In an entertaining duel at the Horsfall Stadium, Bradford (Park Avenue) fell 2-1 to Boston United in a result that sees them now falling deeper and deeper into the bottom of the Vanarama National League North table.
There was no place in which you could fault the effort and desire of the Avenue players, who gave it their all on the pitch, but once again it was the same story that has haunted them all season in which they just weren’t able to take their chances.
It was the worst possible start, though, for Bradford as they fell behind after just 45 seconds after the always dangerous Jordan Thewlis managed to slip in Dom Knowles, who showed his composure by slotting the ball comfortbaly underneath Joe Green to give his side the lead.
From then on, it was always going to be an uphill battle for an Avenue side, who, although they are playing well, are desperately struggling for points. Avenue manager Mark Bower was furious when his side wasn’t awarded a penalty after Tom Clare looked to have been fouled in the box and the Avenue the found themselves further behind after former player Simon Ainge managed to strike the ball home after Green wasn’t able to gather the ball from the inswinging corner.
Avenue didn’t let that finish them off, though, as they got themselves straight back into the game and it was Nicky Clee who brought one back for the hosts with an absolutely terrific half volley which Boston keeper, Peter Crook, simply could do nothing about.
And then soon after, Tom Clare latched onto a fantastic through ball from new signing Jake Hibbs, but his effort was remarkably saved by Crook who managed to touch the ball onto the post.
Both sides returned from half time, and although it was a feisty affair with strong challenges coming in from left and right, not much happened in regards with the ball until the Avenue started piling on the pressure late in the game, but somehow after chances with Oli Johnson and Adam Nowakowski, they somehow couldn’t find the net and the Avenue undeservedly fell to another defeat.
The result leaves Avenue bottom of the table, although a win wouldn’t have moved them up anyway, and next week they travel to Hereford to take on 16th placed Hereford United.
BRADFORD (PARK AVENUE): Green, Toulson (Lund, 82). Staunton, Nowakowski, Hughes, Priestley, Hall, HIbbs, Clare (Johnson, 67), Hurst, Clee
SUBS NOT USED: Nicholson, Marriott
BOSTON UNITED: Crook, Penny, Whittle (Jackson, 46), Platt, Ainge, Garner, Woolford, Abbott, Knowles, Thewlis (Wafula, 90), Wright (Rollins, 83)
SUBS NOT USED: Southwell, Willis