Second-half goal spree as Avenue hit six of the best (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Second-half goal spree as Bradford Park Avenue hit six of the best

6:50pm Sunday 25th November 2012 in Sport By Ian Whiting

Workington 1, Bradford Park Avenue 6

Bradford Park Avenue spanked Workington with six of the best as John Deacey’s men climbed up to fourth spot in Blue Square Bet North following an irresistible second-half display.

With the scores level at half-time, there was no hint that the second half would see Avenue go nap, without reply, and overwhelm their hosts.

There were six different scorers for Bradford as they proved their threat from all over the pitch.

Avenue’s Tim Deasy was the busier of the two keepers early on but the visitors were the first to strike as they took a 17th-minute lead.

Paul Walker began the move and he found Danny Holland. When the striker’s shot came back off the frame of the goal, Walker seized the ball again and fed Jordan Deacey, who netted.

Workington’s Jonny Wright struck a fine equaliser as he met a diagonal pass on the volley, and the home side ended the first half on the attack and seemingly on top.

That soon changed as Alex Davidson put Avenue back into the lead in the second minute of the second half.

Once again it was Walker and his trickery that created the opening, and Michael Duckworth fired in the third after a purposeful run and interchange of passes with Holland.

It was Holland who netted the fourth following good build-up play from Deacey and Davidson.

Four minutes from time, Richard Marshall netted a stunning strike from distance after latching onto a rebound from his own shot, and he then turned provider as he set up substitute Tom Greaves to round off a neat half dozen.

The impressive victory had manager John Deacey declaring “second half we were just too good” and club historian Tim Clapham reaching for the record books.

Clapham revealed: “The win equals Avenue’s best ever over Workington, which was a 6-1 victory when both clubs were in the Football League. That was at Park Avenue in the Third Division North in 1953.”

With many of their promotion rivals in FA Trophy action, Avenue made the most of it by claiming fourth place.

There were just two games in the division, and in the other Chester FC took top spot at the expense of Brackley Town, who were also knocked out of the Trophy, being beaten at top-three rivals Guiseley.

Avenue are now just behind third-placed neighbours Guiseley but there is a nine-point gap.