Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC

The chase for the playoff places continues on Saturday, as Bradford (Park Avenue) visit Worksop Town at Sandy Lane. (Kick off: 3.00pm)

The Tigers have been very impressive under their manager Simon Clark, who joined the club in the earlier stages of the season. Despite suffering a poor start to the campaign, Clark has guided Worksop Town to a safe middle placed spot of 12th. Nevertheless, with key players in their side such as Messiah McDonald and Jamie Jackson, the Tigers certainly pose a threat to any side. So far, Worksop Town have beaten the likes of Hednesford Town and Rushall Olympic, as well as representing the Evostik Northern Premier Division in the FA Trophy 2nd Round. Already, the two sides have met each other three times this season, the first seeing Avenue defeat Worksop 1-0 in the league. Furthermore, the next two were clashes in the FA Trophy, with Worksop coming out victorious at Sandy Lane in the replay 4-1.

On the other hand, Bradford (Park Avenue) will be going into the game full of confidence. Last weekend’s win against at Nantwich Town, at a windy Horsfall Stadium, was arguably one of the best performances Avenue fans have seen. Three goals in the space of 20 minutes were enough to see off the Dabbers, putting a dent in their playoff push. But, Avenue are looking to end the second part of the season in similar fashion to last year. With a busy schedule ahead, the squad will be tested in three competitions in two weeks, with the only absentee appearing to be Amjad Iqbal. However, Bradford will be able to welcome back Martin Drury from suspension, and will be hoping Ross Daly will be fit, after suffering a knock against Nantwich Town.

OPPOSITION KEY MAN: Jamie Jackson – the pacy striker is a constant threat to any defence in this league. The forward has brilliant strength and has already proven to cause Avenue problems this season in all three games.

Current League Standings:

Bradford (Park Avenue) – 6th
Played: 25
Won: 14
Drawn: 4
Lost: 7
For: 42
Against: 30
Goal Difference: +12
Points: 46

Worksop Town – 12th
Played: 27
Won: 10
Drawn: 6
Lost: 11
For: 42
Against: 51
Goal Difference: -9
Points: 36

Last 3 Fixtures:
HOME (Capitals)
Away (Normal case)

Bradford (Park Avenue):
07/01/12: D – Hednesford Town – 1-1
09/01/12: W – LOUGHBOROUGH DYNAMO – 4-0
21/01/12: W – NANTWICH TOWN – 3-1

Worksop Town:
07/01/12: L – KENDAL TOWN – 3-5
10/01/12: L – North Ferriby United – 2-4
24/01/12: L – NEWPORT COUNTY 1-3

Upcoming Fixtures:

Bradford (Park Avenue):
30/01/12: ARMTHORPE WELFARE – WRCC
04/02/12: Stafford Rangers – EVO
07/02/12: North Ferriby United – DSC

Worksop Town:
04/02/12: Stocksbridge Park Steels – EVO
12/02/12: CHORLEY – EVO
18/02/12: Nantwich Town – EVO

If your unable to get to the game, you can follow all the action from the live text commentary which will be updated on the homepage. You can also follow @LewSale on Twitter for score updates.

Bradford (Park Avenue) were represented by their Press Officer Lewis Sale, in a debate about non league football on BBC Radio Leeds on Tuesday evening.

Alongside Sale, opinions were aired from fellow West Yorkshire sides FC Halifax Town and Guiseley, in regards to the current situation, and the future of non league football. Bradford’s solid start to the season and noticeable results, were the catalyst for Avenue to be invited to the panel show. However, Sale, was pleased with the way the club was portrayed: ‘As a club, we are hoping to attract more supporters to the Horsfall Stadium, and the recent attention from the local media will hopefully boost our attendances. It was a brilliant debate, from the people involved, and the future of Bradford (Park Avenue) appears to be bright, as well as, for West Yorkshire non league football.’

Last weekend, the Avenue overcame Nantwich Town at a blustery Horsfall Stadium, 3-1. Bradford scored all their three goals in the opening 20 minutes, and despite conceding a second half goal, held firm to keep out the Dabbers from staging a late comeback. The final minutes, saw the introduction of new signing Nicky Matthews, who has signed from local neighbours Thackley. Matthews, comes with a good reputation from the same club where current midfielder Ross Daly was snapped up from in pre-season, as a striker, with a keen eye for goal. However, Avenue will now face two games in two days, visiting the resurgent Worksop Town on Saturday, and facing Armthorpe Welfare at the Horsfall Stadium on Monday evening in the West Riding County Cup.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be hosting an event, with all proceeds donated to the Don Revie Statue Tribute, on Thursday 1st March, at the Horsfall Stadium at 7.30pm.

The event will be held at the Social Club, with special guests Terry Yorath and Eddie Gray, and the Compere is Avenue’s very own John Helm.

Tickets are priced at £10, including a buffet. For further information, contact Dave Stordy on 01274 204363 or 01274 512989.

BBC Radio Leeds will be hosting a special radio programme tomorrow (Tuesday) regarding Non League football.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be represented tomorrow by Press Officer Lewis Sale, which will include the views of other local non-league sides.

The main programme begins at 6pm on BBC Radio Leeds.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be hosting an event, with all proceeds donated to the Don Revie Statue Tribute, on Thursday 1st March, at the Horsfall Stadium. (7.30pm)

The event will be held at the Social Club, with special guests Terry Yorath and Eddie Gray, and the Compere is Avenue’s very own John Helm.

Tickets are priced at £10, including a buffet. For further information, contact Dave Stordy on 01274 204363 or 01274 512989.

Bradford (Park Avenue) used a strong wind to their advantage in the first half, to overcome playoff contenders Nantwich Town, at a blustery Horsfall Stadium.

John Deacey altered the starting line up, with captain Rob O’Brien continuing at right back, but Matty James started behind Tom Greaves, with Richard Marshall and Michael Duckworth providing the width from the flanks.

Nevertheless, Bradford started the game in fine fashion, opening their account within the opening two minutes. The youngster Michael Duckworth was able to swing a left footed cross into the feet of Tom Greaves, who cooly converted from four yards.

But, from the restart, an Avenue interception, allowed Michael Duckworth to run unopposed towards goal. However, the winger shot harmlessly over the bar, when a composed finish was needed from 8 yards.

The Avenue doubled their lead two minutes later though. An inswinging corner by the impressive Nicky Boshell with his left foot, was deflected via a congested six yard box into the corner of the net.

Furthermore, the home side continued to put sustained pressure on the visitors, as Nathan Hotte and Tom Greaves saw their efforts drift wide respectively. But, the midfielder Hotte finally got on the scoresheet after 20 minutes. Some fine one touch passing play, led to Richard Marshall laying the ball off to Hotte, who cleverly sidestepped his marker, to smash home a rifled right footed effort from 20 yards.

Leading by 3-0, Avenue did not show any signs of stopping, with Nantwich Town struggling to get out of their own half. Before the whistle, Bradford were unfortunate not to convert chances from Tom Greaves and Nicky Boshell. The midfield for Avenue were proving to be exceptional, breaking up the play and distributing the ball to both Marshall and Duckworth.

After the break, the wind was not as strong, but Bradford were still the better side. Adapting their usual slick flowing football to the conditions, Avenue were creating half chances. Again, neat passing play involving Hotte and Marshall, led to Tom Greaves seeing his shot blocked by Matt Bailey.

However, the Dabbers caught Avenue on the counter attack and pulled a goal back. A fine lofted ball from Matt Lowe found debutant striker Dennis Sherrif, who drilled the ball past the diving John Lamb into the bottom corner. But, Jimmy Quinn’s men were unable to break down a stubborn Avenue defence, with Adam Clayton and James Knowles cutting out any high balls.

The only notable effort of the final ten minutes saw Nantwich’s Nial Maguire’s right footed thunderbolt of a strike from 18 yards, smack against the crossbar. Of note, the final substitution for Avenue, saw Nicky Matthews make his debut for Avenue. The striker has signed from Ross Daly’s old club Thackley during the week, and will be looking to push for a starting slot in John Deacey’s starting XI.

Bradford held on for a deserved win at the Horsfall Stadium, securing a maximum six points against Nantwich Town during the season. Despite the conditions, Avenue were arguably, the better side and look ahead to next weekend’s fixture at Worksop Town.

BPA:
Lamb, O’Brien (capt), Boshell, Daly (Deacey 87), Knowles, Clayton, Marshall, Hotte, Greaves (Bernard 82), James, Duckworth (Matthews 90+2).

Subs not used: Riley, Law.

Scorers: Greaves 2′, Own Goal 4′, Hotte 20′.

Nantwich Town:
Brain, Lowe, Solovjovs (Foster 32), McPherson, Bailey (Mitchell 81), McDonald, Cooke (Everall 64), Flynn (capt), Sherrif, Lennon, Maguire.

Subs not used: Urwin, Aspinall.

Scorer: Sherrif 63′

Attendance: 257

The clash between Bradford (Park Avenue) and Nantwich Town at the Horsfall Stadium is ON! (Kick off: 3.00pm)

Entry to the game:

Adult: £9.00
Senior Citizen: £6.00
Under 16: £2.00
Students: £6.00 on production of a current NUS card
Armed forces personnel: free on production of warrant card

Bradford (Park Avenue) have confirmed that the pitch is looking good, and therefore would like to say to all volunteers, who were planning to help fork the pitch, to come down just for kick off at 3.00pm.

All the efforts and your willingness to help is greatly appreciated.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be hoping to get their home game on against Nantwich Town, with volunteers asked to help fork the pitch, due to the weather, on Saturday morning. (Kick off: 3.00pm)

With the rain we have had, and the forthcoming forecast, Avenue will be hoping to play, after seeing their game postponed against Buxton last weekend. Nevertheless, if the game goes ahead, Bradford will be hoping to carry on their recent goal scoring record. Having beaten Loughborough Dynamo 4-0, and Tadcaster Albion 6-1 in a friendly, John Deacey will be hoping to see the ball hit the back of the net on a more regular basis in the league. Their last Evostik Northern Premier Division game saw Avenue produce an impressive performance at Hednesford Town, earning a 1-1 draw. With over half way gone of the campaign, Avenue lie in a respectable 6th position. Despite, sitting outside the playoffs, Bradford have two games in hand over fifth placed Marine and trail by only one goal.

In regards to the visitors, Nantwich Town have gone five games unbeaten in all competitions. Despite losing striker Ben Mills to League Two outfit Macclesfield Town, the Dabbers have swooped for veteran forward Lee Steele this week. Nantwich Town have been amongst one of the most improved teams this season, having gone through a tough opening period, but are now, pushing for a playoff spot. So far this season, Nantwich have taken four points from Chester FC and FC United of Manchester, a sign that they are capable of matching anyone on their day.

OPPOSITION KEY MAN: Lee Steele – the 38 year old striker, has plenty of experience at several levels within the football pyramid. The veteran has played over 300 league games for clubs such as Hednesford Town, Chester City and Shrewsbury.

Current League Standings:

Bradford (Park Avenue) – 6th
Played: 24
Won: 13
Drawn: 4
Lost: 7
For: 39
Against: 29
Goal Difference: +10
Points: 43

Nantwich Town – 8th
Played: 26
Won: 10
Drawn: 7
Lost: 9
For: 45
Against: 46
Goal Difference: -1
Points: 37

Last 3 Fixtures:
HOME (Capitals)
Away (Normal case)

Bradford (Park Avenue):
02/01/12: L – FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER – 2-5
07/01/12: D – Hednesford Town – 1-1
09/01/12: W – LOUGHBOROUGH DYNAMO – 4-0

Nantwich Town:
02/01/12: D – Chester FC – 1-1
07/01/12: D – MICKLEOVER SPORTS – 1-1
14/01/12: D – HEDNESFORD TOWN – 2-2

Upcoming Fixtures:

Bradford (Park Avenue):
28/01/12: Worksop Town – EVO
30/01/12: ARMTHORPE WELFARE – WRCC
04/02/12: Stafford Rangers – EVO

Nantwich Town:
28/01/12: CHASETOWN – EVO
04/02/12: RUSHALL OLYMPIC – EVO
11/02/12: Stocksbridge Park Steels – EVO

If your unable to get to the game, you can follow all the action from the live text commentary which will be updated on the homepage. You can also follow @LewSale on Twitter for score updates.

After the overnight rain and with  more forecast today, we will need as many people

as possible to come down to the ground (preferrably with Forks)  to give us a

chance to get tomorrows game against Nantwich on.

Despite their postponed match last Saturday against Buxton, due to a frozen pitch, Avenue are prepared for the visit of Nantwich Town this weekend at the Horsfall Stadium.

After a relatively quiet week at Avenue, the Club are hoping to get a recent stop-start schedule firing, after the bad weather. So far, due to rain and frost, Avenue have had no option, but to postpone three home games, playing fewer games than any other team in the league. Thus, league fixtures against Kendal Town, Chorley FC and Buxton have to be rearranged. Nevertheless, with scheduled forecast of temperatures rising, Bradford will be looking to play on a more regular basis from now until the end of the season. The visit of Nantwich Town, is expected to be a tough fixture, considering the recent form of the visitors, as they are unbeaten in their previous five games.

Furthermore, the Avenue’s game against the Dabbers, is the beginning of a tough run of fixtures, taking in two cup competitions along the way. Bradford host Armthorpe Welfare in the West Riding County Cup on the 30th January, and then travel to North Ferriby United in the Doodson Sport Quarter Final on the 7th February. In between these ties, Avenue face tricky contests away from the Horsfall Stadium, against Worksop Town and Stafford Rangers, in the Evostik Northern Premier Division, respectively. However, John Deacey’s men, currently sit in a healthy 6th position, holding two games in hand over playoff rivals; Marine and FC United of Manchester, and, in fact, Avenue have played four games fewer than fourth placed Chorley FC. But, with points to play for, Bradford will be aiming to finish the second half of this campaign, like they did last year.