Vanarama National League North: FC Halifax Town 4 Bradford Park Avenue 0

NEW Avenue boss Mark Bower knows the enormity of the task that he has taken on after his first game in charge ended in a comprehensive derby-day defeat at FC Halifax Town.

The Shaymen climbed back up to eighth place in the table after cruising to victory, while Avenue remain in the basement.

They are now seven points from safety, and that could increase if FC United of Manchester and Curzon Ashton get points from their respective games in hand.

Former Bantams skipper Bower’s stock in trade is defending, so he will not have been happy as his side allowed the Shaymen to plunder three goals inside the opening 20 minutes.

Alex Simmons volleyed in the opener in the ninth minute, and Tom Denton, who provided the assist for the first goal, doubled the lead before the quarter-hour.

There was a good chance for Avenue to hit straight back but the Shaymen’s keeper Steve Drench made a good save to deny former Guiseley team-mate Nicky Boshell.

As with any derby, it was one of those days when several of the players had played for both sides – not to mention the Lions – but it was not a happy return for Bower, who spent a season as Halifax captain five years ago before joining Guiseley.

Simmons stretched Halifax’s lead when he headed home debutant David Lynch’s lofted pass in the 19th minute.

Jordan Sinnott, the son of Lee, another former Bradford City centre back – and Park Avenue manager – almost made it four but Avenue keeper Dan Eccles parried his effort.

Avenue lost Nicky Wroe, who moved from Halifax in the summer, to injury late in the first half.

Then the Shaymen killed off any hopes of a comeback 11 minutes after the break when Denton’s flick-on found Sinnott, who rounded Avenue skipper Ryan Toulson before stroking the ball past Eccles.

In the build-up to the derby, Bower had said: “We’ve got targets and we will be working on bringing players in. As when any new manager comes into a club, there will be players coming and going.

“It’s inevitable and we hope to sign players that will improve the squad as we look to keep the club in the National North.”

After such a heavy defeat Bower and his new assistant Danny Boshell, who started for Avenue in central midfield, may want to step up that recruitment drive.