Mark Bower has recalled Lee Knight from his loan deal at Halesowen Town. With current injuries and Oli Johnson’s suspension Lee will offer some much needed cover up front for the remainder of the season.
Bradford Park Avenue Vs Leamington FC Saturday 7th April 2018 15.00 KO
Gaffers Preview: Bradford Park Avenue Vs Leamington FC Saturday 7th April
Confidence in football is massive and it is clear at the moment that we are struggling on that front. Earlier in the season when we were playing well and winning games, you could see the players playing on the front foot, anticipating things and taking risks going forward. Recently we’ve been a bit more hesitant and maybe over thinking things and this has led to us becoming disjointed and not as fluent as we were. It is certainly not for a lack of effort as it may look at times from the terraces, we have a great dressing room full of lads that are desperate to do well and work hard for each other. It is our job as a management team to re install that confidence and belief and remind the players that only a month ago we were matching Salford away from home who look set to win the league. We have to find a way with the limited numbers we have to get back to winning games and the players need to draw on their experience to help them get through this period.
We’re having to contend with a few injuries at the moment. This league is the strongest it has ever been, so for us to be missing Rob Atkinson, Adam Nowakowski, Nicky Clee, Javan Vidal, Oli Johnson and effectively Adam Boyes is making it tough for us. The loss of six important players would effect even the likes of Salford and Harrogate with their sizeable budgets, so it’s obviously going to impact us. We’re having to patch others up also to get them on the pitch and it is so frustrating that we have gone through most of the season without too many injuries to then be hit with numerous within a week of the transfer deadline passing and leaving us with few options.
On Saturday we face Leamington who have had a good season so far after they were written off by many at the start of the season. Paul Holleran is an experienced manager and has done fantastically well to get them promoted last season and competing well this season. They beat us in the away fixture earlier in the season and we know what they’re all about. It will be another tough game, but we must concentrate on ourselves and our performance first and foremost to give ourselves a chance of winning the game.
Mark
Gaffers Review: Stockport County & Chorley FC
Gaffers Review Stockport County & Chorley FC
It has been a disappointing Easter for us with two defeats against sides chasing a play-off place in Stockport and Chorley. In both games we were guilty of conceding poor goals and having to chase games. Against Stockport we responded well in the second half to get back on level terms, so then to concede in the fourth minute of injury time was a real sickener. Against Chorley the first goal was always going to be vital against a team who do not score too many goals but concede fewer. We had a great chance mid-way through the first half to take the lead and had that gone in things may have been different, but we then conceded on the stroke of half time and in truth we found it very difficult in the second half.
Finally I must thank the Avenue fans who dug themselves out on Monday morning and travelled through horrendous weather conditions on the M62 to support the players at Chorley. I am sorry that we were unable to put on a performance to reward their dedication and hope that we can put things right with a strong showing on Saturday.
Thanks for your amazing support
Mark
Match Report: Chorley 2-0 Bradford Park Avenue
A despondent Avenue suffered a 2-0 defeat to Chorley to further dent their fading play-off hopes.
Mark Bower made two initial changes to the side that lost to Stockport County on Good Friday, but a late change to the starting line-up saw Adam Smith make his first start for the club in place of Javan Vidal. Jamie Spencer’s impact from the bench against the Hatters earned him a place in the starting eleven and Danny Boshell reclaimed his spot in the centre of midfield. Adam Boyes dropped to the bench and Oli Johnson missed out altogether through suspension.
The home side dominated large portions of the first-half, with Avenue struggling to catch many glimpses of goal.
Alex Newby was the first to call Steven Drench into action, forcing the goalkeeper to beat away a powerful drive from the edge of the box.
A breakdown in communication between Drench and Luca Havern almost allowed Marcus Carver to shoot from mere yards out but the striker was challenged quickly, and the ball was hacked clear.
Avenue’s only chances of the half fell to Frank Mulhern and Jamie Spencer. The latter blasted over from just inside the box and Mulhern’s low drive from a free-kick was held by Matt Urwin.
Josh O’Keefe had an opportunity to fire the hosts ahead when the ball fell kindly for him on the edge of the box, but his drilled effort flew wide.
Chorley were, however, rewarded for their continuous pressure when Carver steered past Drench after Newby had provided a pinpoint cross from the right.
The half-time whistle was music to the ears of Avenue players, who seemed frustrated by their inability to carve open more opportunities and their failure to hold out in the latter stages of the opening 45 minutes.
Avenue found themselves 2-0 down shortly after the restart as an Andy Teague cross picked out an unmarked Jason Walker, who directed his header past Drench with no defender around him.
The visitors continued to struggle to test Urwin, and both Mulhern and Wayne Brooksby glanced headers wide of the post.
Mark Bower’s side knocked on the door repeatedly in the second-half, but Chorley’s defence held strong, leading to praise for the Magpies’ backline in the Avenue manager’s post-match interview.
The Magpies could have extended their lead further in stoppage-time but Drench made a tremendous save to deny Carver’s low drive.
Nicky Wroe and debutant Antoine Remi Recizac both saw long-range efforts blocked before they could reach goal in the late stages, which was symbolic of the afternoon that the Yorkshire side had had.
Avenue have a chance to respond on Saturday, as they face strugglers Leamington at Horsfall Stadium. The action kicks-off at 3pm.
Chorley: Urwin, Challoner, Blakeman, Teague (c), Leather, Jordan, Newby (Wilson 72’), O’Keefe, Carver, Walker (Hughes 82’), Cottrell (Molyneux 89’).
Unused substitutes: Gregory, Brewster.
Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Ross, Hill (Boyes 69’), Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby, Boshell (Recizac 87’), Mulhern, Smith (Toulson 45’), Spencer.
Unused substitutes: Hall.
Referee: Steve Copeland
Game On: Chorley FC Vs Bradford Park Avenue
Bradford Park Avenue have received confirmation from Chorley that there is no planned pitch inspection for today’s game and the game is on.
However we would like to advise all travelling Supporters to take care when travelling and to set off in good time as delays are to be expected.
Match Report: Bradford Park Avenue 2-3 Stockport County
A stoppage-time volley from James Ball ensured that Stockport County took maximum points at Horsfall Stadium despite a second-half rally from hosts, Bradford Park Avenue.
Mark Bower made two changes from the side that saw off AFC Telford United on Monday night, handing a starting berth to Frank Mulhern after he stepped off the bench to bag a brace against the Bucks, and re-instating Adam Boyes following injury. Danny Boshell dropped to the bench and Nicky Clee was withdrawn from the squad altogether.
The Hatters took an early lead when Matthew Warburton’s strike cannoned off Jason Oswell and nestled in the bottom corner, shocking an Avenue side full of confidence after an impressive win over AFC Telford United four days prior.
The hosts struggled to find their rhythm in the first-half, allowing Stockport to carve out a host of chances for their plethora of talented attackers. Steven Drench was forced to make two sensational stops to deny Oswell after the forward got on the end of two teasing crosses.
The experienced goalkeeper also had to stretch to tip over a curled effort from Scott Duxbury, whose free-kick came very close to finding the top corner.
Some excellent intricate passing provided an opening for Wayne Brooksby to burst through the Stockport defence, but Boyes’ cut-back was behind the winger.
Avenue were much-improved after the interval and should have drawn level when Matt Hill picked out Boyes with a cross from deep, but the forward uncharacteristically rushed his effort and made Hinchliffe’s save a routine one.
With the hosts beginning to grow into the game, Oli Johnson glanced a header wide as pressure began to mount on the nervy Hatters.
Mark Bower’s side were, however, punished for squandering opportunites when Drench spilled a high ball into the path of Oswell, who stabbed home to double the away side’s lead.
The introductions of Jamie Spencer and Adam Smith to the Avenue midfield seemed to rejuvenate the side, and they were soon back in the game.
Ross found Javan Vidal with a delivery from the right, and the in-form utility man steered the ball into the bottom corner to offer Avenue a glimmer of hope.
They soon equalised through Mulhern, who netted his third goal in two games after clinically dispatching past Hinchliffe. Substitute Spencer had relentlessly chased down Hatters defenders and was rewarded when he dispossessed Jamie Stott before gaining an assist with a perfectly executed through ball to his former Huddersfield Town teammate.
The game seemed destined to end level, but the visitors had other ideas and Ball broke Avenue hearts with a well-struck volley that rendered Drench helpless deep into stoppage time.
Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Ross, Hill, Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby, Vidal (Toulson 74’), Boyes (Smith 65’), Johnson (Spencer 56’), Mulhern.
Unused substitutes: Hall, Boshell.
Stockport County: Hinchliffe, Cowan, Duxbury, Winter (c), Clarke, Stott, Thomas (O’Halloran 76’), Ball, Oswell, Warburton (Minihan 64’), Turner (Stephenson 55’).
Unused substitutes: Ormson, Turnbull.
Attendance: 1,044
Referee: Leigh Doherty
Matt Hill Red Card Appeal Successful
Following the clubs decision to appeal Matt Hill’s sending off against FC United of Manchester on Saturday 24th March, the club are happy to announce the appeal has been successful and his automatic suspension has been rescinded.
Bradford Park Avenue Vs Stockport County: Friday 30th March 2018 15.00 KO
A reminder to all fans that this game is strictly all ticket. Ticket prices for the match are fixed at the regular £10 adults, £7 concessions, £5 students and £2 under-18s. Season Ticket holders will gain entry to the match as usual, without the need to purchase or collect a ticket prior to the match.
With full segregation in place, Avenue fans will only be able to enter the ground on the day of the match via the Cemetery Road turnstiles. There will be no access to the Park Road car park for home fans, as that is where visiting Stockport supporters will be directed to.
A separate burger van and additional portable toilets will be located at the Park Road end of the ground, where away fans will be housed. However there will be no beer tent and no alcohol will be sold at the away end of the ground on the day.
Home supporters will, as usual, have access to the clubhouse and in-house cafe, and will be able to view the match from the main stand, one half of the pavilion side, and the stand behind the goal.
Fans are, however, asked to arrive at the ground early to avoid queues, and take up their position in plenty of time with seating especially limited.
Match Report: Bradford Park Avenue 2-1 AFC Telford United
A spirited Avenue comeback reinvigorated their fading play-off hopes as they overcame AFC Telford United at the Horsfall Stadium.
Mark Bower made four changes from the side that suffered a crushing defeat to FC United of Manchester on Saturday, with experienced midfield duo Danny Boshell and Nicky Clee returning alongside Steven Drench and Gianluca Havern. Matt Hill and Oli Johnson both featured despite their dismissals in the previous game.
The best of the early opportunities fell to the home side, with Nicky Wroe and Shane Killock seeing close-range efforts blocked and frantically hacked away after the pair pounced on a deflected free-kick delivery.
The Bucks very nearly self-destructed shortly after as a weak header back to the goalkeeper from Dominic Smith allowed Wroe to intercept. Luckily for the visitors, a heavy touch allowed Ben Wilson to collect.
The visitors did, however, grow in confidence as the game progressed and very nearly opened the scoring through defender Shane Sutton. Telford’s skipper powered a header towards goal after meeting a corner delivery only for Drench to make a terrific stop to deny him at point blank range.
Avenue then came close to breaking the deadlock with a header as Danny Boshell made a late run into the box and rattled the crossbar with his effort.
Controversy was the last thing Avenue will have wanted following the dubious nature of Saturday’s red cards, but it came nonetheless as Killock brought down Kane Richards and the referee pointed to the spot. The official was crowded in the aftermath of the decision with players convinced it took place outside of the box but a spot-kick was awarded. Marcus Dinanga stepped up and coolly slotted home to fire the Bucks ahead.
HALF-TIME: Bradford Park Avenue 0-1 AFC Telford United
An injury forced Danny Boshell to be withdrawn at the interval, with on-loan Guiseley forward Frank Mulhern entering the fray in his place.
It proved to be an inspired switch, as the loanee netted his first goal in Avenue colours with a flicked header past Wilson to draw level.
Telford then had a golden opportunity to regain their lead after Elliot Newby’s effort was palmed into the path of Dinanga, who blazed over from six yards despite demonstrating composure with his earlier finish.
Clear-cut chances were few and far between as the final whistle approached, with a John Marsden strike that trickled into the Drench’s clutches being the most notable incident in a lull in entertainment and quality.
That was until Mulhern edged Avenue ahead with three minutes left on the clock, rising to meet an in-swinging delivery from Hill and glancing a header across Wilson and into the back of the net.
FULL-TIME: Bradford Park Avenue 2-1 AFC Telford United
Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Ross, Hill, Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby, Boshell (Mulhern 45’), Vidal, Johnson, Clee (Smith 36’, replaced by Spencer 80’).
Unused substitutes: Toulson, Hall.
AFC Telford United: Wilson, White (Murphy 89’), Harris, Smith, Sutton (c), Deeney, Lussey (Giles 80’), Cowans, Richards (Marsden 74’), Dinanga, Newby.
Attendance: 334
Referee: Dean Watson
Unused substitutes: Johnson, Singh.