Savory double caps superb away day after winter lay-off (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Savory double caps superb away day after winter lay-off

5:52pm Sunday 24th January 2010 in

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Matlock Town 1, Bradford Park Avenue 3

The enforced mid-winter break did not take the momentum out of Bradford Park Avenue’s recent run as they returned to action after six weeks of severe weather with a superb away win.

But despite banking all three UniBond League points from their trip to Matlock Town, Avenue still slipped down the Premier Division table.

They dropped from second to third as leaders Retford United won and Boston United leapfrogged John Deacey’s men on goal difference after a 10-0 victory.

Avenue took to the field with the same desire, commitment and fitness as they did last time out when they beat Boston away.

Matlock matched them in the early stages but the visitors edged in front midway through the first half.

A well-constructed goal put Avenue in the lead. It began deep with Stephen Downes from the right-back position, he fed skipper Simon Baldry and his flick to Brice Tiani invited midfielder Rob O’Brien to drill a shot into the bottom corner.

Five minutes before the break, Avenue moved further in front and captain Baldry was again involved. Martin Drury’s cross was headed back by Baldry and Aiden Savory finished the move off.

Matlock got a foothold at a crucial time as they halved Avenue’s lead right on the stroke of half-time.

Home striker Ross Hannah did the damage when he raced down the flank, cut inside, beat the last defender and crossed for Lee Featherstone to head past visiting keeper Steve Dickinson.

Tiani had started up front with Savory even though top scorer Chris Hall had returned to full fitness after weeks of no football. Hall came on for a late cameo appearance and had a hand in the final Avenue goal.

A through-ball was picked up by Hall 12 minutes from time and he skilfully threaded a pass to Savory, who spotted the home keeper off his line and neatly bagged his brace with a lob from distance.

Matlock ended with ten men after one of their substitutes had squared up to Jamie Price following a foul by the Avenue midfielder.

Price received a yellow card for the challenge but the referee brandished a straight red at the home player for retaliation.

Avenue chairman John Dean said: “I hope the game won’t be remembered for that isolated incident as it had been played in the best possible spirit until then. As a contest and spectacle, it deteriorated after that.

“It is remarkable that we have won yet again but dropped a place. I suppose no-one could have predicted the remarkable win Boston had.

“They played Durham City, who are bottom, and beat them 10-0, which increased their goal difference enough to take them above us.”