After the excitement of securing a play-off spot yesterday its back to business for Mark and the boys in preparation for Wednesday’s return trip to Kidderminster.
On Monday evening Mark and the team will have a light training session at Horsfall which you, the fans, are invited to come along and show your support.
The bar will open at 5.30 and you can register to secure your spot on the coach travelling to Kidderminster on Wednesday. Alternatively please contact Neil Fawcett on 07811959003.
Late winner send Avenue into dreamland
Bradford Park Avenue ended the regular season by defying the odds and securing a play-off spot thanks to a dramatic late winner from Adam Boyes.
Mark Bower initially named an unchanged starting eleven but was forced to make a change before kick-off when Matt Hill flagged up an issue with his calf in the warm-up. Central defender Rob Atkinson was drafted in as an emergency replacement, shifting Shane Killock to the vacant left-back position in the process.
Avenue had to deal with an onslaught of early pressure in the opening exchanges and Steven Drench had to make an excellent save to deny Dan Bradley within the opening two minutes.
The visitors did have opportunites of their own despite being under mounting pressure and Nicky Wroe struck the post with an effort that lacked power, but left Brandon Hall stranded.
Kidderminster dealt a blow to Avenue’s play-off hopes with 14 minutes on the clock when Elton Ngwatala’s cross found Dan Bradley. The Harriers forward showed excellent composure to steer past Drench and deflate the Yorkshire play-off hopefuls.
Emmanuel Sonupe had impressed for Kidderminster in the reverse fixture at the Horsfall Stadium and caused Avenue problems throughout the first-half.
He cut in from the right before unleashing a curling effort that dropped just over the crossbar.
Kidderminster remained firmly on top for the remainder of the first-half, spraying the ball around with confidence and looking comfortable in defence.
Mark Bower’s side did, however, come close to opening the scoring when Oli Johnson pulled back to Jamie Spencer on the edge of the box, but the midfielder sliced wide. Immediately after, Johnson forced Hall into making a spectacular stop to keep his low drive out.
Opportunities fell to Sonupe and Ngwatala as the half approached its end, but Drench was in top form to thwart the Harriers’ talented frontline.
Frank Mulhern tested Hall quickly after the restart, forcing the busy stopper to beat away a drilled effort from just inside the 18-yard box.
The hosts almost doubled their lead when Sam Austin found himself with only Drench to beat, but Avenue’s ‘keeper continued to demonstrate why he is so highly-rated with another save.
As the half progressed, Avenue threw more and more bodies forward but were repeatedly thwarted by the hosts’ sturdy backline.
This was until a deflected corner delivery fell to Mulhern on the edge of the box, who buried the ball in the bottom corner with a perfectly executed finish.
News of Spennymoor Town’s lead against Southport had already filtered through to the Aggborough Stadium, setting up a tense finish to a thoroughly entertaining second-half.
Kidderminster, did, however, eventually crumble under intense Avenue pressure. Johnson worked his magic down the right before drilling across goal and Boyes stabbed home at the back-post after the ball took a series of deflections in a brief scramble.
Avenue will now visit Kidderminster again on Wednesday night, looking to secure a place in the play-off semi-final.
Kidderminster Harriers: Hall, Vaughan, Austin, Weeks, Digie, Taylor, Sonupe, Truslove (Waring 60’), Brown, Bradley (Pearson 45’), Ngwatala.
Unused substitutes: Croasdale, McQuilkin, Ironside.
Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Ross, Atkinson, Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby, Spencer (Vidal 74’), Boyes, Johnson, Mulhern (Boshell 90+5’).
Unused substitutes: Toulson, Hall, Smith.
Referee: Scott Simpson
I would like to wish the absolute best of luck to Mark and the lads on Saturday. They have done a great job this season to put us within grasp of the playoff places.
As you are aware we are in the process of transferring the club back to my ownership and have, finally, received some guidance from the FCA that will enable us to move forward for FA approval.
When the transfer is complete this will leave me as the sole Director and shareholder but alongside our new charity which will take over much of the community work that we were doing under the old structure. Also after some thought we have decided that it will be best to keep the club at Horsfall next season along with some improvements to the ground.
The club will obviously require management and leadership in order to move forward in a sustainable manner and I have appointed Rob Stanley to take full control of the all club matters with immediate effect.
The club’s current deficit is unstainable, and it is unfortunate that we will have to make cuts, as well as looking at ways to increase revenue streams, in order to compete in the National League. Rob is tasked with these decisions and I am sure he will be open to discussions regarding ideas to increase revenue and improve the general match day experience.
Volunteers are the life blood of our club and we hope that those who have assisted the club in the past will continue to do so in the future.
The current community work will continue as a registered charity and will be managed by Joe Mosley and Jayne Spencer who will work alongside Rob to investigate ways to develop our current ground.
The intention is for the charity to take the long term lease of Horsfall and we are in discussions with the council to this end and hope to be able to reach an agreement in the next few months.
The academy, Horsfall College of Sport, will still be based at the stadium next season and we hope that this will develop and produce the stars of the future.
The hard work for next season will start as soon as this one ends, which might not be Saturday!!
Thank you for your support for Bradford Park Avenue
Gareth
Spennymoor Town’s poor form has left the promotion door open for Avenue but Bower was cautious, saying: “We’ve given ourselves a chance. We’ve just got to do our job and win our game.
We take on Kidderminster Harriers tomorrow, knowing that they could be facing the same opponents in a play-off clash in less than a week’s time.
“I don’t think it’s any extra motivation for us to play Kidderminster. When you come in with a late run like we have, you just take whoever you get!
“It will be a strange one for Kidderminster though because they could effectively influence who they face in the play-offs.
Bower admitted that he was unsure at first about the two extra play-off places this season, but he had been won over by the idea.
“I think it’s really good how it’s kept the season going. Nearly every game last weekend had something riding on it and I think that’s fantastic for the league and the supporters.
“I was a bit sceptical at first, and obviously it helps that we might benefit from it, but I do think that it has made the league more competitive and interesting.”
Avenue have had availability problems this season but the squad is returning to full-strength now, which would be ideal if they were to reach the play-offs.
Bower was able to start his three deadly strikers, Frank Mulhern, Oli Johnson and Adam Boyes, last weekend and he was delighted as they spearheaded the 3-1 win over Harrogate Town.
He said: “Frank’s done well in that wide position in a front three. His physical strength and ability in the air is a good outlet for us. “There are few better than Oli in this league when he’s on form. He’s back in the swing of it after his suspension and we saw a top-drawer performance in the second half.
“And Boyesy works hard, it’s like having two strikers up front! The formation worked well against Harrogate but we’ll probably look to rejig one or two things against Kidderminster to suit that game.”
Bring On Saturday
Mark
Spirited Avenue keep the dream alive
Bradford Park Avenue made a late surge into the play-off positions whilst ensuring Harrogate Town would have to fight it out in the end-of-season showcase to seal promotion.
The hopes of the two sides provided a sharper edge to a Yorkshire derby that was going to have one regardless, and both sets of supporters contributed to the electric atmosphere within the ground.
Chances were few and far between in the early stages, with the rivals cancelling each other out and struggling to carve open opportunities. Harrogate dangerman George Thomson was the first to call Avenue stopper Steven Drench into action, forcing him to palm a low drive wide of the post.
Minutes later, it was the visitors’ goalkeeper James Belshaw that was thrust into the action as he was forced to keep out a close-range effort from Adam Boyes.
The hosts took the lead after 24 minutes when Wroe’s out-swinging corner was met by Boyes, whose header looped over a helpless Belshaw and into the top corner.
Mark Bower’s in-form side had an opportunity to double their advantage shortly after, as a Belshaw clearance failed to reach the halfway line and Oli Johnson was given the chance to try chip the goalkeeper. The Avenue forward’s audacious lob from 25-yards, however, sailed over the crossbar.
The visitors began to knock on the door more frequently as the first-half reached its latter stages but couldn’t find a way past Drench as the goalkeeper held efforts from Jake Wright and Jack Emmett.
A half-chance fell to Warren Burrell immediately after the restart, but Shane Killock made a crucial block to deflect the Harrogate defender’s half-volley wide.
A catalogue of errors from both sides led to an eventful period in the game and three bookings were dished out in the midst of some desperate defending.
Harrogate eventually crumbled under some intense Avenue pressure, with the home side doubling their lead with a remarkable goal. Johnson pulled back to an advancing Wroe, who showed impressive skill to flick to the back-post where Frank Mulhern was waiting to steer past Belshaw.
Harrogate came agonisingly close to pulling one back when Wright escaped his marker at a corner but headed wide when he should have really converted.
The on-loan striker did eventually find the target when he reacted quickest to hammer home from close-range after Drench parried a low drive from Dominic Knowles.
Boyes then brought an abrupt end to Harrogate celebrations, tucking away after Belshaw had palmed a Johnson strike into his path following a mazy run in which he weaved his way past three defenders.
Simon Weaver’s side couldn’t recover from the late blow, allowing Salford City to clinch the title despite losing to Boston United.Avenue now sit in 7th place but could lose their grip on the coveted spot if Spennymoor Town gain four points from their final three games.
Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Ross, Hill(Atkinson 89’), Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby, Spencer, Boyes, Johnson, Mulhern(Boshell 81’)
Unused substitutes: Toulson, Hall, Smith
Harrogate Town: Belshaw, Fallowfield, Swain (Thewlis 71’), Falkingham (c), Burrell, McCombe, Thomson (Kerry 77’), Emmett, Wright, Knowles, Agnew (Beck 61’)
Unused substitutes: Cracknell, Kennedy
Referee: Richard Bartlett
The league we are in gets tougher each year though and today’s visitors Harrogate Town are an example of just what we are up against.
They have had a fantastic season and really benefited from turning full time last summer and having the financial clout to sign some excellent players in the close season and to add to that significantly with some quality players as the season has progressed. They have been challenging for top spot all season long and having seen them play a fair few times, I’ve been impressed by the way they play at a high intensity with some very good footballers. They have spent heavily over the past 5 or 6 seasons without much success, but this season they look the real deal and we wish Simon Weaver and his team well for whatever remains of their season. Finally, a big thank you to all our supporters who have backed us this year both home and away. We are not the biggest club in this league, but our supporters make themselves heard especially away from home and I know this is much appreciated by everyone in the dressing room. I hope we can finish on a Saturday with a good result and performance.
Mark
Bradford Park Avenue climbed to eighth in the table after becoming the first team in the Vanarama National League North to do the double over high-fliers Brackley Town.
Ryan Toulson unleashed a left-footed thunderbolt with ten minutes remaining to clinch a 1-0 victory over the promotion-chasing Saints.
Mark Bower made two changes to the side that beat Boston United, dropping Steven Drench to the substitutes bench in place of Ed Hall and fielding Ryan Toulson in central midfield in place of Danny Boshell. Avenue’s substitute bench featured Academy defender Lewis Johnson and young striker Bradley Oliver also travelled with the team.
Avenue flew out of the blocks and had a several opportunities to open the scoring early on. Toulson blazed over after a neat exchange between Nicky Wroe and Frank Mulhern provided him with the space to let fly.
Adam Boyes wriggled away from his marker in the box, only to fail to generate enough power in his shot to trouble Danny Lewis.
Wroe had no trouble in generating power with an effort of his own shortly after, hammering a volley goal wards before seeing it fly wide.
However, the hosts grew into the game and began asking questions of Avenue’s backline.
James Armson had a golden opportunity to fire Brackley ahead after being teed up by Matt Lowe but blasted over from close-range to the despair of home supporters.
Lowe provided an outlet for the Saints throughout, as did Lee Ndlovu who constantly looked to get in behind using his blistering pace. The forward’s composure, however, was lacking and he fired into the clutches of Hall after rounding Shane Killock.
As the interval approached, there was a lull in entertainment and the only incident of note in the latter stages was a confrontation between several players following a foul on Hall.
Brackley piled the pressure on Avenue after the half-time break, keen to gain the upper hand by striking first. Connor Franklin drilled across the box and his delivery came very close to finding Ndlovu, but Shane Killock hooked over his own crossbar to clear the danger.
Franklin then cut in from the left before pulling the trigger but was thwarted by the outstretched leg of Mark Ross.
Lowe was also denied by excellent Avenue defending, as a Luca Havern block lifted the Saints winger’s effort over the crossbar.
Hall was called into action to tip a powerful Armson volley over the crossbar, stunning Brackley fans behind the goal with his acrobatic stop.
Oli Johnson made his return from a three-match suspension to replace Mulhern as the clock ticked and made an instant impact with a crucial assist.
Wroe picked the substitute out with a diagonal delivery that the forward flicked into the path of an on-rushing Toulson. He darted into the box to latch on to it before hammering home with his left foot to give Mark Bower’s side the lead.
Despite a nervy final few minutes, Avenue held on and secured one of their most impressive wins of the season so far.
Brackley Town: Lewis, Myles, Franklin (Nicholson 74’), Byrne, Graham, Dean (c), Lowe, Armson, Ndlovu (Brown 82’), Williams (Iaciofano 78’), Walker.
Unused substitutes: Streete, Diggin.
Bradford Park Avenue: Hall, Ross, Hill, Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby (Recizac 90+1’), Toulson, Boyes, Spencer, Mulhern (Johnson 71’).
Unused substitutes: Johnson, Drench, Boshell.
Referee: Rob Massey-Ellis
Attendance: 290
Boyes brace beats Boston
Adam Boyes notched his 18th league goal of the season with just minutes remaining to make it back-to-back wins for a reinvigorated Bradford Park Avenue.
He had grabbed his 17th in the first-half, cancelling out an early opener from Boston United captain Jordan Keane.
Mark Bower made one change to the side that saw off Leamington last week, drafting in midfielder Danny Boshell to replace Rob Atkinson after the defender was forced off during the victory over the Brakes.
The hosts made a dream start, taking the lead after just three minutes. They were awarded a free-kick in controversial circumstances after Jake Beesley was brought down outside the box, and Ashley Hemming’s delivery was met by the head of captain Jordan Keane. The defender glanced a header beyond the reach of Steven Drench to leave the visitors shell shocked.
Hemmings caused problems again with a cross shortly after, but his lofted delivery was headed clear by Matt Hill after the winger had escaped the challenge of Frank Mulhern.
Beesley advanced into the box before cutting-back to Brad Abbott but his through ball missed its target and rolled to Drench.
Gianluca Havern and Shane Killock were proving difficult opposition for Boston’s pacey frontline and the latter made an excellent sliding challenge to thwart James Clifton, who opened to shoot after cutting-in from the right.
Avenue did begin to knock on the door as the half progressed and Boyes rattled the crossbar with a thunderous effort from just outside the box.
Boston continued to enjoy opportunities despite Avenue’s testing of Willis and nearly doubled their lead when Beesley drew a fantastic save from Drench with a well-struck half-volley.
However, it was Avenue that found a way through when Boyes powered home a header from a Ross delivery to draw level.
The visitors almost took the lead on the stroke of half-time, as both Boyes and Jamie Spencer saw efforts blocked by Keane on the edge of the box.
HALF-TIME: Boston United 1-1 Bradford Park Avenue
The Pilgrims enjoyed a prolonged spell of pressure after the interval but failed to find a way past the in-form Drench.
An interchange between Andi Thanoj and Hemmings opened space for the latter to shoot but the winger blazed over with a wild effort.
It was soon Avenue’s turn to regain a grip on the game, as they began to enjoy more time on the front foot.
Boyes drilled across goal in search of Spencer, but ex-Avenue man Ryan Qualter hooked behind before the young midfielder could pounce.
Mulhern skipped past Ben Middleton before checking back but his cross looped over the head of a lurking Boyes.
With the tie poised at 1-1, the final few minutes were set to be entertaining. They certainly lived up to expectations, and Mark Bower’s men would have been forgiven for thinking luck simply wasn’t on their side after seeing three shots hooked away on the line.
Two came from substitute Antoine Remi Recizac, who caused problems following his introduction with some impressive movement and skill. After his second was blocked on the goal line, the ball fell to Mulhern whose effort was also denied by a last-ditch clearance.
The resilient visitors were eventually rewarded for their pressure, taking the lead in the 90th minute when Boyes steered past Willis after the ball fell to the clinical finisher in the box.
FULL-TIME: Boston United 1-2 Bradford Park Avenue
Boston United: Willis, Middleton, Brogan, Thanoj, Keane (c), Qualter, Clifton (McGuire 77’), Abbott (Tshimanga 83’), Thompson, Beesley (Smith 67’), Hemmings.
Unused substitutes: Stewart, Wafula.
Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Ross, Hill, Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby (Recizac 75’), Boshell, Boyes, Spencer, Mulhern (Toulson 90+2’).
Unused substitutes: Hall, Knight.
Referee: Sam Mulhall
Avenue head to the Jakemans Stadium on Saturday in search of their first away win since December 2017. Adam Boyes, Nicky Clee and Lee Knight all weighed in with goals as Mark Bower’s side swept Southport aside two days before Christmas, but only three points have been chalked up on the road since that win.
Boston held Spennymoor Town to a 0-0 draw at Harrogate Towns CNG Stadium on Tuesday night, days after securing an impressive away win at Darlington thanks to goals from Ashley Hemmings and on-loan Guiseley forward Reece Thompson.
The Pilgrims lie 12th in the table, one point adrift of Avenue with one game in-hand. Avenue did, however, come out on top in the last meeting between the sides. Boston took the lead at the Horsfall Stadium back in September, but Mark Ross drew level before Adam Boyes clinched the three points with a second-half winner.
Saturday’s opponents have overseen a managerial switch since their last meeting with Avenue, replacing Adam Murray with Craig Elliott.
The game may also see Avenue fans greeted by some familiar faces in the Boston squad. Experienced goalkeeper Jon Stewart represented Avenue during the 2015-16 season and joined the Pilgrims in January to provide competition for first-choice stopper George Willis, a one-time Avenue loanee. Centre-back Ryan Qualter is another to have turned out at the Horsfall Stadium and was also reunited with former Shaw Lane boss Elliott in January.
GUIDE TO OUR OPPONENTS:
THE GAFFER: Craig Elliott
Elliott took charge of the Pilgrims in November 2017, gaining the attention of the Boston board after guiding Shaw Lane to three promotions in four seasons. He also managed Ossett Town and Glasshoughton Welfare before taking over at the Jakemans Stadium.
KEY PLAYERS:
Stephen Brogan
Versatile 29-year old Brogan joined the Pilgrims in December having left National League North strugglers North Ferriby United. He brings a wealth of experience to Boston’s side, having played regularly in the Football League for Rotherham United before dropping into non-league. A left-sided player who is comfortable in both defence and midfield, he began his career with the Millers and attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur due to his impressive displays in the 2007-08 season. However, a double leg fracture in 2008 halted his progress. Brogan spent time on loan with Stalybridge Celtic in 2011 and proved to be a hit with fans but couldn’t earn a new deal with the Millers and was eventually released. He eventually joined Celtic on a permanent deal after struggling to settle at Alfreton Town, who he joined following his Rotherham release. Brogan went on to play alongside current Avenue boss Mark Bower at Guiseley, where he also teamed with former Lions Steven Drench, Danny Boshell and Wayne Brooksby. His stint at Nethermoor was short-lived, as it wasn’t long before Forest Green Rovers of non-league football’s highest tier swooped. During his time with Rovers, he earned a call-up to the England C squad and picked up two caps. After leaving Forest Green in 2014, he went on to represent Southport, Gainsborough Trinity and North Ferriby as well as enjoying a third spell at Stalybridge.
Ashley Hemmings
27-year-old winger Ashley Hemmings linked up with the Boston squad in June 2017 after leaving Mansfield Town. A tricky player with an eye for goal, he represented England under-17s whilst in the youth ranks of Wolverhampton Wanderers and enjoyed loan spells with Cheltenham Town, Torquay United and Plymouth Argyle. He made fifty-six appearances in two years at Walsall after departing Molineux, making five appearances on loan at Burton Albion during that time. Hemmings then made eighty appearances for Dagenham & Redbridge during a two-year spell between 2014 and 2016, earning a move to League Two side Mansfield Town where he spent one season. Since arriving at the Jakemans Stadium, he has scored fifteen goals in forty-four outings.
Reece Thompson
Boston completed somewhat of a coup when they convinced striker Reece Thompson to join the Pilgrims on loan. The dangerous forward was North Ferriby United’s top-scorer in their 2016-17 National League campaign, earning a move to Guiseley in the summer of 2017. He struggled to break into the Lions’ first-team but has found his feet at the Jakemans Stadium. The former Frickley Athletic and York City forward has found the back of the net on nine occasions since arriving and netted in their recent 2-1 win over Darlington at Blackwell Meadows.
