22 Sep 2022

NATIONAL LEAGUE STATEMENT ON MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

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The National League has been in discussions with BT Sport on the timing restriction on Clubs placing their highlights online and the difficulties this can cause some Clubs.


Yesterday BT Sport confirmed they are in agreement for the restriction to be amended so that Clubs can upload their highlights immediately following the BT Sport National League highlights show, rather than the current restriction.


Whilst the timing of the BT Sport highlights show may vary – they are typically scheduled at 10pm, finishing at 10.30pm, with this being the case for the forthcoming weeks.


Should there be any amends to the timings we will ensure they are sent to the Clubs.


Should there not be a weekend highlights show, highlights cannot be uploaded until after the blackout in accordance with Article 48.


In relation to midweek highlights, these can be shown immediately following the completion of the game.
This amendment is effective immediately and the League are grateful to BT Sport for this concession.

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21 Sep 2022

MATCH PREVIEW – Stephen Grimshaw breaks down our visit to the Fylde Coast

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MATCH PREVIEW – AFC Fylde vs Bradford (Park Avenue) – The Green Army travel west for Matchday 10 of the Vanarama National League North.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking to end a run of four straight defeats in all competitions as they travel west to take on AFC Fylde at Mill Farm on Saturday.

Mark Bower’s men currently sit bottom of the National League North and are still searching for their first win of the season, a stark contrast to this weekend’s opponents AFC Fylde who are looking strong in fourth place after collecting 16 points from a possible 24.

The Avenue are heading in to the game off the back of a controversial 2-1 defeat at Northern League Division One side Ashington in the FA Cup, a result which left manager Mark Bower feeling “angry, disappointed and embarrassed” in his post-match interview.

A strong reaction is expected after Bower and his men were left with some soul-searching to do following the loss to Ashington, with the Avenue boss also reflecting on the urgent need for change within his side, cautiously admitting that if he does not change something quick it might be Bower himself and assistant Danny Boshell who end up being changed.

One reason for optimism for the Green Army in the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat was the impact of substitute Will Longbottom, on for the final fifteen minutes of the game and netting a goal that made for an interesting finish. The Avenue fans will be hoping to see more of the same from the Yorkshireman as they look to finally kick-start their season with an away win this weekend.

AFC Fylde will no doubt be optimistic heading into this encounter on the back of a five game unbeaten run in all competitions. The Lancashire side currently sit in fourth position with five wins from their opening eight fixtures, and will once again be chasing promotion after a disappointing play-off defeat to Boston United ended their hopes last season. The Avenue will also need to be mindful of the Coasters’ star man Nick Haughton who already has five league goals to his name this season.

Furthermore, Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking to improve their dismal head-to-head record against the Coasters having never beaten them in league or cup since the latter were founded as Kirkham and Wesham in 1988. When the two sides met last season, AFC Fylde emerged victorious with 2-0 victories in both National League North fixtures.

Travelling fans can find the stadium at Mill Farm Sports Village, Coronation Way, Wesham, Lancashire, PR4 3JZ.

All tickets can be purchased online or on the gate. For those wishing to purchase standing tickets, the prices are; Adult £12.00, Young Guns (16-20) £7.00, Junior (12-15) £6.00, Under 12’s FREE when accompanied by a full paying adult. Alternatively, seating is available at £18.00 for Adults, £10.00 for Juniors (12-15) and £8.00 for Under 12’s.

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20 Sep 2022

Ashington  2 – 1  Bradford (Park Avenue)

by | posted in: First Team Match Reports, First Team News, News | 0

Avenue travelled to Ashington in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup and, despite their recent excellent League record in this part of the country, came away at the wrong end of a 2 – 1 score line.

No team ever relishes a Cup-tie in the north-east and Avenue came a cropper against Northern League opposition, a fate becoming many teams over the years.

The home side took an early fifth-minute lead with the unlucky Reece Staunton being credited with an own goal, before they went further in front following a corner after 74 minutes giving Avenue what felt like a mountain to climb.

Will Longbottom then entered the fray as a substitute and managed to pull a goal back seven minutes later. This raised hopes of a comeback and, when Harrison Hopper made a short pass inside, the unmarked Eddie Church stretched to put the ball into an open goal from close range. The linesman made an immediate offside call, yet both Avenue players involved in the move appeared to be onside and no one else was interfering with play.

Avenue were not at their best in this match, but could reasonably have felt they should have been heading home looking forward to a replay.

Manager Mark Bower sent on academy prospect George Eze for his senior debut in the final few minutes, a moment George will remember for a long time and a move which will have been noted by all the other players at the academy, giving them real hope that they may be able to follow in his footsteps.

Disappointing as it may be, Avenue were not alone as Vanarama North sides Brackley, Leamington, Spennymoor and Telford all suffered defeat to lower-ranked opposition.

And, they mustn’t let this setback affect their optimism for Fylde on Saturday. Influential captain Luca Havern is hoping to be back after injury and fortune favours the brave, as the saying goes.

Mark Bower was honest about Avenue’s form after the game in saying: ‘The lads are better than what they’re producing at the minute. Clearly, we need to change something because we’re not getting the results we should be.’

Ashington have now got through four rounds of the FA Cup, which includes beating Northern Premier League high-flyers Ashton United less than two weeks earlier, and were naturally cock-a-hoop after the game. Manager Ian Skinner said: ‘I’m hoping for another home tie in the next round because nobody will want to come here – we’ll be the team that others will be saying, ‘I don’t fancy going up there!’

Team: Sykes-Kenworthy; Odunston (Eze 87), Staunton; Spencer (Longbottom (75), Lund, Fielding; Hopper, Richman, Blyth, Dockerty, Smith (Church 65). Unused subs: Hall, Johnson.

Avenue yellow card: Odunston (60).

Att. 711

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19 Sep 2022

Roger Banks Funeral | Academy to Close for the day

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Roger Banks’ funeral will be held this coming Friday 23rd. The service begins at 13:15 at Nab Wood Crematorium, whilst if you are unable to get to the crematorium, you can go to Hadley Golf Club from 13:30.

Roger had, more recently, been helping our Academy with fund raising for the juniors, and as such, the entire Academy will shut down for the day on Friday as a mark of respect.

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19 Sep 2022

RIP Frank Thornton

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Everybody at the club are devastated to learn of the passing of former chairman Frank Thornton last Tuesday.

Frank was chairman from September 1999 until January 2003.

He took over after Mike Firth quit, and stood down because of a few health issues, work commitments and long-distance travelling from Oxford to Bradford.

Frank also donated thousands of pounds to our cause whilst Chairman.

Details of Frank’s funeral will be announced as soon as we know

Frank Thornton – RIP

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17 Sep 2022

Bradford (Park Avenue) Development Fund Sportsman Evening

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Bradford Park Avenue are looking forward to welcoming ex BPA, Leeds United, and Sheffield United Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny as guest speaker and comedian Gary Marshall to our upcoming Sportsman Dinner.

The sportsman dinner will be held at the Midland Hotel Bradford on Friday 7th October at 19:00. We hope to have a number of ex players present at the evening along with a raffle and auction.

Tickets for the evening cost £40 per person and include a 3 course meal, corporate tables are also available. Tickets can be purchased from Dave Stordy in the Programme Shop on match day or by contacting 01274 512989 / davestordy@hotmail.co.uk

We have also secured a concessionary Bed & Breakfast rate at The Midland Hotel for the evening – Prices are £55. These can be booked directly with the hotel, quoting that you’re attending the dinner to receive your discount!

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15 Sep 2022

MATCH PREVIEW – James Fletcher gives his thoughts on our FA Cup tie v Ashington AFC

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Match Preview – Ashington AFC vs Bradford PA – The Green Army travel north for their first FA Cup match of the season in the 2nd Qualifying Round

Bradford (PA) and other fellow Vanarama National League North and South teams enter the fray in this season’s FA Cup competition, which sees Bradford (Park Avenue) playing away at Ashington AFC.

The level 9 club currently play their football in the Northern League Division One and boast an impressive unbeaten league run, winning 5 out of 6 as well as progressing through the extra Preliminary, Preliminary and 1st Qualifying Round’s to make it this far, their only defeat came in the FA Vase losing 4-6 to Billingham Town.

Ashington score on average between 2 or 3 goals a game, which could be problematic for The Avenue as they have only managed to average one goal per game so far this season but playing lower league opposition this could be the perfect opportunity to build the confidence of the Bradford forwards.

Bradford PA’s best run in the FA Cup was reaching the Quarter finals on three seperate occasions with the most recent being 1945/46 season, but since their reform they have only managed to reach the first proper round three times, in 2003/04, 2011/12 and finally 2012/13.

The Avenue will be hoping to put their dismal league form out of their minds as they look to progress to the next round, and cup competitions can provide a welcome distraction for clubs and a win this weekend could see an up turn in form when they return to league action the following week. 

Mark Bower will be hoping for his sides first win of the season and not a repeat of last season, when The Avenue were knocked out in this very round, losing to Gateshead who were later found guilty of fielding an ineligible player during the game which caused major controversy, with Gateshead only receiving a fine rather than dismissal from the competition by the FA.

The club called the decision ‘a disgrace and a scandal’

The game will be played on Saturday the 17th of September and played at Woodhorn Lane, NE63 9FW, discounted tickets purchased online for this game are £7 for adults, £1 for under 16s and £3 for seniors/students.  

Please note that tickets purchased on the turnstiles are priced at £8 Adults, £4 for Seniors/Students, and £2 for u16s.

Travelling to the game? Check out the map below, or click here.

To purchase tickets, click here.

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13 Sep 2022

Match Report – Bradford (PA) 1 vs 3 Darlington

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FT: Bradford (PA) struggling at the wrong end of the table as they make it four defeats in four at home. (ATT –  705)

Another dismal result for the Avenue, as they fail to hold onto a 1-0 lead against Darlington and continue to struggle at the wrong end of the table.  

James Spencer opened the scoring for the Avenue in the opening 5 minutes, Darlington gifting possession on the edge of the box and there was James Spencer to curl his effort into the bottom corner.

The opening goal certainly woke Darlington up as they dominated possession and chances after going behind, but some fine goalkeeping and resolute last ditched defending kept their lead intact. 

Bradford (Park Avenue) did manage to work in the odd chance, catching Darlington on the break on the 24th minute, with Odunston running through the midfield unchallenged but his through ball to Oli Johnson was adjudged to be offside.

And on the stroke of half time Darlington managed to find the equaliser, the ball coming in from the left side and Fielding worked hard to make the block, but his attempted clearance accidently directed the ball over his own keeper’s head and into the back of the net.

Darlington nearly added a second in quick fire succession with a freekick on the edge of the box, but the wall did its job and the Avenue managed to clear their lines as they went into the break all level.

The Avenue started the second half the brighter but failed to capitalise on their chances, Darlington seem to switch their tactics as they soaked up the Bradford pressure and on the 60th minute they took the lead, a Beck corner from the far side swung in the middle and Sukar guided his header into the bottom corner.

Beck put the game beyond Park Avenue’s reach 15 minutes from time with a rocket into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Bradford desperate for their first home point of the season went all out to get it but were limited to half chances until the ball broke for Richman on the edge of the box 10 minutes from time and nearly producing a rocket of his own, unfortunately the Darlington shot stopper Tommy Taylor tipped the ball over for corner which came to nothing in the end.

Its now four defeats in four at home for the Avenue as they still search for their first win of the season, but this weekend they have a break from league action as they face Ashington AFC away from home in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.   

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