Bradford (Park Avenue) were eliminated from the FA Cup in today’s Preliminary Round clash, suffering a 3-2 defeat against Stocksbridge Park Steels at Horsfall Stadium.
The visitors started strong, with Alex Hardwick finding the net in just the 5th minute after some clever play allowed him to turn and fire past Craig Ellison at the near post. Stocksbridge nearly doubled their lead in the 10th minute, but Hardwick’s effort, after a two-on-one situation, went wide.
Avenue began to grow into the game, earning a corner in the 16th minute through good work from Harry Colville and Dan Francis. Despite Bradford’s increasing pressure, including a dangerous free-kick in the 27th minute and a goalmouth scramble in the 28th that Avenue players believed had crossed the line, the equalizer remained elusive.
Just minutes later, Colville set up Dan Francis for a golden opportunity, but the latter fired over the bar, missing a crucial chance to level the score. Stocksbridge capitalized on Bradford’s missed opportunities, doubling their lead in the 41st minute when Danny Deakin backheeled the ball into the net, leaving Avenue with work to do in the second half.
Bradford came out more ambitious after the break, pushing to get back into the game. Their efforts were rewarded in the 76th minute when headed one over the Stocksbridge keeper, reducing the deficit and reigniting the home crowd’s hopes.
However, Stocksbridge responded in stoppage time, with Joao Silva breaking through to curl the ball around Ellison, making it 3-1. Despite a late goal from Connor Shanks deep into added time to make it 3-2, it was too little, too late for Bradford (Park Avenue).
The defeat marks a disappointing exit from the FA Cup, as Stocksbridge Park Steels secured their place in the next round.
Bradford will now shift their focus back to the league, with a home fixture against Brighouse Town at Horsfall Stadium on Tuesday, 20th August, kicking off at 7:45 PM. Admission is £13 for Adults (18+), £10 Concessions (65+), £5 Students Blue Light & Armed Forces, £3 12-17s, £1 u12s, and the team will be eager to bounce back in front of their home fans.