The Academy have teamed up with the National League Trust and The Horsfall Community Trust to deliver a project to 20 men to help with their health and general wellbeing. The project will provide fun structured coaching sessions along with some sound advice around healthy eating habits, how to easily improve / increase daily and weekly physical activity to help with weight-loss and general wellbeing. GPS technology will be provided to measure impact of training and fitness.
A celebration event will be held to highlight the achievements of each participant. Hospitality will be provided at a BPA men’s first team game.
The project is based at the Horsfall Community Stadium and using the fantastic facilities on site. Anyone interested in joining should email thomas.mcstravick@bpafc.com or contact on 07821579451.
The Green Army head to the seaside for Matchday 11 of the Vanarama National League North.
Bradford (Park Avenue) will be heading west again for the second time in four days as they are set to take on Southport F.C. at Haig Avenue on Saturday.
Mark Bower’s men remain bottom of the National League North and are still in search their first win of the season, despite a much-improved display at the weekend in their 3-1 away loss to AFC Fylde. Avenue’s spirited performance on the Fylde Coast left the Green Army with cause for optimism, with Bower praising his side’s confidence and composure on the ball for large parts of the game.
This weekend’s hosts are heading into the game in 18th place on the back of a vital 1-0 win at home to Leamington, a result that brought to an end a six-game winless streak for the Sandgrounders. Southport were boosted by the return of their well-travelled star attacker Marcus Carver, on loan from Scunthorpe United, who received high praise for his role in the victory.
Despite hitting Boston United for five on the opening day of the season, Southport have only found the net on three occasions in the eight games that have followed. After a run of difficult fixtures against sides higher up the table, the Avenue will look to this game against a team who has struggled to find consistency as the perfect opportunity to record a first win of the season and get an important three points on the board.
Bradford (Park Avenue) will also be out for revenge following last season’s 5-0 home drubbing at the hands of the Sandgrounders. The Avenue additionally lost the away fixture at Southport in a narrow 1-0 defeat. Mark Bower will no doubt be hoping for stricter discipline from his side as both fixtures saw the Green Army reduced to 10 men.
All tickets can be purchased online by clicking here, or purchased on the gate, and are priced at Adult £13.50, Concession £10.00, Junior (12-17) £5.00, Under 12’s FREE when accompanied by a full paying adult.
The Vanarama National League are delighted to announce a new sponsorship agreement with Fanz.com, who have agreed a deal to become The Official Web3 Sponsor of the league.
Fanz Technologies Limited are a British company who design and develop technology to create a deeper connection between football clubs, leagues and their fans.
The Fanz technology platform allows football clubs or leagues to issue a fan engagement tokens to verified fans, enabling fans to vote on club related matters throughout a season. The club or league collect actionable responses in real-time, visualizing the results before using the data to make more informed decisions that are fan-led.
Shahid Azeem Chair of the Commercial Committee at the National League said “The profile and audiences we get at the National League are phenomenal and we have spent the last few months exploring how to embrace emerging technology. Fanz.com are a forward-thinking British technology company who we are excited to work with to deliver value through exploring new technologies to serve fans and clubs in the league”
Sam Jones, founder of Fanz, said “Every fan has an opinion about their club and how it should be run. That is nothing new. These voices are all too often not heard, aggregated, or acted on. If these fan voices could be collected on demand, analysed in real-time and used to make decisions by the club – that would be a real advantage to a club, true fan engagement. “Through Web3 technology, this is what we can deliver to clubs, new levels of fan insight and revenues. Any club in football can embrace such technology without any upfront cost or technology build. We look forward to sharing this with the clubs in the National League in the coming months.”
The sponsorship agreement which will see Fanz.com branding on the National League website and social media activation over the coming months.
Avenue’s loss by a two-goal margin at fourth-placed Fylde on Saturday unfortunately does nothing to reflect the hard work and endeavour put into the game by players anxious to turn their fortunes around and claim an overdue first win of the season.
Keeping the home side at a safe distance for most of the first half, Avenue managed to have a few moments of their own. After a free-flowing move early on, Will Longbottom played in Jamie Spencer who hit a strong, rising shot from 16 yards only fractionally outside the angle of post and crossbar. There was also a penetrating run by Lucas Odunston taking him into a scoring position directly in front of goal before being brought down in a heap on the edge of the box.
Fylde then made their first clear opportunity count after 25 minutes with a forceful 15-yard shot looping into the top corner of the net, but Avenue continued to show their resolve. Simon Richman had a tricky angled shot turned away for a corner before an equaliser came just two minutes before the break to give a whole new complexion to the game. Will Longbottom put a precision corner kick into the goalmouth which Oli Johnson flicked on and captain Luca Havern was there to stab in at the far post.
Facing a tough task still against a full-time team on a six-match unbeaten run, Avenue were looking comfortable enough as the second half progressed. However, Fylde then re-took the lead from a debatable corner in the 63rd minute when a firm header from ten yards out was planted into the bottom corner of the net and Avenue were suddenly up against it.
Despite their efforts, opportunities to get back in the game did not really come their way and, with just two minutes left on the clock and Avenue desperately looking for an opening that might give them some reward, Fylde took advantage on the counter by scoring a third goal to seal their victory.
It’s perhaps worth noting that the fixture planners have unwittingly not helped Avenue in these opening nine matches of the season. Giving them seven fixtures against teams currently in the top eight, this has sadly been reflected in the League table despite a number of close games.
While understandably disappointed with the defeat, manager Mark Bower said the following the game: ‘After last week, we asked for a reaction from the players’, and on this performance he was justifiably able to add: ‘Today I thought we looked confident. We looked good on the ball’.
The National League has been in discussions with BT Sport on the timing restriction on Clubs placing their highlights online and the difficulties this can cause some Clubs.
Yesterday BT Sport confirmed they are in agreement for the restriction to be amended so that Clubs can upload their highlights immediately following the BT Sport National League highlights show, rather than the current restriction.
Whilst the timing of the BT Sport highlights show may vary – they are typically scheduled at 10pm, finishing at 10.30pm, with this being the case for the forthcoming weeks.
Should there be any amends to the timings we will ensure they are sent to the Clubs.
Should there not be a weekend highlights show, highlights cannot be uploaded until after the blackout in accordance with Article 48.
In relation to midweek highlights, these can be shown immediately following the completion of the game. This amendment is effective immediately and the League are grateful to BT Sport for this concession.
MATCH PREVIEW – AFC Fylde vs Bradford (Park Avenue) – The Green Army travel west for Matchday 10 of the Vanarama National League North.
Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking to end a run of four straight defeats in all competitions as they travel west to take on AFC Fylde at Mill Farm on Saturday.
Mark Bower’s men currently sit bottom of the National League North and are still searching for their first win of the season, a stark contrast to this weekend’s opponents AFC Fylde who are looking strong in fourth place after collecting 16 points from a possible 24.
The Avenue are heading in to the game off the back of a controversial 2-1 defeat at Northern League Division One side Ashington in the FA Cup, a result which left manager Mark Bower feeling “angry, disappointed and embarrassed” in his post-match interview.
A strong reaction is expected after Bower and his men were left with some soul-searching to do following the loss to Ashington, with the Avenue boss also reflecting on the urgent need for change within his side, cautiously admitting that if he does not change something quick it might be Bower himself and assistant Danny Boshell who end up being changed.
One reason for optimism for the Green Army in the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat was the impact of substitute Will Longbottom, on for the final fifteen minutes of the game and netting a goal that made for an interesting finish. The Avenue fans will be hoping to see more of the same from the Yorkshireman as they look to finally kick-start their season with an away win this weekend.
AFC Fylde will no doubt be optimistic heading into this encounter on the back of a five game unbeaten run in all competitions. The Lancashire side currently sit in fourth position with five wins from their opening eight fixtures, and will once again be chasing promotion after a disappointing play-off defeat to Boston United ended their hopes last season. The Avenue will also need to be mindful of the Coasters’ star man Nick Haughton who already has five league goals to his name this season.
Furthermore, Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking to improve their dismal head-to-head record against the Coasters having never beaten them in league or cup since the latter were founded as Kirkham and Wesham in 1988. When the two sides met last season, AFC Fylde emerged victorious with 2-0 victories in both National League North fixtures.
Travelling fans can find the stadium at Mill Farm Sports Village, Coronation Way, Wesham, Lancashire, PR4 3JZ.
All tickets can be purchased online or on the gate. For those wishing to purchase standing tickets, the prices are; Adult £12.00, Young Guns (16-20) £7.00, Junior (12-15) £6.00, Under 12’s FREE when accompanied by a full paying adult. Alternatively, seating is available at £18.00 for Adults, £10.00 for Juniors (12-15) and £8.00 for Under 12’s.
Avenue travelled to Ashington in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup and, despite their recent excellent League record in this part of the country, came away at the wrong end of a 2 – 1 score line.
No team ever relishes a Cup-tie in the north-east and Avenue came a cropper against Northern League opposition, a fate becoming many teams over the years.
The home side took an early fifth-minute lead with the unlucky Reece Staunton being credited with an own goal, before they went further in front following a corner after 74 minutes giving Avenue what felt like a mountain to climb.
Will Longbottom then entered the fray as a substitute and managed to pull a goal back seven minutes later. This raised hopes of a comeback and, when Harrison Hopper made a short pass inside, the unmarked Eddie Church stretched to put the ball into an open goal from close range. The linesman made an immediate offside call, yet both Avenue players involved in the move appeared to be onside and no one else was interfering with play.
Avenue were not at their best in this match, but could reasonably have felt they should have been heading home looking forward to a replay.
Manager Mark Bower sent on academy prospect George Eze for his senior debut in the final few minutes, a moment George will remember for a long time and a move which will have been noted by all the other players at the academy, giving them real hope that they may be able to follow in his footsteps.
Disappointing as it may be, Avenue were not alone as Vanarama North sides Brackley, Leamington, Spennymoor and Telford all suffered defeat to lower-ranked opposition.
And, they mustn’t let this setback affect their optimism for Fylde on Saturday. Influential captain Luca Havern is hoping to be back after injury and fortune favours the brave, as the saying goes.
Mark Bower was honest about Avenue’s form after the game in saying: ‘The lads are better than what they’re producing at the minute. Clearly, we need to change something because we’re not getting the results we should be.’
Ashington have now got through four rounds of the FA Cup, which includes beating Northern Premier League high-flyers Ashton United less than two weeks earlier, and were naturally cock-a-hoop after the game. Manager Ian Skinner said: ‘I’m hoping for another home tie in the next round because nobody will want to come here – we’ll be the team that others will be saying, ‘I don’t fancy going up there!’
Severely limited in their team selection, with four squad members unavailable, Avenue were still able to give in-form Leamington a run for their money before succumbing to a narrow defeat.
Despite an overall below-par performance in the opening half hour, Avenue came close to scoring twice before half-time. With the game still goalless, Eddie Church put in a near-post cross from the right and, in the blink of an eye, Will Longbottom’s poke towards goal from close in beat the goalkeeper only to be cleared away by a covering defender.
George-Sykes Kenworthy made one excellent low save from a close-range header, but had little chance to stop a fierce shot giving the lively home side the lead after twenty minutes.
Then, as the interval approached, Harrison Hopper’s chip over the keeper from Sam Fielding’s well-weighted ball over the defence saw a defender again in position to clear off the line.
Avenue began to get more of a foothold in the game in the second half when Leamington’s attacking threat diminished. Luca Havern had a goal disallowed for an alleged foul in the build-up and Jacob Blyth volleyed narrowly wide from 25 yards, but Avenue had to wait until the closing minutes to apply any pressure.
Then, throwing men forward, Jacob Blyth tested the keeper with a header and a shot by Sam Fielding from the edge of the box was fortuitously deflected wide of the post with the Avenue players appealing in vain that it had struck the defender’s arm.
Once Avenue start scoring on a regular basis, and this may only be a game away, they could well become a tricky opponent but, in the meantime, a lack of goals is naturally causing frustration for players and fans alike.
Manager Mark Bower had this to say about the game: ‘We need something to go for us. We don’t seem to get any kind of thing go our way’ – in particular referring to Luca Havern’s disallowed goal after Eddie Church had appeared to be clattered into in the box.
And, despite feeling Leamington should have had a further goal for their early dominance, their manager Paul Holleran followed a familiar theme by saying his side had to dig deep and that they just about edged it at the end.
With Avenue depleted by the loss of Simon Richman and Jamie Spencer to injury and suspension respectively, the squad showed good strength in depth but just couldn’t find the finishing touch and fell to a 1 – 0 defeat against visitors Spennymoor.
An excellent opportunity to take the lead had come after only three minutes when hesitancy between the keeper and a defender on the edge of the penalty area enabled Sam Fielding to nip in and steal the ball but, in being forced wide, Avenue were unable to capitalise.
After a promising first quarter for the home side in which a tricky run from inside his own half by Shane Maroodza ended with Will Longbottom firing just over from 18 yards, Spennymoor then sounded a warning with George Sykes-Kenworthy appearing to get a touch on a fierce rising angled shot which hit the near post. The visitors then took the lead after forty minutes with a well-worked goal which seemed to take the wind out of Avenue’s sails for a while.
As Avenue tried to bounce back after half-time, Andre Brooks had a goal disallowed for offside and shortly afterwards Will Longbottom was put through on goal, but a defender did just enough to prevent him getting in a clean shot and the keeper made a comfortable save.
The visitors, however, were continuing to look dangerous and had one close-range shot which clipped the home crossbar.
In making attacking substitutions during the last half hour to try to get something out of the game, Eddie Church found space at the far post from a free kick but had his angled shot kept out by the keeper’s foot. Avenue then had to wait until the final minutes for another good chance to get an equaliser when, from ten yards out, Jacob Blyth blasted a loose ball towards goal following a corner only for a defender to somehow stick out a leg and divert the ball round the post.
The Spennymoor players’ reaction to this told that they knew without that important intervention they would have been heading back north with only one point.
When the referee then failed to spot a blatant push in the penalty area, it went to prove that it was just not Avenue’s day.
It may be of little consolation at the present time, but Avenue’s first three opponents of the season at Horsfall all currently sit in the top six. And, while the table does not lie over the course of a season, it could easily be argued from the overall form of the side so far, that Avenue deserve a higher placing in the League than the one they currently occupy.
Manager Mark Bower was to say afterwards: ‘Nothing’s going our way at the minute. It’s been a difficult start for us. We’re just coming out the wrong side of tight games.’
From a Spennymoor perspective, their stand-in skipper Joe Tait was relieved to get the win, stating: ‘It was a magnificent three points because they’re no mugs, they’ll take points off teams, particularly on this pitch. It was a tough game.’
