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Home > 2007-08 Season > Match Reports > Bradford Park Avenue (10.11.07)

MATCH REPORT

Bradford Park Avenue 3 Bamber Bridge 2

Northern Premier League 1st Division North

at Horsfall Stadium

Saturday 10th November 2007

By Dave Rowland

Bamber Bridge can count themselves unfortunate not to have enjoyed a share of the spoils following their latest ‘Trans-Pennine’ incursion on Saturday. They went down to their third league defeat of the season after missing out by the odd goal in five against Bradford Park Avenue in an entertaining thriller at the Horsfall Stadium. The South Ribble side hoisted themselves back from a 0-2 half-time deficit, with two wonder strikes from Adam Tong, but were undone by a goal just five minutes from the end.

The Lancastrians were glad to get back to league action; having played only one First Division North game out of their last ten fixtures. They were also keen to make amends for slipping-up against Harrogate Railway Athletic recently, in their last league encounter, when going down 0-2 at Irongate to the North Yorkshire side. Brig arrived at the Horsfall Stadium expecting a stern test with the game classed as a ‘six pointer’. Bradford Park Avenue, who were fancied to do well this term, lay 5th in the table on 22 points from 12 games played, whilst their guests followed two places behind on 20 points from 10 games. The West Yorkshire side were looking to extend their winning run in the league to three games, having recently beaten Chorley away by 2-0 last weekend and Woodley Sports at home by the same score on Monday.

Phil Entwistle made two changes to the side which had enjoyed a thrilling extra-time FA Trophy win at Premier Division highfliers Marine during the week. New signing from Skelmersdale United, striker Dave Eaton, made his debut, replacing top scorer Ryan Salmon, who missed the game due to a neck injury. Steve Williams was restored to the colours replacing Adam Tong in the middle of the back-line. Tong was moved into midfield at the expense of young Matty Mahoney who took a place on the bench. Danny Mahoney was also out through suspension.

The game opened in a lively fashion and the visitors found themselves a goal down after only nine minutes. Brig conceded a needless throw-in deep on the left and Avenue full-back Darren Huckenhull found Chris Gaghan in space. The wingman’s cross dropped to MIKE MOSELEY at the back post and the home striker completely miss-hit his shot deceiving Brig goalkeeper Terry McCormick who could only look on helplessly as the ball bobbled slowly over the goal-line.

The visitors responded with some innovative play and skipper Alex Porter nearly put Dave Eaton in on goal after 15 minutes but the new man was quickly closed down and the chance was gone.

Bradford should really have increased their lead after 20 minutes when Moseley was put through by former Burscough man Paul Gedman but he spurned the opportunity shooting timidly wide with McCormick exposed.
Bamber Bridge were well in the game and pressed forward every time they got a chance. With Tom Ince and Alex Porter probing for openings down the left and Stephen Brown and Adam Tong doing likewise down the right flank, the Yorkshiremen were fully extended.

However, disaster struck for Brig two minutes before the interval when they conceded another sloppy goal. Ince rolled the ball back to McCormick but the goalkeepers intended clearance struck the inrushing GEDMAN and rolled back past him and agonisingly over the line.

On the stroke of half-time Steve Williams headed a Brown corner narrowly over with Avenue goalkeeper Jon Worspon well beaten.

Brig came out with a vengeance after the break and got back on terms with two goals within as many minutes and what goals they were! On 50 minutes the visitors were awarded a free-kick some 25 yards from goal in a central position. ADAM TONG hit a ‘daisy-cutter’ beyond Worspon into the bottom corner of the net. Before the home side had time to collect themselves, the game was all square. TONG got on the end of a loose ball 35 to 40 yards from goal and spotting Worspon off his line, unleashed a magnificently struck half-volley, which dipped under the crossbar, much to the appreciation of both sets of supporters. It was one of the best goals that the author has witnessed in many years of reporting on the non-league game.

The game really opened up as both sides went in search of the winner. Tong came close to his hat-trick on the hour mark when firing wide from a Glenn Steel through-ball, whilst at the other end, Adam Morning went very near with a rasping drive following good work by Moseley.

McCormick was on hand to parry away an effort from the dangerous Gedman who turned and shot as the home side began to press.

Brig were not prepared just to lie down though and Worspon kept them at bay with two diving saves, firstly from Porter and then from the follow-up by Neil Spencer.

However, the pressure began to mount as Bradford stepped up a gear. Matt Daly fired just wide of goal following a Gaghan corner-kick before Tong came to his defenders aid when heading a quickly taken Gaghan free-kick off the line.

Bamber Bridge were defending manfully, but fortune did not favour the brave on this occasion and Bradford squeezed home the winner five minutes from the end. Following a flurry of activity in and around the visitors penalty area, MOSELEY touched the ball home from close in much to the delight of the home support.
McCormick made a superb save in the dying minutes , pushing a rising shot from distance by Avenue substitute Liam Flynn onto the crossbar.

Bamber Bridge: McCormick, Fleming, Ince (McMenemy 74mins), Williams, Melling, Steel, Brown, Tong, Spencer, Eaton, Porter. Unused Subs: M Mahoney, Carroll

Goals: Tong (50, 52mins)

Attendance: 466