The club are running a subsidised supporters coach to the upcoming Altrincham FC game on Saturday 25th January, with seats costing £5 for both Adults and Under 16’s.
Pick up time will be 11:30 from The Horsfall Stadium and 11:45 from Cedar Court Hotel.
Seats are selling fast with only 17 seats remaining, so if you would like to reserve a seat please contact Neil Fawcett on 07811959003
The game didn’t start out as well as it was set to go on however, as Pope’s deflected shot from outside the box trickled in beyond the reach of a stranded Joe Green, Hereford taking the lead inside of 5 minutes.
Not long after Johnson had a chance to level the scores as he was played through by Adam Nowakowski, but it wasn’t to be as his resulting shot went wide.
Green was then called into action to save an Alex Bray effort after the Bradford defence failed to close the midfielder down.
Hereford’s early lead was quickly put to an end on 19 minutes. It was Avenue captain Nicky Clee who stepped up and scored his second goal in as many games, reading a loose ball in the box to smash in a half volley.
Having gotten a taste for goal, Clee received the ball inside his own half and, spotting the Hereford stopper off his line, took a shot from 50 yards that only missed by a fine margin.
Half Time: Hereford 1 – 1 Bradford
Having dominated possession and play in the first half, Avenue came out to find Hereford’s resolve had strengthened. Assisted by a strong wind the Bulls would have the better of chances in the early part of the second half.
Sodiende used his superior pace to break through the Bradford back line, going one on one with an on rushing Green, but his chipped shot was too high. Just clearing the bar to the shock of the Hereford supporters who had already cheered in unfounded celebration.
The Hereford number 10 had his best chance to find the net as the Bulls won a penalty following a miss kicked clearance from Lund. Sodiende latched onto the loose ball and drove forward into the box to be brought down by a last ditch tackle from Priestley, who received a yellow for his efforts.
Again, the Hereford supporters were ready to cheer, but it turned to groans as Sodiende’s effort hit the bar, and despite coming back across the face of the goal, it went out for a goal kick much to the relief of the travelling green army.
A 70th minute substitution saw Lewis Knight inject some much needed pace to the Avenue side, and he quickly had an impact, setting up Oli Johnson with a low cross, but Will Henry saved the shot before turning away a curled effort from Lund.
Bradford continued to apply pressure as Knight received the ball in his own half, racing past a stranded Hereford defence to produce an unbelievable save from man of the match, Henry.
Full Time: Hereford 1 – 1 Bradford
Attendance: 1586
Read on to hear what he thinks of today’s fixture.
Name: Nicky Clee.
Age: 36.
Position: Utility, I can play anywhere. I prefer midfield, but I’ll play where ever I’m needed.
Preferred Kit: Green and White.
How do you think we’ll do today?
We just need to keep doing the things we’ve done well and cut out the silly mistakes that have cost us and I don’t see why we can’t get something from today.
Score Prediction: Hereford 1-2 Bradford.
Message to supporters:
Keep backing us the way you are doing. I know it’s been a tough season so far but I think the last few weeks have shown we’re heading in the right direction and we can match any team on the day.
York City v AFC Telford
Altrincham v Guiseley
Hereford v Bradford PA
Blyth Spartans v Curzon Ashton
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8/7 Altrincham to get a sixth win in a row by beating Guiseley.
1/2 Goals in both halves of Hereford v Bradford PA.
13/1 Blyth v Curzon to end goalless. (check LV BET Sportsbook)
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VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH- MANAGER OF THE MONTH
Paul Holleran (Leamington)
Paul Holleran (second left) always tells it as it is. Even when things couldn’t be much better, the wily Brakes boss’ feet are chained to the ground.
But even he would have raised a glass as the New Year arrived.
Shrewd Holleran took his team to four fantastic wins last month – including one very special result.
Some fans say the 5-0 win at AFC Telford in the FA Trophy, semi-finalists last year remember, was the finest performance under his 11-year stewardship.
There were of course National League North wins to savour as well.
Hereford, Gloucester City and Darlington were all brushed aside as fearless Leamington edged towards the top half of the table.
One of the game’s longest serving managers has now seen one of the stars of the December show get his shot at the EFL with Forest Green Rovers.
Josh Marsh won’t be easy to replace of course but Holleran has a habit of unearthing special talent and helping them on their way.
Everyone is watching closely to see what happens next.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH – PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Lee Ndlovu (Brackley Town)
December for part-time players is never easy, with a weighty schedule and even heavier pitches.
Lee Ndlovu made it look anything but demanding after enjoying a wonderful month for promotion-chasing Brackley.
A goal in all four December matches, which followed excellent November form, means he is now a watched man.
While most of the league’s focus has been on King’s Lynn’s scoring sensation Adam Marriott, Ndlovu has crept up the scoring charts with 14 to his name.
The 25-year-old hasn’t just been in good form in front of goal.
Manager Kevin Wilkin praised his all-round contribution, which has helped Brackley to wins over Guiseley, Curzon Ashton and Kidderminster Harriers.
Every promotion-winning side needs a goalscorer and they certainly have one of those.
Is it the Saints year after a number of near misses?
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH- VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
Steve Mott (AFC Telford United)
Steve Mott has won Volunteer of the Month for AFC Telford United in the National League North.
When it comes to recognising those who go unrecognised, Steve Mott certainly fits perfectly into that category.
Although he was one of the original trustees of the Club when it reformed, Steve’s most visible contribution is in his role as Bobby Buck, the matchday mascot.
Steve dons Bobby’s costume at as many home games as his work patterns allow, but as well as matchday duties he also becomes Bobby for events in the community, representing the Bucks at open days, carnivals and fetes as well as the Club’s annual visit to the local Princess Royal Hospital children’s ward.
Although the players and management are very welcome visitors, it is Bobby who usually brings the biggest smiles and is the one that the children want to have their photograph taken with.
Steve’s cheerful disposition makes him the ideal man to take the Club’s message out into the community, something he has done for a good many years now, and his long service in the role makes him a worthy winner.
The Avenue make the long trip to Herefordshire this Saturday as they look to pick up a vital three points away at Hereford.
Avenue, currently residing at the bottom of the table, need to start picking up wins very quickly and very consistently if they are to have any hope of avoiding the drop from the National League North this season. It has been a frustrating few weeks for Bradford, who have been able to put together a string of impressive performances, especially in their last two games against York City and Boston United, but unfortunately have come away with nothing to show for it.
Hereford, meanwhile, enter the game on just as bad a run of form, if not worse, with just one win in their last 13 league games, which came against Kidderminster two weeks ago. The home side currently sit in 16th place in the league table after having a decent start to the season, but they have spent the last couple of months slipping and sliding down the table.
In the reverse fixture, which took place at the Horsfall Stadium in October, the Avenue ran out 3-2 victors which should give Bradford plenty of confidence heading into the game this weekend, with goals from Adam Nowakowski, Lewis Knight, and Dan Sweeney sealing the three points for the Avenue in which was a very entertaining and back-and-forth affair.
With the Avenue desperate to pick up points to avoid the drop, being 12 points behind 20th placed Curzon Ashton at the moment, and Hereford determined to put a halt to their slide down the table, it makes for a very interesting game between two sides who don’t just want, but need three points.
Full back Reece Staunton whose short term work experience loan should have run until the 12th January has been recalled early by Bradford City.
Isiah Bazeley has also returned to his parent club Aston Villa following agreement from both clubs to terminate his loan deal early.
The club would like to thank both players for their efforts during their time with the club and wish them both all the best for the future.
The Bradford (Park Avenue) Development Fund drew the winning tickets for their annual New Years raffle at the Boston United game on Saturday.
Prizes can be collected at the next home game against Brackley Town on Saturday 18th January.
The Development Fund Committee would like to thank all those who bought and sold tickets, along with anyone who donated a prize.
The winning tickets were:
1st Prize (Hamper) – I Johnson 000100
2nd Prize (Midland Hotel Stay) – P Sutcliffe 001028
3rd Prize (Whisky) – Pie Bob 004203
4th Prize (Book) – A Dimbleby 001857
5th Prize (Whisky) – Ziggy 001391
6th Prize (Wine) – J Dean 002261
7th Prize (Whisky) – B Fawcett 004061
8th Prize (Wine) – J Asquith 000062
9th Prize (Wine) – D Horril 001920
10th Prize (Sweet Hamper) – S Birkenshaw 004112
11th Prize (Pims) – I Vitty 000066
12th Prize (Wine) – S Bird 002076
13th Prize (Champagne) – Ziggy 001397
14th Prize (Biscuits) – M Tempest 004451
15th Prize (Brandy) – P Varty 000110
16th Prize (Sherry) – M Tempest 002277
17th Prize (Whisky) – Garth 001873
18th Prize (Whisky) – K Jones 002188
19th Prize (Whisky) – D Ambler 001626
20th Prize (Biscuits) – D Ambler 001632
21st Prize (Sweets) – T Hutchinson 001852
22nd Prize (Wine) – M Dennison 001975
23rd Prize (Sweets) – P O’Shea 004259
24th Prize (Sweets) – P Cooper 001651
25th Prize (Sweets) – M Monaghan 001429
In an entertaining duel at the Horsfall Stadium, Bradford (Park Avenue) fell 2-1 to Boston United in a result that sees them now falling deeper and deeper into the bottom of the Vanarama National League North table.
There was no place in which you could fault the effort and desire of the Avenue players, who gave it their all on the pitch, but once again it was the same story that has haunted them all season in which they just weren’t able to take their chances.
It was the worst possible start, though, for Bradford as they fell behind after just 45 seconds after the always dangerous Jordan Thewlis managed to slip in Dom Knowles, who showed his composure by slotting the ball comfortbaly underneath Joe Green to give his side the lead.
From then on, it was always going to be an uphill battle for an Avenue side, who, although they are playing well, are desperately struggling for points. Avenue manager Mark Bower was furious when his side wasn’t awarded a penalty after Tom Clare looked to have been fouled in the box and the Avenue the found themselves further behind after former player Simon Ainge managed to strike the ball home after Green wasn’t able to gather the ball from the inswinging corner.
Avenue didn’t let that finish them off, though, as they got themselves straight back into the game and it was Nicky Clee who brought one back for the hosts with an absolutely terrific half volley which Boston keeper, Peter Crook, simply could do nothing about.
And then soon after, Tom Clare latched onto a fantastic through ball from new signing Jake Hibbs, but his effort was remarkably saved by Crook who managed to touch the ball onto the post.
Both sides returned from half time, and although it was a feisty affair with strong challenges coming in from left and right, not much happened in regards with the ball until the Avenue started piling on the pressure late in the game, but somehow after chances with Oli Johnson and Adam Nowakowski, they somehow couldn’t find the net and the Avenue undeservedly fell to another defeat.
The result leaves Avenue bottom of the table, although a win wouldn’t have moved them up anyway, and next week they travel to Hereford to take on 16th placed Hereford United.
BRADFORD (PARK AVENUE): Green, Toulson (Lund, 82). Staunton, Nowakowski, Hughes, Priestley, Hall, HIbbs, Clare (Johnson, 67), Hurst, Clee
SUBS NOT USED: Nicholson, Marriott
BOSTON UNITED: Crook, Penny, Whittle (Jackson, 46), Platt, Ainge, Garner, Woolford, Abbott, Knowles, Thewlis (Wafula, 90), Wright (Rollins, 83)
SUBS NOT USED: Southwell, Willis
Following an official approach, Keith Lowe has opted to leave the club and join Kidderminster Harriers.
Club Captain Lowe featured for the club pre season under Garry Thompson, but didn’t join the club until interim Manager Marcus Law’s tenure.
Bradford (Park Avenue) would like to thank Keith for his efforts during his time with the club and wish him all the best for the future.
The club can also confirm that the short term loan for Brad Dockerty to Pontefract has been extended until the end of the season.
