Match Report: Avenue 1-1 Spennymoor

A late equaliser from Adam Boyes denied Bradford (Park Avenue) a second win of the season against Spennymoor Town.

Former Bradford striker Boyes netted in the fifth minute of second half stoppage time to cancel out Brad Dockerty’s opener – his second in two games.

Avenue were left to rue missed chances as Lewis Knight could have had a hat-trick, but visiting goalkeeper Matthew Gould was in fine form.

Josh Heaton was brought straight into a line-up which also included a returning Rhys Taylor and Dockerty, following his goal off the bench last time out at Boston.

Avenue started quickly, winning a corner within 13 seconds, but it was the visitors who had the first attempt at goal, Andrew Johnson cutting inside, but his curled effort flashed past the post.

Law’s side were picking up a lot of loose balls and sloppy moments from the Spennymoor midfield, and one of those allowed them to grab the opener.

Marcus Wood picked up a loose ball and drove forward, waiting for the perfect moment to draw the defender out and slip in Dockerty, who just about managed to squeeze his shot under Gould and into the back of the net.

New signing Heaton was making a clear difference at the back, and he was called upon to make a key block as Johnson latched onto a long throw, with the ball looking destined to ripple the back of the net.

Then it was Taylor, returning after sitting out two games with a calf injury, who needed to be at his best, doing brilliantly to tip over as James Roberts struck powerfully towards the top corner from a tight angle.

Spennymoor started to see more of the ball but couldn’t get through a stern Avenue formation, and it was actually the hosts who should have extended their lead just before the break.

The hosts got a corner cleared and Wood played a brilliant ball over the top to Lewis Knight. His touch was excellent to take him through one-on-one with Gould, but his low finish was weak and was denied by the goalkeeper’s outstretched leg.

And Gould foiled Knight once more just after the interval. Avenue broke in numbers, led again by Wood, and he slipped in the winger whose powerful strike was acrobatically tipped over the bar by the visiting goalkeeper.

Knight was left disappointed though when he finally beat Gould, latching onto a brilliant Alex Hurst pass, and an excellent first touch saw him get past the goalkeeper, but he could only find the side netting with his finish from a tight angle.

Moments later the visitors came oh so close to drawing level, as Andrew Johnson met a corner with a thumping header which rattled the crossbar.

Taylor then had to be alert to tip away Johnson’s effort and the ball almost fell for Boyes, but it got stuck under his feet and Avenue scrambled it away.

The goalkeeper made a good double save denying Roberts and Johnson, before the pick of the bunch with 10 minutes left on the clock.

A shot had come in from Johnson and substitute Gavin Cogdon flicked it on from inside the six yard box, but Taylor reacted phenomenally to tip the ball over the bar.

Bradford were clinging on as Spennymoor had a huge number of late corners, Taylor tipping over from Nathan Buddle, and the sickening equaliser eventually came in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

A high ball in was headed down by Robert Ramshaw, and Boyes was unmarked six yards from goal, free to prod the ball past a helpless Taylor and rescue a point for the visitors.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Taylor, Bazeley, Calder, Wood (c), Lund, Heaton, Knight (Holmes 65), Marriott, Dockerty (Johnson 62), Hurst, Headley (Cresswell 73)

Subs not used: Gibbons, Bennett

Goal: Dockerty (11)

Booked: Bazeley (30), Johnson (83)

Spennymoor Town: Gould, Williams (Hibbs 50), Brogan, Chandler, Buddle, Curtis (c), McKenna, Ramshaw, Boyes, Roberts (Cogdon 76), Johnson

Subs not used: Mason, Atkinson, Webb

Goal: Boyes (90+5)

Referee: Andy Sykes

Attendance: 402

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes

0Shares

Avenue Swoop For Heaton and Johnson

posted in: First Team News, News | 0

Bradford (Park Avenue) have moved to add defender Josh Heaton and striker Andre Johnson to their squad.

Central defender Heaton joins from National League North rivals Darlington, while Johnson last featured for Boston United last season.

Heaton, who has featured seven times for Darlington this term, in fact became St Mirren’s record signing last summer, following his participation in Jamie Vardy’s V9 academy.

The towering defender, now 22, never settled north of the border and spent the second half of last season on loan at Kidderminster, before returning to Darlington in the summer.

He came off the bench in the first half as Avenue picked up their only victory of the season at Darlington’s Blackwell Meadows two-and-a-half weeks ago.

Johnson, meanwhile, has been brought in to fill a big void in the attacking area, with centre-back Ryan Cresswell playing in attack for most of last weekend’s defeat at Boston.

The 23-year-old actually last lined up for the Pilgrims, making 16 appearances last season while also spending some time at Hednesford Town.

He joined Boston from Alfreton last summer, having also played in the National League North for Corby Town before that.

Both Johnson and Heaton go straight into contention for Avenue’s home match against Spennymoor Town this Saturday, with Marcus Law’s men looking to get off the mark with a first home win of the season.

Meanwhile, defender Alex Laird has left the club by mutual consent. We would like to thank Alex for his efforts with the club and wish him all the best for the future.

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes

0Shares

Match Preview: Spennymoor (H)

posted in: First Team News, News | 0

Bradford (Park Avenue) are looking to build on the positives as they return to action this Saturday against Spennymoor.

Avenue were unlucky to come away with nothing to show from last weekend’s trip to in-form Boston, a quickfire double for the hosts sinking Marcus Law’s men to a 2-1 defeat.

It was a third loss in a row, following home defeats to Telford and Farsley, which followed on from Bradford’s sole win of the season at Darlington.

Jon Moran sat out the defeat with tonsilitis, while goalkeeper Rhys Taylor was still absent as he treats an ongoing calf problem which had been affecting him during a number of matches including the win at Darlington.

His replacement Jack Bennett made up for his Farsley error with a controlled performance at Boston, and it remains to be seen whether the youngster will be called upon again this Saturday.

Law has been busy reshuffling his squad, with a number of departures last week, and is hoping to add at least one name ahead of the weekend.

A striker is high on his priority list, after Ryan Cresswell was deployed in an attacking role at Boston last week.

For Saturday’s visitors, however, they come armed with ex-Bradford striker Adam Boyes and winger Ben McKenna, with the former netting in Spennymoor’s 5-0 victory over Blyth Spartans on Tuesday night.

After work on their Brewery Field ground overran from the summer, The Moors have been playing catchup following a handful of postponements.

They actually sit just two positions above Bradford in the league table, pulling away with Tuesday night’s victory – one of their rearranged matches.

The match kicks off at 3pm at the Horsfall Stadium, with the ground open from midday for the beer festival taking place all weekend.

Recent League Form

Bradford (Park Avenue)
Boston United (A) L 1-2
Farsley Celtic (H) L 0-3
AFC Telford United (H) L 2-3
Darlington (A) W 1-0
Blyth (H) D 0-0

Spennymoor Town
Blyth Spartans (H) W 5-0
King’s Lynn (H) D 2-2
Gateshead (A) L 0-1
Chester (H) W 2-1
Curzon Ashton (A) D 1-1

Last Time Out

Bradford (Park Avenue):  Bennett, Bazeley, Calder, Wood (c), Lund, Digbeu, Knight (Headley 31), Marriott, Cresswell (Gibbons 82), Hurst, Holmes (Dockerty 61)

Spennymoor Town: Gould, Williams, Brogan, Chandler, Magnay, Curtis (Buddle 73), Ward (Johnson 8), Ramshaw, Boyes, Roberts, McKenna (Cogdan 64)

Admission Prices
Adult – £10
Concession (OAP, Student) – £8
Under-17 – £1

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes

0Shares

Avenue Draw Morpeth in FA Cup

posted in: First Team News, News | 0

Bradford (Park Avenue) will play Morpeth Town at home in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.

The draw was made this Monday lunchtime for the second qualifying round, Avenue’s first involvement in the competition this season.

Marcus Law’s men will play North-Eastern side Morpeth, who defeated Avenue’s neighbours Brighouse Town in a preliminary round replay last Tuesday.

The Highwaymen then eased past Hyde United on Saturday with a 3-1 home win in the first qualifying round tie.

Northern Premier League side Morpeth, who finished top of the Evo-Stik East Division to earn promotion last term, currently sit in mid-table after two wins and two defeats from their four matches so far this season.

All second round qualifying ties will take place over the weekend of 20-22 September, with Avenue’s match against Morpeth expected to take place on Saturday 21 September, with a 3pm kick-off.

Winning clubs will receive £6,750 from The FA prize fund while losing clubs will collect £2,250.

Find the draw in full below:

1 Marine v Dunston or Sunderland RCA
2 Southport v Scarborough Athletic or Marske United
3 Chester v Altrincham
4 Curzon Ashton v Blyth Spartans
5 Bradford (Park Avenue) v Morpeth Town
6 Irlam v York City
7 Tadcaster Albion or Ashton United v Pontefract Collieries
8 South Shields or Colne v Thornaby or Ossett United
9 1874 Northwich v Whitby Town
10 FC United of Manchester or Atherton Collieries v Warrington Town or City of Liverpool
11 Trafford v Darlington
12 Gateshead v Ramsbottom United
13 Guiseley v Stockton Town
14 Lancaster City or Northwich Victoria v Spennymoor Town
15 Runcorn Town v Farsley Celtic
16 Alfreton Town v King’s Lynn Town
17 Stamford v Boston United
18 Leamington v Chasetown
19 Kettering Town v Sutton Coldfield Town or Redditch United
20 Belper Town v Witton Albion
21 Loughborough Dynamo v Tamworth
22 AFC Telford United v Nantwich Town
23 Rushall Olympic v Banbury United or Gainsborough Trinity
24 Halesowen Town v Stratford Town
25 Boston Town v Leek Town
26 Buxton v Corby Town
27 Matlock Town v Kidsgrove Athletic
28 Hednesford Town v Barwell
29 Kidderminster Harriers v Stafford Rangers
30 Coalville Town v Stourbridge
31 Beaconsfield Town v Hemel Hempstead Town
32 Corinthian Casuals v Chelmsford City
33 Kingstonian v Grays Athletic
34 Walthamstow v Abbey Rangers
35 Balham v Royston Town
36 Tonbridge Angels v Eastbourne Borough
37 Margate v Concord Rangers
38 Hendon v Deeping Rangers or AFC Sudbury
39 St Ives Town v Waltham Abbey or Canvey Island
40 Maidstone United v Cheshunt
41 Potters Bar Town v Hornchurch
42 Bishop’s Stortford v East Thurrock United or Peterborough Sports
43 Dulwich Hamlet v Bognor Regis Town
44 Sutton Athletic or Flackwell Heath v Slough Town
45 Billericay Town v Basildon United
46 Tooting & Mitcham United v Dorking Wanderers
47 Hadley v Ramsgate or Arundel
48 Leatherhead or Lewes v Bowers & Pitsea
49 Cray Wanderers v Soham Town Rangers
50 Harrow Borough v Carshalton Athletic
51 Biggleswade v Chertsey Town
52 St Neots Town or Biggleswade Town v Ware
53 Badshot Lea v Hayes & Yeading United
54 Lowestoft Town v Dereham Town or Needham Market
55 Barton Rovers v Hitchin Town
56 Enfield Town v Braintree Town
57 Maldon & Tiptree v Wingate & Finchley
58 Moneyfields v Whyteleafe
59 Hartley Wintney v Chichester City
60 Metropolitan Police or Horsham v Dartford
61 St Albans City v Hastings United or Worthing
62 Kings Langley v Folkestone Invicta
63 Haringey Borough v Staines Town
64 Farnborough v Wealdstone
65 Welling United v Chipstead
66 Chesham United v Hampton & Richmond Borough
67 Weston Super Mare v Merthyr Town
68 Sholing v Weymouth
69 Hereford v Truro City
70 Portland United v Salisbury
71 Havant & Waterlooville v Taunton Town
72 Cirencester Town v Chippenham Town
73 Tavistock or Shepton Mallet v Highworth Town
74 Tiverton Town v Bristol Manor Farm
75 Poole Town v Hungerford Town
76 Swindon Supermarine v Bath City
77 Oxford City v North Leigh
78 Kidlington v Gloucester City
79 Brackley Town v Cinderford Town
80 Blackfield & Langley v Dorchester Town

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: The FA

0Shares

Match Report: Boston 2-1 Avenue

Bradford (Park Avenue) fell to a third successive defeat despite significant improvement away at in-form Boston.

Marcus Law’s men were the better side for much of the afternoon, defending admirably and creating the best chances, but two goals in two second half minutes led to an unfortunate defeat.

Brad Abbott and Jordan Thewlis capitalised to hand Boston their third win in four, substitute Brad Dockerty giving Avenue hope by pulling one back with six minutes to play, but the visitors just couldn’t find another goal to come away with what would have been a deserved point.

Bradford had the first opening of the match as they attempted to use the breakaway against their hosts, Isaac Marriott finding Alex Hurst who drove forward, but saw his shot from range comfortably saved by Peter Crook.

Avenue then had to throw one or two bodies on the line as the ball dropped following a Boston free-kick, but managed to break once more to create a hairy moment for the hosts.

The same pair combined and Hurst’s good run ended with his powerful cross just too far ahead of Lewis Knight.

Law’s men were struggling once more with discipline, Riccardo Calder booked early on before a poor Nelson Digbeu foul nearly cost them.

The referee was ready to give Avenue’s French defender a talking to, but the home side took the free-kick quickly and Brad Abbott sent a shot crashing wide of the near post.

Avenue were dealt a blow as Knight was forced off injured on the half-hour, but they should have gone ahead moments later on the end of a great move.

Calder, who had moved forward in the formation following Knight’s departure, drove into the box and cut back for Richard Cresswell, but the defender playing in attack skewed his shot when he should have scored.

The unusual number nine then had another chance after more good play between Hurst and Marriott saw the Huddersfield loanee get a good cross in which Cresswell met on the volley, but it deflected just wide of the near post.

Boston were being kept at bay by a sturdy Avenue defence, and the free-scoring side showed their frustration late in the first half, Tom Platt and Ainge firing high and wide from range.

The visitors continued to defend admirably into the second period, Ainge firing high and wide once more, but after a double substitution led to a dangerous spell, Boston took the lead.

Bradford had cleared three crosses in succession, but a high ball came in from Karl Byrne which Dominic Knowles headed down and Abbott arrived to finish into the bottom corner.

And moments later is was two as Avenue heads went down, Thewlis, one of those substitutes, picked up a loose ball and skipped past a challenge before finding Jack Bennett’s bottom corner.

Ainge had a real chance to seal the match, as he was allowed a free header from a corner, but he planted it firmly wide of the target.

With six minutes to play, Avenue brought themselves back into it.

Calder played an excellent deceptive ball over the top which was chased by Dockerty and fellow substitute Myron Gibbons, with the former left to simply touch the ball past Peter Crook and roll it into an empty net.

The goal caused a late rally from Avenue and Boston looked nervous, the hosts having to defend for their lives as Gibbons touched down for Hurst, but his shot couldn’t get through the crowd.

Bradford’s best chance late on came through the exceptional Calder, who took down a pass with a brilliant touch, working space for a shot which he fired just wide of the top corner from 20 yards.

In the end it wasn’t to be, but there were plenty of positives for Law’s men following a handful of disappointing performances.

Boston United: Crook, Byrne, Whittle, Thanoj (Adebayo-Smith 56), Ainge, Shiels (c), Platt, Abbott, Knowles (Green 69), Walker (Thewlis 56), Rollins

Subs not used: Willis, Jackson

Goals: Abbott (64), Thewlis (66)

Booked: Thanoj (53)

Bradford (Park Avenue): Bennett, Bazeley, Calder, Wood (c), Lund, Digbeu, Knight (Headley 31), Marriott, Cresswell (Gibbons 82), Hurst, Holmes (Dockerty 61)

Subs not used: None

Goal: Dockerty (84)

Booked: Calder (19), Cresswell (77), Marriott (78)

Referee: Scott Simpson

Attendance: 1,110 (47 visitors)

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes

0Shares

Match Preview: Boston (A)

posted in: First Team News, News | 0

Bradford (Park Avenue) look to return to winning ways as they travel to Boston United this Saturday.

Marcus Law’s Avenue have lost two home games on the bounce, following their first win of the season on Bank Holiday Monday.

Bradford had in fact kept successive clean sheets in the previous two games, but three-goal hauls for both Telford and Farsley saw Law’s men fail to register any points from their double header of home matches.

Contrasting Avenue’s results, Boston have lost just once this term, running out 2-0 victors away at Kettering in their fixture on Tuesday night.

A run of two wins and a draw from their last three has seen them keep a trio clean sheets on the bounce, with a defence which includes former Bradford man Simon Ainge.

The powerful centre back is joined in the squad by a number of fellow former Harrogate Town men, the likes of Peter Crook, Luke Shiels and Andy Thanoj to name but a few.

A number of draws has left the side sitting in mid-table though, with the win over Kettering pushing them up to tenth.

Bradford, meanwhile, missed their chance to overtake Kettering and Spennymoor, and remain second-from-bottom in the National League North standings.

Law will be hoping for a return to happiness on the road, where four of their five points have been gained this term.

Recent League Form

Boston United
Kettering Town (A) W 2-0
Hereford (A) D 0-0
Altrincham (H) W 5-0
Gloucester City (A) L 0-3
Guiseley (H) D 1-1

Bradford (Park Avenue)
Farsley Celtic (H) L 0-3
AFC Telford United (H) L 2-3
Darlington (A) W 1-0
Blyth (H) D 0-0
Alfreton (A) L 0-4

Last Time Out

Boston United: Crook, Byrne, Whittle, Thanoj, Ainge, Shiels, Platt, Abbott, Knowles (Clare 81), Walker (Thewlis 74), Rollins (Jackson 85)

Bradford (Park Avenue):  Bennett, Lund (c), Calder, Wood, Digbeu, Bazeley, Knight, Marriott (Holmes 67), Cresswell, Hurst, Headley (Dockerty 58)

Admission Prices
Adult – £13
Concession (OAP, Student) – £10
Under-16 – £4

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes

0Shares

Vanarama’s August Assessment

posted in: First Team News, News | 0

League sponsors Vanarama have been busy compiling their August Assessment

It’s been a good month for….

Alfreton Town – Billy Heath admitted himself that his side was lacking last season and he made a number of changes over the summer. And although they might have taken a few games to get going, it was worth waiting for! One win in the first half of the month but maximum points from the second. New signing Amari Morgan-Smith seems to have found his rhythm which is making the rest of the league sit up and take note of the Reds.

It’s been a bad month for….

Garry Thompson and Marc Richards – The management pair were given their marching orders from Bradford (Park Avenue) and Hereford respectively. Thompson lasted just two games in charge of the Avenue but was relieved of his duties after back-to-back 5-0 defeats. Richards’ tenure came to an end after his first defeat of the season to King’s Lynn.

Star performer….

Aaron Martin – They say one man doesn’t make a team, but Guiseley frontman Martin is testing the old saying to its limits. With a haul of ten goals, Martin has notched over half of the Lions goals so far this season as the West Yorkshire outfit enjoyed a fine start to 2019/20 – Sergio who?

Surprise package….

King’s Lynn Town – Not many will have predicted the rise of the Linnets so early on, but Ian Culverhouse didn’t read the script. Since losing their opener, only Brackley Town have taken even a single point from them – with eye-catching wins against Hereford, AFC Telford and Darlington the pick of the bunch.

Standout result….

Farsley Celtic 3-1 Darlington – Not many would’ve given the Celts a sniff against Alun Armstrong’s new-look Darlington side. But the new boys showed they weren’t here simply to make up the numbers and found themselves two goals ahead inside 17 minutes! Jimmy Spencer put them three up ten minutes before the break, meaning Adam Campbell’s second-half striker was merely a consolation.

Focus on – Bradford (Park Avenue)

After a tough start that saw Garry Thompson leave after two games, Marcus Law seems to be heading in the right direction with his new side. After picking up their first points of the season at Gateshead, a draw with Blyth Spartans was quickly followed with a first win at Darlington – both games bringing much-needed clean sheets in the process. The month ended on a sour note however with defeat to AFC Telford – there’s plenty of time left!

Stat-Attack

Record – L-L-L-D-L-D-W-L

Goals For/Against – 4/21

League position – 21st

Top scorer – Lewis Knight (2)

Sponsors Vanarama have recently launched the Club Reward scheme to help fans back their club’s budget. Every time a fan takes out a brand new van lease with Vanarama or a brand new car lease with Mototama their club will earn £100 and you will receive £30 cashback!

For the latest van leasing deals head to Vanarama.

For the latest car leasing deals head to Motorama.

0Shares

Match Report: Avenue 0-3 Farsley

Bradford (Park Avenue) fell to a second successive home defeat at the hands of near neighbours Farsley Celtic.

Full-back Thomas Allan opened the scoring before both sides struck the woodwork in a frantic second half.

However late in the game, Jack Bennett allowed a Jordan Richards shot to trickle through his legs, with Ben Atkinson adding a third deep into added time with a thumping effort.

It was a miserable defeat for Marcus Law’s men, who had shown much promise in recent matches.

The away side actually had the ball in the back of the net with just five minutes on the clock, but Farsley captain Danny Ellis was adjudged to have fouled his man as he climbed to win the header.

Celtic were enjoying a lot of space out wide, and fashioned the next opening as Luke Parkin cut inside but dragged his effort past the post from 20 yards.

Moments later, Bradford had the best chance of the first period, after a brilliant move.

Isiah Bazeley and Lewis Knight combined excellently down the right before the on-loan Aston Villa man pulled the ball back, only for Knight’s finish to just fade away from the top corner and fly wide.

Farsley had a few questionable shouts for a penalty and Riccardo Calder hit a tame effort into Kyle Trennery’s arms as a tight first half ended goalless.

The second period continued in a particularly fast paced manner, and Farsley fired Avenue a warning moments before taking the lead.

Left-back Allan delivered a brilliant cross and James Spencer struck the near post with his effort.

Avenue scrambled the ball away for a corner but weren’t awake to a short move, Tyler Walton delivering a great inswinging cross which Allan rose to flick into the bottom corner.

Alex Hurst then worried Trennery with a low drive before Bradford stopper Bennett was down sharply to deny Spencer after the home defence failed to clear a throw-in.

Avenue conceded a cheap free kick on the edge of the box seconds later, and were almost made to pay as Parkin’s thunderous strike rattled the post with Bennett rooted to the spot.

Less than five minutes later is was the hosts’ turn to strike the woodwork as Marcus Wood’s weaving run through midfield ended on the edge of the box, his low left-footed effort cannoning off the foot of the upright.

Both sides chased the all-important second goal, but it was Farsley who got it with four minutes to play in the cheapest fashion.

Substitute Nathan Cartman played a brilliant through-ball for Richards, who took on the shot first time and his effort straight at Bennett slipped through the goalkeepers grasp and trickled over the line.

And the visitors added a third in stoppage time to add some deserved gloss to the final score. Cartman brilliantly dummied Spencer’s cut-back and Atkinson arrived to thump the ball into the top corner from just outside the box.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Bennett, Lund (c), Calder, Wood, Digbeu, Bazeley, Knight, Marriott (Holmes 67), Cresswell, Hurst, Headley (Dockerty 58)

Subs not used: Gibbons, Laird, Moran

Booked: Headley (16), Digbeu (42)

Farsley Celtic: Trennery, Richards, Allan, Walton (Maltby 90), Ellis (c), Clayton, B.Atkinson, C.Atkinson, Spencer, Parkin (Cartman 79), Syers (Baldwin 67)

Subs not used: Wynne, Hayhurst

Goals: Allan (50), Richards (86), B.Atkinson (90+4)

Booked: Ellis (57)

Referee: Aaron Bannister

Attendance: 508

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes

0Shares

Orlando-Young Joins Ilkeston

posted in: First Team News, News | 0

Bradford (Park Avenue) winger Rod Orlando-Young has joined Ilkeston Town on a permanent transfer.

Orlando-Young lined up for The Robins as they won promotion from the Midland Football League Premier Division under the guidance of now-Avenue assistant Lee Fowler.

The 24-year-old, who had previously won the chance to train with Bundesliga side Red Bull Leipzig, played just once in a short stint at the Horsfall Stadium.

He came off the bench at half-time of the 4-0 defeat to Alfreton, missing a glorious chance to bring Avenue back into the game, skewing wise Isaac Marriott’s pow centre when it looked a certain goal.

Everyone at Avenue would like to thank Rod for all his efforts with the club, and wish him all the best for the future.

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes

0Shares

Match Preview: Farsley Celtic (H)

posted in: First Team News, News | 0

Bradford (Park Avenue) will look to earn their first home win of the season as near neighbours Farsley Celtic visit the Horsfall Stadium on Tuesday.

Avenue won for the first time this term with a dramatic victory over Darlington last Monday, but slipped to defeat at the hands of Telford at the weekend.

Marcus Law’s side managed to double their season’s goal tally in the Telford clash, as Lewis Knight and Riccardo Calder both got on the scoresheet, but a late Brendon Daniels winner condemned them to defeat.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Law and Avenue, who had previously managed two consecutive clean sheets against Darlington and Blyth.

New signing Isaiah Bazeley came off the bench for an Avenue side who had seen five players depart during the week.

Lewis Rathbone had joined Pickering Town on loan, while Zayn Hakeem, Sam Wright, Jake Croft and Matty Clarke were all allowed to leave the club.

Tuesday’s visitors Farsley bring a number of familiar faces with them to the Horsfall Stadium, with former Avenue men Adam Clayton, Nathan Turner and Mark Bett among their ranks.

Fellow former Bradford winger Paul Walker this week joined Scarborough Athletic on loan, and hence won’t make his return to a ground on which he became a firm fan’s favourite over the years.

Promoted in the summer, Farsley have had an up and down start to the season, but come into the Avenue clash on the back of two straight defeats.

A home loss against fellow league newcomers King’s Lynn was followed by a comfortable defeat at Altrincham on Saturday as Adam Lakeland’s men continue to find their feet.

The match kicks off at 7.45pm at the Horsfall Stadium.

Recent League Form

Bradford (Park Avenue)
AFC Telford United (H) L 2-3
Darlington (A) W 1-0
Blyth (H) D 0-0
Alfreton (A) L 0-4
Gateshead (A) D 1-1

Farsley Celtic
Altrincham (A) L 1-3
King’s Lynn (H) L 1-2
Gateshead (A) W 3-0
Spennymoor Town (H) W 1-0
Southport (H) L 0-3

Last Time Out

Bradford (Park Avenue): Taylor (c), Lund (Bazeley 56), Calder, Wood (Holmes 56), Moran (Gibbons 64), Digbeu, Knight, Marriott, Dockerty, Hurst, Headley

Farsley Celtic: Wynne, Richards, Hayhurst (B. Atkinson 74), Higgins (Ellis 74), Allan, Clayton (c), Walton, C. Atkinson, Spencer, Cartman (Syers 74), Parkin

Admission Prices
Adult – £10
Concession (OAP, Student) – £8
Under-17 – £1

Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes

0Shares