Our first outing of the 23/24 season came against Thackley FC in a friendly-match at Horsfall Stadium.
There were quite a few trialists on the team-sheet for Bradford, with a lot of them earning valuable game-time and showing lots of potential for Mark Bower, who looks on towards a promising season for the Avenue.
It didn’t take long for the home side to get the ball rolling, two-minutes on the clock and a corner was swung in which bounced and bobbled around before Mitch Lund fired the ball into the roof of the net.
Bradford continued to pile on the pressure throughout the downpour, which slowed the pace of the game temporarily.
Thackley had a few shots from distance but none of them were close enough to trouble Liam Hall in the Avenue goal.
Luca Havern doubled Park Avenue’s lead after hitting a powerful strike from inside the box beyond Thackley’s goalkeeper.
Thackley struggled to get a foot hold in the game and maintain a rhythm, leaving Avenue’s to exploit the space created.
A strong run from Myles La Bastide saw him brought down on the edge of the box, Will Longbottom scored a delightful free-kick to give Bower’s side a 3-0 lead at half-time.
As expected the team was heavily rotated at half-time with only Liam Hall and Zak Kersey keeping their places.
There were plenty of opportunities for Bradford to add to the scoreline throughout the second half but the chances went begging.
Thackley did manage to get a consolation goal just past the hour-mark, after the cross came in and the header was glanced in from close range.
Full-time: (3-1) BPA v Thackley FC
Attendance: 187
Bradford (Park Avenue) are next in action against Campion FC at Scotchman Road on July 11th with a 7:45pm kick-off.