Back to back defeats see Mark Bower’s out of form Avenue requiring a victory against Chorley on Saturday to guarantee a play-off spot.

Bower made a number of changes after Friday’s loss at Darlington in an attempt to secure a vital win, recalling Danny Lowe straight into the starting side after recovering from injury. Bower also granted starts to Nowakowski and Johnson who came into the starting 11 in place of Fridays Man of the Match Romoney Crichlow-Noble and Alex Hurst.

The few chances of note in the first half fell to York City who were invited onto the Avenue defence at times in a scrappy first half that saw neither team take the initiative to press.

The game burst to life in the second period.

Bradford ( Park Avenue) started the half brightly with Nowakowski firing over after some impressive build up play. This was then followed up by a 30 yard strike from Conor Branson which beat the York ‘keeper but hit the bar.

Bradford’s afternoon then peaked when a free-kick five minutes into the second half was expertly dispatched by Lewis Knight from 25 yards into the top left corner of the York City net, giving Avenue the lead.

The joy was short lived however as, despite some resilient defending, Bradford’s defence was opened up in the 67th minute with McLaughlin’s goal putting the teams on level terms.

Bradford’s Man of the Match Charlie Andrew then produced some smart saves to keep the sides level, however this changed when Burrow’s strike from the edge of the area found the back of the net, giving York a 2-1 lead in the 80th minute.

It got worse for Bradford and a frustrated home support, when Captain Shane Killock brought down Burrow who was through on goal, resulting in a straight red card. York then piled on the misery when, in the 91st minute Ex-Avenue loanee Macaulay Langstaff scored, which ultimately condemned Bradford to a 3-1 defeat.

As a result Bradford now require a victory against Chorley away, who they beat 1-0 at home early in the season, to guarantee a spot in the play-offs with any other result putting it out of Bradford’s hands.

Teams

Bradford (Park Avenue): Andrew, Ross, Lowe, Nowakowski (Hurst 85), Killock, Havern, East (Spencer 66), Branson, Beesley, Johnson (Lewis-Potter 87), Knight.

Unused substitutes: Toulson, Crichlow-Noble.

York City: Whitley, Griffiths, Tait, Newton, Ferguson; York (Harris 55), McLaughlin, Burgess; Kempster, Burrow, Langstaff.

Unused substitutes: Law, Moon, Dyer, Bartlett.

Attendance: 775

Referee: Sam Barratt

Bookings
Langstaff – York (Yellow)
Killock – Bradford (Red)

Goals

51’ – L.Knight (Bradford)
67′ Paddy McLaughlin (York City)
80′ Jordan Burrow (York City)
90+1′ Macaulay Langstaff (York City)

A glorious 22c day at Blackwell Meadow saw Bradford (Park Avenue) slide to a disappointing 1-0 defeat, placing themselves under pressure to retain their play-off position heading into Mondays now critical home clash against York.

Avenue were without Danny Lowe who picked up an injury last week which saw Mark Bower name Alex Hurst and Danny East to start the match, placing Jamie Spencer on the bench.

Kit Elliot and Romal Palmer for the hosts showed industry and pace early on down the left edge with Palmer through on-goal after 4 minutes only to be called offside.

Lewis Knight responded soon after when a Darlington error saw him one on one with ‘keeper Jake Turner, however Knights shot at the stopper was well saved.

Moments later Knight again ghosted into the right edge of the Darlington area playing a neat cross in, only for the initial shot to be saved and Knights follow up shot deflected, a hand ball shout from the visitors wasn’t given any credence by the officials.

Playing without pressure, Darlington showed flair on 11 minutes when some lovely build up work on the right by Wilson Kneeshaw and Luke Trotman saw a driven shot just wide of Charlie Andrews far post.

A free kick followed minutes later from 40 yards out which was met by a free Shane Killock at the back post however his volley was snatched at and sailed well over the bar- setting a worrying trend for Avenue that was set to continue throughout a frustrating first half.

Wilson Kneeshaw for the hosts was ever present and was brought down in a dangerous position at the edge of the area on the 15 minute mark, with the resulting free kick by captain Galbraith clearing the wall but straight at young Avenue Custodian Andrew, who saw it well held.

The game settled without any clear chances for either team until the first corner of the match was won for Avenue by Lewis Knight on the right. Nicky Clee’s delivery was good with Conor Branson failing to get a touch on the header, however the ball found Lewis Knight at the top of the box who in turn found an unmarked Jake Beesley whose header was well saved at the near post by Turner. The resulting corner was well taken and defused by Turner and again Avenue returned to their half without anything to show from a clear cut scoring chance.

After 25 minutes Bradford had worked 5 legitimate chances in one on one situations, clear headers or unmarked volleys at the back post without capitalising on any.

At the other end Darlington continued to probe with ambitious technical passing and endeavour building chances but failing to mount a genuine chance on goal with the Avenue backline holding and communicating well.

On the half hour mark another Darlington right side attack into the Avenue box saw a Dangerous free ball find an unmarked Wilson Kneeshaw, who was only foiled in his shot on goal by a desperate last man tackle by Romoney Crichlow Noble who athletically got a foot on the ball to clear the danger for his side.

Shortly after, a follow-up header sailed narrowly wide of the far post to deny the hosts the opener.

On 35 minutes Jordan Nicholson for the hosts showed his class with a searching run only for the resulting cross to be well handled by Andrew.

The match saw a lift in class on 39 minutes when a Lewis knight effort from the right side curled towards the top right corner off his left boot only for Turner to get a hand to push it out for a corner with a great save.

Beesley worked hard all half and forged chances for the visitors, however frustratingly the second phase ball from his head or touch was often quickly collected by a fast Darlington mid field who were bettering BPA in terms of hold up play and retaining possession for long periods in the first half.

On 45 minutes Danny east was lucky not to be booked after Kneeshaw turned him well only to be brought down in a cynical foul by East, however the officials deemed a warning adequate and the half ended without a booking for either side.

Possession appeared relatively even for the first 45 minute period however chances certainly fell more often for the visitors who continued the trend of recent weeks by failing to capitalise.

The second half got off to lively start with some nice build up play by Branson, Clee, and East finding a free Lewis Knight on the right in the Darlington box with his strike beating the ‘Keeper only for a clearance off the line by Darlington captain Galbraith denying the visitors a dream start to the half.

On 52 minutes Nick Clee was forced off with a groin injury replaced by Jamie Spencer. Soon after, Crichlow Noble and Hurst worked well down the left side to create two good deliveries into the area.

After play restarted a strong shot from Kneeshaw was well saved by Andrew at the other end down to his left and safely regathered to deny the hosts their best chance in the match to date.

Kneeshaw was brought down in a late challenge just into the Avenue half by Havern who was first to go into the book as BPA looked susceptible on the break from the pacey Darlington attack. Kneeshaw was forced to leave the pitch as a result of the challenge in a blow for the hosts as he had been a stand out, troubling Avenue considerably.

Mark Bower made his first unforced change on 61 minutes replacing the industrious Hurst with Oli Johnson.

A Spencer error gave Andrew a task on 62 minutes with the young keeper summing up the situation well and racing out of this box to clear the danger, receiving applause from the senior Branson. Soon after, Oli Johnson found yards of space down the right to press all the way to the by-line before a nice cross was met by Lewis Knight, who in similar fashion to Killocks chance in the first half, volleyed well over the bar.

Bransons cross on the 65th minute found Danny East in the air who was also unable to get clear contact and get an effort on target.

East surrendered possession easily on the halfway soon after with Darlington breaking and shooting just wide of Andrews post. Keane Lewis-Potter was Bowers final substitution on 67 minutes with Danny East making way as the hosts began to work well into the match and take the upper hand.

Darlington’ best chance of the half came on 68 minutes when a searching run and cross from the right forced a great block from Mark Ross and Charlie Andrew got a hand to finish the save.

Keane Lewis Potter’s first touch up the middle saw him find Oli Johnson on the right whose cross was blocked for a corner however nothing came of the set piece.

Lewis-Potter featured again soon after, forcing a corner after turning his man and driving into the right edge of the area.

Darlington worked into the half on 75 minutes and began to force the issue with added possession and chances.

On 80 minutes Stephen Thompson found space on the right to drive a strong shot low to the right and he lifted in confidence and work rate with every touch.

On 81 minutes Luca Havern allowed Thompson time at the top of the area and the Darlington Striker needed no second invitation with a quality strike into the top right hand corner despite Charlie Andrews best efforts to take the lead 1-0.

A free kick from the kick off saw Lewis Knights Delivery met by Conor Branson with a free header which flew into the side netting.

The second half from Avenue might be best summed up by a comical passage of play on the 85th minute when Oli Johnson, with few options, passed back to Conor Branson, only for Bransons attempted long pass only able to find Johnsons stationary backside.

Possession and the impetus all turned Darlingtons way after the goal with Avenue appearing flat and devoid of ideas.

Thompson was again allowed space for a free shot only for a deflection to see it sail just wide on 86 minutes.

Thompson and Trotman again worked a dangerous move down the right with only young Keane Lewis-Potter tracking back able to diffuse the attack in the box before working it out of danger nicely.

4 minutes of injury time saw Conor Branson have one of the few attempts on goal by the visitors in the second half ,with a half volley rising over the bar.

A near certain second goal late in the match was thwarted by Crichlow Noble making a superb tackle in the box on a breakaway Harvey Saunders.

In the end though it was Thompsons goal that proved the winner with a wasteful first half again coming back to haunt an Avenue side who disappointed in a flat second half despite promising displays from Knight, Hurst and Romoney Crichlow Noble.

Charlie Andrew was again strong in goal and Lewis-Potter challenged Darlington in his cameo, however it was a case of déjà vu for the Avenue with glaring chances failing to find the target, mostly in the first half costing them the 3 points today.

Speaking after the match Mark Bower rued the missed chances in the first half saying:

“This time of the season, the first goal is always going to be vital and for the 3rd game in the row we missed chance after chance… We’ve just to be more ruthless”

Nicky Clee is in severe doubt for Mondays season defining match at Horsfall as Bradford Park Avenue host York in a must win fixture to keep the season alive.

The Teams :-
Bradford Park Avenue

1. Charlie Andrew
2. Mark Ross
3. Romoney Crichlow –Noble
4. Alex Hurst
5. Shane Killock
6. Gianluca Havern
7. Lewis Knight
8. Conor Branson
9. Jake Beesley
10. Danny East
11. Nick Clee

12 Ryan Toulson

1. Adam Nowakowksi
   14 Jamie Spencer
   15.Keane Lewis Potter
2. Oli Johnson

Darlington

1. Jake Turner
2. Luke Trotman
3. Ben Jackson
4. Omar Holness
5. Simon Ainge
6. Terry Galbraith
7. Jordan Nicholson
8. Romal Palmer
9. Kit Elliott
10. Wilson KneeShaw
11. Stepehn Thompson
12. Tom Elliott
13. Johnny Maddison
14. Osagi Bascone
15. Jonny Burn
16. Harvey Saunders

Jake Beesley’s second-half penalty earned Bradford (Park Avenue) all 3 points in this weekend’s 1-0 victory over Nuneaton Borough.

The visitors are rooted to the foot of the National North table but they arrived at the Horsfall Stadium determined not to lose.

Boro matched Bradford in a goalless first half which saw the home side dominate possession, but neither side were able to create any clear cut chances.

An enforced change at half-time saw Oli Johnson replace Danny Lowe after an injury sustained in the warm up caught up to him.

He completed the first half but was unable to continue, with Oli Johnson coming on in his place Romoney Critchlow-Noble dropped from midfield into the back four.

It was a change that marked a vast improvement in Avenue’s attacking play and Nuneaton were forced to employ spoiling tactics, which lasted until the avenue broke the deadlock from the penalty spot.

Johnson made a run down the right flank and served up a superb cross for Beesley who was fouled inside the six-yard box. The referee immediately pointed to the spot and Beesley fired the resulting spot-kick high into the net.

Park Avenue manager Mark Bower admitted it wasn’t the best display from his side but was delighted with the win.

He said:

“It was a frustrating game to be involved in and must have frustrated the crowd as well.

“They (Nuneaton) came to frustrate us from the start and they sat really deep, but then we got the penalty, which was one, and got in front. The game opened up after that which you would expect and we had more chances.

“Their keeper made three big saves with his feet, we hit the bar and had one cleared off the line. We could have been three or even four goals up but we didn’t get that second goal which kept them in it.

“While we had good chances Nuneaton also came into the game and we needed a couple of last-gasp pieces of defending to keep our clean sheet.

“But it is a clean sheet and a big three points for us, and at this stage of the season the result is all that matters.”

Beesley’s penalty gave Bradford a boost and – with the visitors looking for something on the break – it led to some glorious openings for Avenue. However, Boro keeper Cam Belford made three excellent saves to deny
Lewis Knight, substitute Danny East and Johnson.

Belford was finally beaten, but saved by the woodwork when Conor Branson’s header hit the underside of the bar before being cleared, preventing another effort that was hooked off the line.

Avenue’s defence also cleared two efforts off their goal line. The first came when Critchlow-Noble got a toe to the ball after keeper Charlie Andrew had missed his attempt to punch a cross, and the second when the resulting corner caused a scramble in a packed goalmouth.

Bradford saw the game out comfortably in the remaining four minutes, plus the three added – and it was necessary as the three clubs around them in the play-off places all won.

The top three clubs all lost, meaning that Avenue are now just two points behind third-placed Brackley Town with three games of the season remaining.

BRADFORD (Park Avenue)’s promotion bid took another hit as Kidderminster Harriers won a tight game by a rather misleading 3-0 scoreline at Aggborough.

Defeat to the fellow play-off hopefuls dropped Park Avenue down to sixth in the National North table. If FA Trophy semi-finalists AFC Telford win their game in hand the Bradford club could be down to seventh.

They would still be in the play-off places – above Kidderminster by six points – but Mark Bower’s men would have the hardest route to promotion.

That scenario is staring Avenue in the face after a big defeat in a close game, which highlighted their recent bad luck.

Kidderminster are a good side and are also perennial promotion contenders. They are also tough to beat at home and took their chances to bank a maximum despite the visitors playing well and creating chances.

Danny East threatened home keeper Brandon Hall’s goal before the Harriers took a 17th minute lead.

Avenue keeper Charlie Andrew reacted well to Ashley Chambers’ volley but could only parry the ball upwards, and Joe Ironside nodded in.

Avenue had big chances on the half-hour mark and just five minutes later. A 30th-minute corner was met by Romoney Critchlow-Noble but his downward header bounced wide.

Soon after, Alex Hurst broke through with only Hall to beat, but the home keeper got a big hand to Hurst’s effort and former Guiseley centre back Harry Flowers cleared the danger.

Bower’s words of encouragement during the break were still ringing in his players’ ears when they forced an early second-half corner that East just failed to convert.

Avenue’s leading scorer Jake Beesley had an effort soon after which was hooked off the line by Kidderminster winger Milan Butterfield and East’s attempt from the rebound was saved by Hall.

Nicky Clee and Conor Branson put chances off target before substitute Oli Johnson watched his effort, following a free-kick, tipped over by Hall.

Harriers’ Ed Williams hit the woodwork with a shot but Avenue responded with chances for Johnson and Lewis Knight that both sailed just over Hall’s goal.

Kidderminster twisted the knife by adding a third when a corner was recycled by Butterfield. The ball eventually found Liam McAlinden whose deep cross was headed past Andrew by Ironside.

Bradford (Park Avenue) extended their unbeaten run to seven matches, despite surrendering a two-goal lead at Haig Avenue against Southport.

Southport signalled their early intentions with an early effort on goal which came courtesy of Dion Charles, who was looking to replicate the goal scoring form of missing top goalscorer Jack Sampson.

Conor Branson looked to add to his season tally of eleven, on five minutes. He received the ball in midfield but the shot was unfortunately not up to standard, and was dragged wide.

In the first-half, Southport failed to offer much outside of the opening of the opening exchanges. Charles skied an effort from ten yards and a free-kick from Brad Bauress didn’t do anything to worry Charlie Andrew in the Bradford goal.

Jake Beesley is a man in-form and he wanted to continue that, on twelve minutes he rounded Dan Hanford but was denied by a fantastic clearance by the covering defender who got back to the goal line to deny the on-loan Salford City man.

The opening goal was met by a degree of confusion on the Southport press bench, and after some deliberation the goal was given as an own-goal, despite Jake Beesley receiving the congratulations. 

Beesley wasn’t to be denied, though, and in similar fashion to the effort on twelve minutes he rounded Hanford and with all the composure in the world, slotted the ball home to double Avenue’s lead.

He almost had another, five minutes before half-time. An ambitious lob over the oncoming Hanford only met the stantion behind the goal rather than the back of the net.

Mark Bower will have undoubtedly been impressed with the performances, particularly the impeccable back four as well as the incoming Adam Nowakowski, who did an ever-reliable job in front of the aforementioned defence.

However a different energy came about the home side and it was evident even early in the second-half as they looked to make the game more of a contest. 

That was evident when Andrew was called into action again from Dion Charles after a clever flick from Devarn Green. However the deficit would be halved just two minutes later, when Jordan Archer scored a wonderful goal, leaving Andrew with no chance.

Branson and Beesley both had opportunities to restore the much-needed two-goal cushion, the former with a header after good play from Lewis Knight, Nicky Clee and Oli Johnson. The latter with a similar effort to is first-half goal as he took it round Hanford only to trip over his own feet.

The game went through a quiet spell, with both sides having bouts of possession as they looked for a vital fourth goal in the game, Clee had an effort from distance but it was handsomely over, while Morgan Homson-Smith tested Andrew.

Southport introduced out-of-favour striker, Jason Gilchrist to the pitch and as fate would have it he scored the goal in the final minute to gain his side a share of the spoils.

There were no further chances but Bradford stay well inside the play-offs as they return to action on Tuesday night against Telford United at the Horsfall.

Teams

Southport:

Hanford, Richards, Ogle, Platt, Astles, Morgan (c), Green (Gilchrist 74′), Wood, Charles, Archer, Bauress (Homson-Smith 65′)

Bradford (Park Avenue)

Andrew, Ross, Clee, Nowaskowski, Killock (c) (East 75′), Havern, Knight, Branson, Beesley (Toulson 90+7′), Johnson, Spencer

Bradford (Park Avenue) made it six games unbeaten with a magnificent win over fellow promotion-chasers Spennymoor Town in a game rearranged from last week.

Goals in each half, first from Conor Branson – his 11th of the season – and then Jake Beesley capping it off in the final few minutes secured a vital three points for Mark Bower’s men.

Due to the high stakes involved in the game, it was typically tense with the amount of importance riding on it, iin the lead-up to the fixture which was played at the second attempt after last weeks postponement.

Both sides could have done with all three points in their respective battle to gain fifth-tier status for the 2019/20 season, coming into the game Spennymoor Town were three points in front of Mark Bower’s side.

The hosts came out the more energetic with Ryan Hall looking lively down the right. He won his side a couple of corners in the early exchanges, not allowing Bradford to make their mark on the game.

Branson signalled his intention to get on the scoresheet early, he took aim from just outside the area but his effort did not trouble Matthew Gould in the Spennymoor goal.

The game burst into life, and the entertainment began to match the tempo with both sides now having efforts which required their respective stoppers to be on top form.

Firstly, a succession of corners for the hosts led to Charlie Andrew tipping over, and latterly Jake Beesley heading off the line before the ever lively Lewis Knight stormed up the wing, releasing Beesley, who’s effort was well saved.

Bradford had another effort which involved Knight and Beesley. This time it was roles reversed as the on-loan Salford City man slipped the ball through to the young winger, who found Gould in impeccable form again.

On 24 minutes came the opening goal. A free-kick was whipped in dangerously and then cleared only as far as Branson who made no mistake, turning the ball in from close range.

The slope of the pitch never deterred Bradford with Bower telling James Smith before the game that he would not let it be an excuse, and it duly proved correct.

Pre-match, Bower claimed Avenue could be proud of their season’s achievements thus far and on the evidence of the first period he would be right, with hard-working, energetic performances all over the pitch.

Bradford got in ahead at half-time courtesy of some brilliant saves by Charlie Andrew, who denied Glen Taylor amongst others on a number of occasions.

Second-half was a similar story as Andrew again came out on top when tested, however the rearguard action from Shane Killock and Luca Havern contributed greatly.

As Spennymoor chased the game there was potential space opening up in the final third and Bower looked to exploit this by bringing on Oli Johnson, who made an impact off the bench last week.

The game changed with fifteen minutes to go, however, with Scott Harrison being sent off for a professional foul on Jake Beesley, minutes earlier Bower introduced the defensive solidity of Adam Nowakowski and it looked as though Bradford would see the game out.

Any hopes of a late fightback were hindered when Beesley capitalised on a poor back-header to score a goal which sent the Avenue faithful into raptures behind the goal.

All that was left to do was to see the game out, aided by Danny Lowe who was a stoppage-time substitute for Nicky Clee as Avenue secured maximum points in a tough game.

Teams

Spennymoor Town

Gould, Williams, Brogan, Chandler, Harrison, Curtis (c), Hall, Ramshaw, Taylor, Boyes (Henry 84′), Anderson (Tuton 46′)

Bradford (Park Avenue)

Andrew, Ross, Clee (Lowe 90+1′), Hurst (Johnson 55′), Killock (c), Havern, Knight, Branson, Beesley, East (Nowakowski 67′), Spencer.

Bradford (Park Avenue) made it five games without defeat as they took an important three points away from Ashton United in their impending battle with promotion.

Goals from Conor Branson and Jamie Spencer sealed Avenue’s third win in five games and kept them well inside the play-off places as the season comes to it’s climax.

A tough opening half an hour from a Bradford perspective came to a welcome end, with a strong performance towards the end of the first period which would have pleased boss Mark Bower.

The hosts needed the points in their battle to secure their sixth tier status for next season. Yesterday’s defeat coupled with FC United of Manchester’s impressive victory at Telford leaves Ashton second bottom, three points adrift of Guiseley.

The early exchanges mainly consisted of link-up play between Kallum Mantack, Connor Dimaio and Craig Hobson. Despite creating no clear cut chances the intent was impressive.

On 24 minutes it was almost an opening goal. Matt Regan, who has form for scoring against promotion contenders, almost did so again when his header crashed against the upright with Charlie Andrew rooted.

Bradford’s first effort came courtesy of Macaulay Langstaff who received the ball on the left flank, cut inside and unleashed an effort which had the Avenue fans gasping in despair as he missed the target.

Half chances from Regan, Langstaff and Branson didn’t do anything to hamper the score line and neither ‘keeper was tested beyond their obvious abilities.

At half-time the game was goalless and although pleased with the back four, and the attempt at football considering the worsening condition of the pitch, Bower will have been asking for more in the dressing room.

As a result of the pitch, playing football did prove difficult and the game was being played at a frantic pace, with both sides showing energy and willingness to make their mark on the game.

Bower was first to utilise his substitutes. Danny East, who more often than not makes a positive impact off the bench, came on for Alex Hurst to add an extra dimension to the attack.

A couple of chances came and went for Jake Beesley, our on-loan Salford man was denied on both occasions, latterly by a brilliant smothering save from the home goalkeeper George McMahon.

It was Bower’s second change which drew initial praise. Oli Johnson marked his return from injury and was involved in the first goal. Branson’s magnificently placed header gave the hosts stopper no chance.

Controversy struck with fifteen minutes to go, Lewis Knight was hacked down for what looked a certain penalty and although initially flagging, the assistant was overruled by Amy Hurst and no spot-kick was given, much to the dismay of the travelling Avenue army that made the journey down.

The final change came with thirteen minutes to go. Ever-reliable Adam Nowakowski came on to sit in the middle of the park and cope with the aerial bombardment which was seemingly imminent.

There was a scare for the visitors on 89 minutes. A stinging shot from Dimaio tested Andrew’s handling but he couldn’t hold on and it was Jamie Reed steaming in to put it over the bar.

Any hopes of a late fightback were extinguished when Avenue struck the second goal to seal all three points on the break. Jamie Spencer capped off a man-of-the-match display with a goal to send the Avenue army barmy.

Next up for Mark Bower’s side is a trip up north n what promises to be a crunch clash with fellow promotions chasers, Spennymoor Town.

Teams

Ashton United

McMahon, Crowley, Regan, Chalmers, Ashworth, Kay (Reed 77′), Jennings (Tomsett 69′), Goulding, Hobson, Dimaio, Mantack (Sheridan 66′)

Bradford (Park Avenue)

Andrew, Ross, Clee, Hurst (East 59′), Killock, Havern, Knight, Branson, Beesley (Johnson 66′), Langstaff (Nowakowski 77′), Spencer

With our visitors sat in 17th, Bradford (Park Avenue) came into Tuesday night’s game against Leamington looking to put some daylight between themselves and the play-off challengers.

In similar fashion to the game against Chester just a couple of weeks ago, Avenue came out of the blocks quickly and just three minutes in the Horsfall Stadium were on their collective feet to celebrate Conor Branson’s third minute strike.

Branson received the ball, shifted it on to his favoured foot before unleashing an unstoppable shot that flew into the top corner, leaving visiting goalkeeper Tony Breeden, with no chance.

The next significant chance came to the visitors. Breeden’s free-kick reached Leamington talisman, Colby Bishop. He tried to cleverly lob the ball over Charlie Andrew but he was up to the task and caught easily.

Bishop was to try his luck again. Good work from Ahmed Obeng resulted in the striker receiving the ball before creating a yard but could only fire wide of Andrew’s right-hand post.

An equlaiser could have perhaps been predicted and it duly came on 26 minutes, Bishop headed against the crossbar but Obeng was readily available to pounce on the rebound to equal up the scores.

In-form Jake Beesley looked to continue his impressive run of form with a snapshot from just inside the box, but Breeden got strong wrists on it to turn it behind as Bradford searched for a go-ahead goal.

Five minutes before the break, and Bradford would get their reward. Macaulay Langstaff, who was denied by the flag twice on Satuday was celebrating this one in it’s entirety.

A flowing move involving Luca Havern, Lewis Knight and Beesley resulted in the on-loan York City forward receiving the ball and curling wonderfully beyond Breeden to put his side back in front. 

Two almost became three on the stroke of half-time. Knight’s teasing ball in was met by Avenue captain Shane Killock but he could only send the ball sailing over the bar off his forehead.

The second-hald started in relatively quiet fashion in comparison to the way the first period ended, and ten minutes past with no event of note.

That came courtesy of Knight, his free-kick struck the top of the wall and deflected out for a corner as Bradford searched for an elusive third goal.

Jordan Murphy looked to take the initiative for his side. He drove inside with the ball and tried his luck from range but it was well, well over as the visitors remained frustrated.

Jack Edwards will have been kicking himself with the chance he missed at the back post after good work from Junior English on the right-flank.

Substitute Danny East came close with a nice effort and ever-lively Knight burst into the box with no Avenue man in there to meet his cross as both sides looked for the next goal.

The final big chance of the game came for Beesley however his curling effort went wide of the post, an outcome he will be disappointing with considering his rich vein of goalscoring form in recent weeks.

In the end Avenue ground out the three points to make it four games unbeaten.

Teams

Bradford (Park Avenue)

Andrew, Ross, Lowe, Hurst (Clee 82′), Killock, Havern, Knight (Nowakowski 86′), Branson, Beesley, Langstaff (East 68′), Spencer.

Leamington

Breeden, English, Gudger (Lane 75′), Clarke (Wilding 75′), Hood, Mace, Murphy, Flanagan (Taylor 88′), Bishop, Edwards, Obeng.

Bradford (Park Avenue) came into today’s game having ended a poor run last week against Chester, and despite a good start to 2019, Curzon Ashton have gone off the boil in recent weeks, namely a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Altrincham.

The game started in quite subdued fashion, the first chance coming when Jake Beesley controlled Lewis Knight’s throw-in but could not get the ball out of his feet as the visitors cleared.

Jamie Spencer then tried his luck. Bradford broke quickly with Alex Hurst and Knight combining with the latter laying off for Bradford’s number eleven, before he shot way over the crossbar from 25 yards out.

Despite some back and forth no real chances were created as both sides began to slightly cancel each other out, with neither goalkeeper being tested for a period.

However that soon changed with Mark Ross, he made a run down the right and crossed in, finding Beesley but his header was cushioned safely into the arms of Curzon goalkeeper Cameron Mason.

The Salford loanee was at the centre of everything, a cute effort after Luca Havern’s delightful ball was the closest either side got in the first half hour.

That was until Bradford received a penalty, a Curzon man was penalised for holding and Beesley slotted home the penalty with consummate ease to put Mark Bower’s side ahead.

One almosty became two shortly after, but for a correct intervention from the linesman on the near side. A lovely passage of play led to Macaulay Langstaff curling one in the top corner but it was given as offside.

Then, with two minutes left in the half, Ryan Brooke equalised for Curzon with a powerful header from a corner which was put into a dangerous area. 

The second-half started in relatively quiet fashion as neither side wanted to give too much away in the opening minutes of the second-half.

Beesley went close again, good work down the left led to Hurst smashing in to the box but our number nine couldn’t turn it in from close range as Bradford searched for a go-ahead goal.

It was the visitors who forced themselves in front, though. Another corner, similarly to their first goal, was swung in and Cameron McJannet met it to put the visitors ahead for the first time.

However that lead was short-lived. Minutes later Beesley got on the scoresheet once more, good work from Langstaff and Knight led to the ball being put across the box and bundled in by Beesley for 2-2.

Bradford them seized the initiative once more with Luca Havern heading narrowly over the bar from a corner as Bower’s men searched for all of the points.

Oliver Crankshaw continued to test Avenue’s back line and might have had the winner had his accuracy been a little better. He dragged his shot wide of the far post after some good initial work.

Then, with minutes to go, Langstaff and captain, Shane Killock went close respectively. The latter’s effort signalled the end of the attack as the game hung in the balance.

There was still time for one more piece of drama, though. Langstaff, as in the first-half was denied by the linesman’s flag after another neat finish from the on-loan York City frontman.

Teams:

Bradford:

Andrew, Ross, Clee, Hurst, Killock, Havern, Knight, Branson (East 73′), Beesley, Langstaff, Spencer.

Curzon Ashton:

Mason, Senior, McJannet, Hunt, Thornley, Rowney, Crankshaw, Brooke, Reilly (McAtee (81′), Miller, Wall 

Mark Bower’s Bradford (Park Avenue) side returned to action at the Horsfall Stadium with a visit from Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s Chester FC side, looking for their first win of 2019.

It took barely 30 seconds for Bradford to open the scoring, and a bizarre goal it was. Lewis Knight’s cross looked to have gone out, however Jake Beesley played to the whistle and tapped in to score the opening goal.

Chester looked to get back on terms immediately. Anthony Dudley received the ball with his back to goal and his snapshot deflected wide with Charlie Andrew rooted to the spot. 

Around ten minutes later Bradford’s young stopper was at it again. A brilliant save when Dudley was bearing down on goal preserved Avenue’s slender, early advantage.

Bradford’s next chance came courtesy of Knight. His 40 yard free-kick had plenty of movement and went all the way through but just wide, although a Bradford man was adjudged offside.

This time it was Daniel Mooney’s turn to test Andrew. A ball slipped inside was driven towards goal by the visiting winger, but Andrew stuck out a boot and ensured his clean-sheet was still intact.

Bradley Jackson was next to come close for Chester. He kept the ball in well ahead of Macaulay Langstaff, his curling left-footed effort was flicked on but unfortunately for them dropped just wide of the far post.

Another Charlie Andrew saved proved to be the catalyst for a second Bradford goal, as little over a minute later Jake Beesley had Grant Shenton retrieving the ball from the back of his net a second time.

Jackson’s slack pass was intercepted by the onrushing Beesley, who bore down on Shenton’s goal, who despite making a good initial save, couldn’t make the second one as he struck his second of the game.

Two could well have become three, five minutes before the break. Langstaff found himself free at the back post but his volley was thrashed over after the opportunity was worked by Knight. 

Knight was central to the action again, the first chance of the second-half came from the winger. Mark Ross’ inch-perfect cross was met by Knight who’s volley never stopped rising.

Then, Chester looked to come back into it once more. A corner – the first of many in the second-half – was headed over by George Waring as the signs looked a little more promising.

With 18 minutes to go, two nearly became three again. Alex Hurst found himself in a good position, and from a tight angle looked to shoot across Shenton who made a good save at the near post.

Danny Livesey looked to get his side a goal, the first of a few headers from the on-loan Salford City defender dropped just wide of Andrew’s goal.

Beesley – on for a hattrick – will have been disappointing not to seal one, when a ball was swung in but the Bradford striker couldn’t make the desired connection as the game showed no signs of slowing down.

With five minutes to go, Livesey could have put his name on the score sheet but for a great intervention from Jamie Spencer, who heads it off the line, with Andrew beaten.

However that proved to be that, as Bradford secured their first win of 2019 to end a bad run of form.

Teams:

Bradford (Park Avenue):

Andrew, Ross, Clee (Crichlow-Noble 69′), Hurst, Killock, Havern, Knight (Toulson 90′), Nowakowski, Beesley, Langstaff (East 67′), Spencer

Chester:

Shenton, Jackson, Waters, Burton, Livesey, Howson, Mahon (Murray 73′), Roberts, Waring, Dudley, Mooney (Marsh-Hughes 73′)