Bradford Park Avenue 1 AFC Fylde 4

BRADFORD’S quest for their first National League North win goes on after AFC Fylde eased to a comfortable victory at Horsfall Stadium to stay top of the pile.

The home side started well under clear blue skies but it was the Coaters who were walking on sunshine. Two goals in each half saw Fylde in control and left Bradford boss Alex Meechan sounding like a broken record.

He said, “It was another difficult and disappointing game but I’m saying that far too often.

“Fylde are a good side but we gifted them goals. I think there were two from set-pieces so our players are not doing their jobs properly. We won’t face the quality of Fylde every week but if we talk about that then we’re making excuses.

“There will always be tough games in this league but our goals against column is simply not good enough. I will keep going and doing my utmost until I’m told otherwise.

“If I’m told that it’s not my time anymore and the club feels that someone might do a better job then fair enough. But I will do my utmost and if I’m given the time I will get it right.”

Avenue are 18th, out of the drop zone on goal difference only, but in the first 15 minutes of yesterday’s game it was impossible to tell which side was top of the league.

The Coasters then began to have far more possession and Avenue were forced to defend deep inside there own territory. Fylde were good at working the ball and getting behind the Bradford back line and that was how they broke the deadlock after the half hour.

Bohan Dixon got into the area from the left hand side and laid the ball though the six yard box for strike partner Danny Rowe to slam past Avenue’s debutant keeper Joe Cracknell.

The young stopper had been signed on loan from neighbours Bradford City earlier in the day and his first appearance for the city’s other club did not get much better.

He was beaten for a second time 11 minutes later when Rowe curled a 25-yard free-kick over the wall and out of his reach.

Avenue gave themselves some hope when Chris Sharp bundled the ball home at the far post following good work by Ben McKenna just before the break. The second half belonged to Fylde though, and Steve Williams netted following a corner and Rowe claimed his hat-trick with a cool finish after rounding two defenders.

* FARSLEY Celtic lost their 100 per cent record this term when they were held to a goalless draw at Tadcaster Albion but it didn’t cost them the leadership of the Evo-Stik first Division North.

It was far from a bore draw with chances created at both ends but neither club could break the deadlock.

Farsley’s neighbouring rivals Brighouse Town are now hot on their heels after a 2-1 win at Colwyn Bay lifted Paul Quinn’s men into second place.

Adam Field headed Town into a first half lead and Jamie Frost doubled the advantage six minutes into the second half before the home side got a goal back from the penalty spot, Luke Denson slotting in.