Following Joe Greens injury in the FA Buildbase Trophy game on Tuesday night at Halesowen, Mark Bower has acted quickly to secure the services of experienced goalkeeper Tom Nicholson.
Nicholson who recently left Lincoln United, comes with a wealth of experience having had spells at Alfreton Town, Halifax Town, North Ferriby, Scarborough and Hull City.
The club are also delighted to announce that loan signing Reece Staunton has rejoined the Avenue until the 12th January.
With a number of players cup tied or injured ahead of the clash, Avenue Academy prospect Jamie Lyons was handed his first start with the senior squad, whilst Andre Johnson replaced his namesake, Oli Johnson who started the fixture on the bench.
Avenue got off to a good start and had the better of the play for the majority of the first half, but were unable to find the net.
It was the home side though who broke the deadlock on the 37th-minute. They cleared up a promising Avenue attack, turning into a counter as Cobourne showed his pace to break through the back line and slot the ball past against Green in a one on one.
HALF TIME: 1-0
Spurred on by taking the lead, Halesowen came out after the break with renewed vigour and pressed the Avenue repeatedly, before eventually extending their advantage in a similar fashion to their first goal.
Cobourne’s pace and positioning allowed the striker to leave Bradford’s defence behind before winning another one on one with the Avenue stopper.
The best chance of the night came from substitute, Oli Johnson, his backheel flick dipping towards the top corner, but the Yeltz stopper Brendon Bunn pulled off a stunning save to tip over the ball over the bar.
The major talking point of the game came when Avenue keeper Joe green collided with Molyneux, resulting in an eight-minute stoppage and a trip to the infirmary for Green, who had to be stretchered off before being replaced by the vastly-experienced Steve Dickenson.
Bradford take to the field again this Saturday when they travel to sixth-placed Spennymoor Town in the National League North.
The club are running a supporters coach to the upcoming Spennymoor Town on Saturday 21st December, with seats costing £15 for adults and £10 for under 16’s.
Pick up time will be 11:00 from The Horsfall Stadium and 11:15 from Cedar Court Hotel.
Seats are selling fast so if you would like to reserve a seat please contact Neil Fawcett on 07811959003
The Avenue travel to The Brewery Field this weekend (21/12/19) to take on Spennymoor Town as they return to league action for the first time in 2 weeks.
Bradford are coming off a busy week, which included two cup games – the first, last weekend, ending in a 2-2 draw with Halesowen Town, before losing the replay on Tuesday night 2-0. The Avenue can now look forward to focusing solely on the league as they look to fight off relegation just one season after making the playoffs.
Spennymoor, meanwhile, return back to their home field after a lengthy absence – their last home game occurring just over a month ago in which they ran out 1-0 winners over Southport. Since then, however, they are winless in their last three with draws in the league against Telford United and Leamington, as well as a loss to the latter in the FA Trophy.
Avenue are on an up-and-down run of form, with wins against Gloucester City and Altrincham over the last month also being met with losses against Chester FC and Halesowen Town, they will now be looking to find some consistency in getting positive results in order to support them in their fight against relegation this term – with just a point behind Blyth Spartans, and six points off the drop, this busy festive period coming up presents the perfect chance for the Avenue to do just that.
A number of key players should be in line to return to the squad following a week of being cup-tied due to the FA Trophy — the likes of Nicky Clee, Tom Clare and Jon Royle will be chomping at the bit to get back to action after being forced to miss out in the two cup games against Halesowen Town.
It all marks the last game before Christmas, but the start of a very busy and entertaining festive period!
Joe was assessed at the local hospital and scans revealed that the injury wasn’t as severe as first expected.
The club would like to thank the staff at Halesowen Town for their assistance during the incident.
Furthermore, special thanks go to Bradford supporter, Steve Horsfield who volunteered to wait behind in order to provide transport back to Bradford in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
All at the club wish Joe a speedy recovery.
Bradford (Park Avenue) travel to the West Midlands on Tuesday night as they play Halesowen Town in the replay of their Buildbase FA Trophy tie.
The two sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Horsfall Stadium on Saturday, meaning that the Avenue will now have to travel to The Grove as both teams look to secure their spot into the second round of the competition to play Maidenhead United, who were 4-2 victors at home against Hemel Hempstead.
In what, for most parts, seemed like a very cagey affair, it was Lewis Knight and Keith Lowe who scored the goals to secure the Avenue a second chance at winning the tie in a very cold and blistery afternoon. A difficult game is to be expected at The Grove, however, as Halesowen have scored 8 goals in just their last two home games, one of which was a 6-0 drubbing of Bedford Town.
Outside of the FA Trophy, with a week off for most teams in the National League North, the Avenue remain bottom of the table but still just a point off Blyth Spartans and six points off Kettering Town who occupy the two spots above. The Avenue travel to the Brewery Field this weekend to take on sixth place Spennymoor Town.
With the draw on Saturday, that now makes it just one loss in their last four fixtures for Bradford, who are starting to pick up a decent bit of form — their best of the season so far — and hopefully can translate it into more wins as we enter a busy festive period.
The club will be running a supporter’s coach for the game tomorrow (17/12/2019), with seats costing £16 for adults and £10 for under 16’s. You can reserve a seat by contacting Neil Fawcett on 07811959003. We hope to see you there!
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
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.
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.
With heavy rain and possible snow forecast through the night, there will be a precautionary pitch inspection ahead of Avenue’s home match with Halesowen.
Halesowen make the journey to the Horsfall tomorrow and there will be a check of the playing surface at 08:00 in the morning ahead of their departure.
Please refer to the website tomorrow for a further update.
