Tigers Slip To Defeat Report by Mike Tunningley

The Tigers slipped to a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of play-off hopefuls Bradford Park Avenue on a wet and blustery afternoon in Ilkeston. The defeat left Worksop looking over their shoulders as they lie in 15^th place following this loss and with most teams below them having games in hand, it looks to be a long hard struggle until the end of the season both on and off the field. Kris Bowler, Danny Anson and Adam Green were the additions to the team which defeated Ossett 2-0 a week ago, with Chris Adam, Steve Wankiewicz and Mick Galloway dropping to the bench. Matt Glass who was impressive when coming on against Emley in mid-week, fell ill on the morning of today's game and therefore could not be considered for inclusion. Ben Tomlinson and Tom Jones were still under suspension and Chris Glarvey was still out injured.

Bradford opened brightly with two identical moves coming in the first three minutes with full back Steven Downes finding Simon Baldry who twice crossed into the arms of Tigers keeper Jon Kennedy. A minute later Bowler connected with a powerful low drive which brought keeper Steve Dickinson to his knees as he gathered at the second attempt to deny the on-loan midfielder. Dickinson then collected easily from Andy White who fluffed his cross after receiving the ball from Danny Bacon. After this early flurry from Worksop, it was the visitors who rose in ascendancy and began to control mid-field with Rob O' Brien catching the eye on numerous occasions as he ran the show for Bradford with his box to box running and off the ball positioning. A Luke Gibson corner gave Bradford their first real scoring opportunity, but Mattie James headed into the waiting arms of Kennedy who was well positioned to collect.

However JAMES went one better on 16 minutes when he put the visitors 1-0 ahead with a well struck shot across Kennedy and into the far bottom corner. Bradford made it 2-0 eight minutes later after a good move down the right started by O'Brien, was crossed to the far post by Baldry and CHRIS HALL had the easy task of coming in and slotting the ball in from close range. Gibson then came close in the 33^rd minute with a shot which whistled just inches past the far post and James put a header wide from another Baldry cross. Gibson then tried a cute pass to O'Brien, but the hard working mid-fielder put his effort on goal wide on this occasion. Green twice cleared from Baldry as the Worksop defence looked at sixes and sevens after being put on the back foot by a strong attacking Avenue outfit who enjoyed a succession of corners in their efforts to add to their lead.

Bradford substitute Bryce Tiany replaced Hall at the break and he soon warmed the hands of Kennedy after Gibson had seen his cross flash across the Worksop goalmouth with no-one in attendance to convert. In a rare Worksop attack, Anson found Ryan Hindley in space down the right and the winger fired a shot into the side netting. After playing with the strong wind at their backs during the first half, the Tigers appeared better going forward against the wind in the second period, although Bradford were still a danger when on the attack and none more so than O'Brien who came close to adding number three on 66 minutes, but for a brilliant save by Kennedy who tipped the ball over the bar whilst falling to his knees in his efforts to deny the former Ossett Town player's cracking effort.

Worksop reduced the arrears to 2-1 after 69 minutes following a long throw by Scott “Delap” Lowe which was headed on by Townsend and into the path of BACON who made no mistake in scoring from close range. However their joy was short-lived as Bradford responded within a minute to earn a penalty after Green was alleged to have pushed Baldry in the box. DOWNES stepped forward to hammer the ball past Kennedy and into the bottom corner to make it 3-1. After 73 minutes worse was to follow for the Tigers as Anson was dismissed for two yellow cards he had received and they were now down to ten men for the remaining 17 minutes.

Lowe made a superb saving tackle on Jamie Price to deny him a scoring opportunity, while Kennedy saved well from James as the final whistle grew closer. However there was still time for a melee between the two teams after Hindley scythed down Tianny just outside the box. Hindley and Price were duly booked for their part in the events, but Bowler was unfortunate to be shown the yellow card by referee Mr Marshall as he had tried in vain to stop the pushing and shoving and threats by both sets of players.

Worksop Town: Jon Kennedy, Rob Austin, Kevin Davies (capt), Kris Bowler, Adam Green, Scott Lowe, Ryan Hindley, Danny Anson, Andy White (Chris Adam 60), Danny Bacon, Gary Townsend. Subs not used: Mick Galloway, Steve Wankiewycz, Ross Stallworthy, Michael Chapman (GK).

Bradford Park Avenue: Steve Dickinson, Steven Downes, Martin Drury, Rob O' Brien, Amjad Iqbal, James Knowles, Simon Baldry (capt), Jamie Price, Mattie James, Chris Hall (Bryce Tiany 45), Luke Gibson (Jamie Beastor 58). Subs not used: James Reardon, Simon Ainge, Chris Stabb.

Referee: Mr C Marshall Assistants: Mr K Frampton, Mr K Marchant

Half Time: 0-2 Full Time: 1-3 Scorers: Bacon 69 (Worksop), James 16, Hall 24, Downes 70 pen, (Bradford PA) Attendance: 168 Webmasters MOM: Jon Kennedy

Nantwich

Match now on Saturday 28 November

Weaver Stadium, Water Lode, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 5BS

Station: Nantwich ¼m. Right out of station into Wellington Road, left at roundabout into Water Lode and ground is on right.

There are trains back to Crewe at 1707 and 1907; should you not catch the one at 1707 then Arriva North West bus 84 / D&G Coach and Bus 44 from Nantwich (Bus Station) go to Crewe; three times per hour, takes 24 mins.