Bulls beaten as Bradford return to the top

Bradford (Park Avenue) returned to the league summit with a hard-fought victory over Hereford.

The visitors were given an early scare when Lewis Knight delivered from the right and Jordan Cullinane-Liburd’s misdirected header cannoned off the crossbar.

Nicky Wroe then tried his luck from distance but saw his swerving effort fly wide.
George Lloyd was the first Hereford player to catch a glimpse of goal and his shot was struck with venom, but the ball whistled narrowly wide of the post.

The hosts then had the ball in the back of the net when Oli Johnson swivelled and lashed past Matt Yates. However, to the dismay of the home supporters, the linesman’s flag appeared, and the goal was ruled out for offside.
Both sides continued to throw caution to the wind in the first-half and there was little reluctance to attack. A neat exchange between Tom Owen-Evans and Kyle Finn created space for the former to shoot but his effort was blocked by the outstretched boot of Mark Ross.

Nicky Wroe then saw a shot blocked on the stroke of half-time after skipping past two players and pulling the trigger.

HALF-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 0-0 Hereford

Drench had to be alert to deny Hereford marksman Kyle Finn immediately after the restart, holding on to a thunderous strike from the forward.

Bradford then threatened with a swift counter-attack, which saw Oli Johnson thread through to an advancing Jake Beesley. The loanee skipped past Yates but was edged wide and blazed over the crossbar.
Johnson created an opportunity for himself by racing past Greenslade and making an incisive dart into the box, but his shot was lifted over the woodwork.

Despite Bradford’s pressure, the Bulls remained in contention and went close through George Lloyd. The forward drifted into space but his curling effort found the wrong side of the post.

The hosts broke the deadlock with twenty minutes remaining when Knight capitalised on a defensive mix-up to burst into the box and tap into a vacated net.

Despite having a deficit to overturn, Hereford failed to produce a response as the Bradford backline remained sturdy.
Penalty appeals were dismissed in stoppage time as Hereford players surrounded the referee, believing that James Roberts had been fouled inside the box.

Bradford were then appealing for a penalty of their own when Beesley was felled but the official, once again, ignored the protests.

FULL-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 1-0 Hereford

Bradford (Park Avenue): Drench, Toulson, Lowe, Wroe (Spencer 77’), Ross, Havern, Knight (McKenna 81’), Branson, Beesley, Johnson (c) (Killock 90+4’), Clee.

Unused substitutes: Dawson, Hurst.

Hereford: Yates, Thomas, Greenslade, O’Sullivan, Cullinane-Liburd (c), Gowling, Dinsley, Owen-Evans, Finn (Roberts 72’), Lloyd (Dielna 84’), Symons.

Unused substitutes: Murphy, Wharton, Horsell.

Referee: Adam Herczog

Attendance: 448

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Pre-Match Programme: Hereford FC

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Bowers men are hoping to make this Christmas one to remember this Saturday as they look to reclaim the top spot in the National League North.

After going 8 league games undefeated and holding the top spot for a number of weeks, Bradford returns to the fray this Saturday following a weekend away from the action.

The Avenue now sit second in the league on goal difference but could reclaim the top spot if they can do the double over a resurgent Hereford FC. Although they sit near the foot of the table, Hereford have now gone four games undefeated, including two games in the FA Trophy and will be looking to capitalise on their recent form.

 

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Carol Service Update: 20/12/18 – 6PM

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Our Annual Carol Service At Beacon Community Church Takes Place Tonight

6pm arrival for a 6.30pm start at Beacon Community Church ,
91 – 93 Beacon Road, Wibsey, BD6 3ET.

The service will finish at 7.30pm

Light refreshments + mince pies will be served

First Team Training Update:

Given the limited training schedule Mark has to work with, the teams position at the top of the league, the size of our squad, and last week not having a game, the club has unfortunately had to make the decision to utilise the players for a full training session on Thursday night. Unfortunately this will mean missing out on the family Carol service at the Beacon Community Church in Wibsey.

Our community team and supporters do great work in the local area and we are sorry the players can’t attend to support in this instance, but we do hope our Supporters and the community who have been so supportive of the team will understand that training time is limited and a late, condensed session at 8pm on a Thursday before a huge game against Hereford on Saturday just isn’t the kind of preparation our supporters deserve when Mark and his team have done so well to sit equal top of the table going into Christmas.

To support the Beacon Community Church at this very special time of year when so many of our local community need a hand, we are holding our final Community bucket collection of the year on Saturday and we will be making a donation to Beacon Community Church to help support their wonderful community work and one of our valued partners.

 

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Keep Warm This Winter With Our New Match Day Hospitality Experience.

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Bradford (Park Avenue) invite you to enjoy the festive period with our new Matchday Hospitality offering, launching on December 22nd.

Our new hospitality room provides you with wonderful hosts who will ensure you’re comfortable and warm prior to the game and at half-time.

Prices are £30, inclusive of your match ticket and just £18 for season ticket holders to upgrade for the day and includes your drinks, meal and desert! you will also receive a match day program and printed team sheet.

Space is limited so please get in early to secure your place at the match on December 22nd against Hereford or our New Years Day clash against Guiseley.

Book Directly:

To book directly by phone or email, contact info@bpafc.com or 01274 674584

Book Online:

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The Avenue is being fenced!

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Bradford’s own Bradford (Park Avenue) table-topping National League North club are fending off all challenges heading into the busy Christmas period, remaining at the top of the league despite the best efforts of a number of quality clubs to usurp Mark Bowers men from the top spot.

In a long-awaited initiative, the club is installing a rectangular pitchside fence around the Horsfall Stadium playing surface in January. Proud of the unique offering and ability for supporters of all ages to enjoy non-league football at Horsfall over the years, Bradford (Park Avenue) are bringing the crowd closer to the action in a move that will enhance everything that is good about a Saturday afternoon cheering on a team battling against the odds week in week out.

The “Fence the Fortress” campaign calls on businesses of all shapes and sizes to pledge their support in a citywide effort to “Circle the Wagons” around our Horsfall pitch and provide tangible and much needed financial support to assist capitalising on the clubs peak position and form and protect our lead into the business end of the season

This limited time campaign combines a unique package of Pitchside advertising for business with match tickets and event space hire and we hope to see the businesses of Bradford join our current pitch board sponsors on the new perimeter fence up close and personal to the action in 2019!

We are flying and we need your support to keep us going! Please get in contact today to ” Fund the Fence” and join us today!

Package details:

£1000 + Vat
Sideline Pitch Board positioned between 18-yard box OR
Goal line Pitchboard either side of goals
6 X match tickets for match of your choice
Listing & link on Clubs business sponsor directory on the website
Free room/venue hire for party or event in the clubhouse (min 30 people)*

800 + Vat
Corner pitch board either goal line or sideline
6 X match tickets for match of your choice
Listing & link on Clubs business sponsor directory on the website
Free room/venue hire for party or event in the clubhouse (min 30 people)*

500+ Vat
Crowd facing Advertising Board facing Main Stand OR
Crowd Facing Advertising Board facing Main entry Gate
4 X match tickets for match of your choice
Listing & link on Clubs business sponsor directory on the website
Free room/venue hire for party or event in the clubhouse (min 30 people)*

300+ Vat
Crowd facing Advertising Board (non-stand facing)
4 X match tickets for match of your choice
Listing & link on Clubs business sponsor directory on the website
Free room/venue hire for a party or event in the clubhouse (min 30 people)*

*(not available match days)

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Funeral service for long time supporter, Les Carr to be held at the Horsfall Stadium

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It is with great sadness that we reflect on the passing of long-time supporter, Leslie Carr.

Les recently passed away peacefully after a short illness, aged 68 years.

Les was well known as the former proprietor of Manningham Motor Cycles and amongst our supporters as a regular who often joined in with the singing section. He was the dearly loved husband of Carol, loved dad of Melinda, loving grandad to Callyanna, a dear brother, uncle and friend to many at the Horsfall and further afield.

A funeral service will be held this Friday, December 14th, at the Horsfall Stadium at 11:00am. Supporters and those that had the pleasure of knowing Les who wish to pay their respects are invited to join us. Gates will be opened from 9:30am to allow friends and family to gather beforehand, and the bar and kiosk will also be opened to provide refreshments for the many friends of Les who are travelling great distances from far and wide to pay their respects at his beloved Horsfall.

The service will begin with Les being driven on a ceremonial lap of the pitch being escorted by his much loved motorcycle, before the service is held in front of the main stand. This will then be followed by interment at Thornton Cemetery. Flowers may be sent to the Private Chapel of W Lever Ltd, 524 Thornton Road and Wreaths laid at the Horsfall stadium on the day will be warmly received by Leslie’s family.

The Bradford Park Avenue Football Club and supporters are forever grateful for the passionate support Les afforded us over many years and our gates will always welcome his family and friends in future should you wish for a quiet moment of reflection, or an afternoon behind the goal cheering on The Avvy as Les loved to do.

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Bradford Park Avenue Announce The Copier Company As Club Partners

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Bradford (Park Avenue) are pleased to add Leeds based business, The Copier Company to our list of Club Partners.

The Copier Company have been providing the club with printer needs for the past 12 months and are experts in office printing equipment and servicing.

Speaking for Bradford (Park Avenue) Damian Irvine said:

“The Copier Company are great supporters of the local community and also sports clubs having also partnered with Leeds Rhinos. We’re really proud to have businesses such as The Copier Company linked with us as the club sits top of the National League North table and is enjoying a nice trend of increased home support and businesses taking an interest in what we are doing”

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Bradford Stay At Summit With Southport Draw

Bradford (Park Avenue) were denied victory by a stunning strike from Southport’s Bradley Bauress in a 2-2 draw at the Horsfall Stadium.

The early stages yielded little in the way of entertainment as both sides wrestled with the conditions and struggled to find any rhythm.

However, the visitors pounced in the 13th minute to edge themselves ahead. Dean Winnard connected with Bradley Bauress’ corner delivery and directed his header past a helpless Steven Drench.

The goal rallied Bradford, who struck back through Conor Branson just four minutes later. The returning midfielder dived to meet Lewis Knight’s free-kick delivery before heading into the bottom corner.

With the wind in their sails, Bradford began to attack with an increased sense of urgency and a quicker tempo. Knight sent a shot wide of the post from the right-hand side of the box and Conor Branson saw a header saved by Daniel Hanford after connecting with Nicky Wroe’s free-kick delivery.

Southport dealt with the onslaught and aimed to ask questions of the Bradford backline with swiftly-launched counter-attacks. A neat exchange between Jordan Archer and Dion Charles provided the latter with the opportunity to test Drench but he failed to do so, firing over the crossbar.

Archer then found himself on the end of an inch-perfect cross from Jordan Richards, but he headed wide after escaping Gianluca Havern in the box.

HALF-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 1-1 Southport

The first opportunity of the second-half fell to Southport skipper David Morgan, but Drench pushed his long-range effort wide and the resulting corner was cleared.

Morgan then saw a speculative effort from an even greater distance sail over the woodwork.
Beesley then found himself one-on-one with Hanford after a deflected pass from Nicky Clee put the ball in the forward’s path. The ball, however, ran out of play after Beesley knocked the ball to the side of an on-rushing Hanford.

Danny Lowe then had his blushes spared by Drench, who made a magnificent save to prevent the defender’s misdirected header nestling in Bradford’s own net.

The hosts took the lead in the 74th minute through stand-in skipper Oli Johnson, who raced away from Richards and steered past Hanford from the left-hand side of the box.

The Sandgrounders took just three minutes to produce a response and did so in sensational fashion. A stunning long-range strike from Bauress levelled proceedings after nestling in the bottom corner.

Southport substitute Devarn Green then demonstrated some deft footwork on the right flank before teeing up Charles, but the midfielder blasted over.

Both sides continued to hunt for the elusive winning goal but neither managed to make a breakthrough. Adam Nowakowski was denied by Hanford at close-range and Marcus Wood’s audacious piledriver flew narrowly wide before the referee blew the final whistle.

FULL-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 2-2 Southport

Bradford (Park Avenue): Drench, Toulson, Lowe, Wroe (Spencer 82’), Ross, Havern, Knight, Beesley, Johnson (c), Clee (Nowakowski 71’).

Unused substitutes: Dawson, Hurst, McKenna.

Southport: Hanford, Richards, Ogle, Edwards, Winnard, Morgan (c), Charles, Wood, Gilchrist (Green 62’), Archer (Sampson 72’), Bauress.

Unused substitutes: Homson-Smith, Mueller, Parry.

Referee: Tom Parsons

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Vanarama National League North Monthly Awards: November 2018

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VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH- MANAGER OF THE MONTH

Liam Watson (Southport)

If a week is a long time in football, what about a month?

Back in October, Liam Watson didn’t know what to do with himself as Southport’s season just couldn’t get started however hard he tried.

A campaign which he hoped would see the club get out of the division was threatening just that – but into Step Three, not via promotion to the Vanarama National League.

When a legend returns, excitement naturally grows but thanks to a brilliant November the club’s painful start is a thing of the past.

Three fantastic away league wins set the tone. Kidderminster Harriers torn apart in front of their own fans before Hereford and Boston United were also well beaten. Port achieved FA Trophy progression too as in-form Chester were eventually seen off, with of course a victory in the FA Cup at home to Boreham Wood.

Unfortunately, Liam Watson was unable to collect his award this week.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH – PLAYER OF THE MONTH

David Morgan (Southport)

Southport have cleaned up with this month’s awards – new captain David Morgan has capped off a superb month for the Port with the Player of the Month accolade.

Having been made skipper of the side at the end of October, the midfield general has gone on to put in a number of dominant performances that have seen the Port fight on three fronts through the month.

He was behind impressive National League North wins against Kidderminster Harriers and Hereford as well as a last-minute victory at Boston United to move them out of the relegation zone.

The 24-year-old has been instrumental in Southport’s cups runs too – not content with beating National League Boreham Wood in the FA Cup First Round, Morgan went on to score the winner against high-fliers Chester as his side progressed to the next round of the FA Trophy.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH- VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

Barry Masters (Nuneaton Borough)

Barry Masters has won Volunteer of the Month for Nuneaton Borough in the National League North.

Barry has worked on the pitch and supported with stadium maintenance for six years. Since the loss of this wife, he has put a great deal of effort into his work for the Club.

In his eighties, and despite not being too mobile, Barry arrives at the stadium every morning at 8.30 to assist the Head Groundsman in getting the pitch ready, working tirelessly until at least 3 pm.

He’s been a lifelong fan of the club, attends all matches- both home and away- and can’t do enough to help the club. He’s never asked for or taken any reward for his efforts, but the club is delighted for his dedication and devotion to be recognised with the Volunteer of the Month award.

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Pre-Match Programme: Southport FC

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Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking to tighten their grip on top spot after retaining it with a 2-0 win over AFC Telford United last Saturday.

Mark Bower’s side return to the Horsfall Stadium for the first time in three weeks to host a Southport side that are hovering precariously over the relegation zone.

The Sandgrounders, however, have embarked on a tremendous run of form after a difficult start to the campaign. Saturday’s opponents haven’t lost since October, completing a 4-1 rout of Kidderminster Harriers and knocking Boreham Wood out of the Emirates FA Cup along the way.

Despite their recent results, the Port will be wary of a Bradford side that have set the standard in the Vanarama National League North. Their ascension to the league summit has been a fascinating one to watch and they put in-form Telford to the sword in convincing fashion last week.

Mark Bower faces a selection headache ahead of the game after several changes were made in the victory at New Bucks Head. Mark Ross deputised in the heart of defence and shone in Shane Killock’s absence, whilst Jamie Spencer will be pushing for a recall after stepping off the bench and notching Bradford’s second.

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