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.
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
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.
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
Iasiah Bazeley (90’)
Isaac Marriot (70’)
Jon Moran
Andre Johnson (90’)
Brad Dockerty
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?
Mark Bower takes charge of Bradford (Park Avenue) for the first time since being re-appointed manager against Hereford this Saturday.
Avenue line up at home against recently-promoted Hereford for the annual celebration of Non League Day.
Non League Day sees fans up and down the country encouraged to utilise the international break to check out their local non league club.
And with tickets at Bradford available from £1 to just £10 – the cheapest in the division – why not bring a friend down to try the club for the first time?
Bower returns to Bradford after leaving the club in the summer, and is back in the dugout following unsuccessful spells for both Garry Thompson and Marcus Law.
He will be joined by returning assistant Danny Boshell, but inherits a squad which has been almost completely overhauled since his last match in charge – the play-off defeat at Spennymoor at the end of last term.
The returning manager is expected to bring in some fresh faces ahead of the match, which sees Avenue looking to come back from a club-record defeat at Brackley Town last time out.
Contrary to Avenue’s woes, Hereford find themselves sitting pretty in sixth position in the league table, coupled with an impressive undefeated home record.
It’s their away form which lets down Russell Slade’s men, who have lost three of their six matches on their travels, and they come into the Avenue clash off the back of FA Cup disappointment, with two 0-0 draws against Tamworth ending in a penalty shoot-out defeat in the week.
Recent League Form
Bradford (Park Avenue)
Brackley Town (A) L 0-8
Spennymoor Town (H) D 1-1
Boston United (A) L 1-2
Farsley Celtic (H) L 0-3
AFC Telford United (H) L 2-3
Hereford
Leamington (A) W 2-0
Kettering TOwn (H) W 1-0
Gateshead (H) W 2-1
Guiseley (A) L 0-3
Boston United (H) D 0-0
Last Time Out
Bradford (Park Avenue): Taylor (c), Lund, Calder, Wood, Cresswell (Bazeley 46), Lowe, Dockerty (Knight 46), Marriott, Sweeney, Hurst, Agustien (Holmes 57)
Hereford: Hall, Thomas, Bodenham, Jagger Cane (Pollock 68), Cullinane-Liburd, Gowling, Vincenti (Ash 78), O’Sullivan, Symons, Owen-Evans, Nicholson (Finn 96)
Admission Prices
Adult – £10
Concession (OAP, Student) – £8
Under-17 – £1
This Saturday marks the annual Non League Day, with Bradford (Park Avenue) playing host to Hereford FC on Mark Bower’s return to the club.
Non League Day takes place every October, with football fans encouraged to use the international break to check out their local non league club.
For Avenue, the match also holds significance, with manager Bower taking charge of the first match since his return to the club was announced almost two weeks ago.
It will be a new start for Avenue, with fresh faces expected to be added ahead of the fixture, and this is the perfect opportunity for fans new and old to attend and show their support for Bradford, in the club’s time of need.
Bradford (Park Avenue) offer the cheapest ticket in the Manarama National League North, at just £10 for adults and just £1 for under-17s, with concessions priced at £8.
So why not come down, perhaps grab a friend or family member who has never attended before, and show them what non league football is all about.
For more information regarding Non League Day, visit nonleagueday.co.uk
All at the club would like to thank Riccardo Calder for his efforts in Red Amber and Black this season and wish him all the best for the future.
Avenue are without a game this weekend, but you can still get your football fix at the Horsfall stadium this Sunday as Oakenshaw take on Home Bargains in the FA Sunday Cup. Kick Off 2pm.
Following a period under interim stewardship, Mark Bower has agreed to return to the club alongside assistant manager Danny Boshell.
Speaking on the appointment, Gareth Roberts said:
“The club has endured a difficult time this year on and off the field but these issues have been dealt with and the club is ready to get back to winning ways. We obviously have a lot of confidence in Mark and Danny.”
Bower, who lead the Avenue to two successive National League North play off places joins the side at the start of a lull in league action, with the first team not due to take to the field until the 12th of October, when they face off against Hereford.
Talking about his return, Bower said:
“I’m really pleased to be coming back. There’s no denying its a big job. We are where we are and have to be realistic, there’s no magic wand. It’s going to take a lot of hard work to turn it around.”
“I’ve spoken to Gareth, and off the pitch the club is going the right way and getting into a much better shape. To get it right on the pitch we need everyone pulling in the right direction, young players need supporting, lead by a core of experience.”
“It wont be easy. We will have some dark days but can’t dwell on those. We have to get everyone together, and work to get out of the bottom Two. The target is to stay up”
Addressing the club’s supporters he said:
“We need your support more than ever. We’ve had some great times as a club over the past few years, with good wins and hard fought points, often times that been down to the ‘Twelfth Man’ effect. But now we need everyone to come together and fight for the Avenue, both on the pitch and in the stands.”
With this appointment, interim manager, Marcus law and assistant, Lee Fowler have left the club.
The board and all at the club would like to thank Marcus and Lee for their hard work and dedication under very difficult circumstances, and wish the pair every success in the future.
Speaking about their tenure, Gareth stated:
“I would like to recognise and thank the interim management team of Marcus Law and Lee Fowler for stepping in at short notice and helping us out.”
Show the team your support on Saturday the 12th of October as Bradford play Hereford at the Horsfall Stadium. Kick off: 3pm
Due to technical issues with the recording, the video of the inteview isn’t available, however a brief transcript has been provided by match day commentator, Russ Whittingham
Marcus said; “I felt the level of fitness amongst certain players I was assured about, wasnt where I felt it should be or expected.”
“I hold my hands up to the fact I feel I made a couple of selection mistakes.”
Marcus went on to thank the fans and stated;
“I wish to apologise profusely for that display.”
Following the final whistle Marcus and Lee, accompanied by the players, made their way to the traveling green army to apologise for the performance and thank the fans for making the journey.
Avenue Assistant Manager Lee Fowler commented that the level of desire and in particular “the fight for every tackle” wasn’t there. He went on to say; “Its my worst day in football”.
On moving forward both the Manager and Assistant re-affirmed a desire to work even harder to make the changes necessary for the club to positively move forward.
Ten-man Bradford (Park Avenue) suffered an eight-goal drubbing at the hands of goal-hungry Brackley Town.
Marcus Wood was shown two yellow cards inside half an hour for Avenue, who could simply do nothing to stop a rampant home side.
Brackley enjoyed a lot of pressure early on and twice went close through top scorer Jimmy Armson.
Shane Byrne delivered a deep corner which beat Avenue goalkeeper Rhys Taylor but Armson could only volley wide of the post.
Pacey attacker Lee Ndlovu then got in behind on the right hand side and his low ball looked set to hit the back of the net, but Armson ended up on the ground and Avenue managed to scramble clear.
Brackley did manage to open the scoring on 19 minutes, as a result of Wood’s first booking.
The midfielder put in a poor challenge out wide and was duly cautioned, with Byrne delivering and the ball ending up in the back of the net following a flick from Glenn Walker – though the final touch may have come from an Avenue head.
Armson was almost gifted a goal as Taylor fumbled an innocuous low cross, but the number eight couldn’t quite squeeze the ball home.
Just before the half-hour though, Avenue went down to ten as Wood was sent off, shown an unquestionable second yellow card for a very poor challenge in the centre of the pitch.
It took the hosts just two minutes to make the extra man count, as Matt Lowe grabbed the second, Bradford failing to clear before the midfielder neatly finished from the edge of the box with Taylor scrambling for position.
The goals looked like they were going to come raining in as Ndlovu got in behind once more, but Taylor did excellently to keep his low effort out.
Brackley had the ball in the back of the net on 36 minutes as Lowe’s cross was touched in by Armson, but the flag was up on the far side.
However Armson only had to wait five more minutes to get in on the act, as he made the simplest of near post runs and nodded in Byrne’s corner for his side’s third.
And as Avenue were begging for the relief of the half-time whistle, Brackley struck a fourth, Ndlovu getting in behind before working some space and lashing home off the underside of the bar.
A double change couldn’t do anything to change Bradford’s fortunes, as the impressive Byrne netted a fifth on 54 minutes, latching onto Ellis Myles’ through ball before rounding a helpless Taylor and slotting home.
Carl Baker struck the woodwork with a header before forcing Taylor into a save, parrying out a long-range strike before the goalkeeper did brilliantly to keep out Dan Holman’s follow-up.
Another free kick proved Avenue’s downfall again on 67 minutes, as centre back Thierry Audel rose highest to head home from Baker’s delivery.
The substitute looked desperate to get on the scoresheet, and he came close again as he ran 60 yards with the ball before lashing just over the bar.
Baker then hit the woodwork himself, following up on an excellent save from Taylor, keeping out a long-range Lowe strike.
The seventh finally came with 10 minutes to play, Ndlovu getting a deserved second as he touched home an excellent Luke Fairlamb cross.
Substitute Holman rounded off the scoring with just over five minutes on the clock, Ndlovu beating Taylor to a long ball over the top before squaring to his strike partner to add his name to the extended list of scorers on a sorrowful afternoon for Bradford.
Brackley Town:Lewis, Myles, Franklin, Byrne, Audel, Dean (c, Langmead 67), Lowe, Armson (Baker 46), Ndlovu, Fairlamb, Walker (Holman 62)
Subs not used:Noon, Worby
Goals: Walker (19), Lowe (31), Armson (41), Ndlovu (45, 80), Byrne (54), Audel (67), Holman (84)
Bradford (Park Avenue): Taylor (c), Lund, Calder, Wood, Cresswell (Bazeley 46), Lowe, Dockerty (Knight 46), Marriott, Sweeney, Hurst, Agustien (Holmes 57)
Subs not used: Bennett, Johnson
Booked: Wood (19), Dockerty (40), Marriott (47), Hurst (59)
Sent off: Wood (29)
Referee: Daniel Locker
Attendance: 490
Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes
