Avenue defeat despite being the stronger team

A late penalty denied Bradford (Park Avenue) a draw at The Citadel in a behind-closed-doors  pre-season friendly.

It was a familiar face who broke the deadlock as former Avenue favourite Adam Clayton rose above his marker and smartly nodded the ball past Dan Atkinson from close range. 

In the second half, the Avenue looked dangerous on the break and Brad Dockerty made a huge difference after being introduced at half-time. The young winger drew his side level with a deflected effort before a late penalty from Luke Parkin gave the home side the victory.

There wasn’t much between both teams in the first 45 minutes. The home side enjoyed more of the possession, helped by the Avenue giving away cheap ball inside their own half on a few occasions. 

But it was Mark Bower’s side who nearly took the lead as former Avenue goalkeeper Steven Drench was called into action to deny the Trialist from 14 yards.

Following a free-kick conceded by Jake Hibbs which was headed clear by the Bradford defence, the corner from Jake Charles was met by Clayton to give the Celts a narrow lead. 

Before the half-time whistle, the hosts could’ve doubled their advantage but Atkinson produced a superb save, tipping over Jimmy Spencer’s curling effort from 20 yards. 

Shortly after, Atkinson was beaten as Joe West lifted an effort over the goalkeeper from ten yards but the Avenue right-back Mark Ross covered well and cleared the ball off the line.

After the restart, the visitors caused plenty of problems, it was just the final ball that sometimes let the Avenue down. The introduction of Dockerty was a catalyst for the Avenue to catch the home side on the counter attack.

There were shouts of handball against Danny Ellis as substitute Tabish Hussain struck a powerful right-footed effort towards goal but it was blocked. The referee and linesman disagreed with the protests.

It was the Avenue who continued to push forward and deservedly drew level as Dockerty produced some excellent footwork and unleashed a low right-footed effort towards goal, and with the help of a deflection from Adam Nowakowski, it flew past Drench from 20 yards.

With the game heading for a draw, the home side snatched a dramatic winner. Tyler Walton broke through the middle of the park and evaded a few challenges, only for Ross to bring the midfielder down inside the box. From the penalty spot, Parkin sent Atkinson the wrong way to give Farsley Celtic a narrow victory.

Farsley Celtic: Drench, Richards (B.Atkinson 61), West, Allen, Ellis, Clayton, Byrom, C.Atkinson  (Walton 61), Spencer, Charles (Parkin 61), Hayhurst (Syers 61)

Goals: Clayton (28), Parkin (pen 90)

Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Downing (Toulson 59), Marriott (Windass 75), Havern, Lund, Knight (Trialist 75), Hibbs (Lyons 75), Trialist (Hussain 59), Clee (Dockerty 45), Nowakowski (Trialist 85).

Goal: Dockerty (83)

Avenues next game was due to be away this Saturday at Spennymoor, but due to increased lock down measures in the North East and to protect staff and players it has been agreed to call the match off. We are presently trying to arrange an alternative last pre-season fixture before the FA Cup tie on the 3rd of October.

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Avenue ladies out of the FA Cup

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BPA 1 vs Ossett United 4

Bradford (Park Avenue) Ladies fall in FA Cup Preliminary Round against higher league opposition Ossett United, despite a strong showing.
It was the visitors who were quickest out of the blocks in the early stages, bringing out several great saves from Avenue goalkeeper Annie Roberts.

Ossett did break the deadlock after 10 minutes, when a probing pass broke through the Avenue back line, leaving Roberts 2 on 1 against the strikers, which Charlotte Adams was smart to convert. 

A second was not long in coming, after another well worked move down the left opened up the Avenue defence and the Ossett striker slotted home from close range. 

Avenue then had an excellent spell of dominance against the team from the higher division and could easily have been level, but spurned several chances from Kirsty Russell, bringing out saves from the Ossett keeper and Millie West rattling the woodwork.

Against the run of play, Ossett bagged a third when a cross looped over Annie Roberts in goal, before rebounding out off the post to a welcoming striker for a third to take Ossett in 3 goals up at half time.

The second half was much improved from Bradford (Park Avenue) and the visitors were finding less space in central areas.

Within minutes of the restart, Kirsty Russell had hit the post with two efforts, and Millie West forced the goalkeeper into a smart save.

Whilst Avenue had tightened up in central areas, Ossett were now finding space out wide and on the hour mark, two magnificent saves from eventual player of the match Annie Roberts kept the score down.

Avenue did register on the scoresheet when excellent play from Millie West set up Kirsty Russell who opened her account for the season from 12 yards out.

It could easily have been doubled minutes later when Russell broke the Ossett backline but fired just wide.

The game was effectively finished off after a counter attack as Avenue were pushing for a second. Great work up top from the Ossett midfield, followed by a great finish by Aleathia Smith. 

Following the game, manager Neal Asquith had this to say, “Much improved second half from the girls against a very good opposition from the division above. Could have been a different story if we had converted our chances, but overall very happy with the performance and very much looking forward to taking this into our opening league game next week.”

Final Score: Bradford (Park Avenue) Ladies 1 vs Ossett United Ladies 4

Team: Roberts, McNulty, Nelson, Ingham, Chamberlain, Setchell (Nolan ‘45), Butler (Williams ‘80), Fisher (McUrich ‘45), Bell (Nyandoro ‘60), West, Russell(Mitchell ‘80)

Goal: Russell

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Halloween Soccer Skills Camp

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Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC Academy are delighted to announce that we will be running our very own ‘Halloween Soccer Skills Camp’ at the Horsfall Stadium.

  • Sample our academy coaching philosophy
  • Play at the Horsfall stadium
  • Open to all 6-14 year olds
  • Special guests from top professional Premier League clubs
  • Improve your skills and game understanding

Learn about the #BPAway and be part of our DNA. Sign up today to avoid disappointment. Limited spaces available. To book complete the online registration via the link below or scan the QR code.

https://forms.gle/mQXgsQK8tW163aSN8

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Bradford (Park Avenue) Ladies Vs Ossett United – Live Stream

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We are pleased to share details of the stream available for today’s Ladies FA Cup game against Ossett United.

Please follow the link below.

https://insight4.azurewebsites.net/stream/RnhVZTI2

Following feedback from last Tuesdays game, we have changed vantage points, and have looked to make improvements to the sound, as well as trying to ensure the stream doesnt go down again.

Again, if you have feedback comments please email calum.cullen@bpafc.com

We hope that you enjoy watching the first competitive game here at the Horsfall!

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The Avenue ladies take on Ossett in the FA Cup today

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Bradford (Park Avenue) ladies take on Ossett United today in the Ladies FA Cup. It what will be the very first competitive match to played on the newly laid 3G surface. 

Manager Neal Asquith – 
After a largely succesful pre season we are looking to carry the form and momentum that we have built, into the game with local rivals Ossett United from a higher division. In our, and the clubs, first competitive game on the new 3g pitch. With 3 debutants in the team today we are expecting a great game

Martin Knight – 
We are really excited to be hosting the first competitive game at the Horsfall since the new pitch was laid. It’s clearly very disappointing that the fans won’t be able to enjoy the game or see the huge amount of work that has been done around the ground by the army of incredible volunteers from West Bowling and Bradford (Park Avenue). Neal’s building a strong squad and we wish good luck for today’s tricky FA Cup tie. 

The showcase game is unfortunately being played behind closed doors, so in a further test of the live streaming, we will once again be showing the game free of charge as we continue to iron out the wrinkles. 

We will post the link to the live feed on the clubs social media platforms and website at 1.30pm today.

If you are interested in playing for any of the ladies teams, 1st team or academy sides please contact either Neal for the first team or Thomas for the academy.

Neal – bradfordparkavenuelafc@hotmail.com

Thomas – thomas.mcstravick@bpafc.com

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Windass signs for the Avenue

posted in: First Team News, News | 0

Jordan Windass has put pen to paper to play for Bradford (Park Avenue) this coming season. Windass who has spent time at Gainsborough and North Ferriby has been with us through pre-season and has shown enough for Bower and Boshell to add him to the squad. The versatile Windass has been used as a right back in the majority of the press-season games, but is equally comfortable all across the midfield. By adding to his footballing education we are sure Jordan will be looking to follow his brother Josh from non-league into the football league

Jordan Windass – 

I’m delighted to have signed for Bradford and I’m really looking forward to working under Bowz and Bosh. They have been great to me since I came to the club and made it clear what they want out of me and the team. I’m also excited for the challenge of playing at this level since it’s my first time. Hopefully I can learn a lot from the likes of Toulson and the older lads, to become a better player and hopefully have a successful season with a great bunch of lads‘

Mark Bower – 

Jordan has been with us on and off for a few seasons now. We’ve kept an eye on his development and he has come back to us in pre season in fantastic physical shape. He possesses some real attributes and has areas to improve, so we are looking forward to helping him reach his full potential.

You will be able to see Jordan in his official outing on Tuesdays nights pre-season friendly with Farsley Celtic. It had been hoped that this would be with fans, however presently it seems more likely it will be behind closed doors, but the game will be live streamed so we can see Jordan strut his stuff 

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Bradford (Park Avenue) fell to a disappointing defeat against Yorkshire Amateur AFC on their new 3G pitch at the Horsfall Stadium.

The away side started brightly and looked dangerous on the counter attack and punished the Avenue’s inability to score.

After denying Oli Johnson, the visitors were too quick for their opponents and Fernando Moke passed the ball inside to Roy Fogarty who tapped the ball in the back of the net from close range.

Shortly after, Casey Stewart, who caused the hosts plenty of problems throughout the night, threaded a lovely ball to Stephen Crawford, and he drilled a shot into the bottom corner from 14 yards.

Mark Bower’s side, despite being 2-0 down, started to get back into the game, mainly due to Isaac Marriott who took control in the centre of the park. The young midfielder continued to try and make things happen but unfortunately for the home side, Brad Dixon wasn’t tested.

After the break, it was Yorkshire Amateur AFC who started the better team again, but the Avenue Trialist goalkeeper was impressive, saving twice with his feet from close range.

Following a number of substitutions, the Avenue halved the deficit as a Trialist who replaced Johnson in the first half was fouled in the penalty area. Young Academy striker Jamie Lyons continued his goalscoring form by smashing it into the bottom corner. But it wasn’t enough, as Avenue suffered a disappointing defeat on their return to the Horsfall.

BPA:
Trialist, Ross, Downing, Marriott, Havern, Lund, Knight (Lyons), Hibbs (Trialist), Johnson (Trialist), Toulson (Trialist), Trialist (Dockerty).

Goal: Lyons (pen 83)

Yorkshire Amateur AFC:

Dixon, Smith, Henry, Sharry, Dempsey, Beaston, Priestley, Moke, Crawford, Fogarty, Stewart.

Subs all used: Trennery, Killock, Dean, Trialist, Blakey.

Goals: Fogarty (12), Crawford (16)

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New Man at the Helm of the Academy

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There has been a change at the top of our academy structure with Thomas McStravick replacing the out going Alex Cross. With immediate effect McStravick has taken over as the Academy manager at BPAFC after the club acted to swiftly to the resignation of previous incumbent Alex Cross.

McStravick has joined Bradford (Park Avenue) from the famous Leeds United academy where he coaches of one of their elite academy sides at Thorpe Arch and also their community project development manager. Thomas already holds his UEFA A licence and previously set up a successful academy in Northern Ireland.

Martin Knight, BPAFC –

We are extremely sad to see Alex leave the club, he is a very talented coach, which he demonstrated in the few sessions he took, over the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately Alex handed in his notice to me 4 weeks ago and although we tried to accommodate some of his frustrations ultimately were unable to create the environment that he felt would’ve allowed him flourish. The measure of the man was that Alex worked diligently, whilst we moved quickly behind the scenes to find equally talented replacement that shared our footballing DNA and ensured that the whole of the academy didn’t suffer from any interruption of service or change of ideals. We were delighted to have the opportunity to speak with Thomas during the interview process, he comes with a glowing CV and most importantly has developed an academy previously with successful results. We hope that Thomas enjoys a challenge and that the culture here is one that allows him to succeed again’

Thomas McStravick –

“I am delighted to join such an historic football club with a rich history in English football. I’m very humbled to be appointed in such an important role within the club and excited to help, along with the other staff, build a bright future. The project is an exciting one and I’m looking forward to doing my bit to support the club in the long journey ahead. Building a successful and sustainable project takes time, patience and a lot of effort.”  

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Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Yorkshire Amateurs Live Stream Details

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We are pleased to confirm the details for tonights match vs Yorkshire Amateurs.


Our stream will be live from 7:25, and finish shortly after full time.


Please follow the link below, it will take you straight to the stream. Once on the page, you will need to press the play button on the video, from there you will be able to view the game, alongside Mick ‘Game Caller’ Gledhills excellent commentary.
Please note, if you leave the page, or if your PC/Laptop/Mobile device enters screensaver mode, you may need to refresh the page to continue viewing.


As this is our first stream, we would like your feedback! If you wish to mention anything to us, please email calum.cullen@bpafc.com


#UTA #WeAreBack


https://insight4.azurewebsites.net/stream/anVsT0Rh

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Update on tomorrow’s match and COVID19 player isolation

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Tomorrows game with Yorkshire Amateurs will be going ahead behind closed doors as planned, with a 7.30 kick off.

After we took the precautionary action to isolate the first team bubble on Friday, after one of the players showed COVID symptoms, we spent the last few days in consultation with our medical officer and reviewing the National League and Government protocols and guidance.

As a result of these reviews we can release the players from isolation as their last contact with the symptomatic player was over 72 hours before the symptoms showed and at that time he wouldn’t have been contagious according to government advice. 

Based on the above and in agreement with the medical officer tomorrows game will go ahead as planned and all player and staff in the bubble have been released from their isolation with immediate effect.

We hope you will tune in to watch (we are planning a free trial of the video streaming service) the game and listen to Mick’s commentary. 

Please bear with us as we trial the system as there may be some technical challenges which we would like to iron out before the start of the season.

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