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Tuesday 6th April - Frickley Athletic 0-1 Bradford Park Avenue

Phil Sharpe gave a start to recent signing Aaron Downes whilst Paul Marquis returned after missing Saturday's game through work commitments. Duncan Richards and Mark Smith were relegated to the subs. bench as Dan Sheriffe returned after suspension.

The Blues started confidently with Phil Lindley having a good early chance but he fired over from 16 yards after Nick Richardson had unselfishly laid the ball into his path. Richardson then had a low 20 yarder which Andrew Britton saved aught at the second attempt. Lee Morris then got between two defenders to latch onto a long kick up field from Marc Shackleton but his angled shot was straight at Britton. Bradford's first decent effort cam from Craig Smith who saw his 30 yarder caught under the bar by Shackleton. Phil Lindley then fed Sheriffe down the left. He cut back onto his right foot and sent over a deep cross which Steve Robinson headed back across goal to Morris whose header from 5 yards was well blocked by Britton. The loose ball fell to Richardson who swivelled and shot from 6 yards but a covering defender cleared off the line. Sheriffe sent Morris clear of the last defender down the left and his cross picked out Robinson but somehow Britton blocked his goalbound header with an outstretched arm. Bradford were rarely threatening but when they did Steve Oleksewycz shot well wide from 18 yards. As half time approached Bradford's Nicky Heinemann tried an audacious swerving shot from almost 35 yards that spun wide of Shackleton's left hand post. Then Shackleton had to be alert to rush out to block at the feet of Jason Maxwell.

Bradford started the second half with more purpose than the first and went close within 3 minutes of the restart when Maxwell's looping header went just wide. A minute later Craig Smith put a 25 yard free-kick just wide of the post, although Shackleton looked to have it covered. On 55 minutes Hatto's free-kick from half way was met by the head of Marquis but the ball bounced agonisingly wide of the post with Britton stranded. The Blues then had shouts for a penalty turned down as Morris looked to be pushed down as he tried to reach a cross from Wayne Benn, although it was arguable whether he would reach the ball. Mid-way through the second half some patient build-up play saw Hatto pick out Richardson whose powerful header from 12 yards was yet again inches wide of the post with Britton beaten. Avenue 'keeper Britton then received several minutes of treatment following a clash with Morris after rushing to block at his feet. Richardson had arguably the best chance of the game when substitute Mark Smith set him up perfectly but his 12 yard shot grazed the top of the bar. Then, with three minutes of normal time left, Morris lost the ball inside the Bradford half and the visitors broke away to snatch the winner as Oleksewycz beat Shackleton with a low 16 yard shot following Craig Smith's cross. 

Frickley Athletic : Shackleton, Pugh, Hatto, Benn, Downes, Marquis, Robinson, Richardson, Morris, Sheriffe (Smith 58), Lindley. Unused subs. Richards, Nellthorpe.

Attendance : 287

Referee : Mr W D Lomas

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