Bradford (Park Avenue) bag their first win of the season, giving them a platform to build on.
(Attendance – 464)
The long wait for Bradford’s first win of season is finally over, as they had to come from behind against mid tabled side Curzon Ashton.
(Park Avenue) came out all guns blazing as their hunt for the first win of the season grows ever desperate and as they piled men forward came up against a Curzon brick wall with chance after chance going begging.
Bradford did have the ball in the back of the net from a corner, but the referee deemed there an unfair challenge and ruled out the goal much to the (Park Avenue’s) frustration, and then with 4 minutes from half time Curzon Ashton opened the scoring with pretty much their first meaningful chance, Mahon cut inside from the wing, creating some space for himself before he curled his effort into the top corner.
(Park Avenue) didn’t let their heads drop after the opening goal went against them, as they went into the second half with Church having chance after chance, Sykes-Kenworthy did have to keep his concentration and made some crucial saves to keep the score line at 1-0 going into the latter stages of the game.
10 minutes from time Bradford’s hard work throughout the game finally paid off through super sub -Will Longbottom, wo latched onto a Staunton cross to level the game, and then just a minute later Oli Johnson put the Avenue in front for the first time of the game.
But (Park Avenue) had to bear down the hatches for the remaining 9 minutes as the referee added 4 minutes on at the end of the 90, but with some dogged defending and more excellent last ditched saves from Kenworthy Bradford were able to hold on to their first home win of the season.
Mark Bower praised his side for their diligence and relentlessness as he told the Park Avenue media.
“I thought we deserved to win the game, I thought after the first half that we were the better side, but having a goal disallowed, a penalty decision that didn’t go our way and then their right backfires it in from 25 yards, it felt as though it was going to be one of those days.”
“But the lads dug deep and didn’t give up, the lads showed great character, and everyone goes home happy, and its nice to close that gap with teams above us.”
You can watch the full match highlights by clicking here, or by pressing play below.
Team: Sykes-Kenworthy, Lucas Odunston, Reece Staunton, Jamie Spencer (Longbottom 77′), Luca Havern (C), Sam Fielding, Harrison Hopper, Simon Richman, Jacob Blyth, Brad Dockerty (Church 5′), Thomas Angell (Johnson 66′).
Subs: Will Longbottom – Goal 84′, Eddie Church, Lloyd Smith, Oli Johnson – Goal 85′, Adam Nowakowski.
