Match Report: Silsden AFC 1-2 Bradford (Park Avenue)

Attendance: 139

In the first pre-season friendly of the 2020-21 campaign, Bradford (Park Avenue) narrowly defeated neighbours Silsden AFC at the Cobbydale Construction Stadium.The visitors took the lead just before the break when the impressive Isaac Marriott dribbled 50 yards but he was brought down inside the box, just before he was about to shoot. From the spot, Oli Johnson sent Silsden’s goalkeeper Alfie Drake the wrong way to make 1-0 at half-time.

Shortly after the restart, young Academy product Jamie Lyon doubled the Avenue’s advantage with a well-taken left footed finish from the edge of the box, following good work by a couple of Bradford trialists. Then, Danny Forrest’s side halved the deficit with a powerful header from Shaun Airey but, despite a couple of chances in the final few minutes, the National League outfit held on.

The Sils could’ve taken an early lead as winger Chris Wademan capitalised on a defensive mistake from a Trialist, but his shot flew over the bar from 12 yards.Mark Bower’s side started to gain some momentum, with Marriott and Nicky Clee looking to orchestrate opportunities from the middle of the park. Clee, with his usual great footwork, opened up space to fire an effort on goal, only for Drake to save well with his feet. Learning from former Avenue striker Forrest for the Sils, Antony Brown tried to copy what Clee had just done at the other end of the pitch, but debutant Dan Atkinson in the Bradford goal managed to catch his strike from close range.

With half-time approaching and Atkinson diving at the feet to deny Wademan the opening goal, Marriott showed his class. The new signing dribbled past a few players to find himself in a position to put his side in the lead. But, the midfielder was fouled by Lewis Morgan and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Johnson, wearing number nine, calmly slotted the ball into the corner to break the deadlock.

With a brand new team for the second half, the Avenue started brightly and following some good work by two trialists down the left wing, the ball found its way to Lyons. The striker who featured in the first team last season, curled a lovely left-footed strike past Drake from 12 yards.The home side also made changes to their starting eleven, and as the weather continued to be a challenge for both teams, the Sils scored from a corner. Defender Airey rose above his mark to nod the ball home from six yards.The hosts pushed forward to equalise and nearly snatched a dramatic draw, only to be denied by the returning Mark Ross who was alert and cleared the ball off the line to give the Avenue a narrow victory.

The next pre-season friendly for the Avenue is on Tuesday 25th August, away at Campion AFC.

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First Half Team: 

Dan Atkinson, A Trialist, Mitch Lund, A Trialist, Matty Downing, A Trialist, Isaac Marriott, Nicky Clee, Lewis Knight, Ollie Johnson, Brad Dockerty 

Second Half Team: 

Jacob/Atkinson, A  Trialist, Mark Ross, Luca Havern, Ryan Toulson, A Trialist, Adam Nowakowski,  Jake Hibbs, Jamie Lyons (Danny Boshell 60), A Trialist, A Trialist 

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Team news for the Avenues first pre-season friendly at Silsden

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Mark Bower has decided to run two teams in todays forth coming fixture against Silsden, allowing us to take a look at some possible new signings and also to get much needed work out into our already signed squad players after a long lay off.

First Half Team

1 Dan Atkinson

16 A Trialist

6 Mitch Lund

15 A Trialist

3 Matty Downing

14 A Trialist

4 Isaac Marriott

11 Nicky Clee

7 Lewis Knight

9 Ollie Johnson

10 Brad Dockerty

Second Half Team

13 Jacob/1 Atkinson

12 A  Trialist

2 Mark Ross

5 Luca Havern

12 Ryan Toulson

19 A Trialist

17 Adam (£1) Nowakowski

8 Jake Hibbs

18 Jamie Lyons

21 A Trialist

20 A Trialist

Kick off is at 11.00 am and Silsden have confirmed a capacity of 150 fans which will be admitted on a first come first served basis. If you are traveling please remember to allow time for track and trace details and NOTE that our players are part of the elite sport program and as such may not be as accessible as you are used too.

Good luck lads

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Pre-Season Friendly Update

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Due to injuries at Huddersfield Town they have regrettably asked us if they can postpone the fixture with them this Saturday, with a view to re-arranging the game as soon as feasible for both sides. 

However we are delighted to announce that Silsden have generously stepped in at the 11th hour to give us our first taste of football for the 20/21 season. Mark Bower’s squad will travel to Silsden on Saturday the 22nd of August for a 11.00 am kick off. 

We have also a game the following Tuesday, the 25th, away at Campion, kick off time to be confirmed. 

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Season Ticket Sales This Monday

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Following the successful launch of our season tickets, we are pleased to announce that the club will be holding another opportunity to come to the ground and sign up Monday 17th August.

Football Operations Manager Calum Cullen will be in the clubhouse between 5pm and 7pm to assist you, with both paper forms and a laptop on hand.

As each season ticket this year will include a photo of you may wish to bring one down with you, or even have it taken at the ground!

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, it is imperative that you wear a mask if you are coming to the clubhouse.

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Bradford (Park Avenue) Development Fund Fantasy Premier League

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Thank you to everybody who took part in the Development Fund’s Fantasy Premier League trial recently. It all kicked off in June when the Premier League restarted. The top places changed hands several times over the course of the short season. The eventual winner was Daniel Ambler with his team Fenerbackache and the runner-up was Tim Parker with his team Expected Toulouse. Congratulations to both. No prizes. Just bragging rights.

We all had a great time. We might kid ourselves we know what we are doing but there is an awful lot of luck involved.

We shall be running a new league for the 2020/21 season. If you fancy yourself as the next Jurgen or Pep or if you just want some football fun, do join us. Everyone is welcome. Tell your friends. The more the merrier. To register your interest, please send an email to Keith Bonney. Keith’s address is keith.bonney@bpafc.com

If you are wondering what Fantasy Premier League is, don’t worry, we have all the answers. To take part you just need a device with access to the Internet.

The 2020/21 season starts on 12 September 2020. Make sure you are there.

We thank the Eckerslike brothers, Willy and Woody, for taking time out of their ‘ectic schedules to attend the photoshoot. They are looking forward to taking part in our 2020/21 competition.

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The Avenue announce first pre-season friendly of the new season

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We are pleased to announce that our first pre season friendly and game on the the new 3G pitch will be at 1pm on Saturday the 22nd of August against Huddersfield Towns U19’s.

We are hoping to live stream the game so that you can watch the new squad and trialists strut their stuff on the new pitch, more details to follow.

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Ladies Complete The Avenue Family

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We are delighted to announce today that the club now have an official Ladies side!

Bradford Park Avenue AFC Ladies, who play in the North East Regional Womens League (Southern), have come on board, joining the Mens and Academy sides.

Managed by Neil Asquith, the ladies have had some success recently, reaching the final of the 2018/19 League cup, before an agonising defeat in the last minute.

The ladies will be playing on the brand new 3G pitch and be wearing the same kit as the mens and academy sides.

A delighted Neal said:

Its exciting times for Bradford (Park Avenue), with the Men’s the Academy and now the Ladies. Over the last 12 years we have moved grounds several times so it’s a pleasure to be able to call the Horsfall ‘Home’

The structure of the club is changing for the better and it’s good to see people around with smiles on their faces, this new structure should help every team from the youngsters to the open age attract not just the best talent but raw talent that we can develop to make this club successful on the pitch and in the community. I am looking forward to helping this side of the club develop, with academy teams coming through the system as well.

Football Operations Manager Calum Cullen also commented:

We are absolutely delighted to add the Ladies to our stable of teams. We have a real focus on participation within the club, which has already seen the Academy take shape. Bringing in a Ladies team was a big priority for us this off season, and to add Neal and his side into the fold is brilliant. Ladies football has a real buzz about it right now and we are over the moon to be able to play our part in the growth of the game! We are all looking forward to seeing the team playing on the new pitch and doing the club proud!

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Dressing room favourite Adam Nowakowski signs for 20/21 for just £1 a week!!

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The Avenue are delighted to have signed what must be the best value for money player in any league in the country for the new season! In an act of incredible generosity and demonstration of his enjoyment of being in a Bower/Boshell dressing room, Adam offered to help the club during these testing times by signing for us for the 20/21 season for just £1 a week.

The current pandemic could effect our ability to generate income on match days through stadium attendance limits, club house revenues, reduced numbers of away fans wanting to travel, plus raffle and program income. We have been incredibly successful in attracting corporate sponsorship to the club, our incredible fans continue to be hugely generous, and this act of selflessness from one of our players is truly amazing.

Adam offers us huge benefit from a playing and dressing room impact, loved by the other players for his infectious personality and by Mark and Danny for his attitude and versatility. Able to play through the spine of the team in defence, midfield and attack, Adam’s versatility will give us options tactically, that our small squad will need during certain games and certain times during games. 

Adam, can we simply say, you are gentleman and many thanks.

Mark Bower –

Adam’s been a really important player for us for the past two seasons playing in several positions and always having an impact in games. His versatility and personality have made him a really popular member of the squad both within the dressing room and amongst the supporters. He has gone above and beyond in committing to us next season and we are delighted that he has done so.’

Adam Nowakowski –

I’m pleased to have signed for Mark and Danny for another season at Bradford (Park Avenue), I enjoy the style of football that they play and they always create a great dressing room. On top of that I wanted to give something back to non-league football that has been so good towards me over the years. The pandemic means that there lots of financial unknowns this season, not just for the Avenue but all non league clubs, so I decided to offer to sign for the club on £1 per week to help support the club during this difficult period. I cant wait to get started and I know all of the squad are looking forward to seeing supports return (under safe government guidelines) following a long period without football. #GreenWhiteArmy.’

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Avenue in Nod to the past with 60’s inspired kit

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Bradford (Park Avenue) are delighted to present to you our brand-new Home and Away kit for the 2020/21 Season!

Produced by new club kit manufacturer Macron, this season’s kit bears a striking resemblance to the kits of the swinging 60’s, with an all-white kit and green accent, a combination that won us promotion early that decade.

The away kit is an amber and black affair, the shirt mirrors the design of the home kit, this time having a black trim, with sponsors James Mae’s logo been made black to match the top, this is paired with black shorts and socks.

First team players Matty Downing and Isaac Marriott are seen here showing off the kit for us and were over the moon to get their hands on it first, commenting ‘it was well nice, great fit and quality’!

Football Operations Manager Calum Cullen –  

We are thrilled to be showing our 2020/21 kit off, especially as we edge towards a potential start date. The Green and white is back, which has been synonymous with Bradford (Park Avenue) in recent times, and the design of both the home and away kit is outstanding.

I’d like to say as well a massive thank you to our sponsors; The James Mae Group, Regal Foods, The Yorkshire Baking Company and Highbury Homes whose support of this wonderful football club is greatly appreciated. Finally, a big thank you to Macron also, for the professionalism in getting this kit to us.’

Get your new kit exclusively on our website from Tuesday 11th August at 9am

#UTA    

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Academy Open Evening Postponed

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Following the recent extra restrictions placed on Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees, we have today taken the decision to postpone the Academy open Evenings. 

This was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 12th August.

We appreciate that this will be disappointing news, but we want to make sure we safeguard the health and well being of you, and your children during these challenging times.

We will of course be rearranging the night at a later date, as soon as it is safe to do so.

*The open training day, scheduled to take place on Monday 17th August will still take place. To register your interest please email our Academy manager on alex.cross@bpafc.com

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