23 Feb 2023

Match Preview Double Header – Chester FC (H) and Scarborough Athletic (H)

Avenue set to host two play-off contenders as relegation threat worsens.

Bradford (Park Avenue) fans will be looking for a huge response from their side as the Green Army slipped into the relegation zone this week. Back-to-back defeats, including a disappointing 1-0 home loss to relegation rivals Blyth Spartans on Monday night opened the door for both Leamington and Boston United to take advantage of their midweek games in hand and leapfrog the Avenue in the league table.

For the second consecutive week, the Avenue will be taking part in a gruelling three-day double header, this time playing host to two sides who are currently occupying play-off spaces in the Vanarama National League North.

On Saturday, Bradford (Park Avenue) will welcome sixth-placed Chester FC to the Horsfall Community Stadium, a side who, with only five defeats to their name, have lost the joint fewest amount of games in the league this season. After what was a disappointing start to the season for this weekend’s visitors, The Seals will arrive at Bradford in impressive form, having lost just one of their previous 21 league matches.

One Chester player who has particularly thrived under the tutelage of manager Calum McIntyre is attacker Kurt Willoughby. Since signing from York City last summer, the centre forward has netted 15 times in 32 league appearances, averaging 0.48 goals per game.

Bradford (Park Avenue) have already been stung by Willoughby this term with the reverse fixture settled by his goal as the Green Army slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat at the Deva Stadium back in November. The Avenue defence will need to keep a disciplined eye on the Seals’ talisman if they are to secure a positive result this weekend.

Instead, the Avenue faithful will prefer to look back on this fixture from last season with fonder memories. Bradford last hosted Chester in January 2022 with Brad Dockerty’s early goal enough to secure a vital 1-0 victory for the hosts. Having already netted twice this month, Dockerty will no doubt be looking for a repeat of his heroics against Chester this Saturday.

A win for Bradford (Park Avenue) would be vital in their bid to avoid relegation, especially when considering the improvement in form of those around them who have also played fewer games. With the Avenue currently level on points with four other sides, a victory could see them rise as high as 18^th place, whilst a defeat could be damaging enough to leave them second bottom on Saturday afternoon.

Just two days after the visit of Chester, Bradford (Park Avenue) will be welcoming Yorkshire rivals Scarborough Athletic to the Horsfall Community Stadium, a twice-rearranged fixture that originally fell foul to the cold weather in both mid-December and mid-January.

Despite occupying one of the playoff positions, Scarborough have struggled to string together a run of victories since the turn of the year, managing just three wins from their previous ten games. Bradford (Park Avenue) will also be looking to exploit the visitors’ leaky defence, with the Seadogs having conceded 50 goals in 33 games this season, the joint-fifth highest total in the National League North.

However, despite struggling to plug the gaps in defence, Scarborough have certainly not been shy in front of the opposition goal, their tally of 57 goals scored being second only behind fourth-placed Darlington. Scarborough manager Jonathan Greening (famously part of Manchester United’s treble winning squad in 1999) will look to call upon experienced forward Michael Coulson, who has averaged 0.49 goals per game this season with 13 in 31 appearances for the North Yorkshire side.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will still be wondering how they did not win the reverse fixture between these sides back in August. The Green Army were leading 2-0 at The Flamingo Land Stadium and looked set to secure what would have been their first win of the season, only for former Halifax Town forward Dom Tear to net two goals in the final five minutes to share the spoils.

Instead, Avenue fans of a certain age may choose to look back fondly on some of the other other competitive encounters between the two sides. In November 1959, Fourth Division Bradford (Park Avenue) thumped non-league Scarborough FC 6-1 in the FA Cup first round, and later met in the NPL between 1970 and 1974 on several occasions, they were eventually replaced by phoenix club Scarborough Athletic following dissolution in 2007.

Match Previews by Stephen Grimshaw (@sgsportswriter on Twitter)

Saturday 25^th February – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs. Chester FC

Kick off: 3pm

Monday 27^th February – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Scarborough Athletic

Kick off: 7:45pm

Where To Find Us:

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC, Horsfall Community Stadium, Cemetery Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD6 2NG

Directions By Car:

Leave the M62 at junction 26 and follow signs for the M606. Continue on the M606 to junction 3 and take the A6117 exit to Ring Road West. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit on to Rooley Lane / A6036 signposted Halifax. Pass the Odsal Stadium on the left hand side and at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit on to Halifax Road / A6036 signposted Halifax. After approximately one mile turn left down Cemetery Road immediately before the Kids Planet Children’s Nursery, and the ground is 150 yards on the left. We have a car park which will be signposted off Cemetery Road and parking charges may apply.

Directions By Train:

Bradford Interchange rail station is the nearest to the ground and trains operate on the Calder Valley Line timetable from Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Manchester, Preston and York.

From there you can catch the bus directly to the ground (details below):

Bradford Forster Square rail station There are regular services from Leeds (Leeds-Bradford Line timetable), Skipton (Airedale Line timetable) and Ilkley (Wharfedale Line timetable).

From Forster Square it is a 10 minute walk to Bradford Interchange bus station for a bus onwards to the stadium.

Directions By Bus:

From Bradford Interchange bus station bus services 681 and 682 and Halifax Bus Station bus services 508, 681 and 682.

These services stop at the Halifax Road Cemetery Road stop near to the stadium.

Turnstiles:

The turnstiles open around an hour and a half before kick off and are located at either end of the ground on Cemetery Road and Park Road. Matchday prices for league games are as follows:

Adult – £14

Concession – £10

Student – £5

Youth (12-17) – £3

Junior (under 12, must be accompanied by an adult) – £1

23 Feb 2023

VIEW FROM THE BOARDROOM – Paul Armitage’s Notes (20/2/23)

by BPAFC Officials | posted in: News | 0

Our win against Leamington saw us scoring three excellent goals and playing confidently and we hope to continue the trend. Much as I try to stay away from football team comments I thought the two lads up front worked their socks off as they replaced our two injured big lads and that Will Lancaster looked as good in midfield as he does in the back line, but the team effort was excellent across the board and the crowd support was extremely loud and pleasing for the lads too.

At that last game we paid tribute to the late David Bruce who spent a long lifetime supporting Avenue home and away as well as supporting the club with his time and money too. A kind gentleman whose presence will be sorely missed. Farewell and thank you David.

We held a Fans Forum prior to the last home game and heard from Martin Knight and Gareth Roberts about plans for the first team’s development and the football club’s future. Gareth has been able to spend a week in the area and has held many meetings that aim to progress the club’s financial fortunes. Given that Mark and Danny also spend time after games to talk with fans we have a very well-informed set of supporters.

Our double header with our West Bowling rugby league club colleagues saw two victories on the same day and West Bowling now take on Lock Lane in the next round of the RL Challenge Cup. We also had a record day on ancilliary income as we had a function in the evening as well as the two sporting matches. It was a good test of the versatility of the stadium and thanks must go to all the staff and volunteers who made it a success.

Away from Horsfall we see the Premier League offering a show of strength against Man City to try and demonstrate that they can regulate football without the need of an independent regulator. Time will tell, but I think we know that the financial fortunes for any clubs outside of the PL lays with an independent regime for all football leagues.

At Horsfall imminent work is scheduled to upgrade the gents’ toilet next to the programme shop, which is long overdue, though we have improved the Pavilion toilets and have new ones in the Hospitality Suite as well as facilities in the clubhouse. It’s all a bit of a change from the old Canterbury Avenue brick wall pissoir some of us may recall.

We are still working with installers to get the lux level from the new floodlights more evenly spread across the pitch, but the improvement is giving us more effective lighting and with LED lights, cheaper running costs.

15 Feb 2023

Match Preview Double Header – Brackley Town (A) and Blyth Spartans (H)

by BPAFC Officials | posted in: First Team Match Previews, First Team News, News | 0

Two games in three days await the Avenue in the Vanarama National League North.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will look to build on their impressive home win against Leamington last Saturday as they travel to high-flying Brackley Town this weekend.

Confidence will be high amongst Avenue ranks as they made light work of their opponents last time out, emerging with a vital 3-1 victory to strengthen their survival hopes after controlling large parts of the game. However, this weekend poses a different challenge entirely against a Brackley side that has had an impressive season so far in their hunt for promotion.

With a handful of sides around Bradford (Park Avenue) having played mid-week fixtures due to their games in hand, the Avenue find themselves travelling to Brackley’s St James Park in 19^th place, three points ahead of the relegation zone. However, having still played more games than some of their rivals, every game is equally important in the fight for survival.

Brackley Town were also in action on Tuesday night, securing a narrow 2-1 victory away over Kidderminster Harriers. The Saints will entertain the Avenue on Saturday from 3^rd place in the National League North, but have struggled for consistency in recent weeks. Despite suffering only one defeat in their previous 21 league fixtures, Brackley have failed to string together successive victories since early November, a statistic which the Green Army will hope to continue beyond this weekend.

One player that Bradford (Park Avenue) will need to keep a watchful eye on is Brackley’s Callum Stead. The Saints forward has netted 11 times in 30 league appearances, averaging 0.41 goals per game. His attacking prowess has complimented Brackley’s stubborn defence, with the Saints boasting the league’s best goals against tally so far this season having conceded just 23 times.

The reverse fixture between these two sides saw Brackley emerge from the Horsfall Community Stadium with a 2-1 victory back in October. The Avenue led at half time through a Will Longbottom strike on the quarter of an hour mark, only for second half goals from Martin Woods and Cosmos Matwasa to turn the game around for the Saints. In fact, Bradford (Park Avenue) will be hoping to break what has become a torrid run of form against this weekend’s opponents, having lost the last six meetings between the pair. The Avenue’s last victory at Brackley came back in April 2018, a 1-0 victory courtesy of an 80^th minute goal from Ryan Toulson.

A win at St James Park on Saturday could lift Bradford (Park Avenue) as high as 17^th place, whilst defeat could leave the Avenue 21^st and in the relegation zone depending on results elsewhere.

Just two days after the trip to Brackley, Bradford (Park Avenue) will be welcoming Blyth Spartans to the Horsfall Community Stadium in a game of huge importance at the bottom end of the league table.

At the time of writing, the Spartans sit 23^rd in the National League North, four points from safety and six points behind the Avenue. Blyth will be travelling to Bradford after hosting 18^th placed Kettering Town on Saturday and will then turn their attention to a trip to bottom of the league AFC Telford United the following weekend. Many of the Spartans faithful will therefore see the next three games against fellow strugglers as a make-or-break period for the remainder of their season.

The reverse fixture back in late October was a significant one for Bradford (Park Avenue) as the 1-0 victory at Croft Park was their first away win of the season, part of a run of games which helped propel the Avenue off the foot of the table. In fact, Bradford have come out on top in each of their last three meetings against the Spartans and are unbeaten in their previous six against Monday’s visitors. Last season’s home encounter against Blyth resulted in a 2-1 victory for the Avenue thanks to goals from Luca Havern and Luke Rawson, despite the Spartans taking the lead on the brink of half time. Bradford’s Green Army will be hoping their excellent head-to-head record holds to key to taking another giant step towards survival against a fellow struggler under the lights at the Horsfall.

Match Previews by Stephen Grimshaw (@sgsportswriter on Twitter)

Saturday 18^th February – Brackley Town vs Bradford (Park Avenue)

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Kick off: 3pm

Address

Brackley Town F.C. St James Park, Churchill Way, Brackley, NN13 7EJ

Public Transport

Brackley doesn’t have a train station, the closest station is Banbury, which is around 10 miles away. Banbury bus station is a 5 minute walk from the train station and from there you can catch a Stagecoach No 500 bus to Brackley which takes around 30 mins.

Traveling by Bus

The nearest bus stops to St James Park are on Bridge Street or around the Market Place which are around a 5 to 10-minute walk to St James Park.

TRAVELING BY CAR

From the South (M40 & A43)

From, or crossing the M40 at Junction 10, follow the A43 towards Northampton. (The road is a dual carriageway all the way to Brackley – 9 miles). At the large roundabout at the bottom of the hill as you approach the town, take the 2nd exit signposted Brackley (South).

* After approximately 100 metres, take the 2nd exit at the mini roundabout (Tesco store on the left, Mercedes / Petronas Formula One Racing on the right), and follow the road towards the town. The New Locomotive public house is almost immediately on the left hand side and Churchill Way is the next turning on the right as you go up the hill. (Signposted Football Club). Turn into Churchill Way and follow this road which leads directly into the Club car park.

From the East (A422 Buckingham)

From Buckingham, follow the A422 to Brackley (8 miles). The A422 joins the A43 at a roundabout as you enter the town at the bottom of a hill. Take the first exit (signposted Oxford, A43 & M40) and follow this dual carriageway for approximately three quarters of a mile. At the next roundabout, take the last exit signposted Brackley (South). Then follow the directions marked * above.

From the West (A422 Banbury & M40 Junction 11)

Leave Banbury at the M40 junction 11 and follow the A422 (signposted Brackley). After approximately 8 miles go straight over the first small roundabout and follow the signs for the A43. About a mile further on the road passes a Tesco store on the left and almost immediately take the first exit at the roundabout signposted Brackley (South). Then follow the directions marked * above.

From the North (A43 Northampton, M1 and the A5)

Leave the M1 at Junction 15A and follow the A43 South (signposted Oxford & M40).

After approximately 8 miles the road crosses the A5 at a roundabout just outside Towcester. Follow the A43 past Silverstone to Brackley and at the first roundabout (BP garage), take the first exit (signposted A43, Oxford & M40). At the second roundabout, take the second exit (signposted A43, Oxford & M40). At the third roundabout, take the third exit (signposted Brackley, South). Then follow the directions marked * above.

Monday 20^th February – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Blyth Spartans

Kick off: 7:45pm

Where To Find Us:

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC, Horsfall Community Stadium, Cemetery Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD6 2NG

Directions By Car:

Directions By Train:

Bradford Interchange rail station is the nearest to the ground and trains operate on the Calder Valley Line timetable from Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Manchester, Preston and York.

From there you can catch the bus directly to the ground (details below):

Bradford Forster Square rail station There are regular services from Leeds (Leeds-Bradford Line timetable), Skipton (Airedale Line timetable) and Ilkley (Wharfedale Line timetable).

From Forster Square it is a 10 minute walk to Bradford Interchange bus station for a bus onwards to the stadium.

Directions By Bus:

From Bradford Interchange bus station bus services 681 and 682 and Halifax Bus Station bus services 508, 681 and 682.

These services stop at the Halifax Road Cemetery Road stop near to the stadium.

Turnstiles:

The turnstiles open around an hour and a half before kick off and are located at either end of the ground on Cemetery Road and Park Road. Matchday prices for league games are as follows:

Adult – £14

Concession – £10

Student – £5

Youth (12-17) – £3

Junior (under 12, must be accompanied by an adult) – £1

8 Feb 2023

MATCH PREVIEW – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Leamington

by BPAFC Officials | posted in: First Team Match Previews, First Team News, News | 0

Fight for survival hots up with Leamington visit.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will welcome fellow strugglers Leamington to the Horsfall Community Stadium this Saturday in what could well be a relegation six-pointer in the Vanarama National League North.

The Avenue will be desperate to secure all three points to steer themselves away from the relegation zone, having now gone eight league games without a win. This weekend’s fixture follows successive away defeats last week at the hands of Kings Lynn Town and Gloucester City respectively, both professional outfits chasing promotion this season.

Bradford manager Mark Bower will be sweating on the fitness of a handful of important first-team players, noting after the defeat to Gloucester City that “we lost Reece Staunton injured which is a blow, with the likes of Blythy (Blyth), OJ (Johnson), Jordan Preston out, Spenner (Spencer) and Lundy (Lund) not a hundred per cent fit yet, we are thin”. Bower will be hoping for some good news in the coming days to strengthen the cause on Saturday.

This weekend’s visitors have also struggled for form in the National League North this season and are currently enduring a thirteen-game winless run dating back to October, managing only one victory in their previous 19 league matches. Indeed, Leamington have arguably become draw specialists this term, sharing the spoils in fourteen of their 27 league fixtures. As well as this, the Brakes have failed to find the net in each of their last three fixtures. Considering these figures, the Green Army will be confident that they can extend Leamington’s poor form even further beyond this Saturday.

Despite losing to Leamington 1-0 at the New Windmill Ground in the reverse fixture back in September, Bradford (Park Avenue) can take optimism from the Brakes’ terrible away record, with the visitors failing to win any of their twelve away matches this season. The Avenue faithful will also fondly recollect this fixture from last season, as the Green Army recorded a 2-1 victory at the Horsfall courtesy of goals from Brad Dockerty and Luca Havern.

If the form table is anything to go by, home advantage could be crucial for the Avenue this Saturday. Bradford (Park Avenue) head into the game occupying 19^th spot, one point and one place above visitors Leamington having played three games more. Following the midweek fixtures, Bradford are now just two points clear of the relegation zone with the three sides directly below holding games in hand. A win this weekend would definitely see Avenue leapfrog either Buxton or Kettering Town as both sides clash this weekend, whereas defeat could prove damaging in the race for survival.

Match Preview by Stephen Grimshaw (@sgsportswriter on Twitter)

Where To Find Us:

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC, Horsfall Community Stadium, Cemetery Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD6 2NG

Directions By Car:

Directions By Train:

Bradford Interchange rail station is the nearest to the ground and trains operate on the Calder Valley Line timetable from Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Manchester, Preston and York.

From there you can catch the bus directly to the ground (details below):

Bradford Forster Square rail station There are regular services from Leeds (Leeds-Bradford Line timetable), Skipton (Airedale Line timetable) and Ilkley (Wharfedale Line timetable).

From Forster Square it is a 10 minute walk to Bradford Interchange bus station for a bus onwards to the stadium.

Directions By Bus:

From Bradford Interchange bus station bus services 681 and 682 and Halifax Bus Station bus services 508, 681 and 682.

These services stop at the Halifax Road Cemetery Road stop near to the stadium.

Turnstiles: PAY ON GATE

The turnstiles open around an hour and a half before kick off and are located at either end of the ground on Cemetery Road and Park Road. Matchday prices for league games are as follows:

Adult – £14

Concession – £10

Student – £5

Youth (12-17) – £3

Junior (under 12, must be accompanied by an adult) – £1

3 Feb 2023

MATCH PREVIEW – Gloucester City (A)

by BPAFC Officials | posted in: First Team Match Previews, First Team News, News | 0

Avenue are back on the road again this Saturday.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be on their travels again this weekend as they make the 175-mile journey to mid-table Gloucester City on Saturday. The trip to New Meadow Park will be a second successive away fixture for the Avenue, following on from Tuesday’s narrow defeat at promotion chasing Kings Lynn Town, a result that took the opposition to the summit of the Vanarama National League North.

Despite the loss in midweek, Bradford boss Mark Bower expressed pride in his side’s performance against a full-time team, and felt unfortunate not to take anything from the game after Will Longbottom had put the Avenue ahead early in the second half. The Green Army were boosted by the return of Reece Staunton after a recent spell on the side-lines, but now expect to be without striker Jordan Preston for the trip to Gloucester after he was forced off inside the opening fifteen minutes with a suspected hamstring injury.

Bower also made clear his desire to improve Bradford (Park Avenue)’s league position this Saturday. It is now seven games without a win for the Avenue after what was an impressive end to the calendar year. The run has left the side looking nervously over their shoulders, just three points clear of the relegation zone having played more games than the chasing pack. A win at New Meadow Park on Saturday could lift Bradford up a place into 16^th, providing results go their way elsewhere.

Gloucester City are also approaching this weekend’s fixture struggling for consistency, with only one win recorded from their previous seven games. The Tigers have struggled at the back this season, with their leaky defence conceding the second-highest amount of goals in the National League North, a statistic the Avenue attack will no doubt look to exploit. The hosts are also reeling from the loss of top goal scorers Matt McClure and Tré Mitford. McClure had netted 14 goals in 24 games before moving to National League South club Chippenham Town in January, whilst Mitford had netted eight times this season before departing to Boston United last month. The Gloucester fans may understandably be left worrying where their goals will come from in the absence of their star strikers.

The Green Army will be hoping for more of the same when reflecting on the reverse fixture between these sides. The Halloween encounter saw Bradford (Park Avenue) emerge victorious with a 2-1 win at the Horsfall Community Stadium, courtesy of goals from Jacob Blyth and Brad Dockerty. Furthermore, the Avenue are unbeaten in their previous three away matches against Gloucester City, one of which included an enthralling 4-4 draw back in November 2020. Bradford (Park Avenue) came back from 3-1 down to lead 4-3, only to be denied by a Gloucester equaliser in the second half. The Avenue faithful will be hoping for similar free-flowing attacking football this Saturday.

Match Preview by Stephen Grimshaw (@sgsportswriter on Twitter)

Getting to the ground:

TigerTurf Stadium, Sudmeadow Road, Gloucester, GL2 5HS

Public transport – The nearest train station is Gloucester, which is about a 25 minute walk away. Stagecoach buses 8 and 11 stop just a minute or two walk from the stadium and both leave from the City Centre.

Car – There is limited space for car parking at TigerTurf Stadium, and as such parking is only available on matchdays for blue badge holders (email before matchday info@gcafc.co.uk), guests and officials.

Local Car Parks

3 Hours free parking is available at Sainsbury’s on St Ann Way GL2 5SA, a 5 minute walk from the ground.
Castlemeads Car Park, GL1 2NH is a Pay & Display car park and is a 10 minute walk
Gloucester Quays Car Park, Baker Street GL2 5RG offers up to 4 hours parking for £5 and is a 12 minute walk

Directions (from the North)

Exit the M5 at junction 11 and take the A40 westbound towards Gloucester. At the roundabout take the 4th exit (A40) towards Ross. At the next roundabout go straight on (2nd exit) staying on the A40. At the next roundabout take the 1st exit left towards the city centre. Go right at the next junction towards Hempsted (A430). Straight ahead at the next set of lights and Sudmeadow Road is the third right turn just before the next set of traffic lights.

Directions (from the South)

Exit the M5 at junction 12 and head towards Gloucester. Go straight ahead at the roundabout on the A38 Quedgeley by-pass. Ahead at the next roundabout and straight ahead at the next two sets of traffic lights. onto Secunda Way (A430). Follow this road past three more sets of lights onto marina junction. Stay in the left hand lane towards Cheltenham/Ledbury/Ross. At the next lights with ‘The High Orchard’ to your right, go straight ahead and text the first left onto Sudmeadow Road.

To purchase tickets ahead of the game, click the link below

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/gloucestercityafc/840520#

26 Jan 2023

Match Preview – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Chorley

by BPAFC Officials | posted in: First Team Match Reports, First Team News, News | 0

Home form could be key against promotion hopefuls.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will welcome promotion-chasing Chorley to the Horsfall Community Stadium this Saturday following back-to-back away games in the Vanarama National League North.

The Avenue will be entertaining the Lancashire-based side buoyed by a hard-earned point away to Kidderminster Harriers last time out.

The fixture was one of only a handful of National League North games to get the go ahead during Saturday’s cold snap, and despite the heavy fog, the Green Army gave an impressive account of themselves against professional opposition to bring a point back to West Yorkshire, denied all three only by a wonder goal from the hosts.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be hoping to make home advantage count against Chorley. Despite losing their first four games at the Horsfall this season, the Avenue have settled well and are currently unbeaten in four on home turf.

A win this Saturday would be the first in six games, and could see Bradford climb a place to 16^th. More importantly, with only three points separating the club from the relegation zone, a win would be essential in taking another step closer to safety as the season enters its final months.

Like Avenue, Chorley also made a slow start to the season with just two wins from their opening eight games, but have since recovered and now find themselves on the brink of the league’s promotion places. However, one win in four appears to have halted the Magpie’s progress. Fortunately for Chorley, the teams sitting above them have also struggled for consistency since the turn of the year, meaning the promotion places are still in reach for this weekend’s visitors.

Chorley manager Andy Preece will be counting on attacker Connor Hall to continue his fine goal scoring form away at Bradford (Park Avenue) this Saturday. The former Sheffield United youth forward has netted 14 goals in 26 appearances this season, averaging 0.57 goals per game. The Avenue defence will need to keep a watchful eye on the Magpies talisman who has scored five times in his last six games in all competitions.

The reverse fixture back in August saw Bradford (Park Avenue) secure a valuable point at Victory Park by holding their hosts to a goalless draw, a result made even more impressive considering the Green Army had to play the entirety of the second half with ten men. Incidentally this was the same score line as when the Avenue hosted the Magpies last season.

There has been little to separate both of these sides in recent contests, with the last four meetings all resulting in draws. Still, Bradford (Park Avenue) should take inspiration from Chorley’s wretched record at the Horsfall, with the Magpies managing just one win in their last eight visits. This weekend’s opposition have failed to score in each of their last four trips to Bradford, a record that the Green Army will be hoping to maintain beyond this season.

Match Preview by Stephen Grimshaw (@sgsportswriter on Twitter)

Where To Find Us:

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC, Horsfall Community Stadium, Cemetery Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD6 2NG

Directions By Car:

Directions By Train:

Bradford Interchange rail station is the nearest to the ground and trains operate on the Calder Valley Line timetable from Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Manchester, Preston and York.

From there you can catch the bus directly to the ground (details below):

Bradford Forster Square rail station There are regular services from Leeds (Leeds-Bradford Line timetable), Skipton (Airedale Line timetable) and Ilkley (Wharfedale Line timetable).

From Forster Square it is a 10 minute walk to Bradford Interchange bus station for a bus onwards to the stadium.

Directions By Bus:

From Bradford Interchange bus station bus services 681 and 682 and Halifax Bus Station bus services 508, 681 and 682.

These services stop at the Halifax Road Cemetery Road stop near to the stadium.

Turnstiles: PAY ON GATE

The turnstiles open around an hour and a half before kick off and are located at either end of the ground on Cemetery Road and Park Road. Matchday prices for league games are as follows:

Adult – £14

Concession – £10

Student – £5

Youth (12-17) – £3

Junior (under 12, must be accompanied by an adult) – £1

11 Jan 2023

Match Preview Double Header – Spennymoor Town (A) and Scarborough Athletic (H)

by BPAFC Officials | posted in: First Team Match Previews, First Team News, News | 0

Two games in three days await the Avenue in the Vanarama National League North.

Bradford (Park Avenue) aim to extend their unbeaten run to seven games as they prepare to take on Spennymoor Town at The Brewery Field on Saturday. More importantly, the Avenue will be chasing the three points after a trio of successive draws since Christmas.

The Avenue approach this game following a frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Kettering Town, a game that saw the visitors reduced to ten men before halftime and relying on a makeshift goalkeeper to guard the sticks in the form of their midfield goal scorer George Forsyth. A resolute Kettering kept Bradford (Park Avenue) at bay for 95 minutes and were saved by the woodwork three times before Jordan Preston’s stoppage time strike rescued a point for the hosts.

Spennymoor Town will be boasting their own unbeaten league run as they welcome Bradford (Park Avenue), accumulating ten points from a possible twelve in their previous four games, a streak that has seen them move six points clear of the relegation zone. The Avenue defence will need to keep a close eye on experienced attacker Glen Taylor who is now into double figures this season following his goal against AFC Telford last week. Taylor has netted three goals in his last four games for the Moors.

A win for Bradford (Park Avenue) would see them move level on points with this Saturday’s opponents, but Spennymoor Town’s superior goal difference means the Avenue would need to win by at least four goals to climb above them. The Green Army will head to The Brewery Field with fond memories of last season’s trip, a 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Sam Fielding and Lewis Knight. The Avenue players will also be out to avenge their defeat to Spennymoor in the reverse fixture, with the Moors coming away from the Horsfall with a narrow 1-0 victory back in August.

You can watch the goals from our last visit to the Brewery Field on our YouTube channel below.

Just two days after the trip to Spennymoor, Bradford (Park Avenue) will be welcoming Yorkshire rivals and promotion hopefuls Scarborough Athletic to the Horsfall Community Stadium, a rearranged fixture which originally fell foul to the cold weather in mid-December.

Despite occupying one of the playoff positions, Scarborough have suffered from a dip in form in recent weeks, losing their previous two games. Bradford (Park Avenue) will also be looking to exploit the visitors’ leaky defence, with the Seadogs having conceded 40 goals in 25 games this season, the fifth highest total in the National League North, and have not kept a clean sheet since their away win at Buxton in mid-November.

However, despite struggling to plug the gaps in defence, Scarborough have certainly not been shy in front of the opposition goal, their tally of 45 goals scored being second only behind league leaders Darlington. Scarborough manager Jonathan Greening (famously part of Manchester United’s treble winning squad in 1999) will look to call upon experienced forward Michael Coulson, who has averaged 0.56 goals per game this season with 11 in 23 appearances for the North Yorkshire side.

Instead, Avenue fans of a certain age may choose to look back fondly on the only other competitive encounter between the two sides. In November 1959, Fourth Division Bradford (Park Avenue) thumped non-league Scarborough FC 6-1 in the FA Cup first round, with the latter eventually replaced by phoenix club Scarborough Athletic following dissolution in 2007. With the games coming thick and fast in the second half of the season, points are imperative for the Green Army to ensure they are looking up the table instead of over their shoulders.

Match Previews by Stephen Grimshaw

Saturday 14^th January – Spennymoor Town vs Bradford (Park Avenue)

Kick off: 3pm

Location: The Brewery Field, Wood Vue, Spennymoor, County Durham, DL16 6JN

Getting there by train: Durham train station is located 6.1 miles away from The Brewery Field. From the station it is easy to get a taxi to the ground or to hop onto the number 6 bus route. There is also the option of Darlington Train Station, which is located 15.3 miles from The Brewery Field. There is the option of a taxi from the station, or you can jump on the number 8 bus route, both of which take around 35 minutes.

By bus: The number 6 bus route direct from Durham City centre bus station drops off directly outside The Brewery Field, collecting from the station every ten minutes from 6.40am onwards.

By car: Spennymoor Town Football Club advise visiting fans not to park around the private streets surrounding The Brewery Field. Due to parking restrictions operating on a matchday, the club recommend making use of public transport wherever possible.

Turnstiles: Visiting supporters arriving at The Brewery Field have the option to enter from two different turnstiles. The Wood Vue turnstiles, located on the South East corner of the ground or the Tees Crescent turnstiles located on the South West corner of the ground.

Tickets can be purchased in advance here, or on the turnstiles with Cash or Card.

Prices:

Adults: £15

Concessions (60+): £10

Juniors (u18s): £5

Monday 16^th January – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Scarborough Athletic

Kick off: 7:45pm

Where To Find Us:

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC, Horsfall Community Stadium, Cemetery Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD6 2NG

Directions By Car:

Directions By Train:

Bradford Interchange rail station is the nearest to the ground and trains operate on the Calder Valley Line timetable from Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Manchester, Preston and York.

From there you can catch the bus directly to the ground (details below):

Bradford Forster Square rail station There are regular services from Leeds (Leeds-Bradford Line timetable), Skipton (Airedale Line timetable) and Ilkley (Wharfedale Line timetable).

From Forster Square it is a 10 minute walk to Bradford Interchange bus station for a bus onwards to the stadium.

Directions By Bus:

From Bradford Interchange bus station bus services 681 and 682 and Halifax Bus Station bus services 508, 681 and 682.

These services stop at the Halifax Road Cemetery Road stop near to the stadium.

Turnstiles:

The turnstiles open around an hour and a half before kick off and are located at either end of the ground on Cemetery Road and Park Road. Matchday prices for league games are as follows:

Adult – £14

Concession – £10

Student – £5

Youth (12-17) – £3

Junior (under 12, must be accompanied by an adult) – £1

15 Dec 2022

MATCH PREVIEW – Scarborough Athletic (H)

by BPAFC Officials | posted in: First Team Match Previews, First Team News, News | 0

Bradford (Park Avenue) will have to stay switched on when they welcome promotion chasers Scarborough Athletic to the Horsfall Stadium this weekend.

Bradford will be wanting to continue their climb up the table but with Scarborough coming to town this will be no easy task for The Avenue.

Despite the Green Army’s recent upturn in form, Scarborough will offer a different challenge that the home side will have to over come to get anything from a highflyer in the league.

The players will surely remember the reverse fixture, where a worldie from Jamie Spencer (above) and a first goal for Sheffield United loanee Andre Brooks (below) almost stole all three points back to Bradford, however in the final few minutes it was reduced to just one, after Darren Dominic Tear fired 2 goals past the defence to make it a draw.

(Park Avenue) have only lost once in their last five league games, the most notable was coming from behind against Buxton, scoring twice in injury time to secure all three points and its this resilience and determination that (Park Avenue) boss, Mark Bower will be wanting from his players this Saturday afternoon.

Scarborough have the second-best scoring record in the league this season with 40 goals scored already, only three behind the league leaders Darington, Bradford’s defence will have to be switched on to avoid adding more goals to that statistic.

George William Sykes-Kenworthy the Bradford number one between the sticks will certainly have his work cut out for him, with five clean sheets to his name already this season he’ll be hoping to make it six when he comes up against Scarborough’s top goal scorer Michael Coulson who’s scored eight goals so far this season, but Sykes-Kenworthy is no stranger to the danger that Scarborough pose having already pulled off some vital and brilliant saves this season.

At the other end though Scarborough have not had the same luck and have had one of the leakiest defences of any team currently in the top ten, this will be music to Jacob Blyth’s ears being the clubs current top goal scorer with five goals and is a great opportunity to fill his boots, as well as Will Longbottom who is only one goals behind Blyth in the charts.

Scarborough will be heavy favourites going into this fixture only losing once out of their last five league games, (Park Avenue) will have to be at their best to take anything from Scarborough, and a win for the home side would see them claw even further away from the drop.

Match Preview by James Fletcher @illustrationsjf

Tickets for the game are purchased on the gate and priced at £14 Adults, £10 Concessions, £5 Students, £3 Youths and £1 Juniors (u12s accompanied by an Adult).

Premier League and Championship Season Ticket holders can gain half-price entry to this game, just display your physical or digital Season Ticket at the turnstiles.

Travelling to the Horsfall for the first time? Follow the directions and map below!

Address

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC
Horsfall Community Stadium
Cemetery Road
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD6 2NG

Directions By Car:

Directions By Train:

Bradford Interchange rail station is the nearest to the ground and trains operate on the Calder Valley Line timetable from Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Manchester, Preston and York.

From there you can catch the bus directly to the ground (details below).

Bradford Forster Square rail station There are regular services from Leeds (Leeds-Bradford Line timetable), Skipton (Airedale Line timetable) and Ilkley (Wharfedale Line timetable).

From Forster Square it is a 10 minute walk to Bradford Interchange bus station for a bus onwards to the stadium.

Directions By Bus:

From Bradford Interchange bus station bus services 681 and 682 and Halifax Bus Station bus services 508, 681 and 682

These services stop at the Halifax Road Cemetery Road stop near to the stadium.

The Horsfall Community Stadium

2 Dec 2022

MATCH PREVIEW – BUXTON FC (A)

by BPAFC Officials | posted in: First Team Match Previews, First Team News, News | 0

BRADFORD (Park Avenue) visit Derbyshire this Saturday to play newly promoted Buxton FC at The Tarmac Silverlands.

Mark Bower’s men head into this game after a fantastic 2-1 win against Boston United last weekend, a performance which was praised by fans as the best of the season.

It was a slow start for both teams, however, Jake Wright made the first proper effort on Sykes-Kenworthy’s goal in the 15th minute. His shot from outside the box sailed over the crossbar.

Avenue man Jamie Spencer was up next, firing a fantastic effort that nearly broke the deadlock, but he couldn’t find the back of the net.

The Pilgrims finally got one up on Avenue with a good finish from Jake Wright putting Boston ahead in the 43rd minute.

In the second half, Avenue were the better side, with Sam Fielding and Jordan Preston both having chances.

It was reliable midfielder Simon Richman who hooked the ball into the roof of the net, equalising for Avenue with a brilliant low cross from Lucas Odunston.

Under pressure from the Boston defence, Jordan Preston managed a well struck shot but his effort was saved by Sam Long.

Then, in the 75th minute, with an unreal cross from ex-Bradford City man Reece Staunton, Jacob Blyth headed the ball past Long and Avenue were ahead.

The defence held firm against late Boston pressure, with the Avenue fans chanting and cheering all the way into the four minutes of added time.

Mark and Danny will now look to improve their form further with a point or three in Derbyshire, a place which has proved fruitful for Avenue so far, drawing against a strong Alfreton side and all whilst struggling with injuries and illnesses in the Bradford squad.

The last time Avenue and Buxton met was on 8 December 2015 in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup when Avenue won 2-1 away.

Buxton go into the game after a 4-0 defeat at League 1 side Ipswich Town in the FA Cup. In the league Buxton have had some tough fixtures, losing 4-2 to Blyth and 1-0 to Scarborough. However, before these setbacks they had pulled off wins against Gloucester, Darlington Southport.

They will be looking to bounce back, so Avenue will have to be at their best to sneak a result.

If you are travelling to the Silverlands, follow the link here for directions.

Tickets are purchased on the gate, and are priced at £15 Adults, £10 Concessions, £5 16-21s, £2 for 5-15s and under-5s are free with a paying Adult.

17 Nov 2022

FA TROPHY PREVIEW – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Farsley Celtic

by BPAFC Officials | posted in: First Team Match Previews, First Team News, News | 0

The seven-mile derby between Bradford (Park Avenue) and Farsley Celtic locking horns in the FA Trophy

This weekend The Avenue welcome their West Yorkshire rivals to the Horsfall Stadium as they battle it out for a place in the third round of the FA Trophy.

Farsley Celtic come into the game on the back of a 4-0 defeat to playoff contenders Southport and currently find themselves languishing in the relegation zone one place below Bradford (Park Avenue) separated only by goal difference. By contrast, Avenue are enjoying the warm afterglow of their very satisfactory 0-0 draw at Alfreton.

But this weekend is all about the FA Trophy and what that will mean to both sides. Getting one over your rivals is sweet enough but to dump them out of a cup competition is a special sort of feeling, as both sets of fans would agree.

Last time these two met it was a narrow victory for The Avenue. Saturday’s match will be the first of three encounters this season. Drawing first blood will be hugely important ahead of the fixtures on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Local bragging rights are at stake. Expect a feisty affair this weekend when Farsley make the seven mile journey to the Horsfall Stadium.

FA Trophy Admission prices – Tickets are purchased on the gate. Card/Cash is taken at the Cemetery Road turnstiles, and the Park Road turnstiles are CASH ONLY

Adults: £10
Concessions: £8
12-18s: £3
U12s: £1