Vanarama National League North: AFC Telford United 1 Bradford Park Avenue 4

BRADFORD Park Avenue had the best possible start to the bank holiday weekend with a big win in Vanarama National League North ahead of Chorley’s visit to Horsfall Stadium tomorrow.

Mark Bower’s Avenue side hauled themselves up to 12th place in the early table after a thoroughly deserved win at the New Bucks Head.

They took the game to the home side from the first whistle, and their positive start was rewarded when they broke the deadlock in the 12th minute.

It was former Telford United captain Luca Havern that began the rout as he put the skids under his old club.

Avenue’s excellent opening forced another corner, and centre back Havern converted it at the back post from close range.

Bower’s men were still pressing, and midway through the first half a Wayne Brooksby free-kick hit a defender, and the resulting corner led to more pressure on Bucks’ keeper Jas Singh’s goal.

The home side managed to ride that part of the storm but they were hit by another ferocious attack as Avenue doubled their lead soon after the half-hour.

An error from Aaron Hayden led to a second goal, which was credited to Avenue’s Adam Boyes.

Adam Nowakowski had returned from a head injury and replaced former Wolves defender Matty Hill in Bradford’s starting line-up, and he marked his return with a goal as Avenue went 3-0 up minutes before the break.

Johnson had forced yet another corner, and a near-post delivery was turned in by Nowakowski as Singh scrambled across his goal-line.

Avenue had dominated the first half, and the Bucks manager Rob Edwards made a half-time substitution and changed his formation.

The visitors were still creating chances but the home side grabbed a lifeline when Marcus Dinanga headed a 70th-minute reply past the visitors’ keeper Steve Drench.

However, just over seven minutes later, Johnson ensured his name was on the scoresheet as he turned in a shot that, albeit via a wicked deflection, beat Singh.

The victory will put Park Avenue in good spirits as they host a Chorley side that were held at home.

The Magpies played out a goalless draw at Victory Park.

However, it was to a Brackley Town side that had won all of their opening five league games.