The Avenue made a superb start as Lewis Knight curled an exquisite right-footed effort past Rhys Lovett from 25 yards.

Then, the hosts scored three quick goals as Akwasi Asante equalised, Matt McClure doubled their advantage two minutes later and Asante added a third from the spot.

Just before the break, Jake Hibbs pulled a goal back finding the top corner. And after the restart, Harry Boyes fired an unstoppable shot from 25 yards past Lovell before Jordan Windass gave Bradford the lead.

The hosts equalised thanks to Bernard Mensah who nodded home a cross from Kevin Dawson.

After Liam Daly hitting the post in the opening minute, the Avenue broke the deadlock as Nicky Clee took a quick corner kick to Knight. The striker took a look at goal, and, with his right-foot, found the top corner from 25 yards.

Then, James Rowe’s side showed their attacking quality and, as proven this season, when they get some momentum, they’re a difficult team to stop. 

A long throw caused problems amongst the Avenue defence and after a reactive save from Dan Atkinson from McClure, the rebound was smashed home by Asante from close range.

A couple of minutes later, the Tigers took the lead. A deep cross from Gavin Gunning caught out Atkinson and at the far post, McClure was alert to tap home.

Five minutes later, the hosts were awarded a penalty as Windass was adjudged to have handballed in the area. From the penalty spot, Asante gave Atkinson no chance.

Despite conceding three quick goals, the Avenue looked dangerous on the attack and reduced the deficit. After Knight forced Lovett into a save, the Avenue made the most of confusion amongst the defence. Omar Sanyang took the ball around the goalkeeper and set up Hibbs, who took a couple of touches before firing the ball into the top corner from 12 yards.

Just before the half time whistle, and to the relief of the visitors, the linesman raised his flag as Ben Morgan found the back of the net from close range.

With Mark Bower still in the changing room, Boyes sprinted forward and after finding space near the left wing, the left-back unleashed a spectacular left-footed strike from 25 yards which flew past Lovell into the top corner.

The goals continued as the Avenue regained the lead. Clee worked his magic in the centre of the park and threaded the ball into the path of Windass, who drove forward, and drilled a stunning shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

As the rain got heavier and the wind swirling around the ground, both teams were still proving a threat.

The home side equalised as Boyes’ pass was intercepted in the centre circle and Dawson delivered a cross into the area which saw Mensah jump the highest to nod the ball past Atkinson from six yards.

With eight goals on the scoreboard, Mark Bower’s side pushed forward and again, Knight used his pace to get behind the defence. He laid the ball into the feet of Boyes, and the left-back was close to finding the roof of the net, but it brushed the bar from 14 yards.

As full time was approaching, Gloucester City nearly snatched a dramatic win. Dawson’s long range effort went wide from 25 yards and somehow, from in front of goal, they were denied by the quick reactions of Atkinson. 

The Avenue immediately went on the counter attack. Substitute Adam Nowakowski paused and played a perfect pass towards Isaac Marriott, but was denied a shot on goal as an outstretched Gloucester City boot directed the ball towards goal, only for Lovett to produce a fine save at his far post.

Gloucester City: Lovett, Carline, Whittle (James 66) Gunning, Daly, Dawson, Thomas, Asante, McClure, Mensah, Morgan (O’Sullivan 79)

Subs not used: Robert, Bailey-Nicholls, King

Goals: Asante (15), (pen 23), McClure (17), Mensah (61)

Yellow cards: Morgan, James

Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Boyes, Marriott, Windass, Lund, Toulson, Hibbs, Sanyang (Nowakowski 84), Knight, Clee 

Subs not used: Downing, Huffer, L.Lyons

Goals: Knight (6), Hibbs (32), Boyes (46), Windass (52)

Yellow cards: Boyes, Ross

Referee: Sam Mulhall

Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

Following debutant’s Omar Sanyang header, saved by George Willis, quick reactions from the home side saw Hibbs fire home from 12 yards to give his side the lead.

The Avenue doubled their advantage after fine play between Isaac Marriott and Clee, saw the number eleven unleash an unstoppable strike into the top corner from 16 yards.

The visitors, buoyed by being unbeaten before kick-off, were playing with plenty of confidence flowing through their veins.
The first notable opportunity fell to striker Elliott Reeves who capitalised on confusion between Luca Havern and Dan Atkinson, but his instinctive effort smashed against the side-netting from eight yards.

Billy Heath’s side continued to dominate the game and forced Atkinson into two excellent saves. Firstly, the Avenue number one denied midfielder Dan Bradley who struck a low right-footed effort towards the bottom corner. 
Ten minutes later, Reeves collected a loose pass from the Avenue, but the striker’s powerful strike was pushed wide from close range.

Then, somehow, the away side didn’t break the deadlock. Inside the box, Bobby Johnson fired an effort on target which was superbly saved by Atkinson. From the rebound, Reeves set himself up, and his strike was bravely blocked by Hibbs and smashed against the woodwork from six yards.

With the half drawing to a close, the Avenue started to look more dangerous and Willis was called into action after stinging his palms from a 25 yard strike from Clee.

After the break, and still in the game, Mark Bower’s side looked stronger and caused more problems for the Alfreton Town defence for the final 45 minutes.

Harry Boyes, who continues to impress in the white and green, was cutting through small gaps to create chances and winning vital free-kicks in crucial areas of the pitch. It was his delivery which found Hibbs but his header was saved by Willis from 12 yards.

With twenty minutes left, Bradford opened the scoring. Lewis Knight delivered a teasing cross to Sanyang, who’s header was saved by Willis. But, he was alert and first to the second ball which allowed him to pass to Clee, and his first-time lay-off was struck home by the unmarked Hibbs.
Proving difficult to break down, the Avenue extended their lead in fine fashion. A quick counter-attack started by Clee saw Marriott take his time after receiving a diagonal ball. The midfielder spotted and chipped an excellent ball to Clee at the far post and he fired a left-footed shot into the top corner.

The visitors tried to find a way through a stubborn Avenue defence but were denied, with excellent organisation from back to front. 
Into additional time, the tireless Marriott sprinted to chase down a short back-pass and managed to beat Willis to the ball. From 35 yards, on the touchline, the young midfielder tried to score, but his effort brushed the post which saw the referee blow his final whistle as the Avenue dugout celebrated an excellent victory

Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Boyes, Marriott, Havern (c), Lund, Hibbs, Toulson, Sanyang (Downing 86), Knight (Lyons 76), Clee.

Subs not used: Fawcett, Huffer, Windass.

Goals: Hibbs (69), Clee (78)

Alfreton Town: Willis, Atkinson, Fox (Clackstone 50), Branson, Lees, Jones, Smith (Day 79), Bradley (c), Walker (Tuton 63), Reeves, Johnson.

Subs not used: Unwin-Maris, Lund

Yellow: Branson

Attendance: Behind-closed-doors 

Referee: James Westgate