Scarborough Athletic (0) 2 – 2 (1) Bradford (Park Avenue)
Avenue took a welcome point from their visit to newly-promoted Scarborough on Tuesday evening, but it could and possibly should have been all three after leading 2 – 0 with only five minutes plus added time remaining.
After only six minutes Jamie Spencer put Avenue ahead with a simply tremendous goal – a clever lofted shot from halfway – a la David Beckham – made all the more spectacular by the keeper’s valiant attempt to keep it out. If there was any justice this would earn Jamie a ticket into the Premiership and he certainly deserved to be walking on air for the rest of the game. This goal will be watched over and over again on the BPA twitter account and mustn’t be missed!
With Avenue in the ascendancy and playing the better football, the lead was extended through the lively Andre Brooks just five minutes into the second half. Showing poise and composure on the edge of the six-yard box he took a touch before drilling a loose ball into the net following a corner.
After looking like becoming the first win of the season as the latter stages approached, the game was transformed following some controversial refereeing decisions. Scarborough pulled a goal back after 85 minutes and grabbed an equaliser five minutes later, with Jamie Spencer dismissed following a scuffle after the final whistle.
Manager Mark Bower, who was quite restrained in his after-match comments, said: ‘A lot of the performance was good, particularly up front, but I’m just gutted.’
Team: Sykes-Kenworthy; Odunston, Staunton; Lund, Havern, Maroodza; Spencer, Richman, Blyth (Nowakowski (76), Brooks (Fielding 88), Hopper.
