Today's most viewed
Avenue sunk by individual errors
Brigg Town 3, Bradford Park Avenue 2
Avenue's interest in UniBond Cup competitions came to an end with a disappointing defeat at Brigg Town in an all-Division One President's Cup tie with a north versus south division twist.
The Bradford side were favourites to progress as they are challenging for the title in the north section, while Brigg are having an average season in the south.
However, failure to hold on to the ball at key times and a penalty gifted the home side three goals and hastened Avenue's exit.
"I am a very disappointed man as I don't like getting beaten," said Avenue boss Benny Phillips after his side lost for the first time in 14 games.
"I know it's a while since we tasted defeat but we shouldn't have had to taste it at Brigg because they weren't a good side. Individual errors have cost us; bad decision-making, if you like.
"Yet the commitment from the lads was terrific, with everyone giving 100 per cent. The lads who needed game time and have come in have done very well. Ross Clegg had a good game and scored an absolute screamer.
"It's a little unfortunate that we have developed a habit of leaking goals in the last four games. It didn't help that Lincoln Adams only lasted ten minutes but that is all part of the game."
Avenue had the best possible start, taking the lead after just 40 seconds. Andy Lee appeared to be offside when he controlled the ball but there were no complaints from the home players as he slotted in.
Adams soon limped off with a knee injury and will miss at least next Saturday's trip to Newcastle Blue Star.
Brigg levelled just before the half-hour mark by pure determination. Avenue midfielder Tom Baker blocked a shot, the ball spun to Brigg's former Horsfall striker Jason Maxwell and, although his shot was parried by keeper Jon Worsnop, the rebound was pounced on by Rick Day to score.
There was controversy in the 41st minute when Brigg took the lead from the spot. The referee gave the penalty for a handball by Alistair Brown, even though both sets of players saw it as a ball-to-hand incident, and Paul Grimes slotted home.
Avenue were right back in the game just after the hour when a corner was only half cleared and Clegg rocketed the ball into the net from 20 yards.
Extra time was looming when Brigg won it in the 88th minute. Avenue had a corner but the hosts broke away, a long ball over the Bradford defence found Day and he lashed in a superb shot.
Day's joy was short-lived as he was sent off for a second yellow card during stoppage time.
Avenue's reserves take on Wakefield in the Lancashire League tomorrow night, with the fourth-placed Bradford side looking to close the gap on their third-placed visitors. The match at Horsfall kicks off at 7.45pm.
Start or join a debate on this issue in our on-line forum - Click here
5:55pm Sunday 6th January 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: David Wright, Bd4 6ln on 11:14pm Sun 6 Jan 08
It came as no surprise to me that avenue were beaten, as the writing has been on the wall over the last month or so with poor defensive perfomances that have resulted in them conceding 12 goals in the last 6 games.Also contributing to the poor form of late is the inability of the midfield to keep hold of the ball for any lenth of time without giving the ball away.These problems need sorting out soon if avenue are to have any chance of automatic promotion, and avoiding the lottery of the playoff,s.I also think avenue are short of height in midfield and at times get out battled.
It came as no surprise to me that avenue were beaten, as the writing has been on the wall over the last month or so with poor defensive perfomances that have resulted in them conceding 12 goals in the last 6 games.Also contributing to the poor form of late is the inability of the midfield to keep hold of the ball for any lenth of time without giving the ball away.These problems need sorting out soon if avenue are to have any chance of automatic promotion, and avoiding the lottery of the playoff,s.I also think avenue are short of height in midfield and at times get out battled.
Posted by: soccerates on 6:09pm Wed 9 Jan 08
Meaningless cup, really doesn't mean a thing. 2nd in League with game inhand. We have been careless recently but this is the price for playing attacking football against hoof it forward teams
Meaningless cup, really doesn't mean a thing. 2nd in League with game inhand. We have been careless recently but this is the price for playing attacking football against hoof it forward teams
Posted by: David Wright, Bd4 6ln on 9:35pm Thu 10 Jan 08
True it was a meaningless game but if they could just tighten things up at the back avenue will win this league because they look good going forward and will always score goals.
True it was a meaningless game but if they could just tighten things up at the back avenue will win this league because they look good going forward and will always score goals.
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
