The Avenue’s faithful were treated to a ‘Spooktacular’ three points beating high-flying Gloucester City on Horsfall’s hallowed ground.
Mark Bower wanted a response from his side’s 1-2 defeat to Brackley Town at the weekend and he got just that.
A rain-soaked evening that could have been a nightmare turned out to be a thriller as Bradford secured an entertaining 2-1 win over a Gloucester side boasting a six-game unbeaten run.
Avenue took a seventh minute lead through the in-form Jacob Blyth. He got on the end of a low cross into the box and tapped it in from close range.
This provoked Gloucester into a response which they secured in the 35th minute through Matt McClure, taking them into the break on even terms.
Avenue weren’t disheartened by the set back and it was they who eventually found the killer blow. Bradley Dockerty hit a fabulous strike from the edge of the box ten minutes into the second half, the ball taking a deflection on its way past the helpless Gloucester keeper.
Gloucester had their chances to equalise, including a scary long-range lob which hit the top of the Avenue bar, but the home defence held firm.
The victory lifts Avenue into 21st position and makes it four wins out of five.
Avenue have now put a bit of daylight between themselves and the bottom two as they go into this weekend’s game, confident they can pull off another upset against mid-table Chester FC.
Writer: James Fletcher