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 16^th 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 

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.