Bradford Park Avenue 4 Altrincham 1

Bradford Park Avenue 4 Altrincham 1

in UniBond Premier League

1 April 2002.

Summary and other details by John Laidlar. His full report is in the Official Site by John Laidlar

BACKGROUND

Bradford had gone five games without a win whilst Alty had not won in nine matches before today. This was Alty's first visit to the Horsfall Stadium, a friendly ground where the pitch is encircled by a running track. Apart from the changing rooms and a small stand, there are few permanent structures but the bar is well laid out with some interesting historical exhibits around the walls, particularly relating to the legendary Len Shackleton a former BPA player. The day was blustery and as the game progressed rain started to fall. Kick off was delayed by a minute's silence to mark the Queen Mother's death.

SUMMARY

After a bright start, Alty fell behind when a deflected cross from the impressive Dean Calcutt came to Dean Martin, the former Lancaster player, who smashed it home (15 mins). Hayward headed a second after 37 minutes before Alty's Dave Swanick was sent off (41 mins) for retaliating after being fouled by Dean Martin. Alty got a goal back after 56 minutes when Hulme netted from close range after a defensive mix-up but, just three minutes later, Maxwell headed home a Calcutt cross to make it 3-1. Hayward made it 4-1 after 71 minutes when he turned well and scored a fine goal.

TEAM NEWS

Mark Sertori missed his first league game of the season having cried off just before kick-off with an injury. Also missing was the on-loan Macclesfield left back Barry Shuttleworth who had impressed in previous games. Into the squad came reserve team captain Keith Mairs and youth/reserve striker Mario Daniel. Keith got his first league start of the season, whilst Mario joined youth team colleague Vernum Rowland on the bench. Marc Whiteman, on loan from Bury, was promoted to the starting line-up, whilst another loan player, Gareth Strange, started in midfield. Kevin Hulme captained the side in place of the absent Sertori, with Steve Hawes having relinquished the job he had held for two seasons. Alty started with their usual 4-4-2, Swanick and Ryan being the full-backs, whilst Hulme moved back to partner Maddox at centre-back. Mairs and Strange worked the right and left flanks respectively with Craney and Hawes in central midfield. Up front, Whiteman partnered Thornley. Yet again consigned to the bench was 15-goal striker Lee Poland. As the teams were announced a strong boo from the Altrincham fans was reserved for Bradford's Dean Martin, who was making his home debut after moving from Lancaster City.

An Athletic track surrounds the football pitch

There is an excellent museum in the social club at Bradford Park Avenue. It consists of photo's throughout the life of the club but the main feature is a four panel display dedicated to the legendry Len Shackleton, a Bradford born player who played for BPA during the war years before moving to Newcastle United. This is one of the panels

I know it dates me but I followed BPA during the war and had the pleasure of watching Len play. At that stage the club were playing at the home of the ancestor of the current club at, next door to the Yorkshire Cricket ground. There were pictures of the old ground on display which brought back happy memories.