Match Preview Double Header – Spennymoor Town (A) and Scarborough Athletic (H)

Two games in three days await the Avenue in the Vanarama National League North.

Bradford (Park Avenue) aim to extend their unbeaten run to seven games as they prepare to take on Spennymoor Town at The Brewery Field on Saturday. More importantly, the Avenue will be chasing the three points after a trio of successive draws since Christmas.

The Avenue approach this game following a frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Kettering Town, a game that saw the visitors reduced to ten men before halftime and relying on a makeshift goalkeeper to guard the sticks in the form of their midfield goal scorer George Forsyth. A resolute Kettering kept Bradford (Park Avenue) at bay for 95 minutes and were saved by the woodwork three times before Jordan Preston’s stoppage time strike rescued a point for the hosts.

Spennymoor Town will be boasting their own unbeaten league run as they welcome Bradford (Park Avenue), accumulating ten points from a possible twelve in their previous four games, a streak that has seen them move six points clear of the relegation zone. The Avenue defence will need to keep a close eye on experienced attacker Glen Taylor who is now into double figures this season following his goal against AFC Telford last week. Taylor has netted three goals in his last four games for the Moors.

A win for Bradford (Park Avenue) would see them move level on points with this Saturday’s opponents, but Spennymoor Town’s superior goal difference means the Avenue would need to win by at least four goals to climb above them. The Green Army will head to The Brewery Field with fond memories of last season’s trip, a 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Sam Fielding and Lewis Knight. The Avenue players will also be out to avenge their defeat to Spennymoor in the reverse fixture, with the Moors coming away from the Horsfall with a narrow 1-0 victory back in August.

You can watch the goals from our last visit to the Brewery Field on our YouTube channel below.

YouTube player

Just two days after the trip to Spennymoor, Bradford (Park Avenue) will be welcoming Yorkshire rivals and promotion hopefuls Scarborough Athletic to the Horsfall Community Stadium, a rearranged fixture which originally fell foul to the cold weather in mid-December.

Despite occupying one of the playoff positions, Scarborough have suffered from a dip in form in recent weeks, losing their previous two games. Bradford (Park Avenue) will also be looking to exploit the visitors’ leaky defence, with the Seadogs having conceded 40 goals in 25 games this season, the fifth highest total in the National League North, and have not kept a clean sheet since their away win at Buxton in mid-November.

However, despite struggling to plug the gaps in defence, Scarborough have certainly not been shy in front of the opposition goal, their tally of 45 goals scored being second only behind league leaders Darlington. Scarborough manager Jonathan Greening (famously part of Manchester United’s treble winning squad in 1999) will look to call upon experienced forward Michael Coulson, who has averaged 0.56 goals per game this season with 11 in 23 appearances for the North Yorkshire side.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will still be wondering how they did not win the reverse fixture between these sides back in August. The Green Army were leading 2-0 at The Flamingo Land Stadium and looked set to secure what would have been their first win of the season, only for former Halifax Town forward Dom Tear to net two goals in the final five minutes to share the spoils.

Instead, Avenue fans of a certain age may choose to look back fondly on the only other competitive encounter between the two sides. In November 1959, Fourth Division Bradford (Park Avenue) thumped non-league Scarborough FC 6-1 in the FA Cup first round, with the latter eventually replaced by phoenix club Scarborough Athletic following dissolution in 2007. With the games coming thick and fast in the second half of the season, points are imperative for the Green Army to ensure they are looking up the table instead of over their shoulders.

Match Previews by Stephen Grimshaw

Saturday 14th January – Spennymoor Town vs Bradford (Park Avenue)

Kick off: 3pm

Location: The Brewery Field, Wood Vue, Spennymoor, County Durham, DL16 6JN

Getting there by train: Durham train station is located 6.1 miles away from The Brewery Field. From the station it is easy to get a taxi to the ground or to hop onto the number 6 bus route. There is also the option of Darlington Train Station, which is located 15.3 miles from The Brewery Field. There is the option of a taxi from the station, or you can jump on the number 8 bus route, both of which take around 35 minutes.

By bus: The number 6 bus route direct from Durham City centre bus station drops off directly outside The Brewery Field, collecting from the station every ten minutes from 6.40am onwards.

By car: Spennymoor Town Football Club advise visiting fans not to park around the private streets surrounding The Brewery Field. Due to parking restrictions operating on a matchday, the club recommend making use of public transport wherever possible.

Turnstiles: Visiting supporters arriving at The Brewery Field have the option to enter from two different turnstiles. The Wood Vue turnstiles, located on the South East corner of the ground or the Tees Crescent turnstiles located on the South West corner of the ground.

Tickets can be purchased in advance here, or on the turnstiles with Cash or Card.

Prices:

Adults: £15

Concessions (60+): £10

Juniors (u18s): £5

Monday 16th January – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Scarborough Athletic

Kick off: 7:45pm

Where To Find Us:

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC, Horsfall Community Stadium, Cemetery Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD6 2NG

Directions By Car:

Leave the M62 at junction 26 and follow signs for the M606. Continue on the M606 to junction 3 and take the A6117 exit to Ring Road West. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit on to Rooley Lane / A6036 signposted Halifax. Pass the Odsal Stadium on the left hand side and at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit on to Halifax Road / A6036 signposted Halifax. After approximately one mile turn left down Cemetery Road immediately before the Kids Planet Children’s Nursery, and the ground is 150 yards on the left. We have a car park which will be signposted off Cemetery Road and parking charges may apply.

Directions By Train:

Bradford Interchange rail station is the nearest to the ground and trains operate on the  Calder Valley Line timetable from Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Manchester, Preston and York.

From there you can catch the bus directly to the ground (details below):

Bradford Forster Square rail station There are regular services from Leeds (Leeds-Bradford Line timetable), Skipton (Airedale Line timetable) and Ilkley (Wharfedale Line timetable).

From Forster Square it is a 10 minute walk to Bradford Interchange bus station for a bus onwards to the stadium.

Directions By Bus:

From Bradford Interchange bus station bus services 681 and 682 and Halifax Bus Station bus services 508, 681 and 682.

These services stop at the Halifax Road Cemetery Road stop near to the stadium.

Turnstiles:

The turnstiles open around an hour and a half before kick off and are located at either end of the ground on Cemetery Road and Park Road. Matchday prices for league games are as follows:

Adult – £14

Concession – £10

Student – £5

Youth (12-17) – £3

Junior (under 12, must be accompanied by an adult) – £1

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Match Preview – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Kettering Town – The Green Army welcome The Poppies in the Vanarama National League North.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to six games as they host Kettering Town on Saturday, the first side to visit the Horsfall Community Stadium in 2023.

The Avenue head into this weekend’s encounter fresh from a gruelling festive double header with local rivals Farsley Celtic, with both West Yorkshire sides proving to be inseparable across the two fixtures. A 1-1 Boxing Day draw in what appeared to be all weather conditions at the Horsfall was followed by an entertaining 2-2 at the Citadel on New Year’s Day.

Avenue’s fiery encounter away to Farsley saw them reduced to ten men after a questionable first half red card. Avenue boss Mark Bower expressed his disappointment with the referee’s decision, but conceded the unlikeliness of a successful appeal on his side’s behalf. However, Bower was delighted with his team’s resilience as they fought back to claim a vital point in their bid to continue their climb up the league table.

The visitors this weekend currently sit in 21st position, in the relegation zone only on goal difference behind Curzon Ashton. Incidentally the Northamptonshire-based side hold the second-worst goal difference in the National League North, a statistic Bradford (Park Avenue) will be aiming to exploit on Saturday afternoon. Despite this, Kettering will be arriving at the Horsfall in good spirits following an important 2-1 victory away to mid-table Peterborough Sports on Boxing Day, their first win in five games. The return fixture (originally scheduled for New Year’s Day) was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Latimer Park, meaning Kettering will have had an extra week’s rest as they prepare to make the trip north.

The reverse fixture between Bradford (Park Avenue) and Kettering Town earlier in the season saw the Avenue pick up their first point of the campaign. Adam Nowakowski’s 80th minute equaliser was enough to earn a 1-1 draw at Latimer Park on matchday 2. However it was this fixture last season which is arguably more memorable in Avenue minds. After two red cards in the space of five second half minutes for Bradford’s Havern and Toulson, Kettering thought they had salvaged a point with Lamine Sherif’s 89th minute equaliser, only for Avenue’s Nicky Clee to win it with virtually the last kick of the game.

With only three points currently separating the two sides and Kettering holding a game in hand, a win on Saturday for Bradford (Park Avenue) would be vital in pulling further clear of the relegation zone.

Match Preview by Stephen Grimshaw

Where To Find Us

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC

Horsfall Community Stadium

Cemetery Road

Bradford

West Yorkshire

BD6 2NG

Directions By Car:

Leave the M62 at junction 26 and follow signs for the M606. Continue on the M606 to junction 3 and take the A6117 exit to Ring Road West. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit on to Rooley Lane / A6036 signposted Halifax. Pass the Odsal Stadium on the left hand side and at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit on to Halifax Road / A6036 signposted Halifax. After approximately one mile turn left down Cemetery Road immediately before the Kids Planet Children’s Nursery, and the ground is 150 yards on the left. We have a car park which will be signposted off Cemetery Road and parking charges may apply.

Directions By Train:

Bradford Interchange rail station is the nearest to the ground and trains operate on the  Calder Valley Line timetable from Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Manchester, Preston and York.

From there you can catch the bus directly to the ground (details below).

Bradford Forster Square rail station There are regular services from Leeds (Leeds-Bradford Line timetable), Skipton (Airedale Line timetable) and Ilkley (Wharfedale Line timetable).

From Forster Square it is a 10 minute walk to Bradford Interchange bus station for a bus onwards to the stadium.

Directions By Bus:

From Bradford Interchange bus station bus services 681 and 682 and Halifax Bus Station bus services 508, 681 and 682

These services stop at the Halifax Road Cemetery Road stop near to the stadium.

Turnstiles:

The turnstiles open around an hour and a half before kick off and are located at either end of the ground on Cemetery Road and Park Road. Matchday prices for league games are as follows:

Adult – £14

Concession – £10

Student – £5

Youth (12-17) – £3

Junior (under 12, must be accompanied by an adult) – £1

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MATCH PREVIEW – Farsley Celtic (H)

This Boxing Day The Green Army play host to the Celt Army in the Vanarama National League North. Please note that Kick Off is set for the earlier time of 1pm.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be aiming to serve up a Christmas cracker for their home support as they host West Yorkshire rivals Farsley Celtic at the Horsfall Community Stadium on Boxing Day, the first of a festive double-header between the two sides.

A rejuvenated Avenue are heading into Monday’s derby off the back of an impressive three wins in a row and will hope that the two postponements since their last outing, a 1-0 home victory over AFC Telford United, will have given their players enough recuperation to continue their climb up the table.

The visitors this weekend currently occupy one of the four relegation spots in the National League North, sitting in 22nd place as they make the short seven-mile journey across West Yorkshire.

Like many clubs outside of the top two divisions of the Football League, the cold weather has also disrupted Farsley’s December fixtures, but their last outing earlier in December saw them record a surprise 2-0 victory at home to high-fliers King’s Lynn Town, only the latter’s third league defeat of the season. However, Farsley’s lack of consistency has proven to be a problem in their bid to avoid relegation as they are yet to secure back-to-back wins in this campaign.

Revenge will no doubt be on the minds of the Avenue players and staff following last month’s defeat to Farsley in the FA Trophy. Farsley emerged victorious at the Horsfall with a narrow 2-1 victory, dumping Bradford (Park Avenue) out of the competition in just the Second round.

However, with Farsley sat six points behind Bradford (PA) with two games in hand, the Avenue faithful might argue the importance of the upcoming league fixtures instead, as a win on Monday would move them nine points clear of their rivals.

Avenue boss Mark Bower will have no complaints about the goal contributions from his players in previous games, with five players contributing to the six goals scored in the recent run of victories.

Jordan Preston was particularly impressive in the victory over AFC Telford United last time out, with the Scottish striker netting his first goal since joining on loan from Spennymoor Town. Bower will be hoping for more of the same over the festive period.

A win on Monday for the Avenue is also essential to improve their disappointing head-to-head record against the visitors. From the previous six league meetings between the two sides, the Green Army have only been victorious twice.

However, the last league meeting between the two clubs back in March saw the Avenue emerge with a 1-0 home victory. This, coupled with Farsley failing to pick up any points in their previous four away fixtures this term, means Bradford (Park Avenue) will have their sights firmly set on the win.

Match Preview by Stephen Grimshaw

Where To Find Us

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC
Horsfall Community Stadium
Cemetery Road
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD6 2NG

Directions By Car:

Leave the M62 at junction 26 and follow signs for the M606. Continue on the M606 to junction 3 and take the A6117 exit to Ring Road West. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit on to Rooley Lane / A6036 signposted Halifax. Pass the Odsal Stadium on the left hand side and at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit on to Halifax Road / A6036 signposted Halifax. After approximately one mile turn left down Cemetery Road immediately before the Kids Planet Children’s Nursery, and the ground is 150 yards on the left. We have a car park which will be signposted off Cemetery Road and parking charges may apply.

Directions By Train:

Bradford Interchange rail station is the nearest to the ground and trains operate on the  Calder Valley Line timetable from Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Manchester, Preston and York.

From there you can catch the bus directly to the ground (details below).

Bradford Forster Square rail station There are regular services from Leeds (Leeds-Bradford Line timetable), Skipton (Airedale Line timetable) and Ilkley (Wharfedale Line timetable).

From Forster Square it is a 10 minute walk to Bradford Interchange bus station for a bus onwards to the stadium.

Directions By Bus: 

From Bradford Interchange bus station bus services 681 and 682 and Halifax Bus Station bus services 508, 681 and 682

These services stop at the Halifax Road Cemetery Road stop near to the stadium.

Turnstiles:

The turnstiles open around an hour and a half before kick off and are located at either end of the ground on Cemetery Road and Park Road. Matchday prices for league games are as follows:

  • Adult – £14
  • Concession – £10
  • Student – £5
  • Youth (12-17) – £3
  • Junior (under 12, must be accompanied by an adult) – £1
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MATCH PREVIEW – Scarborough Athletic (H)

Bradford (Park Avenue) will have to stay switched on when they welcome promotion chasers Scarborough Athletic to the Horsfall Stadium this weekend.

Bradford will be wanting to continue their climb up the table but with Scarborough coming to town this will be no easy task for The Avenue.

Despite the Green Army’s recent upturn in form, Scarborough will offer a different challenge that the home side will have to over come to get anything from a highflyer in the league.

YouTube player

The players will surely remember the reverse fixture, where a worldie from Jamie Spencer (above) and a first goal for Sheffield United loanee Andre Brooks (below) almost stole all three points back to Bradford, however in the final few minutes it was reduced to just one, after Darren Dominic Tear fired 2 goals past the defence to make it a draw.

YouTube player

(Park Avenue) have only lost once in their last five league games, the most notable was coming from behind against Buxton, scoring twice in injury time to secure all three points and its this resilience and determination that (Park Avenue) boss, Mark Bower will be wanting from his players this Saturday afternoon.

Scarborough have the second-best scoring record in the league this season with 40 goals scored already, only three behind the league leaders Darington, Bradford’s defence will have to be switched on to avoid adding more goals to that statistic.

George William Sykes-Kenworthy the Bradford number one between the sticks will certainly have his work cut out for him, with five clean sheets to his name already this season he’ll be hoping to make it six when he comes up against Scarborough’s top goal scorer Michael Coulson who’s scored eight goals so far this season, but Sykes-Kenworthy is no stranger to the danger that Scarborough pose having already pulled off some vital and brilliant saves this season.

At the other end though Scarborough have not had the same luck and have had one of the leakiest defences of any team currently in the top ten, this will be music to Jacob Blyth’s ears being the clubs current top goal scorer with five goals and is a great opportunity to fill his boots, as well as Will Longbottom who is only one goals behind Blyth in the charts.

Scarborough will be heavy favourites going into this fixture only losing once out of their last five league games, (Park Avenue) will have to be at their best to take anything from Scarborough, and a win for the home side would see them claw even further away from the drop.

Match Preview by James Fletcher @illustrationsjf

Tickets for the game are purchased on the gate and priced at £14 Adults, £10 Concessions, £5 Students, £3 Youths and £1 Juniors (u12s accompanied by an Adult).

Premier League and Championship Season Ticket holders can gain half-price entry to this game, just display your physical or digital Season Ticket at the turnstiles.

Travelling to the Horsfall for the first time? Follow the directions and map below!

Address

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC
Horsfall Community Stadium
Cemetery Road
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD6 2NG

Directions By Car:

Leave the M62 at junction 26 and follow signs for the M606. Continue on the M606 to junction 3 and take the A6117 exit to Ring Road West. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit on to Rooley Lane / A6036 signposted Halifax. Pass the Odsal Stadium on the left hand side and at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit on to Halifax Road / A6036 signposted Halifax. After approximately one mile turn left down Cemetery Road immediately before the Kids Planet Children’s Nursery, and the ground is 150 yards on the left. We have a car park which will be signposted off Cemetery Road and parking charges may apply.

Directions By Train:

Bradford Interchange rail station is the nearest to the ground and trains operate on the  Calder Valley Line timetable from Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Manchester, Preston and York.

From there you can catch the bus directly to the ground (details below).

Bradford Forster Square rail station There are regular services from Leeds (Leeds-Bradford Line timetable), Skipton (Airedale Line timetable) and Ilkley (Wharfedale Line timetable).

From Forster Square it is a 10 minute walk to Bradford Interchange bus station for a bus onwards to the stadium.

Directions By Bus: 

From Bradford Interchange bus station bus services 681 and 682 and Halifax Bus Station bus services 508, 681 and 682

These services stop at the Halifax Road Cemetery Road stop near to the stadium.

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MATCH PREVIEW – BUXTON FC (A)

BRADFORD (Park Avenue) visit Derbyshire this Saturday to play newly promoted Buxton FC at The Tarmac Silverlands.

Mark Bower’s men head into this game after a fantastic 2-1 win against Boston United last weekend, a performance which was praised by fans as the best of the season.

It was a slow start for both teams, however, Jake Wright made the first proper effort on Sykes-Kenworthy’s goal in the 15th minute.  His shot from outside the box sailed over the crossbar.

Avenue man Jamie Spencer was up next, firing a fantastic effort that nearly broke the deadlock, but he couldn’t find the back of the net.

The Pilgrims finally got one up on Avenue with a good finish from Jake Wright putting Boston ahead in the 43rd minute.

In the second half, Avenue were the better side, with Sam Fielding and Jordan Preston both having chances.

It was reliable midfielder Simon Richman who hooked the ball into the roof of the net, equalising for Avenue with a brilliant low cross from Lucas Odunston.

Under pressure from the Boston defence, Jordan Preston managed a well struck shot but his effort was saved by Sam Long.

Then, in the 75th minute, with an unreal cross from ex-Bradford City man Reece Staunton, Jacob Blyth headed the ball past Long and Avenue were ahead.

The defence held firm against late Boston pressure, with the Avenue fans chanting and cheering all the way into the four minutes of added time.

Mark and Danny will now look to improve their form further with a point or three in Derbyshire, a place which has proved fruitful for Avenue so far, drawing against a strong Alfreton side and all whilst struggling with injuries and illnesses in the Bradford squad.

The last time Avenue and Buxton met was on 8 December 2015 in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup when Avenue won 2-1 away.

Buxton go into the game after a 4-0 defeat at League 1 side Ipswich Town in the FA Cup.  In the league Buxton have had some tough fixtures, losing 4-2 to Blyth and 1-0 to Scarborough.  However, before these setbacks they had pulled off wins against Gloucester, Darlington Southport.

They will be looking to bounce back, so Avenue will have to be at their best to sneak a result.

If you are travelling to the Silverlands, follow the link here for directions.

Tickets are purchased on the gate, and are priced at £15 Adults, £10 Concessions, £5 16-21s, £2 for 5-15s and under-5s are free with a paying Adult.

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FA TROPHY PREVIEW – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Farsley Celtic

The seven-mile derby between Bradford (Park Avenue) and Farsley Celtic locking horns in the FA Trophy  

This weekend The Avenue welcome their West Yorkshire rivals to the Horsfall Stadium as they battle it out for a place in the third round of the FA Trophy.

Farsley Celtic come into the game on the back of a 4-0 defeat to playoff contenders Southport and currently find themselves languishing in the relegation zone one place below Bradford (Park Avenue) separated only by goal difference.  By contrast, Avenue are enjoying the warm afterglow of their very satisfactory 0-0 draw at Alfreton.

But this weekend is all about the FA Trophy and what that will mean to both sides.  Getting one over your rivals is sweet enough but to dump them out of a cup competition is a special sort of feeling, as both sets of fans would agree.

Last time these two met it was a narrow victory for The Avenue.  Saturday’s match will be the first of three encounters this season.  Drawing first blood will be hugely important ahead of the fixtures on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.  

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Our last time out with Farsley Celtic

Local bragging rights are at stake.  Expect a feisty affair this weekend when Farsley make the seven mile journey to the Horsfall Stadium. 

FA Trophy Admission prices – Tickets are purchased on the gate. Card/Cash is taken at the Cemetery Road turnstiles, and the Park Road turnstiles are CASH ONLY

Adults: £10
Concessions: £8
12-18s: £3
U12s: £1

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MATCH PREVIEW – Chester FC (A)

Match Preview – Chester FC vs Bradford (Park Avenue) – The Green Army are back on the road as they travel to the English-Welsh border this weekend in the Vanarama National League North.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking for consecutive away wins for the first time since March 2019 when they take on Chester FC at The Deva Stadium on Saturday.

Mark Bower’s men head to Chester in fine form following a hard-fought 2-1 victory at home to high-flying Gloucester City on a wet Monday evening under the lights of the Horsfall Community Stadium, a result which saw them bag a fourth win in five games. The three points meant Avenue climbed out of the relegation zone and into 19th, however, Tuesday’s National League North results elsewhere were less than favourable as points gained for Kettering Town and Boston United pushed the Avenue back down to 21st.

Regardless of this, the picture remains optimistic for Avenue who are currently one of the in-form teams in the National League North. Only last weekend’s opponents Brackley Town, who sit joint-top of the table, have gained more points in the last five games. Bower will also be hoping he can call on in-form striker Jacob Blyth for the trip to Chester. The number nine was withdrawn early in the second half on Monday after scoring the opener and has netted three goals in his last four games for the Avenue.

This weekend’s hosts are also enjoying a good run of form themselves, having picked up ten points out of a possible twelve on their current four-game unbeaten run. However, the Avenue will be looking to take advantage of Chester’s inconsistent home form, as The Seals are yet to register back-to-back wins this season.

Avenue’s defence will be keen to shackle Chester’s top scorer Kurt Willoughby. The 25-year-old, who joined Chester in the summer from last season’s play-off winners York City, has netted six goals in fifteen appearances this season, averaging 0.41 goals per game.

The head-to-head table shows Avenue and Chester all square.  Since the formation of Chester FC as a phoenix club to the former Chester City FC in 2010, the sides have met on nine occasions in the National League North, sharing three wins apiece and three draws. The most recent meeting came in the penultimate game of last season, with Chester emerging 4-0 winners over an Avenue side that had already secured National League North football for another season. The Green Army will be hoping to swing the head-to-head table in their favour this Saturday with the prospect of once again climbing out of the league’s relegation places.

Kick off: Saturday 5th November 2022, 3pm

Stadium address: Deva Stadium, Bumpers Lane, Chester, CH1 4LT – Directions to the Deva Stadium can be found here

Tickets: In advance online purchased here – Adults £17.00, Concessions £14.00, 18-21yo £12.00, 12-17yo £3.00, Under 12s FREE.

Please note there will be a £1 increase on these prices when buying online, paying at the turnstile or purchasing from the ticket office on the day of a game.

Writer – Stephen Grimshaw

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MATCH PREVIEW – Blyth Spartans v Bradford (Park Avenue)

Avenue could launch themselves away from danger tomorrow night with a third win on the bounce.

Tomorrow evening (25th October) The Avenue could propel themselves away from the danger zone when they travel to fellow strugglers Blyth Spartans who sit just two places above Bradford (PA) in the league table.

Since The Avenue secured that first win of the season against Curzon Ashton, they have won back-to-back games after an 86-minute penalty which was dispatched calmly by Jacob Blyth, securing victory over Hereford Town and come the final whistle tomorrow it could be a hattrick of wins for Bradford (PA).

Blyth Spartans have not won in the league since the end of August when they beat Buxton 2-1 away from home, since then they have only managed three points out of their last five games all of which have come at home.

The last five meetings between these two sides have predominantly seen the Avenue come out on top beating them three times and drawing twice, with the last away win against Blyth ending in a 3-1 victory for the Avenue at the end of last season. 

A win tomorrow could see the Avenue climb as high as 18th in the league depending on the score line and other results going in their favour and could set them in good stead when they host high flying Brackley Town at the weekend.

(Park Avenue) have had a torrid start to the season losing seven of their opening league games and it looked as though that first win would never come as they lingered above the trap door, but if Bradford (Park Avenue) could go on a little run, it would give their survival chances a huge boost.

Writer: James Fletcher

Standing Tickets are priced online at £12 for Adults, £7 for Concessions, £5 for 11-16s and Students, and £3 for under 10s.

Seated tickets are priced online at £14 for Adults, £9 for Concessions, £7 for 11-16s and Students, and £2 for under 10s.

You can purchase tickets to the match on the Blyth Spartan’s website by clicking here.

For travel details, follow the map below or click here to visit footballgroundguide.com for more details on Croft Park.

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MATCH PREVIEW – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Hereford

Match Preview – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Hereford FC – The Green Army play host to the Bulls in the Vanarama National League North.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be hoping to build on their vital 2-1 home win against Curzon Ashton last time out as they welcome Hereford to the Horsfall Community Stadium on Saturday.  That win gives Avenue a much-welcomed confidence boost, as they head into their second home game in a row, having displayed great character to come from behind and pick up their first three points of the season.  The result may not have moved Avenue off the bottom, but it doubled their points tally and brought the club to within three points of safety.

The visitors this weekend sit in 13th place in National League North and are enjoying something of a revival, having picked up seven points from a possible nine in their last three games. Hereford fans will be hoping the inconsistency shown in the early part of the season is behind them.

One potential headache for Avenue boss Mark Bower is the question whether to stick with the eleven players who started the victory over Curzon Ashton. One player who will certainly be arguing his case for selection is super-sub, Will Longbottom who, not for the first time this season, came off the bench late on to grab a vital goal for his side.

Hereford have enjoyed a rich vein of form in front of goal this season.  They have the joint sixth highest tally in National League North and their seventeen goals have been scored by ten different players.  Experienced dangerman and joint-top scorer Tyrone Barnett will be hoping to be on the scoresheet again after netting in the Bulls’ 4-2 thrashing of Boston United last time out. The 36-year-old struck in the league for the first time since his double against Spennymoor Town on the opening day of the season and will be aiming to become the club’s outright top-scorer.

Avenue will look to take confidence from their excellent head-to-head record over Hereford FC since the formation of the latter as a phoenix club for Hereford United in 2014. Of the seven official meetings between the two sides, Avenue have won four, drawn two and lost one, remaining unbeaten against the Bulls in all fixtures at the Horsfall Community Stadium. The Green Army will be hoping to continue this impressive record beyond the upcoming fixture this weekend.

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MATCH PREVIEW – Bradford (Park Avenue) v Curzon Ashton

Bradford (Park Avenue) welcome Curzon Ashton to the Horsfall Stadium this weekend as they still search for the illusive first win of the season

It’s not been the best of starts for Bradford (Park Avenue) by any stretch of the imagination and are in desperate need their first win of the season as the pressure continues to ramp up on the players and management team to perform.

The past five meetings between these two sides don’t offer for pleasant reading, losing three and drawing 2 in all competitions, but could (Park Avenue) upset the form table and finally open their account for the season.

Curzon Ashton have had an upsurge in form as of late, going on a four-game unbeaten run since their defeat to Chester FC, beating the likes of FC United of Manchester and Gloucester City and will no hoping to take advantage of Bradford’s poor start to the season and continue and extend their run to five when they make the trip to West Yorkshire.

Curzon have scored 11 goals in their last five games only conceding six in all competitions, but with their FA Cup replay in mid-week and Park Avenue not playing, Bradford could use this to their advantage having those extra days of rest. 

Bradford’s attacking form has been a source of concern this season only converting four times in four games and conceding 12 remaining the only team in the league to not pick up a single win out of their opening 10 games.

As the games tick away the need and desperation of that first win grows, but playing in front of a home crowd could provide the spark that the players need.    

The game kicks off at 3pm at the Horsfall Stadium and could this be the time that Bradford (Park Avenue) kick off their season with a win against Curzon Ashton.  

You can also watch highlights from last seasons match v Curzon at the Horsfall below!

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