Alfreton Town 4 Bradford (Park Avenue) 0

BRADFORD (Park Avenue) suffered a fourth defeat in their fifth game of the new season to leave them playing catch up in the Vanarama National League North after picking up one point from a possible 15.

New interim management duo of Marcus Law and Lee Fowler drafted in experienced goalkeeper Rhys Taylor and he started as did former Rotherham United centre-back Ryan Cresswell, but even with the older heads on the pitch Avenue slumped to another heavy loss.

They began well at the Impact Arena but gifted the home side a 12th minute goal. A weak back pass from Ben Hedley saw Amari Morgan-Smith seize possession and he waltzed round Taylor before slotting into the gaping goal.

Avenue had the ball in the net in the 36th minute when Akeem Hinds shot under Reds keeper Jack Atkinson but an offside flag curtailed celebrations.

Just minutes later the home side doubled their lead as Morgan-Smith sent Taylor the wrong way from the spot after being fouled by Jon Moran.

Billy Heath’s side should have increased their lead in first half stoppage time but skipper Josh Wilde lifted the ball over the target at the far post when it looked easier to score.

Avenue had another debutant in the second half as new signing Rob Orlando-Young replaced Hinds during the break. Young began his career at Exeter City’s academy where he impressed enough to earn a move aged 17 to Norwich City, who he helped

their Under-18s to win the FA Youth Cup. Throughout his career, Young has made a number of National League appearances, most notably with Welling United.

Orlando-Young had a superb opportunity to make an instant impact but he sliced an early second half chance off target when unmarked.

Once again Avenue were soon punished for their miss as once again they gifted the home side a goal.

Moran was the culprit on this occasion and Danny Clarke was the recipient as he picked up the attempted back pass and steered the ball past Taylor and into the corner.

It simply wasn’t Avenue’s day and it was topped off by an own goal. With just a quarter of an hour remaining a testing cross from Wilde was diverted past Taylor despite the frustrated keeper getting a hand on it.

The visitors were even denied a late consolation goal as former Avenue keeper Atkinson made a superb reaction save to tip a Lewis Knight effort onto the bar.

One of the cornerstones of Avenue’s defence last season, Shane Killock, was in the Reds’ starting line-up. He was playing in place of former Avenue man Danny East and Killock’s central defensive partner was Ryan Qualter, another former Avenue player.