3 Jan 2020

MATCH PREVIEW: Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Boston United

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Bradford (Park Avenue) return home to the Horsfall Stadium when they host Boston United this Saturday (4/01/20). 

Avenue are coming off two straight away games at Farsley Celtic and York City while Boston United travel to Bradford after hosting two straight games against Kettering Town and Kings Lynn.  

Despite a 5-0 loss to Farsley last week, the Avenue were much improved in their New Year’s Day game at York City, and despite the scoreline, were the better team for most spells of the match and manager Mark Bower hopes that they can carry on those types of performances, stating that playing the way that they did against York will get them a good result against “many of the teams in the league”. 

Boston United, too, are coming off a tough loss from New Years Day after being dispatched 3-0 at home by top of the table Kings Lynn. United sit in 9th in the National League North table, just three points behind the playoff spots, albeit with a number of games in hand on the teams above so they will be travelling to Horsfall with the hopes of strengthening their cause for a playoff spot. 

It’s a much different story for the Avenue though. After a rough offseason after finishing in the playoffs last season, Bradford, now five months into the season, find themselves bottom of the table by five points and ten points from safety with Bower insisting that although it will be difficult, he still has confidence in his players that they will be able to pull off what would be a miraculous escape.  

The Avenue will be without Jon Royle, who has now returned to his parent club AFC Telford, after a brief spell on loan whilst Jake Hibbs could make his return to the Avenue squad after joining on loan from Spennymoor Town earlier this week.  

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2 Jan 2020

Jake Hibbs Makes His Return To The Avenue

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Bradford (Park Avenue) have secured the services of 23 year old midfielder Jake Hibbs on a 3 month loan from Spennymoor Town.

Hibb’s is the second player to arrive on loan from Spennymoor this week and is no stranger to the Horsfall having previously had a loan spell at the club from then National League North side Halifax Town back in 2017.

Hibbs, won the FA Trophy with Halifax Town in 2016, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 victory over Grimsby Town, as well as being part of the squad who defeated Salford City in the 2016/17 National League North Play-Off Final. He signed for FC Halifax Town in 2013 after being chosen as the successful player in trials run by the club. Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley brought in Hibbs to bolster his midfield ahead the 2018/19 season but has only made 4 appearances this season, with the most recent being Spennymoors 3-1 defeat to Gateshead on Saturday.

In addition to the arrival of Hibbs the club can confirm that Jon Royle has returned to parent club AFC Telford following his loan spell with the club. The club would like to thank Jon for his efforts in the BPA shirt and wish him all the best for the future.

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1 Jan 2020

MATCH REPORT: York City 2-1 Bradford (Park Avenue)

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Despite a spirited performance, the Avenue once again fell victim to the same team they lost to at the Horsfall Stadium last week. 

But unlike last week, the Avenue players must have left the pitch feeling hard done by after putting in a much improved performance, and were probably the better team for most periods of the match but unfortunately, as has happened too much this season, mistakes came back to haunt them and they were unable to leave the Crescent Stadium with any of the spoils. 

York began the game with plenty of possession, but Avenue gradually got more and more involved, and by the second half were, in most instances, the more dominant team – but by then, the damage had mostly been done, as York had taken the lead in the first 15 minutes of the game courtesy of Macauley Langstaff, who brilliantly kept his composure to turn the ball home after some wonderful play down the left from Adriano Moke created the opportunity. 

Avenue, however, could have had a leveller almost instantly as Nowakowski, returning to the squad from injury, headed agonizingly over the bar. Another chance soon followed for Bradford as a mix up in the York defence led to newest signing, Ryan Hall, finding himself through on goal, but in a difficult position his touch was too heavy and that allowed the hosts goalkeeper to race out and clear the ball before Hall could get to it. 

Chances then came for York to double their lead, but their shots weren’t threatening the returning Avenue keeper, Joe Green, and he did well to deal with a flurry of crosses that were sent into the box by the York fullbacks.  

Avenue went into half time trailing 1-0, but importantly still in the game. As both sides returned from the break, it was Bradford who started to take more control of it, with the York fans getting visibly frustrated by them not being able to do much. York did have their chances to double their lead before they eventually did, Kieran Green coming closest after running through the Avenue defence but his thumping shot went just wide. Avenue, though, had chances themselves, the biggest coming through Ryan Hall but his efforts were superbly saved by the York City goalkeeper. 

Despite the chances, it was York who scored the vital second goal just ten minutes from time, but it really should have been avoided. Captain Burrow was played through, but his shot was straight at Joe Green, but Green unfortunately let the ball slide through his hands and into the net; it was a harsh one for the keeper who was returning from injury as he had played a really good game beforehand. 

It was always going to be difficult for Bradford to come back from such a deficit with a short amount of time left, but they didn’t give up and substitute Liam Hughes grabbed a consolation with a great strike, but it was too little too late as it ended up being the last kick of the game. 

The result means that the Avenue remain bottom of the table, 4 points behind Blyth Spartans and 9 points behind Kettering Town. 

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1 Jan 2020

Matchday 24 National League Statpack

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The National League’s official betting partner, LV BET take a look at the pick of the New Year’s Day fixtures in Matchday 24 in the National League North:

Boston United v King’s Lynn

  • King’s Lynn hold a four-point lead at the top of the National League North despite dropping two points on Saturday at Alfreton.
  • Boston United are undefeated at home and have let in just four goals at York Street so far this season.
  • Adam Marriott is King’s Lynn Town’s top scorer – nobody in the National League North has more than his 22 goals.
  • King’s Lynn won the Boxing day clash 1-0. The leaders have won seven of their last eight matches.

York City v Bradford PA

  • Title-chasing York have won just once in five and missed the chance to close the gap on Saturday, losing 2-1 to Guiseley.
  • Struggling Bradford have lost nine of their last ten National League North matches and sit bottom of the table.
  • The Minstermen won the Boxing Day fixture 2-0 but York have won less than half of their home matches this season.
  • Avenue have let in 63 goals already – and they have only scored 14, less than anyone else.

Chester v Southport

  • Chester have won just one in four and are ten points adrift of leaders King’s Lynn.
  • Southport have lost their last two, letting in six goals. They still hold a play-off place.
  • Chester won the Boxing Day meeting 3-1 and the Seals have won six of their ten home games. Southport have taken six points from nine away from home.
  • Only Brackley Town and leaders King’s Lynn have scored more goals than Chester this season.

Spennymoor v Darlington

  • Darlington have won four games in a row for the first time this season.
  • Spennymoor are clinging onto a play-off place after just one win in five matches.
  • The Quakers won this fixture 2-1 on Boxing Day and they are now just a point away from the promotion places.
  • Spennymoor have taken 22 points from a possible 30 at home this season, scoring an average of nearly 2.5 goals a game.
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31 Dec 2019

Winger Ryan Hall Joins On Loan From Spennymoor

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Mark Bower has made a move to secure winger Ryan Hall on a 3 month loan from fellow National League North side Spennymoor.

Hall who played 87 minutes in the recent 3-0 loss at Spennymoor caught Bower’s eye and was keen to add the pacey winger to the squad.

Hall joined Spennymoor on a 2 year contract at the start of the 2017-18 season from Curzon Ashton.

As Hall joins the squad the club can confirm that Andre Johnson has left the club to join Northern Premier League side Grantham Town. The club would like to thank Andre for his efforts in the BPA shirt and wish him all the best for the future.

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28 Dec 2019

MATCH REPORT: Farsley 5-0 Avenue

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A second half capitulation saw Bradford (Park Avenue) hammered at near neighbours Farsley Celtic.

Avenue were on top for the first period, missing a handful of chances before two penalties and three set-pieces gifted play-off chasing Farsley a victory.

Mark Bower’s visitors had some early danger to deal with as Tom Nicholson failed to gather a Farsley free-kick, and as Tom Allen looked set to prod the loose ball home, somehow Ryan Toulson got back to deny a certain goal.

The pitch was proving problematic for both sides as home goalkeeper Kyle Trenerry saw a miscued effort cannon dangerously off Lewis Knight, who saw a shot blocked away before he was forced off injured after just 19 minutes.

Avenue were well on top of their opponents as Isiah Bazeley, one of two changes to Bower’s starting 11, saw a low effort blocked away before Alex Hurst stung Trennery’s palms after cutting inside.

That preceeded a frantic last five minutes of the half, which saw both sides have their eyes on opening the scoring.

First, Hurst burst forward on the left, finding Johnson who couldn’t work room for a strike, Isaac Marriott’s eventual effort flying just wide.

Johnson then worked space in the area for a powerful strike which Trenerry again held at the second attempt, before Avenue’s biggest chance of the half.

A ricochet in midfield put Hurst through on goal but he couldn’t beat an onrushing Trenerry as the ball just wouldn’t settle for a strike.

And straight up the other end, Nicholson had to be at his best as a fortuotous bounce saw the loose ball fall Will Hayhurst’s way, but his low effort was well saved by the legs of Avenue’s number one.

Nicky Clee then saw an effort blocked by former Avenue man Adam Clayton, before Tom Allen flashed a dangerous cross across the face of Nicholson’s goal moments before the half-time whistle.

But immediately after the break, Avenue capitulated as Cartman opened the scoring little over two minutes into the half.

Bradford failed to defend a deep free-kick which Clayton volleyed across goal, Cartman there to bundle the ball over the line at the back post.

And less than two minutes later, Farsley were gifted the chance to double their lead as Marriott appeared to have prevent the danger from Tyler Walton’s burst into the box, but the Huddersfield loanee attempted a slide tackle, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Hayhurst, who had been wrongly announced as the scorer of the first, stepped up and found the bottom corner giving Farsley a two-goal lead after just five minutes of the second period.

It was a complete turnaround from the first half as Avenue couldn’t get out of their half, and their inability to defend set-pieces was their downfall once more.

A corner came in from the left on 63 minutes and fell perfectly for Dave Syers, who lashed home on the half-volley.

The pick of the goals came moments later, again as Avenue failed to clear a corner, the ball was headed around and found its way to centre-back Jack Higgins, who acrobatically volleyed the ball into the top corner, wheeling away in wild celebration.

Nicholson was still alert, keeping out a Hayhurst header which looked bound for the top corner, before Reece Staunton did brilliantly to get back as Syers was in on goal, the number one then unconventionally saving Luke Parkin’s follow-up with his feet.

There was time late in the day for Farsley to add a fifth as another ridiculous slide tackle came in in the area, and the referee had no hesitation pointing to the spot again. Hayhurst picked himself up and converted once more to round off the scoring.

There was a moment to celebrate for Avenue in the second period, as Jamie Lyons came off the bench for his league debut, the first time an Avenue Academy graduate has appeared for the first team.

Farsley Celtic: Trenerry, Richards, Allen, C.Atkinson, Higgins, Clayton (c), Walton (B.Atkinson 79), Syers, Cartman (Parkin 71), Hayhurst, Francis

Subs not used: Wynne, Ellis, Regan

Goals: Cartman (48), Hayhurst (50P), Syers (63), Higgins (65)

Booked: Higgins (66), Allen (74)

Bradford (Park Avenue): Nicholson, Toulson, Staunton, Lowe (c), Priestley, Bazeley (Lyons 73), Knight (O.Johnson 19), Marriott, Clare, Hurst, Clee (Hughes 73)

Subs not used: Lund, Dickinson

Referee: Dean Hulme

Attendance: 784

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27 Dec 2019

ACADEMY TRIALS | Friday 31st January 2020

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On the last Friday of each month Bradford (Park Avenue) will
be hosting open academy trails with the aim to find young players to join the
clubs Academy sides for the next academic intake prior to the start of the 2020/21
season.

The trails are open to both male and female footballers aged
16 to 18-years old, as the club is looking to find players to join the Men’s
Academy and Ladies’ Academy as well as candidates to join our Under 19’s squad.

The trials will take place at the University of Bradford
training facility, behind the Laisteridge Lane Student Village.

The trials will take place from 3-5pm on Friday 28th February 2020.

Can’t make this trail?
Don’t worry as the club will be hosting trials on the last Friday of every
month.

Address:
Laisteridge Lane Student Village Bradford
Laisteridge Lane,
Bradford,
BD5 0NH

SIGN UP TODAY

Simply fill the form in below to
register for your trial.

[contact-form-7]

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26 Dec 2019

MATCH REPORT: Bradford (Park Avenue) 0-2 York City

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Bradford (Park Avenue) remain bottom of the National League North after a 2-0 defeat at home to York City. 

Goals at either side of the half from Kieran Green and Jordan Burrows gifted York their first win this month after previously going three games without a win. 

It was a very lively start to the game, and despite York controlling the majority of the possession for most periods, chances came and went for either team. Alex Hurst came antagonisingly close to breaking the deadlock for the Avenue in the first real big chance of the game but his left-footed effort from just inside the York box rolled wide of the post with York keeper Pete Jameson looking beaten. 

Almost instantly after that Avenue chance, York had a huge one of their own when Kieran Green raced clear on the right-hand side in the Avenue half, his low cross into the box then just narrowly evaded the incoming striker, Jordan Burrows, to keep the scores at 0-0, although both sides really should have gone ahead within that two minute period. 

Afterwards, there were small chances for both teams, Tom Clare shot over from around 25 yards out on a half volley but it was York City who struck with the all-important first goal of the game; sloppy play from the Avenue resulted in Nicholson having to make a decent save from a York header, but the rebound from the save fell to Kieran Green and the York man made no mistake in slotting the ball home to give the visitors the lead. 

From then on, Avenue’s confidence seemed wounded and York began to take more and more control of the game with the away side putting the Avenue defence under an increasing amount of pressure, with the biggest chance coming from Kieran Green who’s header from McLaughlin’s free kick struck off the post, but their efforts into building onto their lead were unsuccessful heading into half time. 

When the sides returned from half time, it didn’t take long for York to strike the deadly blow, which came in the form of a 2nd goal for the visitors courtesy of captain Burrows. The York striker gave York complete control, heading the ball into the net after some brilliant work on the right hand side of the Avenue area from Kallum Griffiths.  

The second goal for York seemed to awaken the Avenue side for a brief spell, and they came so close to getting themselves back into the game but Tom Clare couldn’t connect onto a wonderful ball that was sent in from Alex Hurst. 

From then on, the sting seemed to be taken out of the game with not much created – York happy to let Avenue see more of the ball, but remaining resolute at the back to ensure that they wouldn’t concede. 

The game continued but Avenue looked out of answers, and on a dull afternoon in West Yorkshire, it was another dull result for an Avenue side who need to start picking up points very soon to have a chance of avoiding the drop. 

Bradford (Park Avenue): Nicholson, Toulson (Bazeley 74), Staunton, Lowe (c), Priestley, Royle, Knight, Hurst, Clare, O.Johnson (Marriott 58), Clee (Hughes 74)

Subs not used: Green, Lyons

Booked: Bazeley (89)

York City: Jameson, Griffiths, Ferguson, Newton, Tait, McLaughlin, Langstaff (Durrell 76), Moke, Burrow (c), Green (Bond 86), Kempster (King 86)

Subs not used: Maguire, Whitley

Goals: Green (26), Burrow (51)

Booked: Ferguson (89)

Referee: Simeon Lucas

Attendance: 1,127

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26 Dec 2019

Stat Pack | National League North Matchday 22 by Official Betting Partner LV BET

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The National League’s official betting partner, LV BET take a look at the pick of the Boxing Day fixtures in Matchday 22 in the National League North:

King’s Lynn Town v Boston United

  • King’s Lynn Town have not lost a home league game for over a year – they last tasted defeat at the Walks in September 2018.
  • Boston United have only lost one league game on the road since the start of November, picking up wins at AFC Telford, Farsley Celtic and Kidderminster Harriers in the process.
  • Adam Marriott is King’s Lynn Town’s top scorer – nobody in the National League North has more than his 21 goals.
  • Only three sides have conceded more goals than Boston United in the league this season.

Kettering Town v Brackley Town

  • Kettering Town have only lost once in all competitions since mid-October, pulling themselves eight clear of the bottom two.
  • Only York City with eight have conceded fewer goals on the road so far this season than Brackley Town’s nine.
  • Kettering Town have scored four goals in two of their last three home games.
  • With +28, Brackley Town are have by far the National League North’s best goal difference.

Southport v Chester

  • Two of the promotion challengers go head-to-head as third place Southport entertain fifth place Chester.
  • Only Brackley Town and leaders King’s Lynn Town have scored more goals than Chester this season.
  • Chester’s Akwasi Asante with 14 and Port’s David Morgan with 10 are the leading scorers for their clubs.
  • Only York City and Brackley Town boast a better defensive record than Southport this season.

Curzon Ashton v Altrincham

  • Altrincham haven’t won since beating York City in late November, Curzon Ashton are looking to avoid a third straight defeat.
  • Curzon Ashton have conceded just one goal in their last five home games – winning four and drawing once in that time.
  • Altrincham have one of the worst away records in the division, only Boxing Day hosts Curzon Ashton have take less points on the road.
  • The last meeting at the Nash in February between the two sides saw Altrincham run out comfortable 6-0 winners.

Top Picks from LV BET

61/20 Boston United to end King’s Lynn 15-month undefeated home run

33/20 Over 3.5 goals in Kettering v Brackley (Check LV BET sportsbook)

11/1 Free-scoring Chester and Southport to draw 2-2

7/10 Goals in both halves of Curzon v Altrincham (Check LV BET sportsbook)

New LVBet customers will get a £5 sportsbook welcome bet when they sign up. Claim the welcome offer here! (T&Cs apply) 

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21 Dec 2019

MATCH REPORT: Spennymoor Town 3-0 Bradford (Park Avenue)

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It was yet another league away defeat for the Avenue as they fell 3-0 to Spennymoor Town on a bitterly disappointing Saturday afternoon in County Durham. 

In a game in which the hosts dominated possession, the Avenue knew that when the chances came, they had to take them but unfortunately that wasn’t the case as they were unable to find their clincial nature when they needed it the most. 

It was a quiet beginning to the game, the home side had the majority of the possession but didn’t really show much attacking intent as Avenue defended well. A couple of decent chances fell Avenue’s way before Spennymoor opened the scoring, the most notable chances coming for Tom Clare and Isaac Marriott. 

Clare’s opportunity came just after the 20 minute mark – some sublime play down the left from Oli Johnson allowed to him to find Nicky Clee in space who’s cross into the box met the head of Clare who outleaped the Spennymore defence, but his header was saved by Gould, who enjoyed a fine afternoon in net for the hosts. 

Almost instantly after that chance, though, Spennymoor had one of their own. Earing found space and ran into the Avenue half, and his through ball to Ramshaw allowed Ramshaw to get a strike off on goal which hit the bar. 

A couple of early subs were then forced for Mark Bower’s side with Adam Nowakowski, making his 100th appearance for the Avenue, substituted off after just half an hour, and he was shortly followed by Mitch Lund with both men leaving with suspected injuries. 

Spennymoor took the lead in the 33rd minute through Ramshaw, who was played through on goal and calmly slotted past Avenue debutant Nicholson. 

Coming out of half time, Avenue’s performance improved as they enjoyed more of the possession, but that possession didn’t translate to too many chances – the best one falling to Tom Clare, who shot just wide after doing well to create himself some space just inside the Spennymoor box. 

Despite Avenue being the better team in the second half, it was Spennymoor who scored the crucial second goal of the game through Mark Anderson, who then also made it 3-0 with a wonderful half volley from 25 yards out which capped off an unfortunate afternoon for Bradford. 

Magnay was given his marching orders by the ref deep into stoppage time after receiving his second yellow of the game, but it was too little too late for the Avenue who now face the difficult task of playing York City on Boxing Day. 

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