Bradford (Park Avenue) manager Mark bower will be live on Talksport 2 today from 11:15. Tune in for the latest on Bradford Park Avenue, news, team talk and much much more.
We also hope to get a recording of the interview and will get this published for those who miss the live interview.
Photo: John Rhodes
Bradford (Park Avenue) were held to a 2-2 draw by Darlington at the Horsfall Stadium.
The Quakers posed a much greater threat than they did in the last meeting between the sides, when Mark Bower’s side knocked them out of the Emirates FA Cup.
It took just two minutes for Darlington take the lead, harshly bringing the hosts back down to earth following the high of Saturday’s win over Chorley. Jordan Nicholson exploited a gap in the Bradford midfield to burst through and find the top corner with a curling effort.
Mark Bower was then forced to make an early change when Danny Lowe sustained an injury. Nicky Clee entered the fray and was thrown in at the deep end as the Bradford backline dealt with an early onslaught.
Luca Havern had to be alert to thwart Harvey Saunders after a slick move involving the Darlington forward and Josef Wheatley carved the hosts open.
A miscued clearance from Steven Drench then landed at Luke Trotman’s feet and the full-back teed up Stephen Thompson, who blasted over the crossbar.
The visitors then doubled their lead as Nicholson grabbed his second, capping off a swift attacking move with a composed finish from close-range.
Bradford, however, responded quickly. Lewis Knight dispossessed Wheatley before teeing up Jamie Spencer, who saw two shots blocked. The ball then fell to Knight, whose effort was parried by Hemming into the direction of Oli Johnson, allowing the forward to head home.
A golden opportunity to draw level followed when Spencer drilled across the face of goal, but Branson fired wide after arriving at the back post.
Darlington had no intention of simply defending their lead and came very close to adding a third. Saunders weaved his way past several defenders but was denied by Drench in a one-on-one scenario.
The opposing stopper Hemming then made an impressive stop to keep the scores level, pushing Knight’s driven effort wide of the post.
Bradford eventually levelled proceedings through Nicky Clee, who rifled into the bottom corner after the ball was worked out to the left flank.
The first-half continued to be a poor advert for defending when Bradford gave away a penalty on the stroke of half-time. Havern felled Wheatley but Drench saved Thompson’s spot-kick at full stretch.
HALF-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 2-2 Darlington
Early drama ensued after the break when the visitors began appealing for a penalty within two minutes of the restart. There was a tangle of legs between Knight and Saunders, but the referee dismissed protests.
The tricky Nicholson was a thorn in Bradford’s side throughout the game but Clee made a superb last-ditch challenge to prevent the winger securing his hat-trick.
Nicholson then combined well with Trotman on the right flank but the latter’s shot flew wide.
Bradford appealed for a penalty of their own on the hour mark when Spencer insisted that his shot had struck the outstretched arm of Terrence Galbraith. The referee, however, ignored the fierce protests.
Both sides continued to hunt for the elusive winning goal but the defensive units had been significantly tightened since the half-time interval.
Beesley delivered the ball on a plate for Clee but Jonathan Burn launched himself in front of the thunderous effort.
Johnson then found himself in a promising position after the ball was threaded through to him by Knight, but his shot failed to find either side of Hemming.
It became apparent that the absence of a cutting edge would prevent either side edging themselves ahead as the game entered its final fifteen minutes.
Beesley lifted a powerful effort over the crossbar and Darlington’s Tom Elliott did the same minutes later.
Ben McKenna’s introduction as a substitute re-ignited the spark in Bradford’s frontline and his direct running caused problems on the left flank. He evaded the challenge of Burn before making an incisive dart into the box, but his strike was blocked by a sliding Trotman.
Branson has proven himself to be a goal threat from the heart of Bradford’s midfield but couldn’t weigh in to fire the hosts ahead, nodding over the woodwork after meeting a cross from the right.
A sliced clearance from Shane Killock allowed Nicholson to advance at an alarming pace but a miscued cross left Bradford off the hook as the ball rolled out for a goal-kick.
The hosts were given a stoppage-time scare when Galbraith connected with a teasing delivery from Elliott, but Drench plucked the defender’s volley out of the top left-hand corner.
FULL-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 2-2 Darlington
Bradford (Park Avenue): Drench, Ross, Lowe (Clee 7’), Wroe (McKenna 61’), Killock (c), Havern, Spencer, Branson, Beesley, Johnson, Knight (Hurst 83’).
Unused substitutes: Toulson, Nowakowski.
Darlington: Hemming, Trotman, Elliott, Burn, Hughes, Galbraith, Nicholson, Wheatley, Ainge (c) (Syers 83’), Saunders, Thompson (Henshall 83’).
Unused substitutes: Glover, Hall, Stansfield.
Referee: Aaron Bannister
Attendance: 625
With planned train strikes and limited parking the club are running a supporters coach to York City Saturday 3rd November. Due to popular demand a bigger coach has now been booked and only 10 seats are remaining. Seats cost £10 for adults and £5 for under 16’s. Pick up times are 10:30 from the Horsfall Stadium and 10:45 from Cedar Court and the plan would be to drop supporters off in the town centre a 12:00 and will be leaving the town centre at 18:00.
To book your seat please see Neil Fawcett at the Supporters Information Desk on match day or call him on 07811 959003
After a wonderful victory against Chorley on Saturday I wanted to write a short note of thanks and congratulations to everyone involved at the club, Mark and coaching staff, players and support staff, our volunteer workforce who make our games happen week in week out, and of course our fantastic supporters.
We don’t have a big budget for a club in our position but football is about more than money and we are well supplied with hard work and dedication. So who knows what we might achieve in the future?
The spirit and enthusiasm displayed by every member of our club on and off the pitch is what I genuinely believe sets us apart from some of our more fancied, larger rivals. Days like Saturday prove what spirit and enthusiasm can achieve.
As you know we are making changes and trying various ways to improve our club wherever possible. I am more confident than ever before that these changes will be successful but once again success will only happen with the help of everyone in our football family.
Thanks to you all for making my recent trip very enjoyable although my presence at the Kidderminster match may have cost us three points. Had I left the game with ten minutes left we might now be one point off the top of the table!
Somebody give Tony Niland a big hug from me!
Gareth
Chorley were condemned to their first defeat to the season by a spirited Bradford (Park Avenue).
The two sides cancelled each other out in the first-half, failing to showcase the attacking flair that both promotion-chasers possess.
Chorley did, however, demonstrate the defensive steel that allowed them to head into the game with an unblemished record.
The best opportunity of an otherwise uneventful first-half fell to Bradford’s Oli Johnson, but Matt Urwin was on-hand to deny the forward from close-range.
The hosts are also renowned for being resolute in their defending and frustrated the Magpies’ array of attacking talent. Luca Havern shepherded Marcus Carver wide to force the shot to come from an acute angle and Steven Drench produced an impressive to stop to thwart Josh O’Keefe.
Bradford were given a scare when Elliot Newby advanced at an alarmingly quick pace but his attempted through ball to Marcus Carver rolled through to a grateful Drench.
As the half-time break approached, both sides began to knock on the door and set the wheels in motion for an entertaining second-half.
HALF-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 0-0 Chorley
Chorley had a golden opportunity to take the lead after the break when Louis Almond connected with Adam Blakeman’s cross, but the Magpies defender nodded over the crossbar from 3-yards out.
Almond then latched on to a pass from Challoner but Drench produced a vital save when the forward poked towards the bottom right-hand corner.
The early Chorley chances seemed to rally Bradford, who began attacking with an increased sense of urgency.
Lewis Knight found Oli Johnson in the box and Urwin had to react swiftly in order to push the forward’s flick wide.
Knight then clipped into the box from the byline and found Jamie Spencer, whose header looped into the grateful clutches of the Chorley stopper.
Urwin then had to be alert to deny Nicky Wroe and Knight but Bradford eventually found a way through.
The hosts protested fiercely to the referee after Conor Branson was felled and the referee judged the incident to have taken place outside of the box. Mark Bower’s side, however, made the most of the opportunity. Knight’s free-kick delivery found the head of an on-rushing Beesley, who steered past the Magpies goalkeeper to edge Bradford ahead and silence the travelling supporters.
Minutes later, Chorley were denied an immediate reply when Courtney Meppen-Walter saw a header hooked off the line by Jamie Spencer in dramatic fashion after meeting a delivery from the left.
With just three minutes remaining on the clock, Drench performed heroics to retain Bradford’s lead as he tipped Josh Wilson’s header over the woodwork.
FULL-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 1-0 Chorley
Bradford (Park Avenue): Drench, Ross, Lowe, Wroe, Killock (c), Havern, Spencer (Nowakowski 86′), Branson, Beesley, Johnson (McKenna 71′), Knight (Clee 90+5′).
Unused substitutes: Toulson, Hurst.
Chorley: Urwin, Challoner, Blakeman, Teague (c), Leather, Meppen-Walter (Wilson 82′), A. Newby (Glynn 66′), O’Keefe, Carver, Almond, E. Newby.
Unused substitutes: Whitham, Cottrell, Anson.
Referee: Paul Brown
Attendance: 554
The club are hosting a speaker evening with ex Burnley, Wolves and England player Steve Kindon Friday 2nd November.
Tickets are just £12 and include a pie and supper.
The bar in the clubhouse will be open from 7pm, and the event commences at 8pm.
If you would like to purchase a ticket please see Dave Stordy in the Clubshop or he can be contacted on 01274 512989 or davestordy@hotmail.co.uk
Bradford (Park Avenue) will face what is likely to be their sternest test of the season on Saturday when they host table-toppers Chorley.
The league leaders have been unassailable thus far, conceding just five goals in twelve National League North games and accumulating thirty points.
However, confidence will be coursing through the veins of Mark Bower’s men after they dismantled Nuneaton Borough in their last game.
Saturday’s opponents have an Emirates FA Cup first round tie to look forward to after advancing in the competition at the expense of Barrow last week. Although a clash with Doncaster Rovers is on the horizon, the Magpies will be returning their focus to league matters as they look to maintain their unbeaten record.
GUIDE TO THE OPPONENTS:
The Gaffer:
Jamie Vermiglio
Chorley supporters were stunned by the shock departure of Matt Jansen in the summer but the man chosen to replace him has certainly stepped up to the plate. A former midfielder and coach at Victory Park, Vermiglio was already a popular figure at the club and is even more popular now after taking the club to the league summit. As a player, he also represented AFC Telford United, Scarborough and Northwich Victoria before moving into management.
One To Watch:
Marcus Carver
The 25-year-old has played a significant role in the club’s ascension to top spot. An industrious forward, he has led the line tremendously this season and notched in last week’s Emirates FA Cup win over Barrow. He began his career with Accrington Stanley and enjoyed loan spells at Marine, F.C Halifax Town, Barrow, AFC Fylde and Chorley before joining the Magpies on a permanent basis in 2016.
In honour of this clash of non-league titans, Bradford (Park Avenue) has a special drinks offer on for season ticket holders of any club (including rugby clubs) and members of our mailing list.
*Buy two bottles of Coors or Magners and get your third one free on production of any season ticket or pre-match programme e-mail.
Bradford (Park Avenue) romped to an emphatic 6-0 win over cash-strapped Nuneaton Borough.
The opening ten minutes of the game were frantic as both sides hunted for an early opener.
Enoch Andoh raced to the byline before pulling back to Dior Angus, who could only watch as a deflection diverted his shot away from goal.
After stifling a dangerous-looking Nuneaton attack, Bradford broke swiftly, and Oli Johnson drew an impressive stop from Cam Belford.
Nuneaton’s Andoh then rattled the woodwork after latching on to a loose ball inside the 18-yard box.
Minutes after being denied by Belford himself, Johnson turned provider to tee up Lewis Knight but the Boro stopper produced another save.
Jake Beesley then came close, connecting with Nicky Wroe’s corner delivery but watching as his header looped over the crossbar.
The visitors were eventually rewarded for their pressure when Conor Branson gave them the lead. The midfielder, who is currently in a rich vein of form, was edged wide after rounding Belford but managed to lift the ball into the vacated net from a seemingly impossible angle.
Mark Bower’s side continued to pile pressure on the hosts and Belford did magnificently to tip a long-range piledriver from Jamie Spencer over the crossbar.
Wroe then doubled Bradford’s lead in sensational fashion, shooting from just inside Nuneaton’s half and catching Belford off his line.
The advantage was increased shortly after through Jamie Spencer. After Wroe’s corner delivery was cleared, the ball fell to Spencer and he rifled past Belford.
HALF-TIME: Nuneaton Borough 0-3 Bradford (Park Avenue)
Boro boss Nicky Eaden made a double substitution at the break and for the first ten minutes of the second-half, Nuneaton were on the front foot.
However, the struggling side couldn’t capitalise, and Harry Panayiotou squandered the best opportunity that fell Nuneaton’s way when he fired wide from just outside the box.
Bradford soon regained control of the game and a fourth goal looked inevitable as Nuneaton struggled to cope with their opponents’ attacking threat.
Lewis Knight poked into the path of Beesley but Belford raced out quickly to deny the forward.
Nuneaton were then reduced to ten men after Belford kicked out at Beesley whilst contesting a loose ball. The goalkeeper was given his marching orders and Beesley stepped up to convert the resulting penalty past stand-in stopper Mike Calvely.
The deflated hosts looked even more helpless after Belford was dismissed and soon conceded again.
Debutant Alex Hurst was teed up by Danny Lowe and tucked the ball away in the bottom corner with a neat finish.
He had an opportunity to net his second mere minutes later but couldn’t find the target with a thunderous strike from the left-hand side of the box.
After registering an assist, Lowe was keen to etch his own name on the scoresheet and drew an excellent save from Calvely with a well-struck volley.
Boro were reduced to nine men in the latter stages following an injury to Jack Blackham, allowing Beesley to notch his second and Bradford’s sixth. Adam Nowakowski’s shot was blocked and the ball fell at the feet of the on-loan striker, who steered past Calvely.
FULL-TIME: Nuneaton Borough 0-6 Bradford (Park Avenue)
Nuneaton Borough: Belford (c), Obeng, Davies, Richards, Calvely, Carter (Blackham 61’), Kelly-Evans, Wharton (Panayiotou 45’), McGurk, Angus, Andoh (Baker 45’).
Unused substitutes: Wesolowski, Benjamin.
Bradford (Park Avenue): Drench, Ross, Lowe, Wroe (Hurst 68’), Killock (c), Havern, Spencer, Branson, Beesley, Johnson (Nowakowski 71’), Knight (Clee 68’).
Unused substitutes: Toulson, Atkinson.
Referee: Barry Lamb
Bradford (Park Avenue) will be in West Riding County Cup action on Monday 5th November.
The recent draw confirmed that the club will visit Brighouse Town, who play in the Northern Premier League Division One East.
The match will kick off at 7:45pm at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium and Bradford will be hoping to progress in the competition after last year’s early exit.
Here are the next six tests that Mark Bower’s side face:
20/10: Nuneaton Borough (A) – VNLN
27/10: Chorley (H) – VNLN
30/10: Darlington (H) – VNLN
03/11: York City (A) – VNLN
05/11: Brighouse Town (A) – WRCC
10/11: Curzon Ashton (A) – VNLN
Bradford (Park Avenue) have completed the signing of versatile teenager Alex Hurst from Northern Premier League Premier Division side Matlock Town.
After last week’s defeat to Kidderminster Harriers, manager Mark Bower revealed that a new arrival was imminent and a deal has been agreed for the talented 19-year-old.
Hurst joined The Gladiators at the beginning of the 2018/19 season after impressing as a trialist during pre-season.
He ascended the ranks of Crewe Alexandra’s academy, which is renowned for the high calibre of player it produces. Whilst with Crewe, he represented the club’s under-18 and under-23 sides before departing for Matlock.
Mark Bower’s squad has been plagued by injuries in recent weeks and Hurst’s versatility will be crucial as Bradford look to remain in the play-off picture. He can operate on the left-hand side of midfield or at left-back, as well as being able to play as an attacking midfielder or forward.
He starred for Matlock in pre-season fixtures against Derby County, Gresley and Chesterfield and impressed manager Dave Hoole, who has since resigned. The former boss hailed Hurst as a ‘great asset’ to his squad who ‘trained really hard and applied himself’.
He could be in line for a debut tomorrow when Bradford visit Nuneaton Borough.
Welcome to Bradford, Alex!
