28 Sep 2022

Match Preview – Southport vs Bradford (Park Avenue)

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The Green Army head to the seaside for Matchday 11 of the Vanarama National League North.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be heading west again for the second time in four days as they are set to take on Southport F.C. at Haig Avenue on Saturday.

Mark Bower’s men remain bottom of the National League North and are still in search their first win of the season, despite a much-improved display at the weekend in their 3-1 away loss to AFC Fylde. Avenue’s spirited performance on the Fylde Coast left the Green Army with cause for optimism, with Bower praising his side’s confidence and composure on the ball for large parts of the game.

This weekend’s hosts are heading into the game in 18th place on the back of a vital 1-0 win at home to Leamington, a result that brought to an end a six-game winless streak for the Sandgrounders. Southport were boosted by the return of their well-travelled star attacker Marcus Carver, on loan from Scunthorpe United, who received high praise for his role in the victory.

Despite hitting Boston United for five on the opening day of the season, Southport have only found the net on three occasions in the eight games that have followed. After a run of difficult fixtures against sides higher up the table, the Avenue will look to this game against a team who has struggled to find consistency as the perfect opportunity to record a first win of the season and get an important three points on the board.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will also be out for revenge following last season’s 5-0 home drubbing at the hands of the Sandgrounders. The Avenue additionally lost the away fixture at Southport in a narrow 1-0 defeat. Mark Bower will no doubt be hoping for stricter discipline from his side as both fixtures saw the Green Army reduced to 10 men.

Travelling fans can find the Haig Avenue stadium at Southport Football Club, Haig Avenue, Southport, PR8 6JZ. Click here for more info for travelling supporters.

Click here for directions to Haig Avenue. Or follow the map below.

All tickets can be purchased online by clicking here, or purchased on the gate, and are priced at Adult £13.50, Concession £10.00, Junior (12-17) £5.00, Under 12’s FREE when accompanied by a full paying adult.

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21 Sep 2022

MATCH PREVIEW – Stephen Grimshaw breaks down our visit to the Fylde Coast

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MATCH PREVIEW – AFC Fylde vs Bradford (Park Avenue) – The Green Army travel west for Matchday 10 of the Vanarama National League North.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking to end a run of four straight defeats in all competitions as they travel west to take on AFC Fylde at Mill Farm on Saturday.

Mark Bower’s men currently sit bottom of the National League North and are still searching for their first win of the season, a stark contrast to this weekend’s opponents AFC Fylde who are looking strong in fourth place after collecting 16 points from a possible 24.

The Avenue are heading in to the game off the back of a controversial 2-1 defeat at Northern League Division One side Ashington in the FA Cup, a result which left manager Mark Bower feeling “angry, disappointed and embarrassed” in his post-match interview.

A strong reaction is expected after Bower and his men were left with some soul-searching to do following the loss to Ashington, with the Avenue boss also reflecting on the urgent need for change within his side, cautiously admitting that if he does not change something quick it might be Bower himself and assistant Danny Boshell who end up being changed.

One reason for optimism for the Green Army in the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat was the impact of substitute Will Longbottom, on for the final fifteen minutes of the game and netting a goal that made for an interesting finish. The Avenue fans will be hoping to see more of the same from the Yorkshireman as they look to finally kick-start their season with an away win this weekend.

AFC Fylde will no doubt be optimistic heading into this encounter on the back of a five game unbeaten run in all competitions. The Lancashire side currently sit in fourth position with five wins from their opening eight fixtures, and will once again be chasing promotion after a disappointing play-off defeat to Boston United ended their hopes last season. The Avenue will also need to be mindful of the Coasters’ star man Nick Haughton who already has five league goals to his name this season.

Furthermore, Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking to improve their dismal head-to-head record against the Coasters having never beaten them in league or cup since the latter were founded as Kirkham and Wesham in 1988. When the two sides met last season, AFC Fylde emerged victorious with 2-0 victories in both National League North fixtures.

Travelling fans can find the stadium at Mill Farm Sports Village, Coronation Way, Wesham, Lancashire, PR4 3JZ.

All tickets can be purchased online or on the gate. For those wishing to purchase standing tickets, the prices are; Adult £12.00, Young Guns (16-20) £7.00, Junior (12-15) £6.00, Under 12’s FREE when accompanied by a full paying adult. Alternatively, seating is available at £18.00 for Adults, £10.00 for Juniors (12-15) and £8.00 for Under 12’s.

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15 Sep 2022

MATCH PREVIEW – James Fletcher gives his thoughts on our FA Cup tie v Ashington AFC

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Match Preview – Ashington AFC vs Bradford PA – The Green Army travel north for their first FA Cup match of the season in the 2nd Qualifying Round

Bradford (PA) and other fellow Vanarama National League North and South teams enter the fray in this season’s FA Cup competition, which sees Bradford (Park Avenue) playing away at Ashington AFC.

The level 9 club currently play their football in the Northern League Division One and boast an impressive unbeaten league run, winning 5 out of 6 as well as progressing through the extra Preliminary, Preliminary and 1st Qualifying Round’s to make it this far, their only defeat came in the FA Vase losing 4-6 to Billingham Town.

Ashington score on average between 2 or 3 goals a game, which could be problematic for The Avenue as they have only managed to average one goal per game so far this season but playing lower league opposition this could be the perfect opportunity to build the confidence of the Bradford forwards.

Bradford PA’s best run in the FA Cup was reaching the Quarter finals on three seperate occasions with the most recent being 1945/46 season, but since their reform they have only managed to reach the first proper round three times, in 2003/04, 2011/12 and finally 2012/13.

The Avenue will be hoping to put their dismal league form out of their minds as they look to progress to the next round, and cup competitions can provide a welcome distraction for clubs and a win this weekend could see an up turn in form when they return to league action the following week. 

Mark Bower will be hoping for his sides first win of the season and not a repeat of last season, when The Avenue were knocked out in this very round, losing to Gateshead who were later found guilty of fielding an ineligible player during the game which caused major controversy, with Gateshead only receiving a fine rather than dismissal from the competition by the FA.

The club called the decision ‘a disgrace and a scandal’

The game will be played on Saturday the 17th of September and played at Woodhorn Lane, NE63 9FW, discounted tickets purchased online for this game are £7 for adults, £1 for under 16s and £3 for seniors/students.  

Please note that tickets purchased on the turnstiles are priced at £8 Adults, £4 for Seniors/Students, and £2 for u16s.

Travelling to the game? Check out the map below, or click here.

To purchase tickets, click here.

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18 Aug 2022

Match Preview – Kidderminster Harriers

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The Green Army will look to grasp their first victory of the league season when welcoming Kidderminster Harriers to the Horsfall Community Stadium this Saturday.

Mark Bower’s side were unfortunate to not see out three points on Tuesday night, after a brace from Dom Tear in the dying-minutes ruled out the Avenue’s two goal lead and saw the game end a close 2-2. Jamie Spencer will also look back on the match fondly, after scoring a contender for goal of the season with an irresistible half-way line goal.

Bradford were also in form last Saturday, as a late Adam Nowakowski nicked a point against Kettering Town.

Opponents:

Kidderminster will be looking for their first victory since the opening day when Russ Penn’s side narrowly saw out Blyth Spartans, before a goalless draw with Leamington and a close defeat to Curzon Ashton on Tuesday night.

Penn will be eager for Kidderminster to bounce back from their upset on Tuesday night, after declaring that his side “weren’t good enough”.

The Harriers recruited strongly in the Summer after a good season last year, bringing in players such as Tom Owen-Evans, Jack Byrne and former Bradford City defender Nathaniel Knight-Percival.

Form guide:

Bradford (Park Avenue): LDD

Kidderminster Harriers: WDL

Key player: Ashley Hemmings

A direct and powerful winger, Hemmings has impressed with Kidderminster becoming a regular on the wing and is entering his fourth season donning the red and white.

Having already opened up his account for the season, Hemmings will be eager to show similar form to last season after netting 16 goals last year.

With options like Owen-Evans and Ethan Freemantle going forward, Hemmings will have the attacking options to help him be a nuisance against the Avenue on Saturday.

Previous meeting:

The last time Kidderminster travelled to the Horsfall Stadium, it ended goalless with neither side able to find a breakthrough.

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1 Aug 2022

MATCH PREVIEW – Kings Lynn Town F.C.

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The Green Army kick-off their 2022/23 National League North campaign on home soil this coming Saturday, welcoming recently relegated side King’s Lynn Town to the Horsfall Community Stadium.

Following a strong pre-season for Mark Bower’s side, Bradford will look to kick-off three points following a good previous season.

Avenue have so far reinforced the squad with the additions of Jacob Blyth and Eddie Church, whilst retaining a number of players and welcoming some old faces back, with Jamie Spencer and Will Longbottom returning to the Green of Yorkshire.

Opponents:
The Linnetts are back in the National League North after finishing last season in 21st position of the National League, seeing King’s Lynn drop into the National League North.

Following Tommy Widdrington’s side’s relegation, the Linnetts have recruited strongly with the additions of talents such as Jordan Ponticelli, Ben Stephens and Josh Coulson, but the club have also retained key players such as Josh Barrett and Michael Clunan.

King’s Lynn enjoyed a promising pre-season, beating Peterborough United, drawing with MK Dons and losing 2-0 to former Premier League outfit Norwich City.

Form guide:
BPA: WWLLL

King’s Lynn: WWDLL

Key player: Michael Clunan


Previously a target of EFL and National League clubs, King’s Lynn town have done brilliantly to retain club captain Clunan after an applaudable spell at the club. After six goals in 42 appearances last campaign for the central midfielder, Clunan has an ability to take control of the middle of the park with some excellent vision and awareness. At 28-years-old, his experience and love for the Linnets could be a key factor for how Widdrington’s side performs this season.

Previous meeting:
These two sides have only faced one another twice in their history, which came in the 2019/20 campaign. Both teams enjoyed three points each, but the most recent outing saw a Nicky Clee strike clinch a crucial three points for Bradford on the day.

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