Avenue set to host in-form Buxton as clock ticks on survival hopes.
Bradford (Park Avenue) will host one of the league’s in-form sides on Non-League Day this Saturday as 10th placed Buxton visit the Horsfall Community Stadium.
The Avenue head into the game on the back of a narrow 1-0 loss at Boston United last time out. The Green Army had dominated proceedings in the first half and appeared to do everything but find the back of the net, only to come undone from a second half set piece as Boston’s Ben Pollock rose highest to head home from Billy Chadwick’s corner. Despite the result, it was a performance that pleased manager Mark Bower, but the Avenue boss was once again left feeling aggrieved at the match officials as his side were denied what looked a clear penalty in the closing stages.
The defeat at Jakemans Community Stadium means Bradford (Park Avenue) remain 23rd in the National League North, still eight points from safety. However, a midweek loss for Leamington, who sit just outside the relegation places, has given the Avenue a game in hand as they look to kick-start their survival bid.
Looking ahead to the visit of Buxton this Saturday, Bower said: “You want to get back out there and I thought there were some really good signs [against Boston United]. We’ve just got to get a win”. However, the Avenue will need to be at their best, as The Bucks will travel to West Yorkshire on a 12-match unbeaten run. Their impressive streak has seen them climb to 10th in the league table, taking points from promotion-chasers such as Kings Lynn Town and Darlington. Now just seven points from the play-offs, Buxton may have one eye on a late promotion bid, having spent the first half of the season nervously looking over their shoulders.
Bradford (Park Avenue) will hold the bragging rights over Buxton heading into this weekend’s clash, as they emerged from the reverse fixture with a 3-2 win at The Tarmac Silverlands Stadium back in early-December. Trailing 2-1 as the game came to a close, injury time goals from Oli Johnson and Jacob Blyth turned the match on its head and ensured the three points came back to Bradford. In fact, Bradford (Park Avenue) have been victorious in their previous two encounters with Buxton. However, the Green Army did succumb to a 1-0 defeat the last time The Bucks visited the Horsfall in an FA Cup replay in October 2009.
Both the team and the coaching staff will be hoping for a large crowd to get behind the Green Army this Saturday, as adults and concessions can take advantage of a reduced entry fee of just £5 to mark this year’s Non-League Day. To find out more about Non-League Day, click here.
Match Preview by Stephen Grimshaw (@sgsportswriter on Twitter)
Kick off: Saturday 25th March, 3pm
Where To Find Us:
Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC, Horsfall Community Stadium, Cemetery Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD6 2NG
Directions By Car:
Leave the M62 at junction 26 and follow signs for the M606. Continue on the M606 to junction 3 and take the A6117 exit to Ring Road West. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit on to Rooley Lane / A6036 signposted Halifax. Pass the Odsal Stadium on the left hand side and at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit on to Halifax Road / A6036 signposted Halifax. After approximately one mile turn left down Cemetery Road immediately before the Kids Planet Children’s Nursery, and the ground is 150 yards on the left. We have a car park which will be signposted off Cemetery Road and parking charges may apply.
Directions By Train:
Bradford Interchange rail station is the nearest to the ground and trains operate on the Calder Valley Line timetable from Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Manchester, Preston and York.
From there you can catch the bus directly to the ground (details below):
Bradford Forster Square rail station There are regular services from Leeds (Leeds-Bradford Line timetable), Skipton (Airedale Line timetable) and Ilkley (Wharfedale Line timetable).
From Forster Square it is a 10 minute walk to Bradford Interchange bus station for a bus onwards to the stadium.
Directions By Bus:
From Bradford Interchange bus station bus services 681 and 682 and Halifax Bus Station bus services 508, 681 and 682.
These services stop at the Halifax Road Cemetery Road stop near to the stadium.
Turnstiles: PAY ON GATE
The turnstiles open around an hour and a half before kick off and are located at either end of the ground on Cemetery Road and Park Road. Our reduced matchday prices for Non-League Day are as follows:
Adult – £5
Concession – £5
Youth (12-17) – £3
Junior (under 12, must be accompanied by an adult) – £1