The match official for today’s game has assessed the pitch and has confirmed the game will take place.
The club would like to thank all the volunteers who have worked hard on the pitch this morning to get the game on.
Pitch Update: Southport (H)
The playing surface at the Horsfall Stadium has been passed fit by a local referee ahead of this afternoon’s match against Southport.
Heavy and constant rain has fallen in the Bradford area for over 24 hours, but a local official has said that in its current state the pitch is playable.
Therefore, as things stand, Avenue’s home match with Southport will go ahead this afternoon.
However, with rain continuing to fall, there will be a further inspection by the match referee on his arrival at the ground, at approximately 1:30pm.
Please keep up to date via the club’s official website and social media channels.
Match Preview: Southport (H)
Bradford (Park Avenue) will look to return to home comforts on Saturday as they host Southport in the National League North.
After a winning start on his return to the club, Mark Bower’s Avenue slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Gloucester City last weekend, and will be looking to bounce back on their own turf.
A 3-2 victory over Hereford preceeded the Gloucester defeat, and Avenue have been boosted this week by the news that match-winner Dan Sweeney’s loan from Solihull has been extended by a further month.
There is expected to be further movement in the Avenue ranks ahead of the match as Bower continues to make the squad his own.
And Southport come armed with one of those Bower has seen move on, with ex-Bradford midfielder Marcus Wood now lining up for his former club once more.
Last time out for the Sandgrounders was in fact also a 3-2 home win over Hereford, as they overcame FA Cup disappointment to take three points on Tuesday night.
They have in fact won four home league matches in a row, and victory in the week saw them rise to sixth in the table, but have failed to win away from home since 13 August.
The game, which is due to kick-off at 3pm on Saturday, is subject to a precautionary pitch inspection at 10:30am with heavy rain forecast overnight, and the club will keep supporters informed of the outcome as swiftly as possible.
Recent League Form
Bradford (Park Avenue)
Glouccester City (A) L 0-1
Hereford (H) W 3-2
Brackley Town (A) L 0-8
Spennymoor Town (H) D 1-1
Boston United (A) L 1-2
Southport
Hereford (H) W 3-2
Brackley Town (H) W 1-0
Boston United (A) L 0-2
Blyth Spartans (H) W 2-0
York City (A) D 1-1
Admission Prices
Adult – £10
Concession (OAP, Student) – £8
Under-17 – £1
Pitch Inspection Planned Ahead Of Southport Visit
With heavy rain forecast through the night, there will be a precautionary pitch inspection ahead of Avenue’s home match with Southport.
Southport make the journey to the Horsfall this Saturday (26 October) and there will be a check of the playing surface at 10:30 in the morning ahead of their departure.
Please refer to the website tomorrow for a further update.
Sweeney Loan Extended
Bradford (Park Avenue) can confirm that the loan agreement for Solihull Forward Dan Sweeney has been extended for further month.
Sweeney initially joined on a months loan but Manager Mark Bower was keen to secure his services for longer after putting in some impressive performances.
The loan extension will secure Dan’s services until at least the Leamington game on the 16th November.
Match Preview: Gloucester (A)
Bradford (Park Avenue) travel to Gloucester City this Saturday looking for their first back-to-back wins of the season.
Returning manager Mark Bower oversaw the club’s first home win of the season in his first game back in charge at the club, thanks to a 3-2 victory over Hereford at the Horsfall Stadium.
Lewis Knight, Dan Sweeney and Adam Nowakowski found the net in the victory which also marked the first time Avenue had scored more than once in a league game this term.
For Sweeney, it was his first goal since joining on loan from Solihull, while Nowakowski also marked his return to the club by opening the scoring inside 10 minutes.
Joe Green, another of Bower’s four-player haul ahead of his first game back, impressed at the other end with a string of fine saves and excellent handling to make sure of the three points.
Victory over Hereford also moved Bradford out of the bottom two, and further points at Gloucester could see them overtake Curzon Ashton into 19th place.
After being on the end of an FA Cup upset against a depleted Whitby Town last week, Gloucester were defeated at Gateshead in their second trip to the North East in two weekends.
Their home form has been commendable however, with three wins out of four in the league at their temporary Evesham base – with only a close 3-2 defeat to table toppers York tarnishing that record.
Avenue will be without Marcus Wood for the long trip down the M6, as he has left to join Southport, while it remains to be seen if Bower will add any fresh faces ahead of the contest.
You can join Avenue for the match with spaces still available on the official coach. Click here for more info.
Recent League Form
Bradford (Park Avenue)
Hereford (H) W 3-2
Brackley Town (A) L 0-8
Spennymoor Town (H) D 1-1
Boston United (A) L 1-2
Farsley Celtic (H) L 0-3
Gloucester City
Gateshead (A) L 0-1
Guiseley (H) W 3-1
King’s Lynn Town (A) D 2-2
Darlington (H) W 2-1
AFC Telford United (A) L 3-4
Last Time Out
Bradford (Park Avenue): Green, Lund, Priestley, Lowe (c), Hughes, Heaton, Knight (Bazeley 90), Agustien (Marriott 70), Sweeney (Johnson 90), Hurst, Nowakowski
Gloucester City: Bradley-Hurst; Hamilton, Harper, Harrison (Smith, 30’), Avery (c), Russe, Parker, Hanks, Jackson, Kotwica, Robert (Myrie-Williams, 65’)
Admission Prices
Adult – £13
Concession (OAP, Student) – £8
Under-15 – £3
Under-12 – FREE
Wood Departs Club
Following an official approach, Marcus Wood has opted to leave the club and join Southport.
Wood is no stranger to Southport after spending 6 months of last season on loan from Bolton.
Bradford (Park Avenue) would like to thank Marcus for his efforts during his time with the club and wish him all the best for the future.
UPDATED: Away Travel for Gloucester City
The club will be running a coach for our away trip to Gloucester City AFC on Saturday 19th of October.
Departure times for the coach are:
Horsfall Stadium – 9:15 AM
Cedar Court Hotel – 9:30 AM
Prices for the coach are:
Adults – £15
Under 18’s – £10
Supporters wishing to travel need to book their place by
Friday afternoon by emailing info@bpafc.com.
Photo: Lewis Knight and supporters celebrate following his goal vs Hereford. Credit: John Rhodes
MATCH REPORT | Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC 3 – 2 Hereford FC
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
Avenue Add Four Ahead of Hereford Clash
Returning Bradford (Park Avenue) manager Mark Bower has added four names to his squad ahead of this afternoon’s match against Hereford FC.
Goalkeeper Joe Green and winger Liam Hughes have both joined the club, while fans should recognise fellow signings Adam Nowakowski and Billy Priestley.
Central defender Priestley last played for Avenue a number of years ago, proving a popular figure under John Deacey and Martin Drury.
Meanwhile versatile Nowakowski left the club along with Bower in the summer, with the former Harrogate and Darlington rejoining ahead of Hereford’s visit.
Green, who played under Bower and assistant Danny Boshell at Guiseley, arrives to replace Rhys Taylor, who left the club following Marcus Law’s departure.
And winger Hughes has signed for the club to add some quality in the wide positions, last featuring for Stratford Town.
Avenue host Hereford this Saturday at the Horsfall Stadium for Non League Day. With Avenue the cheapest team to watch in the National League North, why not bring someone new down this afternoon?