16 Dec 2019

Away Travel – Halesowen Town

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The club are running a supporters coach to the upcoming Halesowen Town on Tuesday evening, with seats costing £15 for adults and £10 for under 16’s.

Pick up time will be 14:00 from The Horsfall Stadium and 14:15 from Cedar Court Hotel.

Seats are selling fast so if you would like to reserve a seat please contact Neil Fawcett on 07811959003

To keep up to date with all future away travel run in connection with the clubs travel partner J&B Travel, please see the clubs away travel page by clicking here

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14 Dec 2019

MATCH REPORT: Bradford (Park Avenue) 2-2 Halesowen Town

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A replay will have to be played to see who advances to the second round of the FA Trophy after Bradford and Halesowen played out a 2-2 draw at the Horsfall Stadium. 

It was a very cagey affair to begin, both teams seemingly having to get accustomed to the weather, which was at its winter worst. 

Not much was created in the opening 15 minutes. Both teams enjoyed their fair share of possession but couldn’t break through the back line. The biggest chance fell to Lewis Knight — a very daring ball was sent over the top which took the Halesowen defence by surprise, Knight was able to race through but was beaten to the ball by goalkeeper Brendan Burr who was able to clear. 

Just minutes later, however, it was that man Lewis Knight who broke the deadlock to give the Avenue the lead. A mistake from the Halesowen defender who mistimed the ball allowed Lewis Knight to slot the ball into the bottom left corner of the net – it was a wonderful finish from the team’s top scorer, who had his back turned to goal, and had to turn quickly to stop the on-rushing goalkeeper from being able to gather the ball. 

The lead didn’t last long, though, as Halesowen equalised just minutes later through wing back Robert Evans – a burst of pace from the number 2 saw him race through on goal, and with only Joe Green to beat, he smashed the ball into the Avenue net to bring the teams level. 

After a slow second half, it picked up in the final 20 minutes. Halesowen awarded a penalty which Ashley Sammons smashed into the top right corner of the Avenue net.  

Halesowen then looked to cling onto the lead, but in the 83rd minute captain Keith Lowe equalised for the Avenue, headering the ball into the net after the ball was played in to give the hosts hope of an unlikely comeback. 

Avenue then had a chance to steal the win, but Andre Johnson’s late effort struck the post as the game finished 2-2.  

The sides will now meet in a replay at Halesowen this Tuesday (17th December) to see who advances to the 2nd round.

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14 Dec 2019

Halesowen Game On

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A local referee has assessed the pitch this morning and has confirmed due no arrival of snow and the forecast of less rain, as it stands the game will take place.

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7 Dec 2019

MATCH REPORT | Bradford (Park Avenue) 2-0 Altrincham FC

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Match Report by George Cliff

Bradford (Park Avenue) secured a vital 3 points at the Horsfall stadium on Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 victory over Altrincham. 

It was a cagey opening 10 minutes with neither side being able to create much, although Altrincham enjoyed the better of the possession. However, on the 11th minute, seemingly out of nothing the Avenue were able to break away on the far left with Oli Johnson playing a superb cross to Nicky Clee who then placed a fine ball across goal which fell to Tom Clare to tap into the net on his home debut to give Bradford a 1-0 lead. 

Nothing much happened afterwards leading into half time. Altricham continued to dominate the majority of the possession, but it was the Avenue who had the better of the chances. Oli Johnson had a decent shot saved by keeper Anthony Thompson, while Thompson again made a fine save from Lewis Knight’s header minutes later to keep the score at 1-0. 

Altrincham’s best chance of the half came through Thomas Peers, who was able to race through into a one-on-one battle with Joe Green, however, after trying to round the Avenue goalkeeper, his shot hit the bar. 

Coming out of the half, Bradford looked more comfortable to sit back to try and hold on to the lead. A big chance fell to Jon Royle who’s shot was brilliantly saved by Thompson to keep Altrincham in the game. 

It was a fabulous performance from the Altrincham goalkeeper who managed to keep them in the game – that was, until, the 88th minute when Oli Johnson was able to secure the victory for the Avenue after a wonderfully taken goal in which he was able to round Thompson after a burst of pace left him one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and then slot into the empty net. 

The victory earns a much needed three points for the Avenue who next week are in cup action at home against Halesowen Town in the first round of the FA Trophy. 

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7 Dec 2019

MATCH PREVIEW: Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Altrincham

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The Avenue play host to Altrincham in the National League North today in what is a big game for both sides.

Avenue, without a win in their last six league games, are desperate to start putting points on the board in order to avoid the drop just a season after making the playoffs. Altrincham, meanwhile, sit in mid table, but have multiple games in hand on the teams above and are looking to stake their claim in the playoff picture.

Bradford are coming off a tough but promising 2-1 loss against third place Chester FC last weekend. Although the end-result culminated in zero points, the performance will be sure to have atleast pleased manager Mark Bower a little bit against one of the league’s top sides and show that the Avenue are once again capable of competing against the very best teams in the league.

Altrincham, meanwhile, sit in the 17th place in the table but they enter the clash on decent form without a loss in their last four games in the league with two wins and two draws. The Manchester-based club have several games in hand on the teams above and a few more wins could put them straight into contention for promotion.

The two sides met last season, with Altrincham winning 3-2 at the Horsfall Stadium, while Bradford grabbed a 1-1 draw away from home in the return fixture.

Avenue could be in line to welcome back Ryan Toulson and Danny Boshell to the Horsfall stadium after they both re-signed with the club in recent weeks. Reece Staunton could also be in line to make his home debut, while newest signing Tom Clare could make his full debut.

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6 Dec 2019

Fan Favourite Clee Returns To The Avenue

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Fan favourite Nicky Clee has put pen to paper to return to the club following his release from Ashton United.

The tricky winger, who can also operate in central midfield or at left-back, initially joined from Altrincham in May 2017 and became a favourite amongst Avenue supporters due to his technical ability and work ethic.

Clee who worked his way up through the non-league pyramid featuring for Ossett Albion, Ashton and Hyde United before joining Altrincham in 2009. After seven years at Altrincham he left to join Guiseley and also had a spell at Harrogate Town before re-joining Altrincham.

Nicky is available to go straight in to the team for tomorrows home game against his former club Altrincham.

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30 Nov 2019

Match Report | Chester (A)

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Despite taking and holding the lead in the first half, Bradford were unable to take anything away from the 1885 Arena as Chester hammered home twice in the second half.

Bradford went ahead through Billy Priestley in the 15th minute as a low swung corner fizzed across the goal mouth, with the centre back turning the ball into the net off the outside of his foot.

Chester then enjoyed the lions share of possession through out the half as they looked to bring the game back to a level footing, and began to find openings as the half went on. Joel Taylor took advantage of space down the left side a number of times and the home side had a chance just before the break as Taylor crossed the ball to Dudley in the area, but his header flew over the bar.

The home side came out for the second half determined to find the back of the net and earned a corner within minutes of kick off. Joel Taylor’s corner made it’s way to Simon Grand at the back post but he couldn’t keep his shot down.

The equaliser did come though as a ball forward was deflected into the path of Anthony Dudley who had the better of the one on one with Green.

It didn’t take Chester long to capitalise again on their attacking form as Asante found the top corner just minutes later.

With the blues in the lead, Bradford settled back into the game and both sides continued to create opportunities but the back line of both squads kept chances to a minimum.

Just a minute before the end of regular time, Isaac Marriot was given his marching orders, receiving a second yellow for a dangerous foul on Stopforth, thus ending any chance of Bradford earning a point.

Chester: Griffiths, Morgan, Taylor, Stopforth, Livesey, Grand (c), Jackson, Glendon, Asante (Waring 84), Ngwatala (Elliott 76), Dudley (Hughes 84).
Substitutes: Waters, Burton.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Green, Bazeley (Royle 46), Staunton, Lowe (c), Nowakowski (Hughes 70), Priestley, Knight, Toulson, O Johnson (Clare 76), Hurst, Marriot.
Substitutes: Dickinson, Hughes, Clare, A Johnson.

Goal Scorers: Chester: Dudley (49), Asante (53). Bradford: Priestley (15).
Yellow Cards: Bradford: Hurst, Priestley.
Red Cards: Bradford: Marriot
Attendance: 1,875

Referee: Adam Herczeg.
Assistant Referees: Declan Brown & James Welsh.

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30 Nov 2019

Match Preview | Chester (A)

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Bradford travel across the Pennines looking to capitalise on the form shown in last Sunday’s FA Trophy victory.

Having defeated Gloucester with a depleted squad on Sunday, Bower has bolstered his side this week with the signing of former Bradford City and Boston United striker, Tom Clare.

The squad is further strengthened by the return of two players who were unavailable last weekend. Jonathan Royle, who was unavailable for the FA Trophy tie, will be available for selection this weekend alongside Liam Hughes who has completed his suspension following an early red card against Leamington.

Chester, who sit third in the table, bolstered their midfield this week with the signing of Elton Ngwatala who had a spell with Dundee in the Scottish Premiership and will be hoping to close the five point gap between them and second placed York City today.

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29 Nov 2019

Avenue Sign Tom Clare

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Towering striker Tom Clare has today put pen to paper to join the Avenue.

Clare joins the Avenue after he mutually departed Boston United yesterday and is raring to get going and put on the Avenue shirt.

Tom is no stranger to Bradford having joined Boston from neighbours Bradford City. Initially joining Boston on loan in March 2019 then signing permanently when he was released by Bradford City in July 2019.

Clare came through the youth ranks at Barnsley and has also had loan spells at Frickley Athletic and Ossett United.

The club can also confirm that following Jon Morans short term loan deal to Stafford he has now opted to join Stafford on a permanent basis. The club would like to thank Jon for all his efforts in an Avenue shirt and wish him all the best for the future.

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26 Nov 2019

Bradford (Park Avenue) draw Halesowen Town in the first round of the Buildbase FA Trophy

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The tie was announced live on talkSPORT on Monday, following Bradford’s 2-0 victory away at Gloucester City in the third qualifying round.

The first round will feature all the 24 current National League teams.

Halesowen currently sit 6th in the Southern Central of Non-League Division 1 after collecting a tally of 24 points with 8 wins and 2 losses in 10 games, although they do have several games in hand over the teams above them.

The game will take place on Saturday the 14th of December at 3:00pm at the Horsfall.

The winning clubs from this round will take home a prize of £4500 while the losing teams will collect £1500.

Bradford were originally scheduled to have the week off, so this fixture will have no bearing or impact on any future league games.

Please note that as this is not a league game season tickets will not be valid for this fixture and it will be pay at the gate.

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