Bradford Park Avenue seal home play-offs advantage

 Source: Bradford Telegraph and Argus

 Mickleover Sports 1, Bradford Park Avenue 3

Bradford Park Avenue booked home advantage for the Evo-Stik League Premier Division play-offs on Thursday with victory at Mickleover Sports on the final day of the regular campaign.

It was far from comfortable but Avenue’s eighth win on the trot in the league lifted them above FC United in the table, meaning they now face the Manchester outfit in the play-off semi-final.

Mickleover started well and hit the bar in the fourth minute but Avenue responded well and thought they had scored minutes later.

A header from a corner seemed to have crossed the line before being headed out but the officials were unmoved by Avenue’s protests.

The visitors did get in front just after the half-hour mark. Matty Plummer played in Brice Tiani and when his shot was parried, Plummer was well placed to slot in the loose ball.

The down side of the first half were the injuries John Deacey’s men incurred. Having made changes to the side, they had be patient and they did not extend their lead until the 78th minute.

Substitute David Heagney was brought down in the area and Aiden Savory fired the resulting spot-kick into the corner of the net.

Karl Ashton lashed a shot in off the post to reduce the arrears but Tiani picked the ball up in the last minute and sent Savory away to net his second with a well drilled shot.

Premier Division champions FC HALIFAX TOWN ended the Evo-Stik League season with a 0-0 draw at Ossett Town.

GUISELEY were held to a goalless Blue Square Bet North draw at Blyth Spartans in their penultimate fixture but they had already cemented their play-off berth.

The Lions dominated the first period and created numerous chances. Top scorer James Walshaw had the ball in the net but was flagged offside and skipper Simon Ainge saw a header cleared off the line.

The second half saw Blyth in control without really troubling keeper Steven Drench.

SILSDEN also drew a blank but gained a point from a 0-0 draw at home to Squires Gate in the Vodkat League.

They have two Premier Division games still to play, at home to Ashton Athletic on Wednesday before ending the season with a trip to New Mills on Saturday.

Thackley enjoyed a superb result in their penultimate Kool Sport Northern Counties East League fixture as they returned from a Premier Division trip to Bridlington Town with a 4-2 victory.

The Dennyboys were in control in the first half but turned around 2-1 down as Matt Mathers’ opener was overturned by strikes from Tom Lee and James Bennett.

Thackley had to weather a good opening 20 minutes by the home side after the interval but recovered to equalise through a Matt Hall volley, before a Rob Eeles own goal and Mathers’ second completed their tally.