Facing yet another difficult assignment away from home, the Bradford (Park Avenue) Reserves made the short trip to St Giles Road where they took on high-fying Brighouse Town, who occupied top spot in a West Yorkshire League Division One fixture.
Coach, Owen Murphy, felt this would be the most difficult task his side have faced this season and accordingly, he decided on a tactical change, opting to play five across the back. In excellent conditions, both teams made a lively start and the first chance went the way of the home side when a shot flew just over the Avenue bar. Then, out of nothing Avenue took the lead when, after taking possession of the ball, Connor Douglas produced a wonderful diagonal cross that was met by Reuben Armitage, who guided the ball into the net.
What was becoming a physical encounter between both sides, resulted in a couple of booking. The Avenue centre-back Michael Hall was cautioned for an apparent rugby tackle, and then a Brighouse player followed him into the official’s notebook after a foul on Jayden Cuffe.
In between those two incidents, the home side were forced into making a change when their centre-back sustained an injury that ended his afternoon prematurely.
Brighouse had a decent chance, only for a wild shot to be blazed over the Avenue bar.
Shortly afterwards, a two minute spell saw two incidents of pinball inside the Avenue penalty area that fortunately came to nothing, but the visitors were living dangerously.
Jodi Tiffany, the Avenue captain, was the next to go down with an injury, but after treatment he was able to continue.
In all, Avenue were relatively comfortable and got to the break with a 1-0 lead.
As the seco.d half got underway, with the news that 248 spectators were in attendance, Brighouse had the ball in the Avenue net, but the home supporters were soon disappointed to see the goal rightly ruled out for a clear offside.
Brighouse appeared to be building up a head of steam, but a breakaway from Avenue, out of defence by Armitage saw him find Michael Douglas in space, and the prolific marksman had no trouble in doubling Avenue’s advantage.
The home side and their supporters were stunned, but, minutes later Avenue scored again to effectively wrap up the points. They put together a superb flowing move, largely through some great work by substitute Josh Owen who had replaced Oskar Wota. He laid the ball into the path of Cuffe, who smashed the ball into the net via the inside of the post.
The Avenue goalscorer made way for McKenzie Murphy, who added a little more bite to the midfield. The home side then reduced the deficit when they were awarded a free-kick outside the Avenue penalty area. The ball was whipped in at pace, Avenue failed to deal with it and Michael Carter forced the ball home.
With 15 minutes remaining, Brighouse laid siege to the Avenue goal, although, always wary of Avenue’s ace, if they gained a breakaway out of defence. The game management of Owen Murphy helped to win the day though and it was smiles all round from the men in red, amber and black as they left the field with a magnificent 3-1 win under their belts.
It knocked Brighouse off top spot and moved the Avenue Reserves up to fourth. They have still only played once at home this season and in fact don’t play at Horsfall until late October. When they eventually do, it would be great to see a healthy attendance.
Hall and C. Douglas were both outstanding today in a changed back line, as indeed was Max Walker, but Armitage wrapped up the MOTM award for Avenue with a sterling display.
Match report by David Brewis