Bradford Park Avenue 3-0 Steels

Stocksbridge Park Steels’ wait for a goal continues as they were well beaten by Bradford Park Avenue.

The Steels had started brightly as they looked to end a goal drought that had extended to the match last Tuesday against Cleethorpes Town. One cross from Tommy Marshall was very dangerous and only needed someone to tap in, but it evaded everyone and Park Avenue survived.

Bradford PA would grow into the game and had a few moments in front of goal themselves. Eventually, one paid off. The bounce of the ball was going right for Stocksbridge and it eventually fell kindly to Jordan Preston, who curled the ball beyond Ben Townsend to give the home side the lead.

With that goal, Bradford PA became more confident and were able to restrict Stocksbridge more and more. Eventually, they were able to get a mistake go their way. Connor Shanks lept onto a poor pass on the halfway line and quickly went one-on-one with Townsend. Shanks slid the ball into the bottom corner, winning the duel and doubling the lead.

In the second half, Stocksbridge were able to get a few set pieces quickly which gave hope that a comeback might be possible. But Bradford PA knew how to kill the Steels off with a free kick of their own. Jak McCourt swung in the set piece and Paddy Sykes beat his man to head the ball into the back of the net.

Stocksbridge continued with plenty of spirit even though the comeback became very unlikely after that goal. At times, they did come close to a consolation with Jack Tinker having a header cleared off the line but it would be a miserable day for the team as they were condemned to a hefty defeat.