable. However, a loss leaves them 14 points from safety with 9 games left which would pretty much make the huge results that the Avenue have picked up over the last week count for nought.

Despite the last two wins giving reasonable hope, it won’t be easy. Curzon Ashton are a very tough team to beat as they have proven in their last couple of games as they earned draws with York City and Boston United, who are both chasing promotion.

But if Avenue are to complete what would be a miraculous escape from relegation, this is simply a game that they have to win.

7 Mar 2020

MATCH REPORT: Bradford (Park Avenue) 2-1 Chester

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Bradford (Park Avenue)’s hopes of completing an unlikely and miraculous great escape were given a massive boost as they beat promotion hopeful’s Chester 2-1 on Saturday afternoon at the Horsfall Stadium.

It had been a long time coming for an Avenue side who hadn’t won a game since December, and had been on the losing end of some very unfair results over the last couple of months of the season.

This time though, Bradford were finally rewarded for what was a terrific performance against one of the league’s best sides. It was a very cagey opening to the game for both sides, with the wind certainly playing a factor in that. At some points, you didn’t even know where the ball was going to land due to the sheer strength of the wind, but fortunately, it seemed that Avenue were the ones who were able to adapt best to the wintery conditions.

Because of the conditions, it always felt like the first goal was going to be vital and it was the Avenue who grabbed it. Tom Clare’s original strike from a superb Ryan Toulson cross struck the post. A melee then erupted on the goal line, and no one really seemed to know where the ball was. Eventually the ball looked like it struck Clare, seemingly off an attempted clearance by one of the Chester defenders and fell into the net.

Ugly goal or not, Mark Bower won’t have cared and it meant his side entered the break 1-0 ahead. However, it was important to not get carried away as Avenue also took a 1-0 lead into half time in the reverse fixture earlier this season and lost the game. It looked like it was going to be a repeat of that as Chester equalised on 50 minutes, Matty Waters scoring directly from a corner after Nicholson was unable to get a hold of the ball.

From then on, both sides enjoyed their fair share of possession and whoever got the third goal was surely going to win the game at this point. Luck this time was on Bradford’s side as it was they who got the all important third goal, and this time it was captain Oli Johnson nodding home after a long throw in from Lewis Knight.

Chester put a lot of pressure on the Avenue defence as the game reached it’s latter stages, but the Bradford defence held firm with a man-of-the-match performance from centre back Mitch Lund.

The result now leaves the Avenue 13 points from safety, but with plenty of confidence going into a mid week clash against Kings Lynn and a huge game next weekend against fellow relegation rivals Curzon Ashton.

7 Mar 2020

MATCH PREVIEW: Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Chester

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After a three week lay off due to postponed fixtures, Bradford (Park Avenue) finally return to the pitch this weekend as they welcome Chester to the Horsfall Stadium.

It’s been a long time since the Avenue last had a game, with this weekend marking a month since their last fixture which was an agonising 2-1 home defeat to fellow relegation candidates Gloucester City in a loss which really derailed most hope that the Avenue might’ve had for escaping relegation from the National League North this season.

It’s been an up and down couple of weeks for Bradford’s opponents. After grabbing a huge victory against Kings Lynn, who are runaway favourites to win the league, Chester then followed that up with a 3-2 home loss to fellow promotion rivals Brackley Town in their last outing. They currently sit in 4th place in the table so will be looking to further secure their spot in the playoffs this weekend.

Last time the Avenue and Chester met, it was just three months ago when Bradford came very close to leaving the Northwest with atleast a point. Avenue took a 1-0 lead into half time through Billy Priestley’s goal, but Chester were able to turn the game on it’s head early on in the second half on the way to winning the game 2-1.

After such a long lay off though, Mark Bower is expecting to have a fully fit team at his disposal and will be hoping that the extra rest will have his squad extra fuelled up for a run in that will need plenty of victories if Avenue are to have any chance of surviving the drop.

29 Feb 2020

MATCH PREVIEW: Leamington vs Bradford (Park Avenue)

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After a long two weeks without a game, Bradford (Park Avenue) return to the pitch on Saturday afternoon as they travel to Warwickshire to take on Leamington in the National League North, weather pending.

Avenue will be desperate to get back underway, hoping to right the wrong of the agonising 2-1 defeat at home to Gloucester City last time out. The defeat left Avenue 15 points from safety with just 12 games left to salvage their season.

It promises to be a tough task for the Avenue to overcome, but it is the price they have paid for the terrible start they had to the season, and for the costly mistakes that they have committed over the last few months of the season. Following the defeat to Gloucester, it meant that Bradford’s winless run in the league was extended to 10 games — a number Mark Bower and his players will be desperately hoping to put to an end on Saturday.

One player not apart of that, however, will be Liam Hughes, who left the club last week for Frickley Athletic. Hughes had been playing at centre half for the Green Army for most of the season, and now leaves a hole that Bower will be hopeful to replace.

Leamington were able to end their own poor run of form last time out, recording a big 1-0 victory at home against Southport and they will be hoping to start a winning streak of their own. They currently sit in 16th place in the National League North, but their victory against Southport will certainly have helped relieve some of the pressure that had been put on them after going 7 games without a win.

Bradford, though, are a team in dire need of a victory and will need to pick up all three points if they want to give themselves any hope of a great escape this season.

15 Feb 2020

MATCH PREVIEW: Kings Lynn vs Bradford (Park Avenue)

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Bradford (Park Avenue) face a mountain of a task as they travel to Kings Lynn on Saturday afternoon to take on the runaway leaders in the National League North.

Despite only being a point above second place, Kings Lynn have three games in hand over their nearest rival and are looking like a certainty to be promoted to the National League.

Meanwhile, Bradford Park Avenue sit on the other end of the spectrum. After a heartbreaking 2-1 loss at home to Gloucester City last week, Avenue’s future in the division looks more and more bleak as they now sit 15 points back from Gloucester, who occupy the final spot of safety, and they will need to pull off what would be one of the biggest upsets of the season this weekend if they are to have any hope of avoiding the drop this season.

If past results are to go by though, then it shows that anything can happen in this league and that Bradford should remain confident as just last week the high flying table toppers were stunned 2-0 at home by Kidderminster, ending a run of 14 unbeaten league games.

If Avenue are to get anything from this game then they would be ending their own rot. It has now been 10 league games without a win for the Green Army, with only two points being picked up from a possible 30 in the process.

Despite the way the season has gone for both sides, Bradford manager Mark Bower remains confident that his side can grab a result at the Walks Stadium stating that while he knows that not many people will expect it, “we know we’re capable of getting a result (at Kings Lynn) if we do our jobs properly.”

8 Feb 2020

MATCH REPORT: Bradford (Park Avenue) 1-2 Gloucester City

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Gloucester City eased their relegation fears with a huge 2-1 victory away at Bradford (Park Avenue) in a result which leaves Avenue resigned to their fate at the bottom of the National League North. 

Despite Bradford dominating possession for the majority of the game, most of the clearcut chances fell the vistors way with Bradford unable to muster up many opportunities of their own. Defensive fragilities have been the downfall of Avenue this season and it reared its ugly head once more as the Avenue defence were unable to deal with a long ball played into their box, the ball then fell nicely to Mensah from a header and he volleyed into the bottom corner leaving Nicholson no chance. 

Gloucester then had chances to double their lead. Again, more defensive mistakes from Avenue as a Hughes back pass was far too weak and allowed Jackson to race through on goal but his shot was well saved by Nicholson. 

The hosts started putting more pressure on as the second half got underway but it was the visitors who grabbed the vital second goal from a free kick as Brunt curled the ball into the net from 20 yards out. 

Bradford rescued a goal back through Hughes in the 67th minute, and had more chances to grab an unlikely equaliser, the best chance falling to Lewis Knight inside the box but his powerful effort struck the post and somehow fell into Maher’s hands. 

The loss now means that Avenue sit at the bottom, a massive 15 points from safety with time unfortunately running out as just 12 games remain in the season.

SUMMARY:

Bradford (Park Avenue)  1 

Hughes 67 

Gloucester City  2 

Mensah 24 

Brunt 56 

Attendance: 296 

Star Man: Jackson 

Bradford (Park Avenue) (4-3-3): Nicholson, Toulson, Lund, Nowakowski (Johnson 57), Hughes, Priestley, Hall (Hurst 64), Hibbs, Clare (Lyons 84), Knight, Clee (C) 

SUBS NOT USED: Green, Boshell 

Gloucester City (4-3-3): Maher, James, Brunt, Pennell, Daly, Thomas, Robert (Kotwica 65), Hanks (Hainault 90), Jackson, McClure, Mensah (Allen 81) 

SUBS NOT USED: Johnstone, Ebbutt 

3 Feb 2020

MATCH PREVIEW: Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Gloucester City

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Bradford (Park Avenue) welcome Gloucester City to the Horsfall Stadium on Saturday afternoon in a game which involves two reeling sides desperate for a victory.

It’s safe to say that it’s not been the season both Avenue and Gloucester fans would have been hoping for at the start of the season, and with both teams staring relegation directly in the face as we reach the final few months of the season, anything but three points will be a disaster to either side when they meet this weekend.

The two sides have already played each other twice this season and the results were shared — Gloucester ran out 1-0 winners in October, while Bradford gained revenge with a 2-0 victory in the FA Trophy a month later, with both games taking place at City’s Jubilee Stadium.

Since that result against Bradford in the FA Trophy, Gloucester’s run of form has taken an almighty turn for the worst. At that point, they sat comfortably in mid table in the National League North, but since then, they have gone on a run involving just one win in ten, with a 6-1 defeat to Alfreton Town just last week, which leaves them languishing in 20th place — just one spot above the relegation zone.

Avenue, though, are in an even worse position and three points are neccessary for Mark Bower’s side this weekend if they are to have any hope of surviving relegation this season. A loss, or even a draw against one of their main relegation rivals will probably leave Bradford resigned to their fate with still over 2 months left to play in the season.

The Green Army are still showing plenty of fight, and they proved it last time out in a thrilling 3-3 draw away at playoff chasing Southport. It was a game in which they took the lead twice through Lewis Knight and Tom Clare, but ultimately they could not hang on for all three points and needed a Billy Priestley header to equalise late on and rescue a draw.

Hard work isn’t the issue for Avenue, and they are playing relatively well in games but defensive lapses and at times, not showing enough of a clinical nature are what is haunting them this season and leaves them in the position they are in. But hopefully the three goal output at Southport will be the start of a more clinical approach for an Avenue side desperately in need of points in order to make what would be an unbelievable great escape.

1 Feb 2020

MATCH REPORT: Southport 3-3 Bradford (Park Avenue)

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Despite leading twice, Bradford (Park Avenue) had to fight back on Saturday afternoon to earn a 3-3 draw away at Southport.

Both teams felt the ire of a blustery and very windy day, but maybe that was what contributed to the six goal thriller. Avenue manager Mark Bower wanted this fixture to be the game that kick started a great escape for his side that are currently languishing at the bottom of the National League North table, and they got off to the perfect start.

Lewis Knight’s inswinging corner on 15 minutes evaded everybody in the box and swung into the net directly off the post. It was a deserved opener for an Avenue side who had dominated the early stages of the game and gifted Knight his fifth goal of the season,

Both teams then had their opportunities to score in what was a very topsy-turvy affair. Resolute defending from the Avenue backline saw Astles and Sampson both having strong shots blocked, before Avenue had a glorious chance of their own to extend the lead — the ever present Tom Clare forced a mistake from Astles and raced through on goal, but the center back made sure to recover from his mistake and blocked Clare’s goalbound effort.

Avenue would’ve been looking forward to entering the break leading the game, and it looked like that was going to be the case until Southport equalised just on the stroke of half time through George Newell, who headed home past Nicholson after a long throw caused the Avenue defence problems.

Bradford didn’t let that phase them though, and returning out of half time, they once again looked the better of the two teams and it didn’t take them long to again take the lead. Tom Clare, who had a brilliant game for the Avenue, left some of the Southport defenders for dead with a magnificent touch and turn, before curling the ball past Hanford into the top right corner.

Much like earlier though, it was a case of Avenue not being able to keep hold of their lead. Just moments after making it 2-1, they were drawn back level as Brad Bauress slotted the ball past Nicholson.

Then what was a once promising game turned to complete disaster for Bradford as Southport took the lead for the first time on the 65th minute with Newell grabbing his second goal of the game, heading home from an Astles cross which left Nicholson stranded.

Avenue looked bewildered by the sudden turnaround of the game, and Southport had plenty of chances to kill the game off with Newell and Woods both having chances to extend their lead and end any hopes of an Avenue comeback.

Southport were then made to rue the missed chances as Oli Johnson assisted Billy Priestley to level the scores at 3-3. It was superb work down the right from Johnson, who sent in an inch perfect cross which was met by Priestley who headed the ball into the net with Hanford this time being the goalkeeper to be left stranded.

Momentum then swiftly changed and it was Avenue who were back on top looking to grab the winner with Lewis Knight having a wonderful opportunity to score but scuffed his shot wide.

Avenue were then reduced to 10 men in stoppage time as newest signing Stelios Demetriou was sent his marching orders for taking down Newell who was through on goal.

Despite being reduced to ten men, though, it was Avenue who had the final opportunity of the game, and it was oh so close. A miscue from Astles led Clare to finding himself through on goal, albeit at a tight position, he managed to get a shot away but it struck the outside of the right post in which was the final kick of the game.

In what was a rollercoaster of a game, both teams left with a point a piece, but both teams will also have been frustrated at not walking away with all three.

30 Jan 2020

MATCH PREVIEW: Southport vs Bradford (Park Avenue)

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It’s a trip to Merseyside this weekend for Bradford (Park Avenue) to play Southport.

The Avenue are hoping to end a miserable run of form and kick start what would be an unlikely road to survival. Time, though, is running out for Mark Bower’s side and with each loss that mounts up, relegation is looking more and more inevitable making three points this Saturday a necessity.

Avenue are coming off a 2-0 defeat at Altrincham in which they were completely outplayed in the first half. A much improved second half wasn’t enough unfortunately, and the loss now leaves them 13 points off survival with 14 games to play.

The hosts ended their own terrible run of form last weekend, beating Gloucester City on the road 1-0. Before the game, Southport had been on a run of six straight defeats but the victory on Saturday will undoubtedly have increased their confidence heading into the game this weekend.

Southport currently sit in 11th place in the league table, a far cry from where they were just over a month ago. They do, though, sit only two points out of the playoff places but will be kicking themselves at finding themselves in that position.

For Avenue, it’s been a consistent season — just not in a good way. Although performances have seemed to improve over the last couple of months, especially since Mark Bower re-took charge of the team, results are just not going their way and a complete turnaround in form is needed if they are going to have any chance to escape relegation this season.

This represents a game with two sides that are desperate and eager for three points. One to try avoid relegation, and one to try kick start another push for the playoffs.

26 Jan 2020

MATCH REPORT: Altrincham 2-0 Bradford (Park Avenue)

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It became seven defeats in eight for an Avenue side falling increasingly into relegation as playoff chasing Altrincham deservedly ran out 2-0 winners at Moss Lane.

Avenue hoped to lean on the reverse fixture between the two sides — a 2-0 victory at Horsfall Stadium — but Altrincham came out a completely different outfit compared to the side that the Avenue saw just six weeks ago.

But it was a case of the same old for Avenue, as once again, they conceded in the first minute of the game. That makes it three times in their last five that they have conceded in the first five minutes with manager Mark Bower admitting that the slow starts are unacceptable as it leaves them “chasing the game”.

Avenue never really gained focus from the first whistle, and 45 seconds in, after some brilliant work down the right hand side of the Avenue area from Jordan Hulme, he managed to whip in a pitch perfect cross to Josh Hancock, who kept his composure to slot the ball home and inflict another disastrous start on the visitors.

It took a long time for Bradford to wake up and get any kind of foothold in the game as Altrincham dominated possession. Nicky Clee had a shot that went just over, before another brilliant chance fell his way.

Ryan Hall played a wonderful diagonal ball to new signing Stelios Demetriou, Demetriou then sent in a ball which looked begging to be slotted home, it landed to Clee at the back post but unfortunately he couldn’t get it under control and the ball hit his hand leading to an Altrincham free kick.

The first half then got even worse for Bower’s side as Altrincham went two ahead, this time through Jordan Jones heading home from another Jordan Hulme assist.

Coming out of half time, Avenue’s performance steadily improved but they didn’t do too much to test the Altrincham goalkeeper. Tom Clare came on for Ryan Hall on 55 minutes and did cause some problems for the Altrincham defence. The best chance of the half came when Ryan Hurst raced into the box from the left and had his shot well saved by Thompson, the rebound then fell high to Clare but he couldn’t quite get enough on the ball to force it in.

Altrincham looked happy to sit on the ball and not do too much more as time ran out, while Avenue struggled to do much with the ball when they did have it.

This result leaves Avenue falling further and further to the bottom of the table with relegation looking more likely as the weeks pass by while Altrincham continue their march towards the playoffs.