Bradford Park Avenue 0 FC Halifax Town 1

BRADFORD Park Avenue’s record-setting goal-scorer Kevin Hector was guest of honour at his old club’s friendly against neighbours FC Halifax Town last night but he saw them draw a blank for the first time this pre-season.

Hector would have been looking forward to seeing Bradford after they had scored 12 without reply in their three away games. However, their first home game in the new kit, emblazoned with Hector’s name and 44 – the number of league goals he scored for the club in the 1965/66 season – to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his achievement ended in defeat.

While the result didn’t go the way he may have liked, Hector would have been pleased with the quality of the strike that won it for the Shaymen. Danny Hattersley netted a cracking shot on the half volley late on after substitute Josh McDonald’s ball over the Avenue defence.

There was plenty of action in the goalless first half, with the home side showing good movement early on.

Paul Marshall, one of six former Shaymen currently in the Avenue ranks, picked Craig King out in the fourth minute. King’s close-range effort spooned over but an offside flag spared his blushes.

Town’s Sam Walker wasted a free-kick by putting too much power and height on his delivery while a later ball driven in to the area by Sean Tuton was gathered by Avenue keeper Jon Stewart at the second attempt.

A header from Avenue’s Adam Clayton and a shot by Jamie Walshaw, another former Halifax man, were blocked but visitors’ keeper Matt Glennon was called into action soon after, holding a King cross and denying Michael Potts.

Potts combined well with Marshall late in the half but failed to score against his old club as he placed a shot just over Glennon’s bar.

The second half was tame in comparison and broken up by the obligatory mass changes for both sides as both Bradford’s Martin Drury and Town’s Neil Apsin got important game time for their squads.

FARSLEY CELTIC also drew a blank last night but so did their hosts Tadcaster Albion.

In the first half the home side’s former Bradford Park Avenue man Jimmy Beadle tested Celts keeper Jake Lofthouse and he also tipped a later long-range effort over his crossbar.

Farsley’s best chance fell to Danny Barlow but the home keeper saved well. Neil Parsley’s men finished strongly but failed to make the crucial breakthrough.

As well as Guiseley’s home friendly against Bradford City tonight, Liversedge travel to face Knaresborough Town while Brighouse Town make the shorter journey into Leeds to take on Yorkshire Amateur on another busy night of pre-season action.