Two second half goals from AFC Fylde captain Alex Whitmore denied the Avenue their second victory of the season.

Whitmore netted with his head twice in the space of seven minutes to grant the Coasters a two-goal lead, before withstanding late pressure from Bradford.

Avenue announced the signing of former Bradford City and Tranmere Rovers winger Dylan Mottley-Henry prior to kick-off, with the winger slotting straight into the starting lineup.

But it would be Fylde that had the majority of the chances in the opening half, with Avenue’s Jonny Saltmer the saviour. Saltmer denied a bending free-kick from Nick Haughton, before parrying Sam Osborne’s close range effort.

Fylde had their biggest chance so far just over half an hour in, as Haughton’s corner was nodded back across goal by Jamie Stott, and Saltmer somehow kept Whitmore from opening the scorline, saving his effort from three-yards out!

But heading into the second half, the deadlock was broken.

The away side’s relentless pressure was rewarded via captain Whitmore, who broke away from his marker and met Haughton’s searching corner, thumping his header past the outstretched Saltmer to give Fylde the lead in Yorkshire.

And just seven minutes later, it was a similar punishment for Avenue.

Another Haughton set-piece found Whitmore at the back post, unmarked and with an eye for goal, as the former Morecambe defender once again converted and headed past Saltmer from close range.

Mark Bower’s Avenue weren’t going to roll over without a fight though, and the hero at Darlington, Luke Rawson, came close to sparking a fightback, as his close range effort was denied by Chris Neal.

Rawson was once again searching for his second of the season, as Luke Conlan’s poor clearance fell to the striker, but his acrobatic volley was sliced away from the target.

Osborne looked to triple Fylde’s advantage, but his low driven shot trickled wide.

Jordan Windass was keen to replicate his heroics against Boston United and took a note out of his dad’s book, as his 35-yard rocket was palmed away once again by Neal.

But Fylde were to end the game the dominant, as captain Luca Havern produced a goal-saving tackle to deny Jack Sampson, whilst Saltmer ended a nice move with a Ben Tollitt strike.

Following three minutes of additional time, there would be no heroic comeback and the away side held onto their three points, leaving Yorkshire in good spirits.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Saltmer, Windass, Ross, Havern, Lund, Odunston (Johnson, 77) Marriott, Clee (Nowakowski, 79), Mottley-Henry, Rawson, Guilfoyle (Downing, 68)

Subs not used: Toulson, Dockerty

AFC Fylde: Neal, Pike, Whitmore, Stott, Conlan, Perkins, Joyce, Osborne (Nolan, 77), Haughton (Robinson, 87), Tollitt (Holland-Wilkinson, 92), Sampson

Subs not used: Jones, Obi

Goals: Whitmore (51), Whitmore (58)

Yellow cards: Odunston, Rawson

Referee: James Bancroft

Two first-half goals were enough for the Avenue to record their first victory of the season against Darlington FC at Blackwell Meadows.

An own goal followed by Luke Rawson’s first goal of the campaign gave Bradford the lead at half-time. A header from Luke Charman made it a tense finish, but Mark Bower’s side held on for the win.

The opening quarter of an hour didn’t produce many opportunities at goal for either side.

Luca Havern came close to breaking the deadlock after receiving a pass over the top of the defence. But the Avenue captain, who was still in the final third after a free-kick, could only drag his shot wide from 14 yards.

Minutes later, former Darlo goalkeeper Johnny Saltmer made his first, of many, crucial saves, tipping George Smith’s corner over the bar.

Then, Bradford took the lead.

Isaac Marriott picked out Rawson on the right wing and, after taking the ball past the defender, the striker cut the ball back to Akeel Francis. The Avenue number eight managed to get a touch on the ball before it struck a defender and past goalkeeper Tommy Taylor from ten yards.

The home side responded with a couple of attempts. But, midfielder Will Hatfield was denied by the strong hand of Saltmer and Jake Cassidy’s low right-footed effort brushed the side-netting from 16 yards.

Again, on the counter-attack, the Avenue doubled their advantage.

A lovely well-worked move saw Lucas Odunston found the advancing Jordan Windass on the right wing. The young defender fizzed a teasing delivery into the path of Rawson, and the striker tapped the ball home.

Following two substitutions and a murmur of boos at half-time, Alun Armstrong’s men started brightly and pushed Bradford deep into their own half.

Jarrett Rivers, who looked lively during his spell on the pitch, tried to replicate what Windass had done earlier for Rawson, but Cassidy couldn’t get a connection on the cross, and the ball trickled wide.

Eventually, the hosts reduced the deficit.

From a corner, substitute Luke Charman rose highest inside the box, and nodded the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

With twenty minutes left, Adam Nowakowski and Charman had an altercation near the centre-circle. After a brief stoppage, the referee decided to award both players a yellow card.

With the clock ticking down for the home side, they continued to put pressure on their opponents.

But, Saltmer was equal to everything that went towards his goal. The Avenue number one produced a stunning double save before making himself big and denying his former team an equaliser from a corner.

Despite a minimum of seven additional minutes, the Avenue held on, helped by the experience of Oli Johnson, and the visitors left the North East with three valuable points.

Darlington FC: T. Taylor, B. Taylor, Smith, Wheatley (Charman 45), Storey, Hatfield, Rivers (Nelson 67), Cassidy, Dos Santos (Beeden 36), Purver, Griffiths.

Subs not used: Hedley, Mondial

Goal: Charman (65)

Yellow cards: Hatfield, Charman

Bradford (Park Avenue): Saltmer, Windass, Downing, Nowakowski, Havern, Lund, Marriott, Francis (Johnson 62), Rawson (Guilfoyle 90), Odunston, Clee (Toulson 72)

Subs not used: Hall, Hill

Goals: Own goal (15), Rawson (34)

Yellow card: Nowakowski

Referee: Paul Cooper

Despite a stunning 35 yard goal from Jordan Windass, the Avenue suffered a defeat to Boston United at the Horsfall Community Stadium.

The away side broke the deadlock as Jake Wright Jnr headed the ball past Johnny Saltmer from close range. And then, before the break, Windass found the top corner to equalise for the home side.

But, the Pilgrims, backed by their supporters from the terraces, regained the advantage, and held onto the win. Danny Elliott’s effort found the back of the net from eight yards.

Craig Elliott’s side dominated the early stages of the game, controlling possession and causing plenty of problems for Bradford.

And they were rewarded when Elliott’s delivery was met by Wright Jnr, who got above Matty Downing to nod the ball into the roof of the net.

Saltmer was kept busy in the Avenue goal, denying Connor Dimaio from 12 yards, but the home side started to find some rhythm in their play.

Isaac Marriott was busy pressing the defence from midfield and with Akeel Francis and Rob Guilfoyle trying to create from both sides of the pitch, the Avenue came close to levelling the score.

A cross from Guilfoyle was controlled by Adam Nowakowski inside the penalty area, and brave defending from the Pilgrims, denied the midfielder, twice, clearing the ball off the line.

Once again, Saltmer made two good saves, with both Elliott and Tom Platt forcing the goalkeeper into action. But, it was the hosts who equalised, with a magnificent strike.

Windass took the ball forward, and from 35 yards, the right-back fired an unstoppable right-footed effort off the underside of the bar and into the top corner, to the delight of the home support.

After half-time, Boston United took control of the game again and quickly scored their second goal of the afternoon.

Left-back Jake Leake managed to dribble past Francis and Windass, before pulling the ball back to Elliott. The striker turned and struck a low left-footed effort past Saltmer from close range.

Mark Bower made several substitutions, including the returning Nicky Clee. But, it was the visitors who continued to look dangerous.

Captain Luca Havern blocked an effort from striker Jordan Burrow before Shane Byrne fired a right-footed shot over from 20 yards. Wright Jnr nearly scored his second of the game, with another header, but his attempt flew over Saltmer’s goal.

The Avenue were trying to grab a dramatic equaliser, pushing their opponents deep into their own half. But, despite having some half chances, the hosts couldn’t trouble George Sykes-Kenworthy and Boston United held on for victory.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Saltmer, Windass, Downing (Toulson 77), Nowakowski, Havern, Lund, Marriott, Francis, Rawson, Guilfoyle (Johnson 65), Odunston (Clee 58)

Subs not used: Hill, Bolton

Goal: Windass (41)

Yellow card: Havern, Odunston, Francis

Boston United: Sykes-Kenworthy, Ferguson, Leake, Shiels, Garner, Dimaio (Green 88), Byrne, Elliott (Duxbury 90), Burrow, Wright Jnr (F.Preston 76)

Subs not used: Thanoj, J.Preston

Goals: Wright Jnr (4), Elliott (52)

Yellow card: Shiels, Dimaio, Wright Jnr

Attendance: 723

Referee: Paul Brown

We are delighted to announce that Adam Nowakowski has once again signed for Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC, playing for just £1 a week!

In another sign of incredible generosity, Adam was offered more money this season, but chose to stay at £1 per week, further helping the football club financially.

We caught up with Adam this week, here’s what he had to say:

I’m pleased to have to signed for Mark Bower and Danny Boshell for another season at Bradford Park Avenue, along with supporting the financial burdens on non-league football clubs as they continue to recover post the Covid-19 pandemic.

Given the vast unknown of financial injections for football clubs for the 2021-22 season (in particular sponsorships from local businesses recovering themselves), I’ve decided to sign for a second season on £1 per week to help support the club.

I can’t wait to get started and I know all of the squad and management team are looking forward to seeing supporters return following last years campaign. There is a real buzz around non-league with fans back and as a collective football community we are so pleased to have this sport back which plays a huge part in our lives both mentally and physically.’

Operations manager Calum Cullen is also equally happy:

‘What an unbelievable gesture this is from Adam, we saw it last year when he first signed for a pound per week, but to follow it up for a second year is quite simply outstanding.

The whole club gives him credit, and this generous offer once again helps our club financially.’ 

Up the Avenue.

#GreenWhiteArmy

We are delighted to announce that after agreement with the National League, we can offer Bradford City Season Ticket Holders entry to our home game with Boston United for just £5.00!

KO s at 3pm, with the gates opening at 1:30.

You MUST have your #TakeMeHome season ticket with you, and will need to show our turnstile staff in order to get the discounted entry.

We spoke with our Operations Manager Calum Cullen, who had this to say; ‘This is a great incentive for the City supporters to come down and support the Avey. When we saw that City didn’t have a game, it made sense to offer this out, hopefully we will get a decent number of fans down to help create a special atmosphere at the Horsfall, one that Mark and the boys can thrive