Bradford (Park Avenue) continue their Emirates FA Cup campaign this Saturday (5 September) as they travel to the Tameside Stadium in Greater Manchester to take on Curzon Ashton, with kick-off at 1pm.
The Avenue booked their place in the First Round Qualifying with a convincing 4-0 victory away to Mossley AFC in the Preliminary Round, with Charlie Winfield, Scott Duxbury, Robbie Fox and Marcus Carver all finding the net.
Bradford will hope to draw on their impressive league form for this trip, having made an unbeaten start to the season, winning three of their opening four fixtures. They will also be keen to make amends for their FA Trophy exit at the hands of Stalybridge Celtic last Saturday.
Curzon Ashton ply their trade one division above the Green Army in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, currently sitting 7th and occupying the final playoff spot. After a disappointing end to last season, which saw the Nash narrowly relegated from the National League North on goal difference, they struggled to find their rhythm in the opening weeks of the new campaign. However, Curzon Ashton have since hit a rich vein of form, winning each of their last three matches. They enter the competition at this stage hoping that a positive cup run can provide further momentum and help drive their league form.
The two sides last met in the 2022/23 season, when both were competing in the National League North. The Avenue claimed a 2-1 victory at the Horsfall Community Stadium before the reverse fixture at the Tameside Stadium ended in a goalless draw.
With both sides heading into the tie in good form, Saturday’s clash promises to be an entertaining encounter at the Tameside Stadium. The Avenue will be hoping to continue their impressive start to the season and book their place in the next round of the Emirates FA Cup, with a strong travelling support expected to get behind the Green Army.
Match preview by Ste Grimshaw
Information for travelling fans:
Adults £14 / Concessions £10 / 12-16 £2 (proof of age will be required) / Students £5 (student card will need to be produced)
Tameside Stadium
Richmond Street
Ashton-under-Lyne
Greater Manchester
OL7 9HG
Away travel on the supporters’ bus is still available, but be quick!
Car: M60 Junction 23 and take the A6140 towards Ashton-under-Lyne. Continue on Lord Sheldon Way (A6140), until passing the Village Hotel and Ashton Leisure Complex (featuring a number of eateries, Hollywood Bowl & Cineworld). Upon reaching the traffic lights at Ashton West Tram stop, turn left onto Richmond Street. The Tameside Stadium is located on the left after approximately half a mile.
Tram: The nearest Tram stop is Ashton West, which is located around half a mile from The Tameside Stadium and is at the top of Richmond Street. Ashton West is the second to last stop on the Ashton line, which runs to/from Manchester Piccadilly. The journey takes approximately half an hour and the trams run every 12 minutes.
Train: Trains from Manchester Victoria on the Huddersfield line will stop at Ashton-under-Lyne, from the station it is a 10-15 minute walk to the Tameside Stadium.
Parking: Free car parking is available with six disables spaces. There is also a large ‘Over-Spill’ car park located on the left at the beginning of the approach road to the stadium.
Inside the stadium, the ground has two covered stands and is fully terraced on all four sides, with a capacity of 4000. The main stand consists of a 524 seats, while the other three terraces are standing only. Inside the ground you will also find The Function Room and the Nash bar.
Match coverage: We will provide in-game match updates on our X channel (@BPAFCOfficial). There will also be live audio match commentary on Avenueonair.mixlr.com, from 2:50pm.