7 Dec 2019

MATCH REPORT | Bradford (Park Avenue) 2-0 Altrincham FC

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Match Report by George Cliff

Bradford (Park Avenue) secured a vital 3 points at the Horsfall stadium on Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 victory over Altrincham. 

It was a cagey opening 10 minutes with neither side being able to create much, although Altrincham enjoyed the better of the possession. However, on the 11th minute, seemingly out of nothing the Avenue were able to break away on the far left with Oli Johnson playing a superb cross to Nicky Clee who then placed a fine ball across goal which fell to Tom Clare to tap into the net on his home debut to give Bradford a 1-0 lead. 

Nothing much happened afterwards leading into half time. Altricham continued to dominate the majority of the possession, but it was the Avenue who had the better of the chances. Oli Johnson had a decent shot saved by keeper Anthony Thompson, while Thompson again made a fine save from Lewis Knight’s header minutes later to keep the score at 1-0. 

Altrincham’s best chance of the half came through Thomas Peers, who was able to race through into a one-on-one battle with Joe Green, however, after trying to round the Avenue goalkeeper, his shot hit the bar. 

Coming out of the half, Bradford looked more comfortable to sit back to try and hold on to the lead. A big chance fell to Jon Royle who’s shot was brilliantly saved by Thompson to keep Altrincham in the game. 

It was a fabulous performance from the Altrincham goalkeeper who managed to keep them in the game – that was, until, the 88th minute when Oli Johnson was able to secure the victory for the Avenue after a wonderfully taken goal in which he was able to round Thompson after a burst of pace left him one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and then slot into the empty net. 

The victory earns a much needed three points for the Avenue who next week are in cup action at home against Halesowen Town in the first round of the FA Trophy. 

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30 Nov 2019

Match Report | Chester (A)

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Despite taking and holding the lead in the first half, Bradford were unable to take anything away from the 1885 Arena as Chester hammered home twice in the second half.

Bradford went ahead through Billy Priestley in the 15th minute as a low swung corner fizzed across the goal mouth, with the centre back turning the ball into the net off the outside of his foot.

Chester then enjoyed the lions share of possession through out the half as they looked to bring the game back to a level footing, and began to find openings as the half went on. Joel Taylor took advantage of space down the left side a number of times and the home side had a chance just before the break as Taylor crossed the ball to Dudley in the area, but his header flew over the bar.

The home side came out for the second half determined to find the back of the net and earned a corner within minutes of kick off. Joel Taylor’s corner made it’s way to Simon Grand at the back post but he couldn’t keep his shot down.

The equaliser did come though as a ball forward was deflected into the path of Anthony Dudley who had the better of the one on one with Green.

It didn’t take Chester long to capitalise again on their attacking form as Asante found the top corner just minutes later.

With the blues in the lead, Bradford settled back into the game and both sides continued to create opportunities but the back line of both squads kept chances to a minimum.

Just a minute before the end of regular time, Isaac Marriot was given his marching orders, receiving a second yellow for a dangerous foul on Stopforth, thus ending any chance of Bradford earning a point.

Chester: Griffiths, Morgan, Taylor, Stopforth, Livesey, Grand (c), Jackson, Glendon, Asante (Waring 84), Ngwatala (Elliott 76), Dudley (Hughes 84).
Substitutes: Waters, Burton.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Green, Bazeley (Royle 46), Staunton, Lowe (c), Nowakowski (Hughes 70), Priestley, Knight, Toulson, O Johnson (Clare 76), Hurst, Marriot.
Substitutes: Dickinson, Hughes, Clare, A Johnson.

Goal Scorers: Chester: Dudley (49), Asante (53). Bradford: Priestley (15).
Yellow Cards: Bradford: Hurst, Priestley.
Red Cards: Bradford: Marriot
Attendance: 1,875

Referee: Adam Herczeg.
Assistant Referees: Declan Brown & James Welsh.

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25 Nov 2019

Match Report: Gloucester (A) FA Trophy 3Q

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It was a much needed win for Bradford (Park Avenue) as they defeated Gloucester City 2-0 on the road to advance in the FA Trophy.

Goals from Isiah Bazeley and Alex Hurst sealed the win for the Avenue in what was their first victory in 6 games.

Bradford showed intent from the first whistle and very much deserved the victory having more possession and the better chances throughout.

Man of the Match Reece Staunton, the 17 year old debutant on loan from Bradford City, set the tone for his performance early on, with a brilliant tackle of Gloucester’s Myrie-Williams who looked to be through on goal to keep the score at 0-0.

Avenue pushed on from this and in the 16th minute they were rewarded when they were given a free kick from around 25 yards out. Lewis Knight took the free kick and his effort struck the post, fortunately for Avenue the opportunity didn’t entirely go to waste as the ball then fell to Isiah Bazeley who calmly struck the ball through Gloucester keeper Will Henry to give Avenue to the lead.

Bradford gained confidence from taking the lead and minutes later could have doubled their advantage when Oli Johnson raced through on goal, but his strike at a tight angle was well saved by Henry.

Then on the 22nd minute Gloucester were handed a penalty, with the ref judging Green to have connected with Marlon Jackson when he was going for the ball. Luckily for Avenue Green saved the spot kick before also saving a diving header from Hanks on the rebound — a superb double save that seemed to give Avenue even more momentum for the remaining minutes.

Avenue continued to dominate possession from then on, but chances were few and far between — the closest coming for Gloucester when a speculative effort by Myriel-Williams from around 25 yards out hit the bar when it looked to have been dipping in.

But it was Bradford who scored the 2nd and vital goal in the 83rd minute. Alex Hurst, on the break, raced into the Gloucester box and cut inside leaving Hammilton for dead and his shot — which took a deflection going in — hit the back of the net to spark jubilant scenes for the Avenue who sealed their first victory in more than a month in what must be a major confidence booster for Mark Bower’s side.

Teams:

Bradford:

1 Green 2 Bazeley 3 Staunton 4 Lowe 5 Nowakowski 6 Priestley 7 Knight 8 Toulson 9 Johnson 10 Hurst 11 Marriott

Subs:

12 Lyons 13 Dickinson 14 Boshell 16 Johnson

Gloucester:

1 Henry 2 Thomas 3 Harper 4 Hamilton 5 Daly 6 Russe 7 Parker 8 Hanks 9 Jackson 10 Robert 11 Myrie-Williams

Subs:

12 Jackson 14 Avery 15 Hainault 16 Johnstone 17 Smith

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16 Nov 2019

Match Report | Bradford 0 – 3 Leamington

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Two goals and a red card in the first ten minutes set the tone for the fixture at the Horsfall stadium as a 10 man Avenue were unable to etch out any consolation and Leamington took away all three points.

What was considered to be a must win game by many at the Horsfall got off to the worst possible start for Bower’s men as March opened the scoring on the 8th minute, heading home from a corner at the near post.

Just one minute later Hughes brought down March in the box to concede a penalty and received a red card for his actions. March went on to secure his second, slotting the ball low and to the left a Green went the other way.

Half Time – Bradford 0 – 2 Leamington

Bradford came out after the break and pushed bodies forward as they looked to try and gain some impetus in the game, but were quickly caught out as March broke through on the counter just 4 minutes into the half and secured his hat trick as he went one on one with Joe Green.

The brakes looked to punish Bradford further as the half wore on, with an effort from Clarke sailing over Green only to come off the cross bar.

Another chance came in the 68th minute as Green was forced to tip the ball over the bar as it curled towards the top corner from an excellently placed strike by the goal hungry March.

Avenue continued to look for the ever elusive goal, but with the lion’s share of the possession falling to the Brakes, it never looked to be coming.

Full Time – Bradford 0 – 3 Leamington

Teams:

Avenue:
1 Green
2 Bazeley
3 Priestley
4 Lowe (C)
5 Hughes (Red – 9′)
6 Royle
7 Knight (O. Johnson – 67′)
8 Marriott
9 Sweeney (Heaton – 39′)
10 Hurst
11 Nowakowski (A. Johnson – 75′)

Subs:
12 Rathbone
14 A. Johnson
15 Heaton
16 O. Johnson

Leamington:
1 Weaver
2 English
3 Morley
4 Maycock
5 Mace
6 Lane
7 Carline
8 Clarke
9 March (Goals: 8′ 9′ & 49′) (Taylor – 78′)
10 Edwards (C) (Gittings – 61′)
11 Anderson (Dunbar – 70′)

Subs:
12 Walters
14 Dunbar
15 Gittings
16 Taylor
17 Murphey

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9 Nov 2019

Match Report: Avenue 2-3 King’s Lynn

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King’s Lynn twice came from behind at the Horsfall Stadium to leave Avenue bottom of the league and winless in five matches.

An Adam Marriott brace followed by Sonny Carey’s 87th minute winner in a frantic second half saw King’s Lynn run out winners, despite Lewis Knight and Oli Johnson twice having Bradford in front.

The game was pushed back to an eventual 3.45pm kick-off time, following visitors King’s Lynn becoming stuck in traffic on their mammoth journey to Bradford.

And it was the away side who had the first sight at goal, Ryan Jarvis slipping as the ball dropped from the game’s first corner, before Jordan Richards fired wide from the edge of the box.

Bradford then went straight up the other end and created their first chance, Dan Sweeney’s low cross just couldn’t find Knight, before Mitch Lund saw his effort blocked away.

On 17 minutes though, Avenue went ahead as Knight took advantage of a mistake.

Rory McAuley gave the ball away on the half-way line, Avenue’s number seven intercepting his pass before racing past him and slotting confidently into the bottom corner with his left foot.

At the other end, Liam Hughes – playing in the centre of a back three – saw his blushes spared as he headed just wide of his own goal, attempting to cut out Marriott’s header across goal.

Joe Green was then called into action as Avenue were caught out by a short corner, Chris Henderson shooting low from the left, the home goalkeeper smuggling his effort away with a decent save.

Bradford were pressing well and forcing their opposition into mistakes, Sweeney finding himself with time and space on the edge of the box, though he could only strike wide with his left foot.

As the board went up to display one minute’s added time at the end of the first half, the visitors came close once more, as Marriott flashed a header just wide of the post with Green stranded.

Green did have a save to make just after the break, Michael Gash finding time and space at the back post, but his low effort was well kept out by the Bradford number one.

It was the dangerous Marriott who commenced the comeback just before the hour, as Avenue got caught out from a cross, Green failing to punch clear and the number 10 just about managing to force the ball home.

Knight then caused danger as his cross dropped over the head of the defender, before he was forced off, and it was his replacement Johnson who put Bradford back in front.

McAuley again was the cause of his side’s downfall, a short backpass allowing Johnson in, the returning attacker rounding the goalkeeper before slotting in his first goal since rejoining the club last week.

Avenue were almost caught out in incredible circumstances from the restart, with Mitch Lund receiving treatment, Mark Bower was orchestrating a reshuffle.

But as Lund hobbled off, the referee allowed the visitors to restart, allowing them to race clear on the far side, but the furious Bradford players just about got back to avert the danger.

Just over 10 minutes later, King’s Lynn equalised again through Marriott, the striker doing brilliantly in possession, spreading play wide to Sam Kelly who delivered an excellent cross which the forward planted into the top corner with a perfect header.

And with little over three minutes on the clock, the visitors snatched all three points.

Bradford failed to properly clear a corner, and with a number of players trying to get a foot on the ball, Carey emerged into a pocket of space and placed a finish low into the bottom corner.

There was time for one last Avenue chance, Sweeney picking up a loose ball and seeing goalkeeper Alex Street off his line, but his effort from 25 yards out slipped just past the post.

King’s Lynn did end the game on a sour note, however, as striker Michael Gash was sent off in injury time. After being shown a yellow card for timewasting in the fourth minute of stoppage time, he was then sent off in the sixth for leaving a high foot in in the corner.

With a number of injuries, Avenue will be thankful to not have a midweek game, and next up is the visit of Leamington on Saturday 9 November.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Green, Lund (A.Johnson 74), Priestley, Lowe (c), Hughes, Bazeley, Knight (O.Johnson 69), Royle, Sweeney, Marriott, Nowakowski

Subs not used: Dickinson, Rathbone

Goals: Knight (17), O.Johnson (71)

King’s Lynn Town: Street, Jones, Fox (Hawkins 81), Jarvis (Carey 58), Ward, McAuley, Clunan (c), Richards, Gash, Marriott, Henderson (Kelly 58)

Subs not used: Barrows, Payne

Goals: Marriott (58, 83), Carey (87)

Booked: Ward (61), McAuley (67), Gash (90+4)

Sent Off: Gash (90+6)

Referee: Dean Watson

Attendance: 416

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5 Nov 2019

MATCH REPORT | Harrogate Town 2 – 1 Bradford (Park Avenue)

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Avenue drop out of the West Riding County Cup despite taking an early lead against the home side.

The break in league action meant that Avenue boss, Bower could take a look at fringe players, as well as naming three Academy scholars in the line up. Meanwhile, Harrogate named eight senior players in their line-up.

Avenue started well forcing a good save from Harrogate’s stopper, Cracknell in the seventh minute.

Jack Emmet nearly opened the scoring for the home side in the 13th minute, hitting the post with a good curled effort inside the box.

Avenue opened the scoring on the 16th minute with an excellent run from Villa loanee, Isiah Bazeley who burst past his marker, into the box and slotted the ball low to the right to put Avenue one up.

The lead didn’t last however as Town responded by scoring only a minute after the restart. Jon Stead received the ball on the right side of the box and he fired a strike across the goal, out of the reach of the Joe Green.

Both sides continued to seek out the lead throughout the half and it was Bradford that looked strongest towards the break with Harrogate players blocking a number of shots to keep the teams level at the break.

HALF TIME: Harrogate 1 – 1 Bradford.

The attacking form continued into the second half with both sides looking to get onto the front foot. A number of great tackles by the Harrogate back line prevented Avenue form breaking free on a few occasions and Bradford should have taken the lead in the 68th minute, when Lewis Knight was unable to find the net to convert from just a few yards out following the low cross from the right.

A handball in the 70th minute saw Avenue fall behind as Stead stepped up to secure his brace from the penalty spot, shooting low to the Green’s right.

Avenue continued to press for the remaining 20 minutes, but were reduced to ten men following a heavy challenge that forced Joe Ockerby to leave the field with an injury after all three substitutes were used.

Harrogate then used their one man advantage to see out the game and progress to the next round.

Teams:

Harrogate: Cracknell, Fergus, Hartley, Clark, Thomson, Emmett, Jones, Taylor, Stead, Kerry (Prata 76), Brown.

Subs not used: Wilton, Chippendale, , Haswell, Wicks.

Goals: Stead x2

Bookings: Kerry

Bradford Park Avenue: Green, Bazeley (Mayfield 76), Ockerby, Marriott, Hughes, Priestley (Lyons 59), Rathbone, Lund, Sweeney (Knight 59), Hurst, Johnson 

Goals: Bazeley

Referee: A Bannister

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2 Nov 2019

Match Report: Kettering 4-0 Avenue

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Bradford (Park Avenue) dropped to bottom of the league thanks to a third successive defeat at the hands of Kettering Town.

Kettering leapfrogged Avenue off the bottom with an absolute rout at Latimer Park thanks to goals from London Meikle, Connor Kennedy, Ben Milnes and Aaron O’Connor, though in truth it could have been more on a woeful afternoon for Mark Bower’s men.

The game was in doubt for most of the day, with news of a planned pitch inspection arriving as late as 11am, with the team bus well on its way. Eventually, thanks to some hard work by volunteers and the rain easing up, the match referee passed the surface as playable around 15 minutes after the Avenue coach arrived at Latimer Park.

Bower had named an unchanged starting XI for the fixture, with the returning Oli Johnson taking the place of his namesake Andre amongst the substitutes, though due to an injury in the warm-up, recent signing Cieron Keane was handed a full debut in place of Germaine Agustien.

The hosts were fastest out of the box by far and came close inside 10 minutes as Keith Lowe could only flick a cross in the direction of an unmarked Milnes, who should probably have hit the target with his volley.

Milnes definitely should have done better moments later as again Avenue couldn’t clear and he strode onto a loose ball, but could only fire over from 12 yards out.

Kettering did take the lead with 15 minutes on the clock though, on the end of a brilliant breakaway.

A sweeping move ended with a neat one-two between Daniel Nti and Gary Stohrer, with the former cutting it back to Meikle, who just about forced the ball home with a bit of a scuffed effort.

The home side were causing problems with their pace, and another breakaway almost resulted in a second goal as O’Connor got the better of Lowe, but his cross was just behind the run of Nti and the chance went begging.

It took until the half-hour for the visitors to threaten, almost drawing level through Alex Hurst. The Port Vale loanee burst onto a Billy Priestley knock-down, and his eventual shot took a wicked deflection, Kettering goalkeeper Paul White doing excellently to react and tip the ball round the post.

The half time break seemed to do nothing to reinvigorate Avenue, and Kettering were afforded the simplest of goals just 11 minutes into the half, Kennedy heading home a Milnes corner from inside the six-yard box.

And Milnes added his own goal just after the hour, Lowe pulling down O’Connor just outside the box, with the midfielder stepping up and placing the free-kick into the bottom corner.

Bradford thought they’d pulled one back with 18 minutes to spare, as the returning Johnson flicked home Dan Sweeney’s shot, but the linesman’s flag went up for offside.

Nti, who was possibly lucky to escape a second yellow card for a foul on Knight, came oh so close with a brilliant chest-and-volley, before earning his side a penalty, his opposite number seven clipping him in the box leaving the referee with no option.

O’Connor stepped up and stuttered, sending Joe Green the wrong way to complete the rout.

The Bradford goalkeeper did have time to make a great save, as Tre Milford got in behind, but the offside flag was up regardless.

Meikle should have grabbed a second in the dying minutes, as Mitch Lund’s slip allowed him in on the right, but he curled over after cutting inside.

Kettering Town: White, Stohrer, Skarz (c), Graham, McGrath, Milnes, Nti, O’Connor (Milford 83), Kennedy, Meikle, Kelly

Subs not used: Solkhon, Brighton, Carta, Sebbeh

Goals: Meikle (15), Kennedy (56), Milnes (63), O’Connor (79P)

Booked: Skarz (45), Nti (70)

Bradford (Park Avenue): Green, Lund, Priestley, Lowe (c), Hughes (Bazeley 46), Heaton (O.Johnson 60), Knight, Keane (Dockerty 46), Sweeney, Hurst, Nowakowski

Subs not used: Marriott

Booked: Hurst (18), Hughes (45+3), Lowe (62)

Referee: Daniel Lockyer

Attendance: 625

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26 Oct 2019

Match Report: Avenue 0-3 Southport

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Bradford (Park Avenue) slipped to a second successive defeat as Southport ran out 3-0 winners at a damp Horsfall Stadium.

Volunteers worked tirelessly all day to ensure the game went ahead, with only two other fixtures in the National League North taking place.

But goals from Ryan Astles, Devarn Green and David Morgan meant all the hard work was for nothing as the visitors took all three points home.

Avenue had a few sniffs at goal early on, as Dan Sweeney’s low cross just couldn’t find Lewis Knight, before Knight’s cross was headed wide by captain Keith Lowe.

Joe Green then had to be alert as Dean Winnard’s header took a late flick from an Avenue head, but the goalkeeper saved well.

Bradford then came their closest as Knight took aim from a wide free kick, almost catching out Charles Albinson, but the visiting keeper got down smartly to smuggle the ball away.

But it was Southport who took the lead, following on from a questionable free kick on the left, as Jack Doyle appeared to slip, but the referee adjudged a foul by Knight.

Devarn Green took inspiration from the Bradford man, going for goal and almost catching out his namesake Joe, who tipped it onto the bar. Adam Nowakowski couldn’t connect with the clearance though, and centre back Ryan Astles lashed home.

The goal did nothing to invigorate a scrappy half, the closest any side came was just before the break as a loose ball fell for Zayn Mohammed, but Green was out smartly to deny him.

Avenue were worried once more early in the second period, Mohammed winning a header at the back post and Green could only scramble it out of the net, Priestley doing well to clear from the goalmouth.

Bradford then had a wonderful chance to level as Kemy Agustien played a fantastic ball through to Sweeney, but he couldn’t keep his shot down from a tight angle.

And moments later the visitors doubled their lead through Green, who latched onto the end of a fantastic Morgan ball through, and the winger had all the time in the world to slot through the legs of the Avenue stopper Green.

Morgan then capped a fine display with a spectacular goal of his own, taking aim from at least 30 yards and finding the bottom corner with aplomb.

Just minutes later, Avenue were left fuming with the referee once more as Jack Sampson flew into a challenge on Josh Heaton but received just a yellow card, the Avenue man forced to play on with a limp after his side had just made all three changes.

The game fizzled out though there was still time for one final Avenue attempt, Sweeney finding space in the box for a shot but his low effort was excellently kept out by Albinson.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Green, Lund, Priestley (Keane 61), Lowe ©, Hughes (Johnson 76), Heaton, Knight (Dockerty 62), Agustien, Sweeney, Hurst, Nowakowski

Subs not used: Bazeley, Marriott

Booked: Knight (28), Heaton (72)

Southport: Albinson, Mohammed, Doyle, Winnard, Astles, Morgan, Benjamin, Wood, Green (Glynn 71), Sampson (Correia 78, Bauress 

Subs not used: Parry, Hanford

Goals: Astles (29), Green (65), Morgan (75)

Booked: Benjamin (39), Sampson (77)

Referee: Paul Brown

Attendance: 418

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12 Oct 2019

MATCH REPORT | Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC 3 – 2 Hereford FC

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Bradford (Park Avenue) collect all three points in Mark Bower’s return to the Horsfall Stadium.

With a number of changes to the Avenue line-up, including a couple of familiar faces returning to Horsfall, positivity seemed to be instilled in the team right from the kick-off. Bradford had a number of early free kicks, most of which were well saved by Brandon Hall, the Hereford goalkeeper.

However, in the 9th minute Lewis Knight broke though before being brought down outside of the area by Hereford goalkeeper, Hall who was booked and there was another Bradford free kick to follow. The effort hit the wall and a scramble in the box lead to a chance for Adam Nowakowski who showed great composure to slot it low and under the left of keepers outstretched leg, giving Avenue the lead early on.

Both sides spent the next ten minutes trying to get the ball down and under possession, however neither could confidently retain the ball for a prolonged spell. In the 22nd minute Alex Hurst burst down the left wing and curled a fantastic cross into the back post where Lewis Knight was waiting to loop the ball over and around hall, finding the net to extend the Bradford lead to 2-0.

Hereford then started to grow into the game and following a series of corners found themselves with a chance for Tom Owen-Evans as he broke in behind the Avenue defence, only to be brought down by Green resulting in a penalty to Hereford. Tommy O’Sullivan stepped up to take the spot kick and dispatched it well past Joe Green, Avenue’s lead cut to 2-1, which it remained until the half time interval.

Within 5 minutes of the restart Avenue found themselves with a penalty of their own when Mitch Lund’s effort was well saved but Dan Sweeney was on the stop ready to score the rebound when he was dragged down. Sweeney took the penalty and slotted it low to the goalkeepers left, again extending Bradford’s lead to 2 goals, 3-1.

Just before the hour mark, a bouncing ball in Avenues box lead to a chance for Hereford and the scorer of their penalty, Tommy O’Sullivan, grabbed himself a brace, making it 3-2 after smashing in the loose ball.

With over half an hour left for Avenue to hold on to their lead they could not just sit back and had to push to extend their lead again. Sweeney had a couple of half chances, one coming from a long kick from Joe Green who provided great distribution all afternoon and was in fantastic form guarding his area.

After Hereford’s second goal they struggled to create another clear chance as Green and the Avenue defence held strong and dominated aerial balls in and around the area.

The sound of the referees full time whistle was greeted by ecstatic celebrations from the Avenue’s fans, a perfect way for Mark Bower to announce his return to the club.

Line Up:

Joe Green

Mitch Lund

Keith Lowe (C)

Liam Hughes

Josh Heaton

Lewis Knight (90’ for Iasiah Bazeley)

Germaine Agustien (70’ for Isaac Marriot)

Dan Sweeney (90’ for Andre Johnson)

Alex Hurst

Adam Nowakowski

Subs

Iasiah Bazeley (90’)

Isaac Marriot (70’)

Jon Moran

Andre Johnson (90’)

Brad Dockerty

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28 Sep 2019

Match Report: Brackley 8-0 Avenue

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Ten-man Bradford (Park Avenue) suffered an eight-goal drubbing at the hands of goal-hungry Brackley Town.

Marcus Wood was shown two yellow cards inside half an hour for Avenue, who could simply do nothing to stop a rampant home side.

Brackley enjoyed a lot of pressure early on and twice went close through top scorer Jimmy Armson.

Shane Byrne delivered a deep corner which beat Avenue goalkeeper Rhys Taylor but Armson could only volley wide of the post.

Pacey attacker Lee Ndlovu then got in behind on the right hand side and his low ball looked set to hit the back of the net, but Armson ended up on the ground and Avenue managed to scramble clear.

Brackley did manage to open the scoring on 19 minutes, as a result of Wood’s first booking. 

The midfielder put in a poor challenge out wide and was duly cautioned, with Byrne delivering and the ball ending up in the back of the net following a flick from Glenn Walker – though the final touch may have come from an Avenue head.

Armson was almost gifted a goal as Taylor fumbled an innocuous low cross, but the number eight couldn’t quite squeeze the ball home.

Just before the half-hour though, Avenue went down to ten as Wood was sent off, shown an unquestionable second yellow card for a very poor challenge in the centre of the pitch.

It took the hosts just two minutes to make the extra man count, as Matt Lowe grabbed the second, Bradford failing to clear before the midfielder neatly finished from the edge of the box with Taylor scrambling for position.

The goals looked like they were going to come raining in as Ndlovu got in behind once more, but Taylor did excellently to keep his low effort out.

Brackley had the ball in the back of the net on 36 minutes as Lowe’s cross was touched in by Armson, but the flag was up on the far side.

However Armson only had to wait five more minutes to get in on the act, as he made the simplest of near post runs and nodded in Byrne’s corner for his side’s third.

And as Avenue were begging for the relief of the half-time whistle, Brackley struck a fourth, Ndlovu getting in behind before working some space and lashing home off the underside of the bar.

A double change couldn’t do anything to change Bradford’s fortunes, as the impressive Byrne netted a fifth on 54 minutes, latching onto Ellis Myles’ through ball before rounding a helpless Taylor and slotting home.

Carl Baker struck the woodwork with a header before forcing Taylor into a save, parrying out a long-range strike before the goalkeeper did brilliantly to keep out Dan Holman’s follow-up.

Another free kick proved Avenue’s downfall again on 67 minutes, as centre back Thierry Audel rose highest to head home from Baker’s delivery.

The substitute looked desperate to get on the scoresheet, and he came close again as he ran 60 yards with the ball before lashing just over the bar.

Baker then hit the woodwork himself, following up on an excellent save from Taylor, keeping out a long-range Lowe strike.

The seventh finally came with 10 minutes to play, Ndlovu getting a deserved second as he touched home an excellent Luke Fairlamb cross.

Substitute Holman rounded off the scoring with just over five minutes on the clock, Ndlovu beating Taylor to a long ball over the top before squaring to his strike partner to add his name to the extended list of scorers on a sorrowful afternoon for Bradford.

Brackley Town:Lewis, Myles, Franklin, Byrne, Audel, Dean (c, Langmead 67), Lowe, Armson (Baker 46), Ndlovu, Fairlamb, Walker (Holman 62)

Subs not used:Noon, Worby

Goals: Walker (19), Lowe (31), Armson (41), Ndlovu (45, 80), Byrne (54), Audel (67), Holman (84)

Bradford (Park Avenue): Taylor (c), Lund, Calder, Wood, Cresswell (Bazeley 46), Lowe, Dockerty (Knight 46), Marriott, Sweeney, Hurst, Agustien (Holmes 57)

Subs not used: Bennett, Johnson

Booked: Wood (19), Dockerty (40), Marriott (47), Hurst (59)

Sent off: Wood (29)

Referee: Daniel Locker

Attendance: 490

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes

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