Bradford (Park Avenue) will visit Brackley Town on Saturday, returning to the scene of last season’s play-off semi-final defeat.

The Saints advanced into the 2018 Vanarama National League North play-off final with a narrow victory over Bradford in May, but were beaten by Mark Bower’s side on the opening day of the 2018/19 campaign.

Once again, the Northamptonshire-based side are chasing promotion and find themselves just three points adrift of 7th-placed Chester. Bradford occupy 3rd place in the division but are still searching for their first win of the calendar year.

Kevin Wilkin’s side haven’t been defeated since before Christmas and secured a 1-0 win over Alfreton Town last Saturday.

GUIDE TO THE OPPONENTS:

The Gaffer:

Kevin Wilkin

The 51-year-old took charge of the Saints back in 2015 after being relieved of his duties as manager of Wrexham. He began his managerial career with Nuneaton Borough, who he also represented as a player. During his playing career, he made over 75 appearances for Northampton Town and also enjoyed spells with Cambridge City and Rushden & Diamonds.

Ones To Watch:

Daniel Lewis

A gifted goalkeeper, Lewis is an integral part of Brackley’s squad. The veteran stopper proved to be a thorn in Bradford’s side during the play-off semi-final meeting and will be hoping to keep the Yorkshire side’s frontline at bay again.

Daniel Nti

An athletic talent, Nti can operate on the flank and as a striker. The 25-year-old has enjoyed spells in Yorkshire with F.C Halifax Town and York City and has also plied his trade with Nuneaton Borough, Kidderminster Harriers and Worcester City.

Following a pitch inspection at 9:30 this morning, today’s game will go ahead as planned.

Kick Off: 3pm

We hope to see you at the Horsfall.

Don’t Forget: You can keep out of the cold this afternoon with our match day hospitality package. Click the button below to find out more and book your place.

Match Day Hospitality

Bradford Park Avenue can confirm that midfielder Ben Mckenna has moved to Chester on a permanent transfer.

The club wishes Ben all the best in the future as he departs after his second spell at Horsfall having made 41 first team appearances.

Bradford (Park Avenue) make a swift return to the Horsfall Stadium on Saturday, hosting high-flying Blyth Spartans.

The Spartans haven’t lost since early November, embarking on an impressive unbeaten run that included a Buildbase FA Trophy upset against Boreham Wood last week.
The run has taken them to within a point of the play-offs and Alun Armstrong’s side could break into the top seven with a win in Yorkshire on Saturday.
Bradford, however, have made a slow start to the year and haven’t tasted victory since Boxing Day. Despite consecutive defeats to Guiseley, Stockport County and F.C United of Manchester, Saturday’s hosts remain second and are just six points adrift of league leaders Chorley.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be hoping to return to winning ways when they host strugglers F.C United of Manchester.

Saturday’s opponents occupy 20th place in the Vanarama National League North table, four points adrift of 19th-placed Hereford.

Mark Bower’s side were held to a 2-2 draw at Broadhurst Park when the two sides last met, but ran out as 3-0 winners when the Reds last visited the Horsfall Stadium.

By the time that F.C United arrive in West Yorkshire on Saturday, their win-less run will have stretched beyond a month and the visitors will be keen to improve on recent form.

Neil Reynolds’ side were swept aside by Chester last Saturday, four days after suffering a 4-0 defeat to Chorley on New Years’ Day.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking to kick 2019 off in style with a second win over Guiseley in just under a week.

Mark Bower enjoyed his return to Nethermoor on Boxing Day, watching on as a side containing several former Lions dismantled the hosts.

Bradford head into the new year as the league leaders and haven’t succumbed to defeat in the Vanarama National League North since October.

Guiseley have struggled to find consistency since returning to step six but picked up a valuable point on Saturday against Altrincham.

Defender Gianluca Havern was dismissed in the reverse fixture but will be available as his suspension won’t come into effect until the trip to Stockport County on 5th January. Ben McKenna will be pushing for a recall to the starting eleven after his stoppage-time equaliser salvaged a point against Boston United but faces stiff competition.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking to end 2018 on a high by extending their unbeaten league run to a staggering 11 games.

Mark Bower’s side have continued to defy the odds throughout December and put West Yorkshire rivals Guiseley to the sword in emphatic fashion on Boxing Day. The table-toppers are now three points ahead of 2nd-placed Chorley, who will be making the trip to Curzon Ashton.

Today’s opponents, Boston United, occupy 11th place in the Vanarama National League North and are five points adrift of the final play-off spot. They suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Alfreton Town at the Jakemans Stadium on Wednesday but will be hoping to bounce back with a win over the league leaders.

The two sides clashed back in August and Bradford came out on top, sealing a 1-0 win after Oli Johnson converted a first-half penalty. Mark Bower’s side were also victorious on their last trip to the Jakemans Stadium, overturning a 1-0 deficit to clinch a 2-1 win in April 2018.

GUIDE TO THE OPPOSITION:

The Gaffer:

Craig Elliott

Elliott took over as manager of Boston in November 2017, joining from Shaw Lane. He had guided his previous employers to three promotions in four seasons and was subsequently handed the reigns at the Jakemans Stadium following Adam Murray’s departure. He has also enjoyed spells in charge of Glasshoughton Welfare and Ossett Town.

One To Watch:

Nicky Walker

The 24-year-old played under Craig Elliott at Shaw Lane and was reunited with his former boss when he signed for the Pilgrims. A gifted winger, Walker ascended the ranks of Rotherham United’s academy and represented Barrow in a loan stint whilst on the Millers’ books. He is currently enjoying his second spell at Boston having also plied his trade at the Jakemans Stadium during the 2015/16 campaign.

If there is enough confirmed interest the club will be running a supporters coach to Stockport County on Saturday 5th January

Prices will be as follows:

£12 Adult
£6 under 16

To secure your seat please contact Neil Fawcett on 07811959003 or neilfbrearcliffe@hotmail.co.uk

Bowers men are hoping to make this Christmas one to remember this Saturday as they look to reclaim the top spot in the National League North.

After going 8 league games undefeated and holding the top spot for a number of weeks, Bradford returns to the fray this Saturday following a weekend away from the action.

The Avenue now sit second in the league on goal difference but could reclaim the top spot if they can do the double over a resurgent Hereford FC. Although they sit near the foot of the table, Hereford have now gone four games undefeated, including two games in the FA Trophy and will be looking to capitalise on their recent form.