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Bradford & West Yorkshire Sport
Saturday 24th July 2004

Porthmadog 2-4 Bradford PA

Kevin Sanasy made it six goals in three games as Avenue somehow threw away a two goal half-time lead before coming back into the game with storming late display.

Sanasy's first came 25 minutes in, he broke free of the last defender to poke home, then Tom Kearney powerfully headed the second from a wicked cross by débutante Kris Weckstrom to make it 2-0 at half-time.

After the break Porthmadog struck through Carl Owen and Gareth Caughter but when Sanasy reclaimed the lead for Avenue after drilling home a pass from Pearce it only looked like there would be one winner. Neil Grayston completed the scoring by clipping a stunning thirty-yard strike past the 'keeper with twenty minutes to go.

Bradford PA: Darren Kelly; Craig Bentham, Ryan Crossley, Adam Oldham, Dean Jones; Andrew Quinn (Steve Oleksewycz '61), Kristoffer Weckström, Tom Kearney, Neil Grayston (c); Kevin Sanasy, Allan Pearce (Ben Jones '61)

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Bradford & West Yorkshire Sport
Monday 26th July 2004

Youngster gets contract

Northern Irish teenager Stephen Kidd has been handed a two-year contract with Bradford (Park Avenue) following a successful trial at the club.

The Seventeen-year-old, who is expected to feature sporadically this season can play in either central midfielder or as a forward. Boss Jamie Waggett said: "I personally have known about Stephen for quite some time now so I didn't hesitate to ask him to come over for a few weeks. I'm glad he's decided to stay and I hope he'll be with us for a long time."

Another player who could be joining is twenty-two-year-old former Bohemians striker Alan Thomas. The Irishman has joined the club on a months trial in the hope of winning a contract and could feature in tomorrow nights game at home to Luton.

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Bradford & West Yorkshire Sport
Tuesday 27th July 2004

Bradford PA 3-2 Luton Town

Avenue made it three wins in a row today with a great display of attacking football, it could however, has been very different had their league one opponents taken advantage of an early lead.

Luton opened the scoring with virtually their first attack. Young right back Craig Bentham was adjudged to have fouled Steve Howard in the penalty area after just twenty-one seconds, the Luton striker then picked himself up and comfortably dispatched the spot-kick. Avenue then found their feet and hit back just before the half hour.

Kevin Sanasy turning the ball home after a header from strike partner Alan Thomas had caused havoc in the Luton penalty area. Just a few minutes later they were in front. Sanasy was again involved but this time he was the provider. First he drew 'keeper Marlon Beresford before squaring the ball into the path of the onrushing Ryan Crossley who comfortably dispatched the ball into an unguarded net. However, the lead didn't last as on the stroke of half-time Russell Perrett rose highest to power home a Paul Underwood cross.

The second half was very much something of a disjointed affair as Luton made full use of their substitutions, while Avenue chose not to. It was perhaps something to do with this cohesion that meant that Avenue regained the lead mid-way through the half. Winger Kris Weckström caused problems on the left and after leaving his marker on his backside teased a perfectly flighted cross to the back post, it couldn't have been weighted any better and was met sweetly by right sided midfielder Andrew Quinn whose first time volley nestled into the top corner leaving the 'keeper stranded.

Bradford PA: Darren Kelly; Craig Bentham, Ryan Crossley, Adam Oldham, Dean Jones; Andrew Quinn, Kristoffer Weckström, Tom Kearney, Neil Grayston (c); Kevin Sanasy, Alan Thomas

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Bradford & West Yorkshire Sport
Wednesday 28th July 2004

Assistant announced

Bradford (Park Avenue) have today revealed the signing of thirty-five-year-old former Motherwell, Dundee United, Dunfermline and Partick Thistle player Jamie Dolan on a dual contract.

The Scottish defensive midfielder, who can also play as a centre back, if needed, has agreed terms on a three year contract and is said to be delighted at the chance to work alongside Jamie Waggett. He said: "I've known Jamie for a while now, we met whilst we were doing our coaching badges and have kept in touch since. There was a chance for me to go elsewhere about a month or so and I immediately contacted to ask him to be my assistant, should I have got the role, so as soon as Jamie told me about Bradford Park Avenue I was virtually on the plane as soon as the phone-call had finished"

He added: "Being thirty-five I know that I'm coming towards the end of my playing career but I think I can do a job if needed in either midfield or defence, should I be called upon that is. I would like to say that this is likely to be my last season as a player though."

shannon2007

Well done on getting a keeper, perhaps now you have a chance of promotion rather than relegation

retired_brittni10

Here's hoping

retired_brittni10

Bradford & West Yorkshire Sport
Friday 30th July 2004

Waggett signs defender

Bradford (Park Avenue) has completed the signing of John Paul Duncliffe on a free transfer, though the right back isn't expected to feature in tonights game against Notts County.

Duncliffe, who was formerly with Peterborough, was released at the end of last season and has since been a free agent. The twenty-three-year-old Dubliner should provide competition at right back alongside Craig Bentham, has signed a one year contract.

retired_brittni10

Bradford & West Yorkshire Sport
Friday 30th July 2004

Bradford PA 2-2 Notts County

The 'Avenue' finished their pre-season matches with a home draw but had to twice come from behind in a performance which manager Jamie Waggett described as ample.

Notts County opened the scoring after just two minutes, former Derby County striker Marvin Robinson racing clear of the defence to clip the ball beyond 'keeper Darren Kelly. He was to prove to be a constant thorn in the Avenue's side but one who was fortunately kept out for the rest of the game.

However, Avenue didn't have to wait long before getting an equaliser. Kris Weckström drove past his marker before cutting the ball back intelligently to Neil Grayston, the captain sensing a goal, strode forward to stroke the ball first time past the 'keeper. From then on the game became a scrappy affair but County regained a goal advantage just before half time. Shane McFaul darting onto a David Pipe cross to smash home from inside the box.

Avenue then worked hard to get back into the game, causing County a few problems but had to wait until late on to draw level. Tom Kearney scorching a volley past the 'keeper from another Weckström cross.

Bradford PA: Darren Kelly; Craig Bentham, Ryan Crossley, Adam Oldham, Dean Jones; Andrew Quinn, Kristoffer Weckström, Tom Kearney, Neil Grayston (c); Kevin Sanasy, Alan Thomas

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BBC Sport
Sunday 1st August 2004

Conference North Guide (Part Five)

Bradford (Park Avenue)

Nickname: 'Avenue'
Ground: Horsfall Stadium
Capacity: 5,000
Manager: Jamie Waggett

In:
Darren Kelly, Stephen Kidd, Jamie Dolan, John Paul Duncliffe (all frees), Craig Bentham, Kevin Sanasy, Tom Kearney (all from Bradford City - Loan) & Kris Weckström (Derby County - Loan)

Out:
None

BBC Sport verdict:
Part-time status will always be a handicap but new manager Jamie Waggett seems to have assembled a reasonable group of players for the new campaign. Pre season results have been encouraging and he expects the squad to go into the new season firing on all cylinders.

However, the club has a small squad and should injury or suspension rob them of one or more of their better players they could find themselves, as predicted, in a relegation battle.

Key man:
Kevin Sanasy

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Bradford & West Yorkshire Sport
Wednesday 11th August 2004

Irish duo arrive

Bradford (Park Avenue) today finalised the signing of Irish duo Mark O' Donnell and Neil Bennett on two-year-contracts.

O' Donnell is a twenty-one-year-old striker who for the past two seasons has appeared infrequently for Finn Harps. He was snapped up despite interest from Altrincham and is said to be a pacey striker who will add depth to an Avenue attack that already boasts four other strikers. The move has also led to the club abandoning its move to sign Alan Thomas, a striker who appeared in two friendlies for the club.

Neil Bennett is a twenty-three-year-old goalkeeper who will at first provide back-up to former Ipswich protégé Darren Kelly. He said: "I'm coming in to provide a bit of competition for Darren but he and I both know that the manager is not afraid to make changes, so if I work hard I know I'll eventually get my chance to shine."