Extra-time Greaves winner puts Bradford Park Avenue in dreamland (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Extra-time Greaves winner puts Bradford Park Avenue in dreamland
10:15pm Sunday 6th May 2012 in Sport By Ian Whiting
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The champage flows for ecstatic Avenue players
Bradford Park Avenue 1 FC United of Manchester 0
(after extra-time, 0-0 after 90 mins)
)The goal-poaching instinct of Tom Greaves saw Avenue finally reach their promised land as they gained promotion to the Blue Square Bet North Division.
Greaves’ clinical finish from three yard in the penultimate minute of stoppage time condemned FC United to another season in the Evo-Stik Premier Division and removed the threat of the penalty shoot-out lottery that was imminent.
There was already enough nervous tension around a packed Horsfall Stadium and Greaves’ goal was a more fitting end to an enthralling afternoon.
The first ten minutes of the game were a blur of action, with both teams looking for an early initiative, but from then on Bradford were firmly in the driving seat.
Former Avenue keeper Jon Worsnop returned to Horsfall in United’s colours and it was he who had to make the first save. Alex Davidson cut inside and made himself room for a shot but Worsnop gathered.
Davidson provided the next opening, only to see Nicky Boshell fire over from inside the area, but he was soon limping out of the game with a foot injury.
Club captain Rob O’Brien replaced Davidson and within two minutes he provided a cross for Richard Marshall but his header went into Worsnop’s arms.
The first of two controversial incidents happened midway through the first half. FC United winger Carlos Roca appeared to catch Avenue left back Martin Drury with an elbow. There was a long stoppage but no action from the referee.
Boshell fired over again, this time with a volley from the edge of the area after a corner, but the visitors ended the first half with a half chance of their own. Centre back Adam Jones’ header to a corner was easily plucked out of the air by Lamb.
Bradford bossed possession in the second half without really creating clear-cut chances, with FC United sitting deep and relying on the breakaway.
There were two almighty scrambles in the FC United area but both ended up with Avenue players having hands on heads as chances went begging.
If the visitors were fortunate when Roca was not – at least – yellow-carded for his challenge on Drury, they were exceptionally lucky to end the game with a full compliment after Jake Cotterill landed blows on an Avenue player as the pair hit the ground following a 50/50 challenge. There was an immediate melee but again no action from the referee.
The visitors stepped up a gear in extra-time while Avenue’s players looked tired after their endeavours throughout the game.
However, the home side had fresh legs up front. O’Brien, who only made the bench after recovering from a troublesome knee injury, was forced off in the 72nd minute and replaced by Matty James. Greaves came on four minutes before the end of the first extra period.
FC United threatened to steal the game but Avenue’s defence were stoic and then came the knife through Manchester hearts. With a little over 90 seconds remaining, Avenue launched another concerted attack which eventually led to Adam Clayton drilling the ball into the box and there was Greaves to add the crucial touch.
Delighted boss John Deacey said: “I thought we deserved it because we played well. We are all absolutely delighted. We just want to go and enjoy the celebrations now because these kinds of victories, days like this, don’t come around that often.”
Comments(34)
DCarbz
says...
6:03am Mon 7 May 12
Nothing replaces a live game but the radio comes second best.
parader no1
says...
7:00am Mon 7 May 12
Half Time
says...
8:15am Mon 7 May 12
Avenue4ever
says...
9:06am Mon 7 May 12
Thanks too to the internet to enable me to keep in touch from Christchurch, N Zealand
Oakenshaw white
says...
9:43am Mon 7 May 12
MIRCZUK
says...
9:51am Mon 7 May 12
smithy26
says...
10:09am Mon 7 May 12
shipleyctid
says...
11:06am Mon 7 May 12
david cowling
says...
11:24am Mon 7 May 12
Oily66
says...
11:29am Mon 7 May 12
journeyman50
says...
2:59pm Mon 7 May 12
Pablo
says...
5:55pm Mon 7 May 12
MIRCZUK wrote:Although a City fan, I remember going to see that match. I think Fuham won 3-1 and I'm sure Allan Clarke played for Fulham that day.
I'm over the moon,not since the days when my dad took me to see Avenue v Fulham in FA cup,over 40years ago have I been so excited .All the best in the Conference next season! This and my current league club Man.C winning the Premiership in my 60th year! Unbelievable year!
arhmen aleg
says...
12:25am Tue 8 May 12
Allan clarke was playing for Fulham as was the late great Sir Bobby Robson at number 6 in what would be his last playing season.He was sacked as Fulham manager after two relegations in his first managerial job!
Yes the AVENUE will ultimately be back onto the bigger stage.
Fantastic club and all us older supporters around the country and indeed world have every reason to be filled with joy.
journeyman50
says...
12:58am Tue 8 May 12
journeyman50
says...
12:58am Tue 8 May 12
Avenue4ever
says...
4:34am Tue 8 May 12
belle vue
says...
11:01am Tue 8 May 12
Brilliant to check the old iphone and see the news of Tom's winner on the BPA website. Good luck to all at the club for a successful time next season. League two isn't that far away. Just keep enjoying your football and playing with heart.
My first game was at Avenue in '67. Soon after that were the difficult days and the sad night against City as a goodbye to mark the closure of the club.
I never thought I'd see the great Park Avenue name again.
All good stuff!
manure
says...
2:14pm Tue 8 May 12
Avenue4ever wrote:John Hardie,was the keeper.
Good to have comments remembering some of the good days from the past. My own favourite memory is the game v City at Valley Parade, in Feb' 68. We were bottom of the league at the time and City top. Going 2-0 up and hanging on to win 2-1. Remember a couple of great saves from John Harvey in goal. Priceless- lets hope those days come again soon.
But yes nice to read some positive stuff,and memories being revived.
COME ON AVENUE.
kevin54
says...
3:42pm Tue 8 May 12
Worried of Guildford
says...
6:12pm Tue 8 May 12
The T&A treated the Avenue v FC United play-off final as just another fixture. There was no build up at all. Even the contentious change of date was only mentioned in the small print.
trueBradfordian
says...
7:15pm Tue 8 May 12
bradblue
says...
9:05pm Tue 8 May 12
brigden
says...
9:32pm Tue 8 May 12
chance to see all the big names of football at that time at BPA
who were then in Div2--hopefully they can now keep progressing--their current quality of football needs publicising by the T&A PLEASE!
manure
says...
10:06pm Tue 8 May 12
Thank you ,T&A.
arhmen aleg
says...
12:24am Wed 9 May 12
A bit better Avenue coverage they may get those numbers up.dont hold your breath.
The cat stuck in a tree news appears the editors preferred taste.
Take note Perry Austin Clarke
brigden
says...
7:13am Wed 9 May 12
Real interest stories for true Bradfordians probably might help and a real interest in BPA now--where they have come from and what they have achieved on a shoestring might help!!
claret or green ?
says...
1:20pm Wed 9 May 12
Part 1, the history of Avenue & success stories pre liquidation (eg starting in the Southern League, promotions & cup wins over Man City & Arsenal, famous exports Schackleton, Greenwood, Hector, Dolan etc, biggest City Derbies, source some photos to accompany).
Part 2, the resurrection... the early nomadic existence, steady climbs up & down the leagues, previous managers ( the late great Trevor Storton, Carl Shutt etc ) & players (Benn, Hayward, Quinn, Maxwell etc)
Part 3, this season (the results, league, FA & WRCC) & again players/management profiles
I think two professional football clubs (again) in Bradford would provide big free publicity for the city & put us alongside Bristol & Nottingham
The T & A have an opportunity to help increase the profile of the club & help bring this about, if the powers that be their are enlightened enough to see this
over to you T & A !
brigden
says...
3:28pm Wed 9 May 12
its history I know but both clubs had successive years promotions into the old second division--must have been great days. Isaw Mathews, Finney,Swift and many more plus the first great Man Utd team of Busbys which was taken to a third cup tie by Avenue----as well of course the
very strong Burnley and Spurs teams given a run for their money at VP
Come on T&A get behind BPA now and give them some space--brush up on your history--there are some great old stories if you research --as you should
arhmen aleg
says...
5:03pm Thu 10 May 12
Their library will also give him plenty of material and our very own Tim Clapham.
brigden
says...
7:17pm Thu 10 May 12
my old school contemporary Malcolm Hartley (Grange Boys) )and Tim Clapham and takes you from the beginning to 1970 when league status ended. I always felt that the city of Bradford let BPA as a football league team die without the help that city and Northern(BULLS!)enjo
yed over the years----now after watching 5 years of the worst rubbish I have ever seen at VP it is time to get behind what is happening at BPA and give it as much support as possible.
arhmen aleg
says...
11:12pm Thu 10 May 12
brigden wrote:Throw that man a biscuit.
Yes its all in the Book written by my old school contemporary Malcolm Hartley (Grange Boys) )and Tim Clapham and takes you from the beginning to 1970 when league status ended. I always felt that the city of Bradford let BPA as a football league team die without the help that city and Northern(BULLS!)enjo yed over the years----now after watching 5 years of the worst rubbish I have ever seen at VP it is time to get behind what is happening at BPA and give it as much support as possible.
Many a same story of those of us who turned their allegiance to claret and amber after our sad demise in 1974.
But could never quite get over our first love.
And are now absolutely thrilled to see the progress.
But we have lost two generations of fans.
Now is the time for all those old AVENUEITES to return and bring along their great grandkids.
Even my 13 year old daughter got excited as Tom made us all ecstatic.And thats saying something as shes previously shown no interest.But the occasion stil got to everyone.
1000 plus Bradfordians in Green and White,dancing deleriously in the brilliant bank holiday sunshine.
And an average age of about 102.
god bless Jimmy Scoulars green and white cotton socks
manure
says...
8:00am Fri 11 May 12
brigden
says...
9:53am Fri 11 May 12
Who can get the message over
surely it must be the T&A--but who is in charge of Publicity and getting Sponsors at BPA---he has now got to really work at it---he wont get a better chance---must keep the news of this promotion going through the smmer.
trueBradfordian says...
12:13am Mon 7 May 12