FT: Bradford (PA) struggling at the wrong end of the table as they make it four defeats in four at home. (ATT – 705)
Another dismal result for the Avenue, as they fail to hold onto a 1-0 lead against Darlington and continue to struggle at the wrong end of the table.
James Spencer opened the scoring for the Avenue in the opening 5 minutes, Darlington gifting possession on the edge of the box and there was James Spencer to curl his effort into the bottom corner.
The opening goal certainly woke Darlington up as they dominated possession and chances after going behind, but some fine goalkeeping and resolute last ditched defending kept their lead intact.
Bradford (Park Avenue) did manage to work in the odd chance, catching Darlington on the break on the 24th minute, with Odunston running through the midfield unchallenged but his through ball to Oli Johnson was adjudged to be offside.
And on the stroke of half time Darlington managed to find the equaliser, the ball coming in from the left side and Fielding worked hard to make the block, but his attempted clearance accidently directed the ball over his own keeper’s head and into the back of the net.
Darlington nearly added a second in quick fire succession with a freekick on the edge of the box, but the wall did its job and the Avenue managed to clear their lines as they went into the break all level.
The Avenue started the second half the brighter but failed to capitalise on their chances, Darlington seem to switch their tactics as they soaked up the Bradford pressure and on the 60th minute they took the lead, a Beck corner from the far side swung in the middle and Sukar guided his header into the bottom corner.
Beck put the game beyond Park Avenue’s reach 15 minutes from time with a rocket into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Bradford desperate for their first home point of the season went all out to get it but were limited to half chances until the ball broke for Richman on the edge of the box 10 minutes from time and nearly producing a rocket of his own, unfortunately the Darlington shot stopper Tommy Taylor tipped the ball over for corner which came to nothing in the end.
Its now four defeats in four at home for the Avenue as they still search for their first win of the season, but this weekend they have a break from league action as they face Ashington AFC away from home in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.