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On a rain-soaked pitch Avenue played some delightful football and, but for some poor finishing, should have won by a greater margin.
Chris Hall was on the bench and clearly not ready to start a full ninety minutes, so Matty James and Aiden Savory spearheaded the Avenue attack once again. And with Amjad Iqbal and James Knowles having formed a strong partnership at the back, Hume had to make do with a substitute's shirt after his introduction last week had sparked Avenue's late revival.
Avenue faced a tough examination by a Town side which had chalked up a shock 3-0 win at Eastwood Town in the FA Trophy last weekend.
Not for the first time on their travels this season Avenue started well, but again their play in front of goal left much to be desired. After just two minutes a cross from Luke Gibson found Savory unmarked in the box, but from eight yards he planted a free header wide. Two minutes later Martin Drury crossed in only for Simon Baldry to headed over. Avenue continued to show the best form but Savory was guilty of spurning another scoring opportunity after Gibson had opened up the Town defence. There was plenty of water in and around the Town box, and when James went sprawling under a challenge strong appeals for a penalty were ignored by the referee.
Little had been seen of Town as an attacking force but they should have taken the lead in the 12th minute when Michael Lennon seized on a sloppy cross field pass deep inside the Avenue half. However, with only Steve Dickinson to beat the ace marksman stroked the ball just past the post. Soon after, Dickinson made a smart save to deny Sam Madeley, but the clearance set up another Avenue attack which ended with Baldry firing wide from the box edge.
Baldry and Stephen Downes were forming a great partnership and their strong play gave the Town defence several anxious moments. Baldry was showing his best form of the season and his forceful play had the home side on the back foot.
More chances fell to Baldry and Rob O'Brien, but Avenue couldn't find the killer touch. And Town went close to grabbing the lead when the referee awarded them a dubious looking free-kick after O'Brien had clearly won the ball in a challenge. Jake Sedemore's stinging effort beat the Avenue 'wall' only to flash inches past the post. In the closing minutes Dickinson got his hands to header from Liam Dawson.
HT 0-0
Town enjoyed their best spell just after the break, and Iqbal had to clear his lines in the 47th minute when Madeley got in a shot. Minutes later Dawson snapped up a loose clearance to drill the ball wide from 18 yards.
But Avenue gradually got their act together and Town's chances after that were limited. After 56 minutes home keeper Lee Jones did well to hold a snap shot from Downes, but James picked up a needless booking when he failed to retreat the required distance at a home free-kick.
On the hour James was fouled just outside the home box, but Gibson lashed the free-kick well over. Avenue wasted another good opening on 66 minutes after winning a corner. In the ensuing goalmouth scramble Knowles fired a shot over from eight yards.
Matt Rhead came on for Town and soon after made Dickinson stretch to hold his header. Avenue boss John Deacey then made a double change sending Hume on for Savory and Brice Tiani for Gibson.
Avenue were looking the stronger side and forced several corners without testing Jones. But the breakthrough finally came in the 82nd minute. And it was that man HUME again who profitted from a ricochet ball to race in a plant a shot beyond Jones. O'Brien went close to adding a second soon after when Jones held his effort on the line.
In the closing minutes Lennon was foiled by Dickinson who pushed his close-in shot over the bar. But there was no denying Avenue deserved their victory.
FT 0-1
Nantwich Town: Jones, Reeves, Tickle, Sutton, Whittaker, Sedgemore, Ashley Carter (Mahmoud 55), Blackhurst, Madeley (Rhead 77), Lennon, Dawson (MacPherson 82). Unused subs: Aaron Carter, Tinson.
Bradford (P.A.): Dickinson, Downes, Drury, O'Brien, Iqbal, Knowles, Baldry, Price, James, Savory (Hume 71), Gibson (Tiani 71). Unused subs: Riordan, Stabb, Hall.
Referee: D. J. Roberts
Attendance: 516
Pressbox Avenue Man-of-the-match: Baldry
Avenue finally forced themselves into the top five with this hard-earned victory over West Yorkshire rivals Frickley Athletic.
But John Deacey's men had to come from behind after the visitors had taken the lead from the penalty spot.
Avenue included latest signing Mark Hume who joined late in the week from Eastwood Town. The experienced defender was named as a substitute. Meanwhile, leading scorer Aiden Savory returned after sitting out last week's game against Worksop with a one-match ban.
The visitors’ side included four former Avenue players - Danny Walsh, Dean Jones, Phil Lindley and Jonathan Groome.
Avenue were looking to improve on some indifferent home form against a Frickley side still seeking a first away win.
With steady rain falling the pitch was very greasy and a difficult ninety minutes was expected for both teams. But Avenue almost grabbed a third-minute lead when Matty James latched onto Luke Gibson's cross only to see Athletic keeper Adam Nicklin make a smart save. Athletic came back to force two corners but the Avenue defence stood firm.
Avenue were seeing plenty of the ball and James missed a chance to give his team the lead on 7 minutes when he drove a shot wide after breaking through. Minutes later Simon Baldry set up Savory who headed over from a good position. In the following attack Athletic were let off the hook once more, this time Savory heading a Baldry cross over from just eight yards. As play flowed towards the Athletic goal more chances went begging with Baldry and Savory failing to finish off moves.
But Avenue were punished for some slipshod finishing when Athletic took the lead on 21 minutes. A defensive mix-up deep inside the Avenue half handed possession to Athletic and Chris White got away only to be brought down by Steve Downes. The referee awarded a penalty and WHITE blasted the ball down the middle to beat a diving Steve Dickinson.
The Athletic lead lasted just six minutes. James and Rob O'Brien combined to send BALDRY scampering away down the middle and the Avenue skipper slotted the ball inside Nicklin's right hand post with a firm shot across the keeper. Athletic immediately took off Jones and brought on Matty Bloor with Lindley taking the captain's armband.
The game settled down after the equaliser, but Avenue looked the more likely scorers Nicklin saving shots from Savory and James Knowles. Nicklin then made a diving save to cut out a James cross with Luke Gibson waiting to pounce at the back post.
Five minutes before the break Athletic defender Steve Heath was carded for pulling back Savory. In stoppage time Gibson flashed a 25-yard drive over.
HT 1-1
Soon after the restart Savory wasted another chance putting a Baldry cross past the post. After 54 minutes Baldry poked home a Gibson free kick only to have the goal ruled out for offside. Minutes later Baldry saw his inswinging cross turned away for a home corner as Avenue looked to take the lead.
Athletic were guilty of a series of niggling fouls and the referee was being extremely tolerant. But on the hour White went into the book for a foul on Baldry as the Avenue man tried to break away down the right.
Avenue were looking good, but some of their passing left much to be desired on the greasy surface. And when one sloppy pass was snapped up by Athletic on 67 minutes only a superb save from Dickinson saved the home blushes, the keeper palming Clarke’s rasping shot over the bar. Minutes later Avenue brought on Hume and Brice Tiani for Savory and Gibson respectively. Hume, who has played in a forward position in his long career, slotted in up front to link up with James.
Two goals in four minutes finally turned the game Avenue's way.
Avenue got their noses in front in the 77th minute when James who was getting through some good work set up an opportunity. O'BRIEN snapped up the ball on the edge of the box to blast a shot into the back of the net giving Nicklin no chance. Before Athletic could recover Avenue made it 3-1 when PRICE netted from close range after Hume had held up the ball and pushed into Price's patch.
Athletic might have reduced the arrears after 83 minutes but Groome fired well over from a good position.
In the closing stages Avenue's Amjad Iqbal and Athletic's Neil Towler were booked following an incident in the middle.
The victory was Avenue's seventh in nine games.
FT 3-1
Bradford (P.A.): Dickinson, Downes, Drury, O'Brien, Iqbal, Knowles, Baldry, J. Price, James, Savory (Hume 72), Gibson (Tiani 72). Unused subs: Hall, Riordan, Stabb.
Frickley Athletic: Nicklin, Normington, M. Price, Walsh (Corner 85), Heath, Jones (Bloor 28), Clarke, Lindley, Groome, Towler, White. Unused subs: Hood, Grace, Smith.
Referee: C. Buxton (Accrington)
Attendance: 319
Pressbox Avenue Man-of-the-match: Baldry
Avenue's charge up the table hit the buffers against high-flying Retford United who snatched the points with the only goal of the game just before the break.
But the talking point in the bar after game will undoubtedly have been the referee's decision not to hand United's Chris Kingston a red card after the veteran keeper brought down Aiden Savory in the eighth minute when the striker had broken clean through.
If Avenue fail to make the play-offs, then they need look no further than their poor home record for the reason why.
Striker Chris Hall was on the bench again having not fully recovered from a recent injury and he was joined by new signing Brice Tiani who had previously been with Guiseley. The visiting team included former Avenue winger Chris Bettney.
Avenue started well and Rob O'Brien fired a shot over from a loose clearance. But after eight minutes Savory broke through with just Kingston to beat only to be felled a yard inside the box by the big keeper. Surprisingly the referee chose to hand Kingston a yellow card. Savory took the penalty but sent the ball against the foot of the post and United survived.
Savory went looking to make amends for his error and a few minutes later saw his goalbound shot deflected away for a corner by United skipper Michael Simpkins. United, meanwhile, were looking dangerous on the counter-attack and Neil Harvey drove the ball wide.
Avenue's Jamie Price was booked midway through the half for a foul, and from the free kick Keeper Steve Dickinson got his hands to the ball. Minutes later Harvey blasted a shot high over the bar.
Luke Gibson was putting in a good performance with some tricky play down the left, and United's Stuart Ludlam was booked on the half hour for pulling the wingers shirt as he attempted to break clear. Minutes later United's Marquis Smith joined the list of bookings for a foul on Matty James. Gibson's free-kick was blocked by the United 'wall'. James, who was having a quiet game, then got away only to see his shot deflected for another corner off Simpkins.
Avenue went close to taking the lead after 37 minutes when O'Brien forced Kingston into a brilliant one-handed save, the ball being pushed round the post. But United grabbed the lead on the stroke of half time following a foul by Simon Baldry. The long free-kick found Nicky ELLIS eight yards out and the big defender headed into the top corner just out of Dickinson's reach.
HT 0-1
Despite some early promise when Gibson and Steve Downes went close, Avenue went off the boil and United gained the upper hand for a time. And Colin Marrison's angled effort following a run down the left went just inches past the far post as Avenue endured some pressure.
Avenue came back with Baldry winning a corner, then Amjad Iqbal headed over. Ludlam then got in a great challenge in the box when O'Brien was about to shoot with a clear sight on goal.
Avenue had left their shooting boots at home and Savory was looking out of sorts. On 72 minutes Martin Drury and United's Paul Ellender were yellow carded after an incident in the middle. Two minutes later Simpkins went into the referee's book for a cynical foul on Savory.
A double change saw Tiani and Rory Prendergast come on for Baldry and Gibson. Gibson's withdrawal was a surprise as he had been Avenue's best player. A further home change saw Gavin Huxall replace Drury as Avenue introduced another striker.
Despite some late pressure Avenue could not find a way through United's tough tackling defence. In stoppage time Huxall got in a shot which failed to trouble Kingston.
FT 0-1
Bradford (P.A.): Dickinson, Downes, Drury (Huxall 84), O'Brien, Iqbal, Knowles, Baldry (Tiani 78), Price, James, Savory, Gibson (Prendergast 78). Unused subs: Ainge, Hall.
Retford United: Kingston, Ludlam, White, M.Smith, Ellis, Simpkins, Bettney (Barwick 80), Ellender, Marrison, Harvey (Thomas 84), Thompson. Unused subs: Lindley, F.Smith.
Referee: P. Booker (Sheffield)
Attendance: 343
Pressbox Avenue Man-of-the-match: Gibson
Avenue moved up to seventh in the Premier Division after completing an expected victory over basement side Durham City, who conceded seven goals for the second time in a week.
John Deacey's men controlled the game from start to finish and would surely have run up a cricket score but for some brave defending by the youthful visitors who had lost all of their previous fifteen matches in the league.
Leading scorer Aiden Savory, who netted twice in the midweek win at Whitby, grabbed another two, while Chris Hall also bagged a brace.
It was Avenue's biggest league win since they put seven past Bridlington Town in April 2008 on their way to promotion from UniBond League One North.
City keeper Rhys Jobling was in early action saving a shot from Simon Baldry, but the Avenue skipper missed a good chance soon after when he fired wide from inside the box. However, the Avenue supporters didn't have long to wait for the first goal which arrived on five minutes when Stephen Downes crossed into the goalmouth and City's Rufus AYER deflected the ball into his own net.
For the next thirty minutes Avenue were frustrated by some dogged defending by the visitors. Luke Gibson, who was a prominent figure in many of the home attacks, supplied a continuous flow of crosses but his hard work went to waste. Matty James should have done better after breaking through but with only Jobling to beat he volleyed wide. Minutes later Savory planted a free header over as Avenue put the City goal under seige.
Gibson was proving a real handful and his inswinging corner after 21 minutes almost deceived Jobling who had to tipped the ball over.
City had rarely threatened, but on 33 minutes they won their first corner. Home stopper Steve Dickinson got up well to catch the ball and started another home raid with a long delivery.
Two goals in as many minutes quickly put the result beyond doubt. BALDRY made it 2-0 after 35 minutes when he met a Gibson cross to net from close range. Jobling got a hand to the ball but couldn't keep it out.
A little over a minute later SAVORY got on the end of Baldry's low centre to stab the ball home inside the near post.
As Avenue swarmed forward James saw his glancing header bounce a foot past the back post with Jobling stranded. But City shocked Avenue in the final minute when Kieron GOHERY was put through, and the striker shrugged of a challenge from Downes before lashing a shot into the bottom corner.
HT 3-1
Gibson should have added to the lead straight after the re-start but from close-in lofted the ball over. Soon after, James drilled a low cross into the box only for Savory to knock the ball wide from 5 yards.
City somehow survived a goalmouth melee in the 50th minute when James, Savory and O'Brien all failed to put the ball over the line.
Avenue extended their lead in the 54th minute when SAVORY fired in his 12th goal of the season after meeting a Downes cross by the near post. Two minutes later Savory was replaced by Andy Campbell.
Baldry headed a Gibson cross inches over and Campbell netted only to have the goal ruled out for offside as Avenue kept up the pressure.
After 62 minutes Hall came on for Downes. The visitors then made a couple of changes and new signing Gavin Huxall made his debut replacing James.
A foul by Gohery on Martin Drury earned the City player a booking.
Hall was looking sharp, and on 80 minutes he saw a fierce shot hit the City woodwork. But Avenue were not to be denied much longer and, following a long run by Amjad Iqbal, the ball was fed through to Rob O'BRIEN who beat Jobling with a rising drive from 8 yards.
In a brief spell of City pressure Evan Graham put a header against the bar from a free-kick.
Avenue stormed back and HALL headed in an O'Brien cross in the 85th minute. Gibson then fired wide, but a minute into stoppage time
HALL struck Avenue's seventh and his second goal with a thumping shot after racing into the box.
FT 7-1
Durham City: Jobling, Mounter, Hollingsworth, Watson, Stoker, Pyers (Potts 75), Ayer, Graham, Gohery, Cutts (Winter 65), Shaw (A. James 67). Unused subs: Stephenson, Taylor.
Referee: D. Lawrence (Barnsley)
Attendance: 275
Pressbox Avenue Man-of-the-match: Gibson
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