Unfortunately, we have had to cancel tonight’s friendly versus Ossett United due to the snowfall we have had overnight and into today making the pitch unplayable.
We will still be making a donation to the Sandale trust, details of which will be announced in the near future.
Please accept our apologies for this, everyone at the club had been looking forward to playing the game, unfortunately the weather ultimately beat us.
We are delighted to share with you the streaming details for this Friday’s Charity friendly versus near neighbours Ossett United.
The stream is free of charge, and is available on the link below.
If you can, please donate to the just giving fundraiser we are running on behalf of the Sandale trust, the link for donating can also be found below. A massive thank you to those who already have, and remember the club will match the donations, so every £1 donated buys £2 of food for the hungry this Christmas. You really will make a difference
On the night, we have the main man, Mick ‘The Game Caller’ Gledhill on commentary duties, alongside both Josh and Sam our excellent co-commentators, and who knows, maybe just one or two surprises for you!
KO is at 7:30, we will be live from 7:10 on the night
Stream link: https://streaming.insightfour.com/stream/N1pNOGxF
Donation link: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bradford-parkavenue-sandaletrust?utm_3xEvv8eNR
The National League’s Chief Executive, Michael Tattersall, is leaving his current role at the end of the year, December 31st.
Joining in November 2015, Tattersall, 45, has overseen a period of sustained growth of the Competition, increasing it’s profile and commercial value.
Tattersall, has also been influential in the integration of an innovative six-team play-off structure and the formation of the National League Football Academy.
“It has been a privilege to serve as the CEO of The National League,” he said.
“I would like to thank my colleagues, our clubs, our commercial partners and the wider football family for their support and fellowship over the last five years.”
Chairman of The National League, Brian Barwick, commented: “Michael has served the National League and its member clubs with great distinction since joining the organisation in 2015.
“He has shown outstanding professionalism, a comprehensive understanding of the sport – its competitive framework and associated business, all building on his life-long affection for the game.
“I have enjoyed a tremendous working relationship with him and, along with my fellow National League Board members, wish him well for the future.”
The National League wishes Michael well with projects he’s planned outside of the football industry, which begin early next year.
We are delighted to announce that we have arranged a friendly game with our near neighbours Ossett United this Friday evening. With both clubs not having a game this weekend and with players from both squads needing some meaningful playing time Mark Bower and Wayne Benn have agreed to play each other. We would like to thank Ossett United for agreeing to the fixture and that we can use it to support a well deserving local charity.
With the much in demand Horsfall Stadium facility in high demand a game on Saturday was unachievable and so a 7.30pm kick off on Friday the 4th of December has been agreed.
The club have taken this game as an opportunity to support the Sandale Community Trust which is working with Bradford Council to provide much needed food parcels in these difficult and testing times. Working with Friends of Harold Park, which has a food bank collection point in the bowls hut in the Park on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 1pm and 2pm, Sandale prepare and distribute food to homes around the Bradford area. We would encourage you to drop by and make a donation at any of these times over the next few weeks in the run up to Christmas.
In addition the club will be live streaming the game for free. All we ask is that you make any donation you can to our JustGiving fund which will be donated directly to Sandale Community Trust. The club have agreed to match any donations we raise on the night, so every single pound you donate will result in £2 of food being purchased for those most in need in the local Bradford community
You will able to enjoy Mick the game caller and maybe a co-commentator or 2 describe the action, as your favourites play out a much needed game on our fantastic 3G pitch.
You can make a donation at
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bradford-parkavenue-sandaletrust?utm_3xEvv8eNR
Streaming details will be published nearer the time.
In a high-quality first-half, Bradford took an early lead thanks to Brad Dockerty. But the Coasters replied with two goals from Ben Tollitt and Kurt Willoughby. Against the run of play, the visitors equalised as Knight nodded home from close range. After the restart, the hosts took the lead for the second time as Luke Byrne’s cross was tapped home by Luke Conlan. But, into the second minute of additional time, Omar Sanyang picked out Jordan Windass and his cross was smashed into the far corner by Knight.
Despite an early surprise, as the sprinklers started spraying water in the middle of play, the visitors took an early lead. Dockerty cut inside onto his right foot and curled a lovely effort past Chris Neal from the edge of the box. The linesman raised his flag for offside but the referee gave the goal.
After the first goal, the Coasters dominated play with some excellent football and were rewarded with an equaliser. Tollitt, who caused problems for his opponents all night, curled a right-footed effort past Atkinson from 20 yards.
Two minutes later, the hosts scored again. Striker Kurt Willoughby found space outside the box and fired a right-footed strike into the bottom corner past an outstretched Atkinson.
In the lead and extremely confident with the ball, Nick Chadwick’s side looked like a team who hadn’t lost at home this season. Working it from back to front, side to side, they oozed class. But Bradford stayed in the game, and against the run of play, levelled the score.
Harry Boyes, producing another mature display, received the ball on the left wing, and the left-back fizzed a cross into the box. Knight curved his run in front of defender Jack Sanders, and the striker glanced a header past Neal into the bottom corner.
The action didn’t stop there.
After a muscular injury to Isaac Marriott, the Avenue continued to attack as Dockerty, who was in fine form all evening, intercepted a loose pass and threaded a through-ball to Knight. The striker managed to get ahead of defender Alex Whitmore, but his shot was saved at the near post by Neal.
The Coasters went down the other end of the pitch to create an opportunity. Right-back Byrne picked out striker Jordan Hulme in the penalty area, but the former Altrincham man headed the ball straight at Atkinson from ten yards.
Just before the half-time whistle, them Bradford nearly took the lead again. A deep cross was flicked by captain Luca Havern into the path of Boyes, and the left-back tried his luck from distance, but his effort was saved by Neal.
After the break, the Avenue were hanging on as the Coasters pushed men forward to take the advantage.
A corner from Luke Brennan was met by Sanders, and with his header flying towards the top corner, Dockerty jumped to head the ball off the line.
Seconds later, the hosts created a three-on-two situation as Hulme pulled the ball back to Tollitt. The winger, rather than taking a touch, struck a first time effort over the bar from 20 yards.
Once more, Bradford were getting lucky to avoid conceding a fourth. Brennan’s corner picked out Whitmore and the captain’s header ricocheted off the post and a couple of bodies, somehow not finding the net.
Eventually, the pressure was too much for the Avenue as AFC Fylde regained the lead. Byrne and Brennan linked up well and the right-back got behind Dockerty to drill a low cross into the box. His teammate Conlan was there tap home from close range.
Just like Spennymoor, the away side nearly hit back with an instant reply. Dockerty showed character to bounce back from the goal and drove forward with the ball. As he got closer, the gap opened for the winger, but his shot didn’t have the accuracy to trouble Neal from 14 yards.
Following a number of substitutions, both teams still continued to search for a vital goal, for different reasons.
It didn’t appear Mark Bower’s side would get anything from the game, but the men from the Horsfall never gave up and snatched a dramatic equaliser.
Substitute Sanyang hit one of the best passes of the game, switching the play from left to right. Windass controlled the excellent pass and showed his quality by delivering a wonderful cross to the far post. Knight was lurking at the far post and smashed the ball past Neal from eight yards, to the delight of the Avenue dugout.
AFC Fylde: Neal, Burke, Conlan, Nolan (Lussey 70), Whitmore (c), Tollitt, Philliskirk, Hulme (Sampson 88), Sanders, Willoughby, Brennan (Shaw 64)
Subs not used: Mondal, Ogle
Goals: Tollitt (13), Willoughby (15), Conlan (66)
Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Boyes, Marriott (Sanyang 39), Havern, Windass, Hibbs, Toulson (Ibrian 74), Clee, Knight (Lyons 90+3), Dockerty
Subs not used: Downing, Huffer
Goals: Dockerty (3), Knight (30)(90+2)
Yellow card: Clee
Referee: Dean Watson
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Despite Covid-19 keeping fans away from the Horsfall that hasn’t stopped ground improvements for when fans can safely return.
Thanks to the fantastic efforts from the Directors and supporters from West Bowling ARLFC and the support of Bradford Park Avenue volunteers, the new clubhouse memorial garden is starting to take shape.
Through grants, donations from local businesses, donations from West Bowling and the BPA Development Fund as well as a donation in memory of long standing Avenue supporter Gilbert Fox. The memorial garden has gone from an overgrown, dark and unwelcoming place to a large open and useable space for supporters to sit and socialise (hopefully after a win on the pitch). The clubhouse also now has full disabled access directly from Cemetery Road.
There is still a bit more work to be done with leveling the space and adding new astroturf to the spot. It will then be ready to be furnished into a welcoming environment.
All we need then is for the end of Covid-19 so supporters can enjoy using the new space.
Bradford took the lead as Lewis Knight showed great composure to slot the ball into the net before the Moors levelled through a volley from Ryan Hall in the second half. The Avenue regained the lead a couple of minutes later with another excellent Knight strike but Taylor nodded the ball past Dan Atkinson in the final minutes of the game.
Despite a bright start by the Moors, the visitors took the lead. Captain Luca Havern produced a bit of magic in the centre of the park and threaded a through ball to Knight. The striker took the ball round goalkeeper Dale Eve and side-footed the ball into the net from ten yards.
Mark Bower’s side looked impressive and nearly doubled their advantage. Harry Boyes, who drove down the left wing, pulled the ball back to Isaac Marriott, but the midfielder’s strike went down the throat of Eve from 12 yards.
Five minutes later, the Moors could’ve equalised as Rob Ramshaw was put through, one-on-one with Atkinson. But, the midfielder failed to hit the target from ten yards.
Before the break, Atkinson, who continues to make some unbelievable saves, made another from a corner as Taylor rose above his marker, but the Bradford number one tipped the ball against the bar.
Then, into added time, a free-kick from Nicky Clee was half-cleared and as the ball dropped out of the sky, Brad Dockerty hit a stunning left-footed volley, from 16 yards, which brushed the bottom of the post.
After the break, Havern came close to scoring his side’s second goal of the afternoon. A low set-piece from Knight was controlled by the defender and after twisting the ball onto his right-foot, his effort went agonisingly wide of Eve’s far post.
After watching Atkinson save well from Taylor, Bradford, again, came close to doubling their lead. From distance, Knight hit a stunning strike from 35 yards, and with Eve at full-stretch, the ball grazed the crossbar.
After making a double substitution, the Moors pushed forward and scored an equaliser. Following Atkinson’s save from Scott McLean, the pressure continued and a defensive header went across the box which was smashed into the roof of the net by Ryan Hall from 18 yards.
Despite conceding, the Avenue replied with an excellent goal. Knight drifted off the left wing and, with confidence flowing through his veins, the striker curled a superb right-footed effort from 20 yards into the bottom corner.
Then, following a straight red card for Ryan Toulson for an off-the-ball incident with Taylor, Jason Ainsley’s side scored their second goal. McLean delivered a teasing ball which was flicked by Taylor towards goal, and despite Atkinson getting a hand to it, the ball found the back of the net from 12 yards.
Into the final few minutes, the Moors threw men forward and substitute Frank Mulhern had two opportunities to snatch a dramatic victory. But, the Avenue held on for a deserved draw in the North East.
Spennymoor Town: Eve, Forbes, Blakeman (Thompson 67), Curtis, Buddle, Moke (Mulhern 56), Spencer, Ramshaw, McKenna (Hall 67), McLean, Taylor
Subs not used: Anderson, Magnay
Goals: Hall (78), Taylor (84)
Yellow cards: Taylor, Spencer
Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Boyes, Marriott, Havern, Windass, Toulson, Hibbs, Dockerty (Sanyang 80), Knight (Ibrian 89), Clee
Subs not used: Huffer, Downing, Hussain
Goals: Knight (8), (80)
Yellow card: Toulson
Red card: Toulson
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Paul Brown
A teasing free-kick delivery by Lewis Knight was met by the Havern, who escaped Sean Reid inside the box, to nod home from eight yards as his side held on for a crucial victory.
The team from the Horsfall set up with plenty of pace in attack and caused their hosts some problems early into the game.
Issac Marriott, who never stopped running for 90 minutes and the link between midfield and attack, tried his luck from 25 yards but it flew over the bar.
After watching Tyrone O’Neill drag a shot wide from a similar position, the Avenue were hitting the channels well, with both Omar Sanyang and Brad Dockerty supporting Knight and winning free-kicks in good positions. But it was Harry Boyes, who continues to impress during his loan spell, crossing the ball into the area but the referee blew his whistle to give handball against former Avenue man Ben Hedley.
Knight stepped up and curled the ball towards the penalty spot and Havern rose the highest to glance a header into the back of the net, sparking celebrations from those wearing amber and black.
Alun Armstrong’s side grew into the game and, five minutes later, hit the woodwork twice in 60 seconds.
Erico Sousa came off his wing with the ball, running across the pitch, finding Adam Campbell on the left flank and his cross was headed by striker Dan Maguire from eight yards against the bar.
As the Avenue tried to clear the danger, O’Neill grabbed a loose ball, worked possession onto his right foot and curled an effort, from 25 yards, towards goal but Dan Atkinson produced an unbelievable fingertip save to deny the striker as the ball thundered off the underside of the bar and into the goalkeeper’s hands.
Maguire was forced off with an injury as was replaced by Luke Charman for Darlo, but that didn’t affect the Avenue’s gameplan as they nearly doubled their advantage.
Marriott found Knight who ran at the defence and the striker fired a low right-footed shot from 20 yards which was pushed away by goalkeeper Johnny Saltmer.
After the restart, the Avenue continued to look for a quick counter-attack to hurt their opponents but it was Darlington FC who came close to an equaliser.
From a similar position to the goal, Sousa delivered a free-kick into the box, but Boyes was the first to react and crucially flick the ball away from the head of Louis Laing.
The Avenue were struggling to get out of their own half, but all the play was in front of them and with nine men behind the ball, Bradford continued to frustrate the home side.
O’Neill was dropping deeper to get the ball and after looking up, he spotted an unmarked Campbell on the edge of the box. Just as he got a shot away, Mark Ross and Luca Havern bravely threw their bodies at the ball to take the pace out of his effort making it an easier save for Atkinson.
The Avenue number one was forced into another fine save as midfielder Joe Wheatley, who’d been kept relatively quiet by the impressive Marriott, drove forward and rather than passing, he hit a low right-footed strike from 20 yards, which was well saved by Atkinson.
After a cheeky chip from substitute Jarrett Rivers being saved by the outstretched hand of Atkinson, the Avenue got the opportunity they wanted. Dockerty set himself up, 25 yards from goal, and with a gap between the two defenders, the number nine fired an excellent strike which was tipped against the bar by Saltmer.
Into additional time, the Avenue remain organised and disciplined. After seeing O’Neill’s effort fly over from 25 yards, Bradford were tested one final time. They cleared the ball away but Hedley controlled the ball, made a great connection from distance, and his shot brushed the top of the bar to the relief of the visitors.
Darlington FC: Saltmer, Hedley, Watson, Laing, Atkinson, Sousa, Reid, Wheatley (Hudson 86), Campbell (Rivers 64), Maguire (Charman 31), O’Neill
Subs not used: Minter, Storey
Yellow: Wheatley
Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Boyes, Marriott, Havern (c), Windass, Toulson, Hibbs, Dockerty, Knight (Clee 76), Sanyang
Subs not used: Downing, Huffer, L.Lyons
Goal: Havern (15)
Yellow cards: Havern, Hibbs
Referee: Jonny Urwin
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Mitch Lund this morning under went surgery at Bradford Royal Infirmary. The maxiofacial surgeons performed successful surgery on Mitch’s multiple facial fractures. Mitch was discharged this evening and now begins the long rehabilitation process. This will take place under the watchful eye of our own Physio team lead by Tally Clayton and will take around 4 months assuming all goes to plan.
We wish Mitch well on the journey and would like to thank all the medical staff at Bradford Royal Infirmary and Calderdale Hospital for their amazing care of Mitch.
After discussions between Boston United and with the permission of the National League our home game with Boston has been arranged for Monday the 11th of January at 7.45pm.
Let’s hope that we might be able to have fans in the stadium to watch all the action by then.
