Dan Pybus has returned to parent club Bradford City after making 3 appearances for The Avenue, following the end of his 1 month loan.
The club would like to thank Dan for his efforts during his time with the Club.
Match Preview: Bradford Park Avenue Vs Alfreton Town Saturday 10th March 2018
Bradford Park Avenue vs. Alfreton Town – Match Preview
Both sides will be relishing a return to action after their respective fixtures fell victim to the ‘Beast from the East’ last week but for very different reasons.
Avenue suffered a humiliating defeat to rock-bottom North Ferriby United in their last outing, with manager Mark Bower describing their performance as the worst he had seen since his appointment.
Alfreton, on the other hand, have shown significant improvement since former Halifax Town defender Chris Moyses took charge in mid-January. They suffered narrow defeats to high-fliers Salford City and Harrogate Town in February but have also brushed aside Leamington, Blyth Spartans and Tamworth since the managerial change. In their last league outing, defender Tom Allan struck against his former club York City to secure a valuable point at Bootham Crescent before they booked their place in the Derbyshire Senior Cup final three days later. A commendable effort from volunteers to clear the snow at the Impact Arena allowed the Cup tie to go ahead, and the hardy souls were rewarded with the witnessing of a 2-0 win over Ilkeston Town.
In the last meeting between the sides, Mark Ross turned a cross into his own net to give Alfreton the lead but saw his blushes spared by second-half strikes from Adam Boyes and Oli Johnson, as well as a bullet header from Shane Killock.
GUIDE TO THE OPPONENTS:
THE GAFFER:
Chris Moyses
52-year-old Moyses was appointed as Alfreton boss in January after nearly two years away from football. He began his managerial career in February 2010 when he was handed the reins at Lincoln Moorlands Railway in the NCEL Premier Division, and he helped guide them to safety in remarkable fashion as they secured 22 points from their final eleven league games. In the following season, he steered the club to a sixth-placed finish but resigned in May 2011. After spending time coaching within Lincoln City’s youth set-up, he took up the role of first-team manager in December 2014 after a brief spell as caretaker manager. The Imps finished 15th in his first season, before climbing to 13th in the following campaign. Current Lincoln manager Danny Cowley replaced Moyses in May 2016. As a player, he lined-up for our Yorkshire counterparts Halifax Town between 1984 and 1985 before dropping into non-league to represent Boston United, Shepshed Charterhouse and Grantham. He also represented the club he would go on to manage, Lincoln, during a stint with the Imps in 1984.
KEY PLAYERS:
Tom Allan
The 23-year-old utility man has established himself as a key figure for Alfreton this season having penned a new one-year deal with the club in June 2017. Allan ascended the ranks of hometown club York City after agreeing youth terms with the club aged eight and made his debut for the Minstermen as a substitute in a 4-1 win over Bristol Rovers in December 2012. He represented Hucknall Town and Harrogate Town during loan spells whilst with York, before leaving in 2014 to join Gateshead. Despite making 22 appearances in the top tier of non-league football in the 2014-15 season, he was released by newly-appointed Tynesiders manager Malcolm Crosby in June 2015. Allan was snapped up by Alfreton following his release and has featured regularly in the first-team either side of a loan spell with Tadcaster Albion. He helped the Reds pick up a vital point on the road in their last league outing with an equalising goal against former club York.
Brendon Daniels
The 24-year-old product of Crewe Alexandra’s academy is a tricky winger who is no stranger to football in Yorkshire having lined-up for Harrogate Town in the 2014-15 season. He netted 22 goals in 40 appearances at the CNG Stadium, earning a move to AFC Fylde in May 2016. He helped the club achieve promotion to the National League in his debut season but didn’t follow them into the top tier of non-league football, joining Alfreton instead in August 2017. He has already notched 13 goals in 30 appearances so far this season and will be looking to add to his tally on Saturday.
Craig Westcarr
Westcarr trails Daniels by one goal in Alfreton’s goal scoring chart this season but has been equally as impressive. The 33-year-old has found the back of the net on 12 occasions and is currently enjoying his second campaign at the Impact Arena having joined from Mansfield Town in 2016. He became Nottingham Forest’s youngest ever first-team player when he made his debut as a 16-year-old in 2001 but dropped into non-league four years later after agreeing terms with Cambridge United. The former England under-21 international then joined Kettering Town in 2007, where three impressive seasons earned him a move back to the Football League with Notts County in 2009. He helped fire County to the League Two title in 2010 and scored the opening goal against Sunderland in an FA Cup giant-killing at the Stadium of Light in January 2011. He left Meadow Lane in 2011, and represented Chesterfield, Walsall, Portsmouth and Mansfield Town in the Football League before a loan spell with Southport returned him to the non-league game in 2016.
Saturday’s game kicks-off at 3pm at the Horsfall Stadium, with admission priced at just £10 for adults, £7 for concessions, £5 for students and £2 for under-18s
Gaffers Review: Bradford Park Avenue Vs North Ferriby United Saturday 24th February 2018
It was a day when too many of our players were way below what we expect from them and what I know they are capable of and in the end we suffered an embarrassing defeat. Whilst we have not been picking up many results recently, on the whole our performances have warranted a much better return, but in the Ferriby game, everyone in the dressing room knows that there was no excuse for what happened and we owe everyone connected with the club a much better performance on Saturday coming.
In a way the game summed up a lot of our season. When we have been good, we’ve been really good and chalked up some impressive and comprehensive victories, but what we haven’t done enough of is win the tight games, win ugly or take a point when we’ve not been at our best. The Ferriby game was a perfect example, we did not play well, but we had more than enough chances to win comfortably and they scored with their only real chance of the game. Of the 12 games we’ve lost this season, 9 have been one goal defeats, but of our 12 wins only three have been by a single goal. It’s clear that if we can turn more of these tight games in our favour in the final ten games we can still achieve our target for the season, but being more clinical in both boxes will be key.
We will be looking to bounce back on Saturday
Thanks
Mark
Match Postponed: Brackley Town Vs Bradford Park Avenue Saturday 3rd March 2018
Due to the current weather conditions and the forecast going into the weekend an early decision has been made to postpone the upcoming game with Brackley Town.
Once a date has been set for the rearranged fixture this will be announced on the website.
Match Report: Bradford Park Avenue 0-1 North Ferriby United
Valiant Villagers stun Avenue
Rock-bottom North Ferriby United stunned Bradford Park Avenue with a 1-0 victory at the Horsfall Stadium.
Mark Bower shuffled the pack despite a respectable draw with Salford City on Tuesday, re-instating Ryan Toulson, Dany Pybus and Jamie Spencer to the starting eleven. On-loan Guiseley forward Frank Mulhern was handed his first start, whilst Matt Hill and Adam Nowakowski dropped to the bench. Veteran midfielder Danny Boshell was withdrawn from the squad altogether, as was Javan Vidal due to injury.
Avenue were on the front foot from the first whistle and dominated possession during the early stages but failed to muster an effort on goal as the Ferriby backline held strong. Jordan Cooke made a vital interception after a through ball from Oli Johnson almost allowed Pybus to race through on goal.
It was the young midfielder on loan from Bradford City that was the first to pull the trigger, but he saw his effort deflected wide before it could reach Ross Durrant.
The visitors then took a shock lead with 19 minutes on the clock as Lewis Collins darted into the box and drilled his effort past Steven Drench.
Avenue’s frustrations were intensified shortly after conceding, as Frank Mulhern saw a close-range effort blocked and Jamie Spencer was booked for a late and unnecessary challenge.
The hosts finally tested Durrant after thirty minutes of trying to do so, as Pybus forced a strong palm away from the ‘keeper after Johnson had threaded through to the young loanee.
Frank Mulhern was then hauled down in the box after a wrestle with the Ferriby centre-backs but saw his appeals for a penalty dismissed by the referee.
The robust forward almost weighed in with an assist shortly after, as he powered past Koyo Keyi before Adam Boyes failed to steer his cushioned volley on target.
Boyes then had another opportunity to equalise after a marauding run from Johnson allowed him to find Mulhern in the box. The Irish striker teed him up before Boyes’ shot was deflected wide.
HALF-TIME: Bradford Park Avenue 0-1 North Ferriby United
Avenue carved open the Ferriby defence twice within the opening five minutes of the second-half, as Mulhern blasted wide after rounding Cooke and Durrant before Nicky Clee forced a good save from the Villagers’ stopper two minutes later.
Luca Havern then got on the end of a deep cross but could only head into the clutches of a grateful Durrant.
Avenue continued to be let down by their final ball, but Adam Smith provided some quality in the final third following his introduction. He turned Cooke inside-out on the left before crossing to Rob Atkinson, who headed wide.
The Villagers continued to pose a threat on the break and Joe Walker was thwarted by a poor touch that allowed Drench to dive at his feet after the substitute had raced through.
Bobby Johnson then stung the palms of Drench with a powerful drive from distance that was originally spilled by the ‘keeper before being scooped up.
Avenue piled forward in droves as the clock ticked but couldn’t find a way past Durrant, and Ferriby even came close to extending their lead in stoppage time when Drench made a fantastic stop to deny Collins.
FULL-TIME: Bradford Park Avenue 0-1 North Ferriby United
Avenue visit Brackley Town next week, with the action kicking-off at 3pm.
Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Toulson (Hill 76’), Clee, Wroe (c), Atkinson, Havern, Mulhern (Nowakowski 68’), Pybus (Smith 59’), Boyes, Johnson, Spencer.
Unused substitutes: Hall, Killock.
North Ferriby United: Durrant, Cooke, Keyi, Johnson, Piercy, Mail, Deacey (Dunkley 56’), Forrester (Walker 56’, replaced by Clappison 82’), Harrison, Collins, Lofts.
Unused substitutes: Exall.
Attendance: 423
Referee: Adam Herczog
Bradford Park Avenue V North Ferriby United: Sat 24rd Feb 2018 15.00 KO
Bradford Park Avenue V North Ferriby United: Sat 24rd Feb 2018 15.00 KO
Note match offer: “£5 for entrance for season ticket holders from all sports clubs”
Season ticket to be produced at turnstyle
Thanks
Match Report: Salford City 2-2 Bradford Park Avenue
Dudley double salvages point for Salford
A late brace from substitute Anthony Dudley rescued a point for the league leaders Salford City after Avenue had taken a shock 2-0 lead.
Mark Bower placed emphasis upon experience with his team selection, bringing the seasoned trio of Matt Hill, Danny Boshell and Adam Nowakowski into the starting eleven. Shane Killock, Jamie Spencer and Dan Pybus dropped to the bench whilst Ryan Toulson was dropped from the squad altogether. Guiseley defender Rob Atkinson had joined the club on loan that day, and was thrust into the action with an immediate start for his new club.
Atkinson showed little hesitation in giving supporters a glimpse of what to expect from him in the early stages as his first touch in Avenue shirt came with a full blooded challenge on Tom Walker.
The first-half was far from a thrilling spectacle, but the biggest chances of the opening stages fell to the hosts. Nathan Arnold powered an effort narrowly wide of the post and Jack Redshaw forced Steven Drench into an impressive stop after being played through on goal.
Tom Walker demonstrated his ability to trouble a defence with his set-piece deliveries throughout and Avenue were forced to desperately scramble away several dangerous crosses in the first-half especially. Danny Livesey leapt to meet a particularly teasing one but headed over.
Nicky Clee drew the first save of the game from Max Crocombe after being teed up by Adam Boyes, but saw his drilled effort held comfortably by the Salford stopper.
Avenue continued to frustrate Salford’s talented frontline and soon reaped the rewards for their patience when Nicky Wroe reacted quicker than his marker to latch on to a Clee cross before steering past Crocombe. The opening goal followed a lull in entertainment but was the catalyst for an increase in excitement in the second-half.
Salford came flying out of the blocks after the break, and Ibou Touray’s low cross somehow evaded the touch it needed to bundle it over the line.
However, Avenue held strong yet again and doubled their advantage with 53 minutes on the clock. Crocombe spilled a shot into the path of a lurking Adam Nowakowski and the midfielder made no mistake in steering home to extend the visitors’ deserved lead.
Mark Bower’s side even had opportunities to put the game beyond Salford with a third, and Boyes was unlucky to see his curling effort skim the post after bringing down a Clee cross in the box.
Crocombe, now defending the goal in front of the travelling fans, had been mercilessly mocked at half-time and would have made his situation worse had his poor clearance been capitalised on by Wroe, whose through ball to Oli Johnson was intercepted.
With their desperation becoming increasingly apparent, the hosts began to pile the pressure on Avenue’s backline. The tough nut of Avenue’s defence did, however, eventually crack. Drench parried an effort that was scurried away by Frank Mulhern, but Dudley pounced before his marker to poke home after the clearance fell to the back post.
After a period of sustained pressure, Dudley rescued a point for Salford in dramatic fashion in added time, rifling a shot into the top corner after a strong run down the right flank.
Salford City: Crocombe, Nottingham, Touray (Haughton 56’), Burton (Dudley 64’), Livesey, Maynard (c), Arnold, Mafuta, Phenix (Askew 64’), Redshaw, Walker.
Unused substitutes: Allen, Dieseruvwe.
Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Vidal (Mulhern 65’), Hill, Wroe (c), Atkinson, Havern, Nowakowski (Spencer 76’), Boshell, Boyes, Johnson, Clee.
Unused substitutes: Killock, Pybus, Smith.
Referee: Sam Mulhall
Booked: Hill, Johnson (Avenue).
Guiseley Defender Rob Atkinson Joins On Loan For Remainder Of Season
Guiseley defender Rob Atkinson has joined Bradford Park Avenue on loan until the end of the season.
Atkinson started his professional career with Barnsley, and then spent time on loan with Scarborough, Halifax, Rochdale and Grimsby Town. Following three loan spells with Grimsby he joined the club on a permanent basis in 2009 before signing with Fleetwood Town two years later. During his first season with Fleetwood Town he was part of the squad that secured promotion from the National League to the Football League. Following his release from Fleetwood Town he joined Accrington Stanley in 2013 before joining Guiseley in 2015.
Rob will be available to go straight in to the team for the Salford City game tonight.
Oli Johnson Signs Up For Next Season
Mark Bower has secured the services of experienced forward Oli Johnson for the 2018-19 season. Johnson’s current contract was due to expire at the end of the current season, but after scoring 14 goals in all competitions so far this season Bower was keen to tie the influential forward down long term.
Oli joined Avenue on an initial one month’s loan from neighbours Guiseley in November 2016, linking up once more with former boss Mark Bower. After a brief spell back at Nethermoor, Johnson returned to Bradford on a permanent basis in January 2017, going on to impress supporters with a string of fine displays.
Johnson joins Adam Boyes as the second player already contracted for next season after Boyes signed a 2 year contract when he joined the club at the start of the 2017-18 season.
Bradford Park Avenue V North Ferriby 15.00 KO: Match Price Offer: 24th February 2018
On Saturday 24th February 2018 Bradford Park Avenue will host North Ferriby at the Horsfall Stadium.
With Bradford City, Huddersfield, Halifax and Guiseley all away, Bradford Park Avenue has decided to offer all season ticket holders of any sports club, the opportunity to attend the game for only £5 (on production of current season ticket). A great opportunity for fans of the club and sports of all kinds.
So why not get yourself down to the Horsfall Stadium where we look forward to welcoming you to our Club.