Bradford Park Avenue 3 Harrogate Town 2

IT WAS a nail-biter but Bradford successfully defended their West Riding County Cup in a five-goal thriller against National North neighbouring rivals Harrogate Town at Valley Parade last night.

Holders Bradford meant business from the off and enjoyed the better of the early chances, but the Town defence were up for the challenge. It wasn’t until a 28th minute penalty that Avenue looked like breaching it.

Lamin Colley was on the end of a Jason St Juste’s cross but was unceremoniously dumped to the floor. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot but Town keeper Ton Stewart comfortably saved Richard Marshall’s effort.

More chances were created by Bradford, and Colley made sure one of them counted as he slotted under Stewart after Reece Webb-Foster’s powerful run and lay off. Avenue still pushed until the break and could have had a second.

They got their reward eight minutes into the second half when Bantams’ loanee Webb-Foster struck with a well-placed, low free kick.

Soon after the hour mark Harrogate boss Simon Weaver brought Joe Colbeck on from the bench and the former Bradford City and Park Avenue man was heavily involved.

Marcus Day headed in a Colbeck cross to make it 2-1 with a little over three minutes plus stoppage time to go. Avenue were back in the ascendancy when Marshall was fouled in the area but this time beat Stewart from the spot.

Bradford’s grip on their trophy was loosened again when Colbeck slammed in a penalty after a foul by Avenue skipper Simon Ainge in the third minute of the five added on, but Avenue saw out the remaining two minutes.

Elsewhere LIVERSEDGE moved a small step closer to safety in the Toolstation Northern Counties East Premier Division when a goalless draw at home against Retford United lifted them to just a point below the trapdoor.

SILSDEN’S relegation woes in the North West Counties top tier continue after a 2-1 home defeat to fellow strugglers Squires Gate, Josh Kaine had put the Cobbydalers in front.

Tonight’s action sees ECCLESHILL UNITED host newly-crowned champions Hemsworth MW in the NCEL Division One. The Eagles’ visitors are 11 points clear and their nearest rivals have just three games remaining.

There is a mid-table clash in the Premier Division with ninth-placed ALBION SPORTS at home to Staveley MW, who are two places higher. THACKLEY face a tough trip to third placed Cleethorpes Town.