Pre-Match Programme: Ashington vs Bradford (Park Avenue)

September 10, 2024 Off By admin

Bradford (Park Avenue) travel to Woodhorn Lane tonight for an NPL East Division clash against Ashington AFC.

Both teams are eager to secure three vital points as they navigate challenging starts to the season.

Ashington, currently 17th in the league with four points from four games, come into this fixture off the back of a 2-1 victory over Garforth Town. While that win ended a tough run of form, the Colliers have struggled in recent weeks, with losses to Dunston (2-0) and Crook Town (2-1) in league and cup competitions. The team is currently being led by an interim management team of Gary Ormston, Andrew Cartwright, and Paul Robinson following the sudden departure of their joint managers Andy Coyles and Richie Hill on the 4th of September. The side will be hoping to build on their recent win and begin to climb up the table.

Bradford (Park Avenue), meanwhile, enter the fray following a morale-boosting 3-1 FA Trophy victory over Witton Albion, and another 3-1 victory over Grimsby Borough in the league. With the arrival of Craig Elliot bringing fresh energy to the squad, Avenue will be aiming to build on those performances and re-vitalise their hopes of promotion. This match marks Bradford’s first league fixture under Elliott, and a win could propel them up the table and help solidify the team’s new direction.

Player to Watch

Cyril Giraud: A tricky and dynamic attacker who has quickly become a key figure for Ashington AFC after joining the club permanently for the 2024/25 campaign. The young Frenchman made a handful of appearances for the Colliers last season while on dual registration with West Allotment Celtic before earning himself a full-time move to Woodhorn Lane.

Giraud began his football journey at French Third Division side Chateauroux, before being released and making the switch to England, featuring for Newcastle Benfield, Thornaby, and Consett. This season, Giraud has already found the back of the net three times in nine appearances, showcasing his ability to contribute regularly in front of goal.

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Head to Head: Ashington AFC vs Bradford (Park Avenue)

The history between Bradford (Park Avenue) and Ashington AFC stretches back over a century, with their first meeting taking place in 1923 in the Third Division North. The teams faced off numerous times in the 1920s, with Bradford generally holding the upper hand. Bradford’s early dominance saw them secure notable wins, including a commanding 7-1 victory in December 1924 and a 5-0 win in October 1927.

However, the most recent encounter between the two sides saw Ashington pull off a famous 2-1 victory in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round in September 2022. Despite playing three divisions below Bradford at the time, Ashington’s high tempo and fearless play led to an unforgettable cup upset. The Colliers took an early lead courtesy of an own goal and continued to apply pressure throughout, securing the win with a header from captain Ben Harmison. Bradford did halve the deficit late on, but it wasn’t enough to deny Ashington a memorable win.

With both teams now competing in the same division once again, the 100 year rivalry has been reignited. Ashington will be eager to replicate their cup success and assert themselves once again, while Bradford will be looking to set the record straight and claim a vital win in their league campaign.

Past Results:

Date	Home	Score	Away	Competition
Sat 17 Sep 2022	Ashington AFC	2-1	Bradford (Park Avenue)	FA Cup 2Q
Sat 3 Mar 1928	Ashington AFC	0-3	Bradford (Park Avenue)	Third Division North
Sat 22 Oct 1927	Bradford (Park Avenue)	5-0	Ashington AFC	Third Division North
Sat 26 Feb 1927	Ashington AFC	2-2	Bradford (Park Avenue)	Third Division North
Sat 9 Oct 1926	Bradford (Park Avenue)	2-0	Ashington AFC	Third Division North

Predicted Result: Avenue Win

With both sides hoping to establish some consistency, this promises to be a closely fought contest. Both sides are aiming to ride the momentum of their recent victories under new leadership. A hard-fought battle is expected, but Bradford has had longer to settle following their change in leadership and their recent goal scoring form could see them edge out a crucial win.