Olympic standard thwarts Avenue (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford Park Avenue have to settle for point from frustrating trip

10:26pm Monday 26th December 2011 in Match Reports By Ian Whiting

Rushall Olympic 0, Bradford Park Avenue 0

A stalemate at Rushall saw Bradford Park Avenue slip down a place to sixth in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division.

Rushall dropped two places to tenth following a result that did neither club any good.

Avenue will count themselves as the most unfortunate as they hit the woodwork twice, once in each half. But that will be cold comfort to manager John Deacey and his men as they have suffered frustration many times this season.

Richard Marshall had their first attempt, following an acrobatic through ball from Curtis Bernard, but the shot was saved.

Nicky Boshell also came close on more than one occasion. He sent in a wind-assisted free-kick from distance that dropped on top of the home keeper’s bar before bouncing to safety.

Boshell was again involved when he laid the ball to Martin Drury on the half-hour mark. When Drury was fouled inches outside the area, Marshall fired the resulting free-kick in hard and low only to see it fly agonisingly wide.

Avenue expected to struggle against the elements after the break but they were still the dominant side even then.

Drury and Boshell combined to create a chance for Bernard but his shot hit a post and dropped kindly for the home keeper to gather.

They did not have the afternoon all their own way but Bradford keeper John Lamb was equal to any free-kicks and long-range efforts the home side mustered.

Striker Aiden Savory was the first substitute used by Avenue boss Deacey and he was soon in the action but headed his first chance wide.

Avenue appeared to have a let-off late on when Nathan Hotte, filling in at centre back once more, seemed to handle a cross as he cleared. But the referee saw nothing wrong and the visitors went on to finish strongly without troubling the scorers.

The silver lining is that, despite their draw, Avenue remain just ten points off the top and have played fewer games than all of the clubs above them.

Leaders Chester were also held to a draw, at second-placed Northwich Victoria, so they dropped two points apiece as well.

Marine climbed above Avenue on goal difference with a 4-0 win at lowly Burscough but Deacey’s men will be confident of overhauling them with a game in hand.