The Avenue broke the deadlock with an exquisite Brad Dockerty strike which left Drench rooted to his spot. Then, two goals in two minutes from Lewis Knight and Mark Ross gave the hosts an impressive victory.

The home side started brightly as Knight narrowly missed the target from 12 yards. They were nearly punished as an identical situation happened at the opposite end of the pitch, but Tyler Walton fired his effort against the woodwork.

The visitors settled into the game and had a couple of chances but both Jimmy Spencer and Luke Parkin were denied by the Avenue goalkeeper Dan Atkinson from distance.

Before the break, Bradford finished the stronger team as new loan signing Lewis Bradley, who impressed in the front four, nearly grabbed a debut goal but his right-footed strike, heading for the top corner from 20 yards, was headed off the line by Jordan Richards.

After the restart, the Avenue  started strongly and caused the Celts plenty of problems for the rest of the afternoon.

It wasn’t long until they took the lead as Ross’ cross was cleared into the feet of Dockerty who curled a wonderful shot past former Avenue number one Drench from 25 yards.

With confidence flowing through the veins of Mark Bower’s side, they doubled their advantage when Nicky Clee threaded a lovely ball into the path of Knight, and the young striker slotted home from 12 yards.

Two minutes later, Ross, who was part of a solid back four, came from nowhere to meet a cross from debutant Bradley and the right-back guided the ball clinically past Drench from close range.

The remaining 20 minutes saw plenty of substitutions and the visitors were unfortunate not to get on the scoreboard. Spencer and Charles both saw their attempts fly over the bar as the afternoon belonged to the Avenue who claimed an impressive victory at the Horsfall Stadium.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Toulson, Hussain (Nowakowski 46, Marriott 55)), Havern, Lund (Trialist 75), Knight (Trialist 75),  Hibbs, Bradley (Johnson 75), Dockerty (Lyons 70), Clee (Windass 65)

Subs not used: Downing, Fawcett

Goals: Dockerty (50), Knight (63), Ross (65).

Farsley Celtic: Drench, Richards, West, Allan, Ellis (Syers 46), Clayton, Walton (B.Atkinson 42), Byrom, Spencer, Parkin (Charles 64) Hayhurst.

Subs not used: Kelly, C.Atkinson, Maltby

A late penalty denied Bradford (Park Avenue) a draw at The Citadel in a behind-closed-doors  pre-season friendly.

It was a familiar face who broke the deadlock as former Avenue favourite Adam Clayton rose above his marker and smartly nodded the ball past Dan Atkinson from close range. 

In the second half, the Avenue looked dangerous on the break and Brad Dockerty made a huge difference after being introduced at half-time. The young winger drew his side level with a deflected effort before a late penalty from Luke Parkin gave the home side the victory.

There wasn’t much between both teams in the first 45 minutes. The home side enjoyed more of the possession, helped by the Avenue giving away cheap ball inside their own half on a few occasions. 

But it was Mark Bower’s side who nearly took the lead as former Avenue goalkeeper Steven Drench was called into action to deny the Trialist from 14 yards.

Following a free-kick conceded by Jake Hibbs which was headed clear by the Bradford defence, the corner from Jake Charles was met by Clayton to give the Celts a narrow lead. 

Before the half-time whistle, the hosts could’ve doubled their advantage but Atkinson produced a superb save, tipping over Jimmy Spencer’s curling effort from 20 yards. 

Shortly after, Atkinson was beaten as Joe West lifted an effort over the goalkeeper from ten yards but the Avenue right-back Mark Ross covered well and cleared the ball off the line.

After the restart, the visitors caused plenty of problems, it was just the final ball that sometimes let the Avenue down. The introduction of Dockerty was a catalyst for the Avenue to catch the home side on the counter attack.

There were shouts of handball against Danny Ellis as substitute Tabish Hussain struck a powerful right-footed effort towards goal but it was blocked. The referee and linesman disagreed with the protests.

It was the Avenue who continued to push forward and deservedly drew level as Dockerty produced some excellent footwork and unleashed a low right-footed effort towards goal, and with the help of a deflection from Adam Nowakowski, it flew past Drench from 20 yards.

With the game heading for a draw, the home side snatched a dramatic winner. Tyler Walton broke through the middle of the park and evaded a few challenges, only for Ross to bring the midfielder down inside the box. From the penalty spot, Parkin sent Atkinson the wrong way to give Farsley Celtic a narrow victory.

Farsley Celtic: Drench, Richards (B.Atkinson 61), West, Allen, Ellis, Clayton, Byrom, C.Atkinson  (Walton 61), Spencer, Charles (Parkin 61), Hayhurst (Syers 61)

Goals: Clayton (28), Parkin (pen 90)

Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Downing (Toulson 59), Marriott (Windass 75), Havern, Lund, Knight (Trialist 75), Hibbs (Lyons 75), Trialist (Hussain 59), Clee (Dockerty 45), Nowakowski (Trialist 85).

Goal: Dockerty (83)

Avenues next game was due to be away this Saturday at Spennymoor, but due to increased lock down measures in the North East and to protect staff and players it has been agreed to call the match off. We are presently trying to arrange an alternative last pre-season fixture before the FA Cup tie on the 3rd of October.

#UTA

The away side started brightly and looked dangerous on the counter attack and punished the Avenue’s inability to score.

After denying Oli Johnson, the visitors were too quick for their opponents and Fernando Moke passed the ball inside to Roy Fogarty who tapped the ball in the back of the net from close range.

Shortly after, Casey Stewart, who caused the hosts plenty of problems throughout the night, threaded a lovely ball to Stephen Crawford, and he drilled a shot into the bottom corner from 14 yards.

Mark Bower’s side, despite being 2-0 down, started to get back into the game, mainly due to Isaac Marriott who took control in the centre of the park. The young midfielder continued to try and make things happen but unfortunately for the home side, Brad Dixon wasn’t tested.

After the break, it was Yorkshire Amateur AFC who started the better team again, but the Avenue Trialist goalkeeper was impressive, saving twice with his feet from close range.

Following a number of substitutions, the Avenue halved the deficit as a Trialist who replaced Johnson in the first half was fouled in the penalty area. Young Academy striker Jamie Lyons continued his goalscoring form by smashing it into the bottom corner. But it wasn’t enough, as Avenue suffered a disappointing defeat on their return to the Horsfall.

BPA:
Trialist, Ross, Downing, Marriott, Havern, Lund, Knight (Lyons), Hibbs (Trialist), Johnson (Trialist), Toulson (Trialist), Trialist (Dockerty).

Goal: Lyons (pen 83)

Yorkshire Amateur AFC:

Dixon, Smith, Henry, Sharry, Dempsey, Beaston, Priestley, Moke, Crawford, Fogarty, Stewart.

Subs all used: Trennery, Killock, Dean, Trialist, Blakey.

Goals: Fogarty (12), Crawford (16)

The hosts, who’ve started their season, were quick to dominate the first-half and it was former Avenue favourite Paul Walker who looked likely to score. The winger troubled the impressive Dan Atkinson in the Bradford goal with a low free-kick from 25 yards, but the number one made a great save down low to his left.

Mark Bower’s side were looking to find their way in the game. Brad Dockerty stung the palms of Liversedge AFC goalkeeper Jordan Porter from distance before Lewis Knight was set through on goal after a superb pass from Isaac Marriott. But, the winger who got a hat-trick at the weekend, failed to the net with his right-footed drive from 14 yards.

The Avenue were punished for failing to take the lead as Joe Gaughan set himself and curled a wonderful effort past Atkinson, at full-stretch, from 20 yards.

After the restart, Dockerty had a chance to equalise but former Brighouse Town stopper Porter was alert to deny the winger by diving well at his feet.
It was Gaughan again who continued to trouble the Avenue. The striker turned Luca Havern and unleashed a powerful left-footed strike and Atkinson produced another fine save.

The closest the team from the Horsfall came to equalising was from a Trialist who struck a half-volley from 25 yards towards the top corner, but Porter tipped the ball over the bar.

With the final whistle approaching, the away side nearly snatched a late goal with a header at the far post but, it brushed past the post and Liversedge AFC held on for a deserved victory.

Liversedge AFC:

Porter, Field, Hardacre, Daly, Tarangadzo, Laird, Bottomley, Raw, Gaughan, Boshell, Walker
Subs: Kenny, Fearon, Walton, Lill , Stewart, Porritt, Morgan, Ghaichem, Trialist.

Goal: Gaughan (33)

BPA:

Atkinson, Ross, Downing (Trialist 69), Marriott, Havern (oulson 69), Lund, Knight (Lyons 69), Hibbs (Hussain 69)(Boshell 84), Johnson (Nowakowski 45), Trialist (Trialist 58)

The visitors started well, and despite failing to find the net after efforts from Matty Downing and Luca Havern, they eventually took the lead just before the interval thanks to a superb individual effort from Academy product Jamie Lyons. The young striker cut inside onto his favoured left-foot and drilled an excellent strike into the bottom corner from 16 yards.

After the break, both sides made several changes. With few opportunities, Avenue doubled their advantage after the hour mark. Substitute Lewis Knight was set free on goal and he slotted the ball past Luke Wilson from 12 yards.

Soon after, Knight got his second with a tap-in following good work from the excellent Brad Dockerty. The winger ran towards goal and unselfishly spotted the run of Knight, who put the ball into an unguarded net.

Bradford scored a fourth when Knight secured his hat-trick with an exquisite free-kick from 20 yards.
A minute later, Adam Muller nodded home from a corner for the home side. Straight from the restart, Mark Bower’s side went on the attack and a cross from the right wing fell to the feet of Dockerty to give Avenue a comfortable win.

Thackley AFC:

Wilson, Marsh, Murphy, Whiteley, Hargreaves, Rothel, Mitchell, Scaroni, Matthews, Grech-Brooksbank, Haigh.

Subs: Hunter, Holroyd, Faulding, Underdown, Butcher, Basi, Muller, Sibanda, Jones, Poole.

Goal: Muller (88)

BPA:First half:

Atkinson, Trialist, Lund, Havern, Downing, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Dockerty, Lyons.

Second half:

Atkinson (Trialist), Trialist, Ross, Lund, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist (Dockerty), Hibbs, Trialist (Lyons) Knight, Trialist.

Goals: Lyons (42); Knight (62), (76), (87); Dockerty (88).

Our next outing is against Liversedge on Tuesday. Please note that this game is currently being played behind closed doors so please don’t travel to the game. If this changes we will update our social media platforms as soon as we hear.

#UTA

Bradford (Park Avenue) fell to their first pre-season friendly defeat when they conceded a late header from Jack Cowgill to give Ossett United a dramatic victory.

The visitors broke the deadlock with a magnificent effort from Trialist C before Elliott Harrison equalised on the stroke of half-time with a well-executed lob into the top corner from outside the box.

With time ticking away, it looked like the game would end as a draw, only for Cowgill to nod home from close range to the delight of the majority 200 spectators inside Ingfield.

The Avenue took a deserved lead after a bright opening. Despite watching a couple of headers from Adam Nowakowski failing to trouble goalkeeper Max Dearnley, Mark Bower’s men made their pressure count. A loose pass from Luke Blackburn was picked up Trialist C, and his impressive footwork allowed him to unleash a stunning right-footed strike into the top corner from 20 yards.

A few minutes later, the Avenue nearly doubled their advantage with another well-worked move. Nicky Clee, playing in an unfamiliar left-back role, spotted the run of Brad Dockerty at the back-post with a superb delivery, and the young winger timed his volley to perfection, but skimmed the top of the bar from 14 yards.

Just before the half-time whistle, an Ossett United corner caused problems amongst the Bradford defence. A solid header from Mark Ross was collected by the unmarked Harrison on the edge of the box, who controlled the ball and fired a right-footed looping effort past Dan Atkinson into the roof of the net.

The second half saw plenty of changes for both teams. The visitors had a new starting eleven apart from Trialist A who played the full 90 minutes. 
With few notable goalscoring opportunities for the first 30 minutes, the game started to open up a bit more. Wayne Benn, a former Avenue favourite, watched on from the dugout as left-back Cameron Clark had a couple of chances on goal, one brushing the post from 25 yards and Cowgill poking an effort wide from a corner.

With five minutes remaining, it was Cowgill involved from a corner. The tall defender rose above his marker to nod the ball home past the Avenue’s substitute goalkeeper. 

The away side tried to respond with a quick equaliser as young Academy product Jamie Lyons was set free, but with the goalkeeper off his line trying to narrow the angle, the striker looked to curl the ball around him only for his left-footed strike to be  easily saved from 20 yards.

Ossett United:

Dearnley, Blackburn (Connolly 45), Clark, Cowgill, Viggars, Cass (Whittaker 16), Harrison (Ripley 45), Hogg (Teasdale 45), Greaves (Chipamaunga 65),  Guest (Stockdil 45), Green (Haswell 65)

Goals: Harrison (40), Cowgill (85)

BPA First half:

Atkinson, Ross, Nowakowski, Havern, Trialist A, Hibbs, Clee, Trialist B, Dockerty, Trialist C, Johnson

Second half:

Atkinson (Sub 70), Trialist A, Toulson, Trialist D, Trialist E, Trialist F, Trialist G, Marriott, Knight, Trialist H, Lyons.

Goal: Trialist C (18)

Attendance: 200

Attendance: 139

In the first pre-season friendly of the 2020-21 campaign, Bradford (Park Avenue) narrowly defeated neighbours Silsden AFC at the Cobbydale Construction Stadium.The visitors took the lead just before the break when the impressive Isaac Marriott dribbled 50 yards but he was brought down inside the box, just before he was about to shoot. From the spot, Oli Johnson sent Silsden’s goalkeeper Alfie Drake the wrong way to make 1-0 at half-time.

Shortly after the restart, young Academy product Jamie Lyon doubled the Avenue’s advantage with a well-taken left footed finish from the edge of the box, following good work by a couple of Bradford trialists. Then, Danny Forrest’s side halved the deficit with a powerful header from Shaun Airey but, despite a couple of chances in the final few minutes, the National League outfit held on.

The Sils could’ve taken an early lead as winger Chris Wademan capitalised on a defensive mistake from a Trialist, but his shot flew over the bar from 12 yards.Mark Bower’s side started to gain some momentum, with Marriott and Nicky Clee looking to orchestrate opportunities from the middle of the park. Clee, with his usual great footwork, opened up space to fire an effort on goal, only for Drake to save well with his feet. Learning from former Avenue striker Forrest for the Sils, Antony Brown tried to copy what Clee had just done at the other end of the pitch, but debutant Dan Atkinson in the Bradford goal managed to catch his strike from close range.

With half-time approaching and Atkinson diving at the feet to deny Wademan the opening goal, Marriott showed his class. The new signing dribbled past a few players to find himself in a position to put his side in the lead. But, the midfielder was fouled by Lewis Morgan and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Johnson, wearing number nine, calmly slotted the ball into the corner to break the deadlock.

With a brand new team for the second half, the Avenue started brightly and following some good work by two trialists down the left wing, the ball found its way to Lyons. The striker who featured in the first team last season, curled a lovely left-footed strike past Drake from 12 yards.The home side also made changes to their starting eleven, and as the weather continued to be a challenge for both teams, the Sils scored from a corner. Defender Airey rose above his mark to nod the ball home from six yards.The hosts pushed forward to equalise and nearly snatched a dramatic draw, only to be denied by the returning Mark Ross who was alert and cleared the ball off the line to give the Avenue a narrow victory.

The next pre-season friendly for the Avenue is on Tuesday 25th August, away at Campion AFC.

#UTA

First Half Team: 

Dan Atkinson, A Trialist, Mitch Lund, A Trialist, Matty Downing, A Trialist, Isaac Marriott, Nicky Clee, Lewis Knight, Ollie Johnson, Brad Dockerty 

Second Half Team: 

Jacob/Atkinson, A  Trialist, Mark Ross, Luca Havern, Ryan Toulson, A Trialist, Adam Nowakowski,  Jake Hibbs, Jamie Lyons (Danny Boshell 60), A Trialist, A Trialist 

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Despite leading twice, Bradford (Park Avenue) had to fight back on Saturday afternoon to earn a 3-3 draw away at Southport.

Both teams felt the ire of a blustery and very windy day, but maybe that was what contributed to the six goal thriller. Avenue manager Mark Bower wanted this fixture to be the game that kick started a great escape for his side that are currently languishing at the bottom of the National League North table, and they got off to the perfect start.

Lewis Knight’s inswinging corner on 15 minutes evaded everybody in the box and swung into the net directly off the post. It was a deserved opener for an Avenue side who had dominated the early stages of the game and gifted Knight his fifth goal of the season,

Both teams then had their opportunities to score in what was a very topsy-turvy affair. Resolute defending from the Avenue backline saw Astles and Sampson both having strong shots blocked, before Avenue had a glorious chance of their own to extend the lead — the ever present Tom Clare forced a mistake from Astles and raced through on goal, but the center back made sure to recover from his mistake and blocked Clare’s goalbound effort.

Avenue would’ve been looking forward to entering the break leading the game, and it looked like that was going to be the case until Southport equalised just on the stroke of half time through George Newell, who headed home past Nicholson after a long throw caused the Avenue defence problems.

Bradford didn’t let that phase them though, and returning out of half time, they once again looked the better of the two teams and it didn’t take them long to again take the lead. Tom Clare, who had a brilliant game for the Avenue, left some of the Southport defenders for dead with a magnificent touch and turn, before curling the ball past Hanford into the top right corner.

Much like earlier though, it was a case of Avenue not being able to keep hold of their lead. Just moments after making it 2-1, they were drawn back level as Brad Bauress slotted the ball past Nicholson.

Then what was a once promising game turned to complete disaster for Bradford as Southport took the lead for the first time on the 65th minute with Newell grabbing his second goal of the game, heading home from an Astles cross which left Nicholson stranded.

Avenue looked bewildered by the sudden turnaround of the game, and Southport had plenty of chances to kill the game off with Newell and Woods both having chances to extend their lead and end any hopes of an Avenue comeback.

Southport were then made to rue the missed chances as Oli Johnson assisted Billy Priestley to level the scores at 3-3. It was superb work down the right from Johnson, who sent in an inch perfect cross which was met by Priestley who headed the ball into the net with Hanford this time being the goalkeeper to be left stranded.

Momentum then swiftly changed and it was Avenue who were back on top looking to grab the winner with Lewis Knight having a wonderful opportunity to score but scuffed his shot wide.

Avenue were then reduced to 10 men in stoppage time as newest signing Stelios Demetriou was sent his marching orders for taking down Newell who was through on goal.

Despite being reduced to ten men, though, it was Avenue who had the final opportunity of the game, and it was oh so close. A miscue from Astles led Clare to finding himself through on goal, albeit at a tight position, he managed to get a shot away but it struck the outside of the right post in which was the final kick of the game.

In what was a rollercoaster of a game, both teams left with a point a piece, but both teams will also have been frustrated at not walking away with all three.