Bradford (Park Avenue) lose again in Hyde United humiliation

Having gone down from National League North last season, Avenue are collapsing at an alarming rate.

They have won just twice in the league since August, with only one of those even counting, now Marske have dropped out of the league and had their playing record expunged due to financial difficulties at the club.

And Danny Whitaker’s reign has been nothing short of a disaster since he took charge on December 20, with the Hyde humbling marking his seventh defeat in seven games at the helm.

Avenue actually started reasonably well in Greater Manchester yesterday, with Jordan Preston and Harry Colville both almost opening the scoring for the visitors as a result of a poor backpass from Hyde's Joel Amado.

But the hosts went straight up to the other end and scored after five minutes, as Jack Redshaw laid the ball off to Lewis Alessandra, whose side footed effort from the edge of the box just beat the outstretched fingers of Bradford keeper Tom Scott and found the net.

Preston then had a shot deflected wide, before seeing his side fall 2-0 down on 12 minutes, courtesy of Callum Spooner’s fine chipped finish following a one-two with Alessandra.

Had one of Jordan Preston's early chances found the net, things might have gone very differently for Avenue yesterday at Hyde. (Image: John Rhodes.)

Matthew Fearnley hit the post for Hyde and Scott parried away a shot from Redshaw, but the away side responded, as Justin Iwobi saw his effort stopped by Jordan Eastham and Brad Roscoe blocked an attempt from Preston.

Shakeel Jones-Griffiths tested Scott with a long-range strike just before the break, while Avenue’s Will Lancaster had the first chance of the second half, only to see Eastham make a comfortable save.

But Josh Doherty’s superb free kick after 48 minutes put Hyde 3-0 up, and from there, there was no way back for Whitaker’s side.

Jak Whiting was soon booked for the visitors, and with their youthful defence hanging on, Alessandra almost took advantage, only to head Redshaw’s free kick over the crossbar.

He soon made amends, putting the hosts 4-0 in front on the hour mark.

Scott punched a cross from Antoine Makoli clear, but Redshaw drilled the ball back towards goal.

That strike was cleared off the line, only for Alessandra to volley home the rebound for his second goal of the game.

Alessandra came close to netting his hat-trick with 15 minutes to go, after finding room in the box, but he could only fire his strike over the crossbar.

New Avenue defender Leon Johnson, brought in ahead of the game on a deal until the end of season, was booked soon after, and the former QPR academy product was unable to stop Hyde from adding a fifth goal on 78 minutes.

Eastham’s goal kick was poorly dealt with by the visiting defence, allowing Alessandra to take full advantage, as he slotted the ball past Scott to complete his hat-trick.

There have been several baptism of fire afternoons like this this season for young Avenue captain Lucas Odunston. (Image: John Rhodes.)

Alessandra was substituted to rapturous applause from the home fans immediately after netting his third goal of the afternoon, and a tame end to the game followed, with Hyde seeing out their massive victory with ease.

The win keeps Hyde in fourth place, and they have now opened up a three-point buffer inside the play-off places.

Avenue could only dream of such luxuries, with the only consolation for them yesterday being that relegation rivals Basford United and Stafford Rangers both lost too.

It means Whitaker’s men remain eight points off safety with a game in hand, ahead of their home league game against mid-table Lancaster City next Saturday.