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′)

Mark Bower’s Bradford (Park Avenue) side faced Altrincham away from home, with the pre-match coverage centring on the introduction of the home side’s campaign, Football vs Homophobia, in which they showed their support wearing a special rainbow kit.

The game started as brightly as the home side’s shirt for Avenue. Alex Hurst was fouled after only three minutes and the resulting free-kick was played in, leading to Shane Killock having an early effort charged down.

Immediately after that, though, the hosts broke forward. Joe Pigott was the man who met the ball but his effort was thwarted in similar fashion to Killock’s at the other end.

Altrincham looked to display their prowess on the counter-attack, doing so on a number of occasions, using the pace of Piggott and his strike partner, Josh Hancock to trouble the Bradford defence.

The game became livelier still. However, the football became a slight back-story, with the referee showing he was happy enough to use his whistle on a number of occasions. One of which incensed the Bradford bench, as Connor Branson received a blow to the head.

Killock was central to the action once again, minutes later. Good work from the Altrincham front line led to Hancock trying to square the ball, but the Avenue skipper stuck out a leg to prevent the hosts opening the scoring.

However, that only proved to be a delay to the inevitable. Luca Havern was swivelled on the half-way line, allowing the hosts to break. Piggott realeased Hancock who rounded debutant Charlie Andrew and slotted home for the opening goal.

Bradford looked to reply instantly and almost did. A mix-up in the defence saw the ball ricochet back to Jake Beesley, but the ball was judged to have come off an Avenue man last, and so his lob was in vain as the assistant raised his flag.

One almost became two shortly after. Max Harrop’s whipped free-kick looked as though it could nestle in the bottom corner but a slight deflection ensured it went the right side of the post from a Bradford perspective.

The game went a long time without significant action, until seven minutes before the break Alex Hurst showed good footwork in the box before blasting high and wide inside the area.

The final chance of the first-half came when, at the end of the half, a corner was given to the home side. At the edge of the box, an Altrincham man was waiting to strike, he duly did, but Andrew palmed over well.

The first chance of the second half went the way of the visitors. Nicky Clee sized one up from absolutely miles out, but his shot went way over the bar.

Max Harrop looked to add to the hosts tally when he picked the ball up in a promising position, his shot was dragged well wide, not troubling Andrew in the goal.

It was actually the hosts who looked the more likely to score, with a lovely drop of the shoulder leaving his man for dead, unfortunately for them the shot dropped wide of the far post.

Mark Bower sensed something needed to change and as a result he took off Oli Johnson, introducing Macauley Langstaff in the process, as he came on to join the search for an equaliser, on his debut.

With 23 minutes remaining on the clock, Bradford finally got some space to work with. Beesley made an opening for himself before the ball bobbled horribly, resulting in him slicing the ball wide, as Avenue looked less and less likely to grab a goal.

Just two minutes later, though. Lewis Knight saw an opportunity and went for it, his looping effort didn’t dip in time and went well over the bar.

With the game coming into the final few minutes, Bower threw on the last two substitutes at his disposal. Romaney Critchlow-Noble and Danny East making their way onto the field, meaning a change of shape.

Duly, it was that change of shape that contributed to the equaliser, more bodies flooded forward and it was East who bundled home the equaliser after good work from Knight and Clee.

Both sides searched for a winner, but ultimately it wasn’t forthcoming as Avenue took a point back to Yorkshire and remained inside the play-off places.

Teams

Altrincham:

1. Steven Drench 2. Shaun Densmore 3. Connor Hampson 4. James Jones 5. Tom Hannigan 6. Jake Moult (C) 7. John Johnston 8. Simon Richman 9. Joe Piggott 10. Josh Hancock 11. Max Harrop

Bench:

12. James Poole 14. Andy White 15. Mason Fawes (74) 16. Yousifu Ceasay (65) 17. Tony Thompson

Bradford:

1. Charlie Andrew 2. Mark Ross 3. Nicky Clee 4. Alex Hurst 5. Shane Killock (C) 6. Gianluca Havern 7. Lewis Knight 8. Conor Branson 9. Jake Beesley 10. Oli Johnson 11. Jamie Spencer

Bench:

12. Ryan Toulson 14. Macauley Langstaff (60) 15. Romaney Critchlow-Noble (78) 16. Danny East (78) 17. Adam Nowakowski

The hosts were the first to threaten as winger Matt Lowe came close to notching an early opener.

He was teed up by Lee Ndlovu and advanced into the box at an alarming speed, but saw his shot blocked by a sliding Shane Killock.

Brackley’s Omari Sterling-James then embarked on a mazy run down the left before cutting in and drawing an impressive stop from Steven Drench with a curling effort.

Drench was called into action again when the resulting corner delivery landed at the feet of Oran Jackson, who stung the goalkeeper’s palms with a close-range strike.

The Saints were eventually rewarded for their pressure when veteran midfielder Carl Baker broke the deadlock. Brackley’s latest signing rifled into top corner from around 25-yards out, rendering a diving Drench helpless.

After taking the lead, Brackley continued to cause Bradford problems and Drench was forced to palm Lowe’s shot wide after the winger advanced unchallenged.

As the second-half entered its latter stages, Bradford sought to mount a comeback and demonstrated a quicker tempo in the final third. Oli Johnson lifted into the box from the left, but Jake Beesley failed to connect cleanly with the ball under pressure from Jackson and headed wide.

Gianluca Havern connected with Lewis Knight’s corner delivery with just a minute of the first-half remaining, but his powerful header found the wrong side of the post.

Saints skipper Gareth Dean then thwarted Beesley, making a last-ditch tackle that prevented Bradford’s marksman going one-on-one with Danny Lewis.

HALF-TIME: Brackley Town 1-0 Bradford (Park Avenue)

Lowe had proven to be a thorn in Bradford’s side throughout the first-half and his direct running created an opportunity within two minutes of the second-half beginning. He accelerated down the right flank before rolling the ball into the path of Baker, who saw his shot blocked by Havern.

James Armson then tried his luck from 20-yards but his tame effort was held comfortably by Drench.

Drench, however, was powerless to prevent Ndlovu’s header nestling in the back of the net after the forward met Shane Byrne’s cross.

Bradford embarked on a hunt for an opening as they attempted to claw their way back into the game, but both Jamie Spencer and Knight saw efforts blocked in the 18-yard box.

The hosts continued to pose an attacking threat despite their relatively comfortable lead and Lowe was denied by Drench after darting into the box from the right flank.

Brackley’s lead was eventually extended through Baker, who fired into the top corner from close-range after the ball was delivered to him on a plate by Lowe.

The visitors failed to produce a response in the final ten minutes as Brackley held strong and nullified the attacking threat in Bradford’s frontline.

FULL-TIME: Brackley Town 3-0 Bradford (Park Avenue)

Brackley Town: Lewis, Myles, G. Walker, Byrne, Jackson, Dean (c), Lowe, Armson (A. Walker 78’), Ndlovu (Nti 88’), Baker, Sterling-James (Fairlamb 68’).

Unused substitutes: Jeffers.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Drench, Ross, Lowe, Spencer, Killock (c) (Nowakowski 72’), Havern, Knight, Branson, Beesley, Johnson (Hurst 52’), Clee (East 78’).

Unused substitutes: Atkinson, Dawson.

Referee: Matt Russell

Attendance: 487

Bradford (Park Avenue) picked up their first point of the calendar year against high-flying Blyth Spartans.

The hosts started brightly, putting Blyth on the back foot and testing stopper Peter Jameson on numerous occasions in the early stages.

Oli Johnson was denied by the goalkeeper after latching on to a through ball from Jamie Spencer and Jake Beesley saw a low shot held by Blyth’s number one.

Alun Armstrong’s side settled after a nervy start, but Bradford remained in control, spraying the ball around with conviction and confidence.

The hosts were, however, given a scare when Robbie Dale’s curling effort clipped the crossbar after the veteran winger cut in from the right and pulled the trigger.

Despite struggling to gain a foothold in the opening exchanges, Blyth took the lead as the half-hour mark approached. Michael Liddle swung in a delivery from the left that was met by the head of Sean Reid, who powered a header past Steven Drench.
Bradford immediately embarked on a hunt for an equaliser and demonstrated their ability to carve Blyth open in the late stages of the second-half.

Spencer’s volley was lifted just inches above the crossbar after the ball fell kindly to him on the edge of the box, minutes before Jameson palmed Johnson’s curling effort wide at full stretch.

The Spartans did pose a greater attacking threat after taking the lead and went close through Daniel Maguire, whose cross almost found the bottom corner.

HALF-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 0-1 Blyth Spartans

The early stages of the second-half yielded little in the way of entertainment but Danny Lowe did make a superb last-ditch tackle to prevent Dale going one-one-one with Drench.

Nicky Clee was the first player to catch a glimpse of goal after the break, but his speculative effort failed to find the target.
The palms of Drench were then stung by Maguire, but the goalkeeper collected after initially parrying the strike.

A corner delivery from Nicky Wroe was only cleared as far as Knight and the Bradford man struck, but a deflection diverted the effort away from danger.

As the hosts went for the jugular, Branson charged out of defence before unleashing a powerful strike that Jameson pushed wide in impressive fashion.

Barely a minute later, Branson put Bradford back on level terms when he was teed up by Mark Ross and saw his deflected header fly past Jameson.

With six minutes remaining on the clock, Blyth substitute Jarrett Rivers received his marching orders for a horrific foul on Spencer.

Deep into stoppage time, Blyth were awarded a penalty when the referee penalised Branson for a push on Maguire. Spartans stalwart Dale stepped up but was denied by Drench’s heroic save.

FULL-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 1-1 Blyth Spartans

Bradford (Park Avenue): Drench, Ross, Lowe, Wroe (Nowakowski 71’), Killock (c), Spencer, Knight, Branson, Beesley, Johnson (Hurst 71’), Clee.

Unused Substitutes: Toulson, Atkinson, Dawson.

Blyth Spartans: Jameson, Nicholson, Liddle, Green (Laing 87’), Buddle, Watson, Holmes (Rivers 71’), Oliver, Maguire, Reid, Dale (c).

Unused substitutes: Fewster, Mullen, Wrightson.

Referee: Barry Lamb

Attendance: 373

Bradford (Park Avenue) were condemned to their third consecutive defeat after an old rivalry was renewed against F.C United of Manchester.

The first opportunity of the game fell to the visitors, who almost capitalised on what could have been a costly error from Ben McKenna. The midfielder gifted possession away to Stephen O’Halloran on the edge of the box, who unleashed a thunderous strike that whistled past the post.

Five minutes later, Elliott Simoes squandered a golden opportunity himself, skewing wide after being teed up by Joshua Wallen.
The Reds continued to knock on the door and Wallen had an opportunity himself after providing one for Simoes. The ball fell kindly for the midfielder on the edge of the box, but his low drive found the wrong side of the post.

After a brief spell camped inside their own half, Bradford began to demonstrate the threat they possess going forward. Lewis Knight drifted into space on the right-hand side of the box and left the woodwork shaking with a well-struck effort.
The difficult conditions stifled the frontlines of the two sides as the strikers were given little in the way of service. Through balls and crosses hung in the air or stuck in the mud of the pitch.

When the hosts did advance into the opposition’s box, they failed to keep their composure and Conor Branson lifted over the crossbar from the left-hand side of the box after Lloyd Allinson held Jake Beesley’s header.

A player renowned for the clinical nature of his finishing, Oli Johnson, did eventually break the deadlock with a low strike that rolled through a sea of bodies and nestled in the bottom corner.

However, former Bradford forward Chris Sharp etched his name on the scoresheet to put F.C United back on level terms. On the stroke of half-time, he cut in from the left and rifled into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

HALF-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 1-1 F.C United of Manchester

Kurt Willoughby called Drench into action immediately after the restart, drawing a save with a low drive on the turn.

Drench’s opposite number, Allinson, then had to be alert to deny Branson with a fantastic save.

The Reds’ goalkeeper then breathed a sigh of relief when Knight’s swerving effort found the wrong side of the post.

Two goals in quick succession put F.C United ahead shortly after the hour mark. Jack Banister found the top corner in sensational fashion, just two minutes before Willoughby fired into the bottom corner after a mazy run down the left flank.

The visitors weren’t allowed to cruise until the final whistle as Bradford piled pressure on the leaders. They were eventually rewarded for their pressure when Knight found the top corner with a stunning free-kick, ensuring that the late stages would be nervy for Neil Reynolds’ side.

Ryan Toulson delivered for Beesley as the final whistled approached, but the forward fired high and wide under pressure from Zehn Mohammed.

Substitute Adam Nowakowski came close in the first minute of stoppage time, but his powerful strike was beaten away by Allinson.
A late corner was only cleared as far as Nicky Wroe on the edge of the box and the midfielder was visibly frustrated when his deflected effort struck the crossbar.

FULL-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 2-3 F.C United of Manchester

Bradford (Park Avenue): Drench, Toulson (Nowakowski 71’), Lowe, Wroe, Killock (c), Ross, Knight, Branson, Beesley, Johnson, McKenna (Hurst 69’).
Unused substitutes: Atkinson, Dawson.

F.C United of Manchester: Allinson, Morton, O’Halloran, Mohammed, Sass-Dabies, Wallen, Simoes (Potts 83’), Winter (c), Willoughby, Sharp (Crawford 90+5’), Banister (Brierley 90+2’).
Unused substitutes: Senior, Palinkas.

Referee: Andrew Kitchen
Attendance: 713