Bradford Park Avenue 1 Nantwich Town 0

 Two new signings helped Bradford Park Avenue to three points and raised the standard that has been the norm at Horsfall Stadium so far this season.

Centre back Liam Chapman was immense at the heart of defence alongside the steady Dominic Riordan.

At the sharper end of the action, Steve Burton, captured from neighbours Guiseley the day before the game, linked up play and made superb bursts from midfield.

The match-winning strike came early and followed the visitors’ first attempt on Avenue’s goal.

The home side had dominated early proceedings but Nantwich forced a 17th-minute corner that was only half cleared.

When the ball was whipped back in, Town striker Michael Lennon looked yards offside but the flag stayed down.

Lennon looked as surprised as Avenue keeper Ben Scott but it was the latter who reacted better with a fine save.

The ball was launched forward and helped on to the right flank, where Simon Baldry chased towards the corner flag. He just managed to wrap his foot around the ball and deliver it before he ran out of pitch and Danny Facey glanced a near-post header into the far side of the net.

Avenue went on to dominate the remainder of the first half and continued to create chances for Facey and Tom Greaves.

Baldry was also close with a looping header from a Martin Drury corner.

The second half was more even, with Scott having to make a string of saves, and Avenue had more possession and the territorial advantage.

Lennon is usually clinical but in this game his finishing was wayward.

Avenue manager Simon Collins said: “The three points are what matter. In four or five months’ time when you look back at the results it will say 1-0 win for Avenue.

“It was very frustrating not building on that one-goal lead and it made it nail-biting at the end but I think we deserved the win.

“We got in good positions and created some very good chances in the game.

“But when there is only one goal in it there will always be tension and hearts will be in mouths.

“Ben has kept us in the game at times and the clean sheet is just as important as Danny and Tom playing well up front and our defence being so solid.

“Liam had a great game – you would never know he had only joined us in midweek.”