The club are running a supporters coach to Altrincham FC Saturday 6th October 2018 and due to popular demand a bigger coach has been booked. Prices for seats have also been reduced to £10 for adults and £5 for under 16’s.
To book your seat please call Neil Fawcett on 07811 959003
Bradford (Park Avenue) picked up their second consecutive win with a narrow victory over Alfreton Town, which saw Mark Bower’s side jump to third in the league table.
Conor Branson scored the only goal of the game in the 71st minute, causing Billy Heath’s side to plummet out of the play-off places.
Chances were few and far between in the first-half and neither goalkeeper faced stern tests. However, Alfreton players did had appeals for a penalty dismissed after Steven Drench collided with Richard Peniket whilst contesting a high ball.
In the opening twenty-five minutes, speculative shots from distance were all either side could muster but Bradford eventually had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock. Ben McKenna delivered from deep towards Branson, who headed back across goal but could only watch as Shane Killock volleyed over the crossbar.
The miss seemed to light a spark in both sides and the game livened up as half-time approached. Declan Bacon found Richard Peniket with an in-swinging cross but the forward skewed wide under pressure from Killock.
Jake Beesley reached the byline and pulled back to Nicky Clee, who blasted over the crossbar from just inside the 18-yard box.
After missing an opportunity just eight minutes prior, Peniket turned provider but Jordan Sinnott sent a volley wide after connecting with the forward’s cross.
A corner routine taken straight from the training ground opened up space for Nathan Hotte to shoot from the edge of the box but Beesley’s deflection took the ball over the crossbar and into the stand behind the goal.
With three minutes remaining until the interval, Bacon picked out Sinnott with an inch-perfect delivery from the let but the former Chesterfield man headed wide.
HALF-TIME: Alfreton Town 0-0 Bradford (Park Avenue)
A bizarre incident took place just three minutes after the restart, when Reds goalkeeper Sam Ramsbottom blatantly picked up a pass from defender Josh Gowling. Controversy followed as the referee refused to blow his whistle, causing an incensed Mark Bower to vent his frustration on the touchline.
In the early stages of the second-half, the teams cancelled each other out and both defended admirably, stifling any attempts to attack.
The first clear-cut opportunity of the half fell to Alfreton substitute Callum Chettle, who was denied by Drench after weaving his way past Danny Lowe.
Bradford were provided with two injections of energy as the game approached its final twenty minutes and the introductions of Jamie Spencer and Lewis Knight were the catalysts for an increase in the visitors’ tempo.
The tireless running of forward Beesley had given Alfreton defenders headaches throughout the game but he squandered an opportunity to edge Bradford ahead in the 68th minute. McKenna’s lofted pass landed at his feet and the loanee rounded Ramsbottom, but failed to convert with the net vacated.
His blushes were spared just minutes later, as Branson connected with a corner delivery from Nicky Wroe and powered a header past a helpless Ramsbottom.
The hosts failed to carve open Bradford’s defence in the late stages, despite being in desperate need of an equaliser. Nathan Hotte sent a long-range effort sailing wide and Josh Wilde lashed over from around 25-yards out.
FULL-TIME: Alfreton Town 0-1 Bradford (Park Avenue)
Alfreton Town: Ramsbottom, Clackstone (Clifton 79′), Wilde, Hotte, Gowling, Shiels (c), Bateson, Johnson, Bacon (Clarke 89′), Peniket, Sinnott.
Unused substitutes: Nicholson, Platt.
Bradford (Park Avenue): Drench, Ross, Lowe, Wroe (Nowakowski 83′), Killock (c), Havern, McKenna, Branson, Beesley, Dawson (Spencer 65′), Clee (Knight 67′).
Unused substitutes: Toulson, Boshell.
Referee: Matt Corlett
Attendance: 487
Photo: John Rhodes
Bradford (Park Avenue) visit Alfreton Town today, looking to build on last week’s Emirates FA Cup victory over Darlington.
Alfreton also booked their place in the next round of the competition last week but made hard work of it, needing a replay to advance at the expense of Sutton Coldfield Town.
However, focus returns to the National League North today as fourth-placed Bradford take on the sixth-placed Reds, who have made an impressive start to the campaign under the tutelage of Billy Heath.
It was a pulsating affair when the two sides last met in March but six goals couldn’t produce a winner in a 3-3 draw at the Horsfall Stadium. Matt Hill etched his name on the scoresheet and Oli Johnson netted a brace. Bradford last visited the Impact Arena in December 2017, emerging as convincing 3-1 winners.
GUIDE TO THE OPPONENTS:
The Gaffer:
Billy Heath
Heath was appointed as Alfreton boss in May 2018 following the departure of Chris Moyses. A vastly experienced manager, he led North Ferriby United to two promotions during his time there and also guided the club to FA Trophy glory in 2015. In 2016, he left the Villagers to join F.C Halifax Town and oversaw the Shaymen’s promotion to the National League via the play-offs.
One To Watch:
Jordan Sinnott
The son of former Bradford (Park Avenue) boss Lee, Jordan Sinnott is one of division’s most talented midfielders. A creative player with an eye for goal, the 24-year-old’s sensational long-range strike helped the Reds see off Sutton Coldfield Town on Tuesday night. The Bradford-born midfielder began his career with Huddersfield Town but found first-team opportunities limited and enjoyed loan spells away from the club with Altrincham and Bury. He eventually joined Altrincham on a permanent deal in 2015, becoming a key player for the Robins before Billy Heath swooped to sign Sinnott a year later whilst in charge of F.C Halifax Town. Following the Shaymen’s promotion to the National League, he made the switch to Chesterfield but struggled to make an impact. His recent move to Alfreton reunited him with Heath, who had left the The Shay himself in January 2018.
You can follow the action from today’s game via our official Twitter feed – find us at @BPAFCOfficial!
The club are looking at running a supporters coach to Altrincham FC Saturday 6th October 2018 subject to enough interest, with seats costing £13 for adults and £8 for under 16’s.
To book your seat please see Neil Fawcett at the Supporters Information Desk on match day or call him on 07811 959003
MAN v FAT Football – an FA-endorsed 14 week football league exclusively for the 56% of UK men who are overweight or obese launches in Bradford from 17th September 2018
The MAN v FAT Football scheme will run at Goals, Eccleshill Bradford on Monday evenings from 7pm – 9pm.
Local men who want to tackle their weight issues now have the chance to join this incredibly successful weight loss league. With 95% of players losing weight and some players losing up to 70lbs during the 14 week league, it’s no wonder that the Football Association have officially endorsed the leagues.
Set up by Andrew Shanahan who himself lost five stone and was fed-up with weight loss classes just for women, MAN v FAT combines football with easy to follow diet and lifestyle advice as well as 24/7 online and offline support. There’s the traditional weigh-ins before each game, but this is then followed-up by a 30 minute game of six-a-side football. Extra goal bonuses are awarded depending on the pounds lost by the players, so it becomes a real team effort.
Karl White, Regional Manager of www.manvfat.com said, “We’re thrilled to offer this to men in Bradford . We’ve seen that MAN v FAT Football can have an incredible impact on the health of our players with 95% of players losing weight and 93% reporting health improvements from curing sleep apnoea to huge improvements in blood pressure and joint pain. Across 2016 our players lost more than 7 tonnes in weight and we know that we’re going to smash that in 2017 with leagues like the one in Bradford ‘
Currently, there are over 20 million overweight and obese men in the UK, accounting for nearly 7 out of every 10 men. The issue of weight has become such a concern that a recent report suggested that the government should treat this as the number one public health concern. Despite this, funding has been cut to local authorities and men are nearly 300% less likely to get support for their weight than women. Despite this MAN v FAT Football is one of the only options for men who want to lose weight. Fortunately, with more leagues launching across the UK, men who want to lose weight and get back into football now have an opportunity to do something about it.
Jayne Spencer, Community Manager stated ‘ We are delighted to have the opportunity to be involved in this programme for Men in Bradford and we are sure we will increase interest and membership.
It costs £9.99 to register and games cost £6 per week. The only thing you have to lose is weight…
The link is
https://www.manvfatfootball.org/Home/Registration
For MAN v Fat media enquiries contact Jayne Spencer, Community Manager at Bradford Park Avenue Football club
Jayne Spencer – jayne.spencer@bpafc.com Tel 07807011948
On Wednesday 19th September Bradford’s youngsters took on Harworth Colliery in their FA Youth Cup 1st qualifying round fixture. It was a great occasion with a record crowd down for an academy game and a real buzz around the Horsfall despite the bitterly cold weather.
Park Avenue started well with an early chance for Leahy forcing the Harworth keeper to a finger tip save. Harworth continued to look shakey at the back with a number of chances falling Park Av’s way. However, against the run of play Harworth took the lead. An Avenue hand ball on the edge of the box gave Harworth a free kick which deflected off the wall and into the net. It was 1-0 Harworth. This goal seemed to spring Harworth into life and they came at Park Avenue. Some good defending by both wingbacks kept Avenue in the game and just before half time Avenue found their equaliser. It was the first time Park Avenue strung a number of passes together down the right hand side and it opened up the Harworth defence. A great ball into the box by Conlon was tapped in by Bailey at the back post. The half ended at one a piece in a game Avenue should really have taken hold of. After half time Avenue started to settle and were rewarded with a goal. A free kick from the half way line lifted high into the box by Rowntree was met by Whitrick and headed over the keeper. However, it wasn’t long before Avenue squandered their lead. A soft free kick was given at the edge of the box. Harworth’s players straight strike went straight over Widdop’s head and it was 2-2. The game then started to get away from Park Avenue with a catalogue of individual errors arising. The turning point came when Widdop’s error left a tap in for the Harworth striker. 3-2 to the visitors with Avenue looking unable to reply. Chances for Ali, T.Ali and Rowntree were not converted and it looked like the game was just going to fizzle out. The final blow came when another silly free kick was given away on the edge of the box and was once again converted by Harworth. Avenue substitutes Mayfield, Ikram and Panwar added fresh legs and Avenue kept creating chances but with no final product. A frustrating game all round as Bradford’s youngsters failed to perform on the day, on this occasion. Nerves seem to get the better of the lads on the night as they were miles off the performance they produced at Staveley. This now means its time for them to focus on the U19 and College league as well as the local Pat Rice trophy.
Next game is down at The Horsfall on Monday 24th September verses Huddersfield YMCA.
The club are running a supporters coach to Alfreton Town Saturday 29th September 2018, with seats costing £15 for adults and £10 for under 16’s.
To book your seat please see Neil Fawcett at the Supporters Information Desk on match day or call him on 07811 959003
Bradford (Park Avenue) advanced into the third qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup with a narrow win over Darlington.
Mark Bower’s side came into the game on the back of two consecutive defeats but edged past their National League North counterparts with an impressive display.
The visitors threatened from the first whistle and Ben McKenna accelerated away from left-back Ben O’Hanlon twice in the opening three minutes. Despite seeing his deliveries collected by Jonathan Maddison, it was an indication of Bradford’s willingness to drive at the Darlington backline and test the hosts in the opening exchanges.
Forward Jake Beesley was a source of frustration for Darlington defenders throughout and he came close to registering an assist after six minutes. He switched the ball to the Nicky Wroe on the right but the midfielder fired wildly over the crossbar.
18-year-old goalkeeper Jack Atkinson was introduced for his debut between the sticks and displayed maturity beyond his years. He was called into action twice in as many minutes but thwarted Liam Hughes and Stephen Thompson.
McKenna continued to experience joy against O’Hanlon and lifted a cross in for Beesley, who escaped his marker but headed over the woodwork.
The winger then had the opportunity to score from a free-kick but his low drive was held by Maddison.
Bradford were eventually rewarded for their persistence and took the lead through Danny Lowe. The defender intercepted a pass intended for Luke Trotman before unleashing a vicious strike that flew past Maddison, opening his account for the season in style.
The attacking intent of the visitors didn’t relent and Maddison was forced to beat away a diving header from Nicky Clee on the stroke of half-time.
HALF-TIME: Darlington 0-1 Bradford (Park Avenue)
Pressure eased on the Quakers after the break as they gained a grip on the game but Atkinson was unassailable in the Bradford goal. He made a particularly superb save to deny David Syers, who had struck with venom from just outside the 18-yard box.
The young goalkeeper then had to be alert to hold on to a flicked header from Syers, who had made a bright start after entering the fray as a substitute at the beginning of the second-half.
Bradford did, however, come close to doubling their lead when a neat exchange between Chris Dawson and Conor Branson opened up space for the latter to shoot. He generated power in his strike but Maddison held.
A flurry of chances for the hosts followed and Darlington duo Liam Hughes and Reece Styche missed opportunites to draw level. The former’s header was plucked out of the top corner by Atkinson and latter’s volley was held by the Bradford debutant.
Mark Ross shone on his return to the starting eleven and he made a crucial block to divert Simon Ainge’s piledriver away from danger.
As the game entered its latter stages, Darlington desperately hunted for an equaliser but found that their direct style was dealt with comfortably by the Bradford backline.
The frustration of the Quakers players soon became evident and Stephen Thompson blazed over the crossbar with a wild effort from distance.
Gibraltar international Styche then followed suit, blasting over the woodwork twice in as many minutes during stoppage time.
FULL-TIME: Darlington 0-1 Bradford (Park Avenue)
Darlington: Maddison, Trotman, O’Hanlon, Elliott, Hughes, Galbraith, Henshall (Syers 45′), Nicholson (Saunders 79′), Styche (c), Ainge, Thompson.
Unused substitutes: Glover, Burn, Lycett, Alderson, Stansfield.
Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Lowe, Wroe, Killock (c), Havern, McKenna (Toulson 79′), Branson, Beesley, Dawson (Spencer 69′), Clee (Johnson 62′).
Unused substitutes: Knight, Nowakowski.
Referee: Dean Hulme
The Emirates FA Cup journey begins today as Bradford make the trip to Blackwell Meadows to face Darlington.
The Quakers did the double over Mark Bower’s side last season but have made a slow start to the 2018/19 campaign. They sit 17th in the league, seven points adrift of 4th-placed Bradford, who remain in the play-off positions despite stuttering with two consecutive defeats in recent weeks.
Bradford were dealt a difficult hand in the prestigious competition last year but advanced into the next round with an impressive away win over National League North counterparts Southport. They faced Harrogate Town in last year’s third qualifying round but despite forcing a replay, were beaten and subsequently knocked out.
Darlington didn’t fare as well in the competition last year, suffering a 3-0 home defeat to South Shields in the second qualifying round.
Speaking after last week’s defeat to Altrincham, midfielder Nicky Clee stressed the importance of producing a response against the Quakers:
“It’s really important that we produce a response. We discussed how important it was before the Altrincham game and our performance was better but we didn’t get the result. Hopefully, we can get both next week (performance and result).”
GUIDE TO THE OPPONENTS:
The Gaffer:
Tommy Wright
Darlington’s manager, alongside assistant Alan White, was presented to Quakers supporters at Blackwell Meadows ahead of the club’s league win over Bradford in October 2017. A young boss at 33, he enjoyed two spells with Darlington as a player and plied his trade in Yorkshire with Barnsley and Harrogate Town. The former striker has also played in the Premier League, entering as a substitute in Leicester City’s 2-0 defeat to Leeds United in March 2002. His management career began in 2013 with Corby Town, where he registered as a player but also took on managerial duties. Wright made the switch to Nuneaton Town as a player-coach three years later before eventually being handed the reins. He was officially appointed as Darlington manager on 20th October 2017.
One To Watch:
Stephen Thompson
The likes of Gibraltar international Reece Styche and former Bradford man Simon Ainge may grab the headlines, but Thompson is key for the Quakers. The winner of the club’s 2017/18 Player of the Year award, Thompson can operate as a striker or on either flank and his direct running makes him one for opposition defences to look out for. He joined the club in September 2012 from Durham City, having failed to make the grade at Middlesbrough and finding first-team opportunites limited at Port Vale. Thompson also had a stint with AFC Telford United and scored against his former employers a fortnight ago.
Live updates: @BPAFCOfficial on Twitter
Bradford (Park Avenue)’s academy will be in FA Youth Cup action tomorrow evening, welcoming Harworth Colliery to the Horsfall Stadium.
Alex Meechan’s youngsters advanced into the First Qualifying Round with an impressive win over Staveley Miners Welfare and will be looking to pick up where they left off against Harworth.
The action kicks off at 7:45pm and admission is FREE for season ticket holders. For those without a season ticket, admission is priced at just £3 for adults and £2 for concessions.
The Horsfall College of Sport has made great strides in the last twelve months and the academy’s involvement in the prestigious competition is a testament to the hard work of Alex Meechan and his team.
As well as providing crucial support, it is also a great opportunity to catch a glimpse of potential stars of the future…
#WeAreBradford
