29 Sep 2018

Match Preview: Alfreton Town vs. Bradford (Park Avenue)

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Photo: John Rhodes

Bradford (Park Avenue) visit Alfreton Town today, looking to build on last week’s Emirates FA Cup victory over Darlington.

Alfreton also booked their place in the next round of the competition last week but made hard work of it, needing a replay to advance at the expense of Sutton Coldfield Town.

However, focus returns to the National League North today as fourth-placed Bradford take on the sixth-placed Reds, who have made an impressive start to the campaign under the tutelage of Billy Heath.

It was a pulsating affair when the two sides last met in March but six goals couldn’t produce a winner in a 3-3 draw at the Horsfall Stadium. Matt Hill etched his name on the scoresheet and Oli Johnson netted a brace. Bradford last visited the Impact Arena in December 2017, emerging as convincing 3-1 winners.

GUIDE TO THE OPPONENTS:

The Gaffer:

Billy Heath

Heath was appointed as Alfreton boss in May 2018 following the departure of Chris Moyses. A vastly experienced manager, he led North Ferriby United to two promotions during his time there and also guided the club to FA Trophy glory in 2015. In 2016, he left the Villagers to join F.C Halifax Town and oversaw the Shaymen’s promotion to the National League via the play-offs.

One To Watch:

Jordan Sinnott

The son of former Bradford (Park Avenue) boss Lee, Jordan Sinnott is one of division’s most talented midfielders. A creative player with an eye for goal, the 24-year-old’s sensational long-range strike helped the Reds see off Sutton Coldfield Town on Tuesday night. The Bradford-born midfielder began his career with Huddersfield Town but found first-team opportunities limited and enjoyed loan spells away from the club with Altrincham and Bury. He eventually joined Altrincham on a permanent deal in 2015, becoming a key player for the Robins before Billy Heath swooped to sign Sinnott a year later whilst in charge of F.C Halifax Town. Following the Shaymen’s promotion to the National League, he made the switch to Chesterfield but struggled to make an impact. His recent move to Alfreton reunited him with Heath, who had left the The Shay himself in January 2018.

You can follow the action from today’s game via our official Twitter feed – find us at @BPAFCOfficial! 

 

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27 Sep 2018

Altrincham FC Away Travel

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The club are looking at running a supporters coach to Altrincham FC Saturday 6th October 2018 subject to enough interest, with seats costing £13 for adults and £8 for under 16’s.

To book your seat please see Neil Fawcett at the Supporters Information Desk on match day or call him on 07811 959003

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25 Sep 2018

MAN v FAT Football Has Come To Bradford (Park Avenue) Football Club

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MAN v FAT Football – an FA-endorsed 14 week football league exclusively for the 56% of UK men who are overweight or obese launches in Bradford from 17th September 2018

The MAN v FAT Football scheme will run at Goals, Eccleshill Bradford on Monday evenings from 7pm – 9pm.

Local men who want to tackle their weight issues now have the chance to join this incredibly successful weight loss league. With 95% of players losing weight and some players losing up to 70lbs during the 14 week league, it’s no wonder that the Football Association have officially endorsed the leagues.

Set up by Andrew Shanahan who himself lost five stone and was fed-up with weight loss classes just for women, MAN v FAT combines football with easy to follow diet and lifestyle advice as well as 24/7 online and offline support. There’s the traditional weigh-ins before each game, but this is then followed-up by a 30 minute game of six-a-side football. Extra goal bonuses are awarded depending on the pounds lost by the players, so it becomes a real team effort.

Karl White, Regional Manager of www.manvfat.com said, “We’re thrilled to offer this to men in Bradford . We’ve seen that MAN v FAT Football can have an incredible impact on the health of our players with 95% of players losing weight and 93% reporting health improvements from curing sleep apnoea to huge improvements in blood pressure and joint pain. Across 2016 our players lost more than 7 tonnes in weight and we know that we’re going to smash that in 2017 with leagues like the one in Bradford ‘

Currently, there are over 20 million overweight and obese men in the UK, accounting for nearly 7 out of every 10 men. The issue of weight has become such a concern that a recent report suggested that the government should treat this as the number one public health concern. Despite this, funding has been cut to local authorities and men are nearly 300% less likely to get support for their weight than women. Despite this MAN v FAT Football is one of the only options for men who want to lose weight. Fortunately, with more leagues launching across the UK, men who want to lose weight and get back into football now have an opportunity to do something about it.

Jayne Spencer, Community Manager stated ‘ We are delighted to have the opportunity to be involved in this programme for Men in Bradford and we are sure we will increase interest and membership.

It costs £9.99 to register and games cost £6 per week. The only thing you have to lose is weight…

The link is

https://www.manvfatfootball.org/Home/Registration

For MAN v Fat media enquiries contact Jayne Spencer, Community Manager at Bradford Park Avenue Football club

Jayne Spencer – jayne.spencer@bpafc.com Tel 07807011948

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24 Sep 2018

A Disappointing End To FA Youth Cup Competition

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On Wednesday 19th September Bradford’s youngsters took on Harworth Colliery in their FA Youth Cup 1st qualifying round fixture. It was a great occasion with a record crowd down for an academy game and a real buzz around the Horsfall despite the bitterly cold weather.

Park Avenue started well with an early chance for Leahy forcing the Harworth keeper to a finger tip save. Harworth continued to look shakey at the back with a number of chances falling Park Av’s way. However, against the run of play Harworth took the lead. An Avenue hand ball on the edge of the box gave Harworth a free kick which deflected off the wall and into the net. It was 1-0 Harworth. This goal seemed to spring Harworth into life and they came at Park Avenue. Some good defending by both wingbacks kept Avenue in the game and just before half time Avenue found their equaliser. It was the first time Park Avenue strung a number of passes together down the right hand side and it opened up the Harworth defence. A great ball into the box by Conlon was tapped in by Bailey at the back post. The half ended at one a piece in a game Avenue should really have taken hold of. After half time Avenue started to settle and were rewarded with a goal. A free kick from the half way line lifted high into the box by Rowntree was met by Whitrick and headed over the keeper. However, it wasn’t long before Avenue squandered their lead. A soft free kick was given at the edge of the box. Harworth’s players straight strike went straight over Widdop’s head and it was 2-2. The game then started to get away from Park Avenue with a catalogue of individual errors arising. The turning point came when Widdop’s error left a tap in for the Harworth striker. 3-2 to the visitors with Avenue looking unable to reply. Chances for Ali, T.Ali and Rowntree were not converted and it looked like the game was just going to fizzle out. The final blow came when another silly free kick was given away on the edge of the box and was once again converted by Harworth. Avenue substitutes Mayfield, Ikram and Panwar added fresh legs and Avenue kept creating chances but with no final product. A frustrating game all round as Bradford’s youngsters failed to perform on the day, on this occasion. Nerves seem to get the better of the lads on the night as they were miles off the performance they produced at Staveley. This now means its time for them to focus on the U19 and College league as well as the local Pat Rice trophy.

Next game is down at The Horsfall on Monday 24th September verses Huddersfield YMCA.

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24 Sep 2018

Alfreton Town Away Travel

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The club are running a supporters coach to Alfreton Town Saturday 29th September 2018, with seats costing £15 for adults and £10 for under 16’s.

To book your seat please see Neil Fawcett at the Supporters Information Desk on match day or call him on 07811 959003

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22 Sep 2018

Bradford advance at expense of Quakers

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Bradford (Park Avenue) advanced into the third qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup with a narrow win over Darlington.

Mark Bower’s side came into the game on the back of two consecutive defeats but edged past their National League North counterparts with an impressive display.

The visitors threatened from the first whistle and Ben McKenna accelerated away from left-back Ben O’Hanlon twice in the opening three minutes. Despite seeing his deliveries collected by Jonathan Maddison, it was an indication of Bradford’s willingness to drive at the Darlington backline and test the hosts in the opening exchanges.

Forward Jake Beesley was a source of frustration for Darlington defenders throughout and he came close to registering an assist after six minutes. He switched the ball to the Nicky Wroe on the right but the midfielder fired wildly over the crossbar.

18-year-old goalkeeper Jack Atkinson was introduced for his debut between the sticks and displayed maturity beyond his years. He was called into action twice in as many minutes but thwarted Liam Hughes and Stephen Thompson.

McKenna continued to experience joy against O’Hanlon and lifted a cross in for Beesley, who escaped his marker but headed over the woodwork.

The winger then had the opportunity to score from a free-kick but his low drive was held by Maddison.

Bradford were eventually rewarded for their persistence and took the lead through Danny Lowe. The defender intercepted a pass intended for Luke Trotman before unleashing a vicious strike that flew past Maddison, opening his account for the season in style.

The attacking intent of the visitors didn’t relent and Maddison was forced to beat away a diving header from Nicky Clee on the stroke of half-time.

HALF-TIME: Darlington 0-1 Bradford (Park Avenue)

Pressure eased on the Quakers after the break as they gained a grip on the game but Atkinson was unassailable in the Bradford goal. He made a particularly superb save to deny David Syers, who had struck with venom from just outside the 18-yard box.

The young goalkeeper then had to be alert to hold on to a flicked header from Syers, who had made a bright start after entering the fray as a substitute at the beginning of the second-half.

Bradford did, however, come close to doubling their lead when a neat exchange between Chris Dawson and Conor Branson opened up space for the latter to shoot. He generated power in his strike but Maddison held.

A flurry of chances for the hosts followed and Darlington duo Liam Hughes and Reece Styche missed opportunites to draw level. The former’s header was plucked out of the top corner by Atkinson and latter’s volley was held by the Bradford debutant.

Mark Ross shone on his return to the starting eleven and he made a crucial block to divert Simon Ainge’s piledriver away from danger.

As the game entered its latter stages, Darlington desperately hunted for an equaliser but found that their direct style was dealt with comfortably by the Bradford backline.

The frustration of the Quakers players soon became evident and Stephen Thompson blazed over the crossbar with a wild effort from distance.

Gibraltar international Styche then followed suit, blasting over the woodwork twice in as many minutes during stoppage time.

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

Darlington: Maddison, Trotman, O’Hanlon, Elliott, Hughes, Galbraith, Henshall (Syers 45′), Nicholson (Saunders 79′), Styche (c), Ainge, Thompson.

Unused substitutes: Glover, Burn, Lycett, Alderson, Stansfield.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Lowe, Wroe, Killock (c), Havern, McKenna (Toulson 79′), Branson, Beesley, Dawson (Spencer 69′), Clee (Johnson 62′).

Unused substitutes: Knight, Nowakowski.

Referee: Dean Hulme

 

 

 

 

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22 Sep 2018

Match Preview: Darlington vs. Bradford (Park Avenue)

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The Emirates FA Cup journey begins today as Bradford make the trip to Blackwell Meadows to face Darlington.

The Quakers did the double over Mark Bower’s side last season but have made a slow start to the 2018/19 campaign. They sit 17th in the league, seven points adrift of 4th-placed Bradford, who remain in the play-off positions despite stuttering with two consecutive defeats in recent weeks.

Bradford were dealt a difficult hand in the prestigious competition last year but advanced into the next round with an impressive away win over National League North counterparts Southport. They faced Harrogate Town in last year’s third qualifying round but despite forcing a replay, were beaten and subsequently knocked out.

Darlington didn’t fare as well in the competition last year, suffering a 3-0 home defeat to South Shields in the second qualifying round.

Speaking after last week’s defeat to Altrincham, midfielder Nicky Clee stressed the importance of producing a response against the Quakers:

“It’s really important that we produce a response. We discussed how important it was before the Altrincham game and our performance was better but we didn’t get the result. Hopefully, we can get both next week (performance and result).”

GUIDE TO THE OPPONENTS:

The Gaffer:

Tommy Wright

Darlington’s manager, alongside assistant Alan White, was presented to Quakers supporters at Blackwell Meadows ahead of the club’s league win over Bradford in October 2017. A young boss at 33, he enjoyed two spells with Darlington as a player and plied his trade in Yorkshire with Barnsley and Harrogate Town. The former striker has also played in the Premier League, entering as a substitute in Leicester City’s 2-0 defeat to Leeds United in March 2002. His management career began in 2013 with Corby Town, where he registered as a player but also took on managerial duties. Wright made the switch to Nuneaton Town as a player-coach three years later before eventually being handed the reins. He was officially appointed as Darlington manager on 20th October 2017.

One To Watch:

Stephen Thompson

The likes of Gibraltar international Reece Styche and former Bradford man Simon Ainge may grab the headlines, but Thompson is key for the Quakers. The winner of the club’s 2017/18 Player of the Year award, Thompson can operate as a striker or on either flank and his direct running makes him one for opposition defences to look out for. He joined the club in September 2012 from Durham City, having failed to make the grade at Middlesbrough and finding first-team opportunites limited at Port Vale. Thompson also had a stint with AFC Telford United and scored against his former employers a fortnight ago.

Live updates: @BPAFCOfficial on Twitter

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18 Sep 2018

Reminder: Academy FA Youth Cup Game

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Bradford (Park Avenue)’s academy will be in FA Youth Cup action tomorrow evening, welcoming Harworth Colliery to the Horsfall Stadium.

Alex Meechan’s youngsters advanced into the First Qualifying Round with an impressive win over Staveley Miners Welfare and will be looking to pick up where they left off against Harworth.

The action kicks off at 7:45pm and admission is FREE for season ticket holders. For those without a season ticket, admission is priced at just £3 for adults and £2 for concessions.

The Horsfall College of Sport has made great strides in the last twelve months and the academy’s involvement in the prestigious competition is a testament to the hard work of Alex Meechan and his team.

As well as providing crucial support, it is also a great opportunity to catch a glimpse of potential stars of the future…

#WeAreBradford

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15 Sep 2018

Robins Condemn Bradford To Back-To-Back Defeats

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Altrincham condemned Bradford (Park Avenue) to back-to-back defeats at the Horsfall Stadium.

Both sides suffered bitterly disappointing defeats last week but it was Altrincham that produced a response with an impressive win over Mark Bower’s side.

The hosts nearly opened the scoring after just four minutes when Chris Dawson forced Elliot Wynne to parry and Nicky Wroe struck the rebound into the goalkeeper’s midriff.

However, it was the visitors that took the lead after six minutes. John Johnston’s cross caused a scramble to ensue in the box and Thomas Peers eventually poked over the line.

The lead was almost doubled shortly after, but Steven Drench produced a vital stop when Joshua Hancock struck with venom inside the 18-yard box.

Bradford did have chances of their own and Ben McKenna found himself in a promising position after some trickery on the right flank from Ryan Toulson. The full-back squared to McKenna but he blasted high and wide.

McKenna then turned provider and squared to Nicky Wroe after reaching the byline, but the midfielder’s poor touch deprived him of the opportunity to shoot.

As pressure continued to mount on Altrincham, Wynne made an excellent save to deny Shane Killock, who struck from close-range after meeting Toulson’s long-throw.

The Robins’ opener had proven that goalmouth scrambles can be dangerous and Thomas Hannigan was forced to blast clear when a sea of bodies contested a corner delivery from Wroe.

Bradford eventually drew level through Killock, who got the better of Wynne following his early denial by volleying into the roof of the net.

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

Seven minutes after the restart, Bradford took the lead. Jake Beesley advanced down the left before pulling back to Conor Branson, who fired past Wynne.

However, it took just four minutes for the visitors to respond and they were back on level terms when Johnston’s long-range piledriver took a deflection and was taken beyond Drench.

With the wind in their sails, Altrincham remained on the front foot and edged themselves ahead when substitute Max Harrop found the bottom corner with a low drive from the left-hand side of the box.

Frustration was etched on the faces of the Bradford players and both Wroe and Luca Havern went into the referee’s book for needless fouls shortly after conceding.

The hosts hunted for an equaliser but failed to carve Altrincham open in the late stages Wynne punched a Branson header away from danger and Adam Nowakowski flicked a header wide after connecting with Nicky Clee’s long-throw.

Clee delivered a free-kick with barely a minute remaining on the clock but Killock’s header looped over the woodwork.

Phil Parkinson’s side even had an opportunity to extend their lead in stoppage time but Johnston’s powerful strike was beaten away by Wynne.

FULL-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 2-3 Altrincham

Bradford (Park Avenue): Drench, Toulson, Lowe (Nowakowski 82′), Wroe (Spencer 87′), Killock (c), Havern, McKenna, Branson, Beesley, Dawson (Johnson 70′), Clee.

Unused substitutes: Ross, Boshell.

Altrincham: Wynne, Richman, White, Jones, Hannigan, Moult, Johnston, Williams, Peers (Poole 76′), Hancock, Dale (Harrop 58′).

Unused substitutes: Hulme, Goulding, Thompson.

Referee: Adam Herczog

Attendance: 454

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15 Sep 2018

Match Preview: Bradford (Park Avenue) vs. Altrincham

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Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking to return to winning ways after last week’s humbling at the hands of Chester.

Today’s opponents, Altrincham, are also looking to bounce back after being brushed aside by Curzon Ashton last week. It was the Robins’ second consecutive defeat after being beaten by Blyth Spartans at the beginning of September.

Mark Bower’s side currently sit 3rd in the National League North table, eight points ahead of 15th-placed Altrincham.

Speaking after last week’s defeat to Chester, defender Danny Lowe emphasised the need for a response against the Robins:

“It’s massively important to produce a response because losing can become a habit. If you carry on conceding goals in the manner we did today, it can become a bad habit. We need to get back on the training ground, have a good week and put things right. Hopefully, if we tighten up, the results will come.”

GUIDE TO THE OPPONENTS:

The Gaffer:

Phil Parkinson

Parkinson was appointed as Robins manager in April 2017. He joined the club from Nantwich Town, who he had been in charge of since February 2015. During his time with the Dabbers, he guided the club to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy in 2016 and the semi-finals of the Northern Premier League play-offs in 2017. An FA Vase-winning captain as a player with Nantwich, he also represented Port Vale after having spells with Crewe Alexandra and Reading as a youth player.

One To Watch:

Jordan Hulme

One of the most dangerous forwards in the division, Hulme is currently in a rich vein of form. The clinical finisher has found the back of the net on seven occasions already this season, picking up where he left off last season when he was the Robins’ top-scorer. He was also crowned the Northern Premier League Player of the Year after breaking the 30-goal barrier. Hulme worked with management duo Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson at Ramsbottom United and Salford City before making the move to Moss Lane in July 2017.

Admission prices:

Adults: £12

Concessions: £7

Students: £5

Under-18s: £2

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