We very much look forward to welcoming one of our Football League rivals from the 1920s to Woodhorn Lane in the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday 17th September.
We will add various information about the tie and our history against each other to this page throughout the course of this week.
PREVIEW – BY BRIAN BENNETT
Ashington will bridge an 11 year gap on Saturday (September 17) when they host Bradford Park Avenue in the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.
However following the sad news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II whose state funeral is on Monday (September 19), the club have asked supporters to keep in touch via their social media channels in case the date of the match is changed by any government or FA decision.
It was at the same stage of the competition in the 2011/12 season when Jamie Clarke headed a dramatic late equaliser to force a 3-3 draw against Vauxhall Motors at Woodhorn Lane.
The Colliers then won the rematch on Merseyside with a single goal by Andrew Johnson.
After seeing off Guiseley 1-0 at home, Ashington bowed out at the fourth qualifying round at Grimsby.
The first few weeks of this campaign have seen the Colliers progress after wins against Newton Aycliffe, Tow Law Town and Ashton United and the run has brought a buzz around Wansbeck.
After knocking out Ashton – who operate two divisions higher in the Premier Division of the Northern Premier League – in the last round, Ashington meet higher opposition again with Bradford Park Avenue in the National League North, the same league as Blyth Spartans.
However, the Colliers were spurred on to a 3-0 victory in their replay against Ashton by a superb attendance of 671 and the Woodhorn Lane outfit will be hoping to beat that figure on Saturday where kick-off is 3pm.
If the scores are level after 90 minutes, the game will then go to a replay.
The club have confirmed that admission prices will be the same as in the last round and that supporters will save £1 if they book online in advance at the following link:
https://ashingtonafc.ktckts.com/event/bpafacup/ashington-afc-vs-bradford-park-avenue-afc-fa-cup
SKINNER: “WE FANCY OUR CHANCES AGAINST ANYBODY AT HOME” – By Brian Bennett
Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner is looking for his side to make home advantage count when they take on Bradford Park Avenue in the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday (3pm).
With all football postponed last weekend following the sad news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, there was a doubt as to whether the cup tie would be played. However, earlier in the week Colliers secretary Gav Perry received notification from the Football Association that it will go ahead – with a one minutes silence being observed before kick-off.
Ashington boss Skinner said: “It’s an important game for us and one which we are very much looking forward too. Obviously we’ve done reasonably well to get this far in the competition and it’s another step forward from Ashton because Bradford are another division higher (than Ashton) – three above us. Its tough opposition but we’re at home and to be honest, we fancy our chances against anybody at Woodhorn Lane regardless of the level which they play at.”
He continued: “We’ve done due diligence on Bradford like we do with anybody we play so we know lots and lots about them – and no doubt they will have done a little bit of homework on us. So what I can guarantee is that we will be prepared; we’ll have a way in which we think we can play that will give us the best chance of getting a positive result. Certainly being at home and on our own patch, we’ll be looking to try and get the job done on Saturday.”
Skinner needs to check on the fitness of one or two of his players but Lewis Suddick, Max Emmerson and goalkeeper Kyle Hayes are all ruled out.
If the scores are level after 90 minutes then the game will go to a replay which will be held at Bradford’s Horsfall Community Stadium on Wednesday (September 21) with a 7.45pm kick-off.
CARTWRIGHT: “WE HAVE GOT A BIT OF A FREE HIT TO GO OUT AND SHOW WHAT WE CAN DO” – By Brian Bennett
Ashington FC defender Andrew Cartwright says he is ‘really excited’ about Saturday’s home tie against Bradford Park Avenue in the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.
It will be the Colliers biggest match in the competition for 11 years and apart from describing the contest as being a ‘free hit’ Cartwright reckons it is an ideal opportunity for the Wansbeck side to showcase their skills.
“I’m really excited,” said the 28 year old, “I think it’s a massive opportunity for the club, and the boys and I don’t think its one that’s unreasonable to ask us to go out there and give it a good go. I think we’ve got a good chance and why not? We’ve got a good team so bring it on. We’re at home which always helps and the last thing they (Bradford) will want is to travel up here and play against us. They are a team who are three leagues above us so all the pressure is on them whilst we have got a bit of a free hit to go out and show what we can do – and hopefully get through.”
Newcastle-born Cartwright continued: “We’ve got a lot of players who have played at the same level as where Bradford are so it doesn’t faze us at all to be honest. If anything it’s just a game that you look forward to and you relish because it’s an opportunity to prove what you can do.”
The Gosforth-based full back – a football coach – added that he would like to see a bumper attendance from the people of Wansbeck as the noise generated from supporters spurs the team on: “We’d love a good turn out,” he said, “It’s a great occasion for their local team and in the last game when we played against Ashton United in the FA Cup replay, they really got behind us. When the highlights go out and our goals go in, you can see and hear their celebrations which are class and it really makes a difference. Also knowing that people are paying money to come in and watch us play as a team, pushes us on.”
THE FIRST FOOTBALL LEAGUE MEETING
Saturday 14th April 1923
Football League – Division Three (North)
Portland Park, Ashington
| ASHINGTON AFC 2 | BRADFORD (PARK AVENUE) AFC 1 |
| Billy Relph (2) | Gerry Fell |
| Manager: Committee | Manager: Tom Maley |
| 1. Alex Davidson | 1. Ernie Scattergood |
| 2. Harry Featherstone | 2. Tom Brandon |
| 3. James Collier | 3. Harold Hodgson |
| 4. Albert Tubb | 4. Harold Taylor |
| 5. Jimmy Price | 5. David Howie |
| 6. Ridley Burton | 6. Gerry Fell |
| 7. James Soulsby | 7. Ernie Thompson |
| 8. Norman Hunter | 8. George McLean |
| 9. Tom Robertson | 9. Bobby Turnbull |
| 10. Billy Relph | 10. Hugh Hubbert |
| 11. Jackie Foster | 11. Harold Peel |
Report (The Blyth News – Monday 16th April 1923)
“COLLIERS” WORTHY WIN OVER BRADFORD – An Important Match
Ashington rose splendidly to the occasion on Saturday when they had Bradford as visitors to Portland Park in a Northern Section League game fraught with much consequence to both sides. The Yorkshire side aspire to return to the Second Division from which circumstances compelled their departure twelve months ago, which the Colliers are making every endeavour to avoid being the wooden spoonists of their combination. The position was therefore of the upmost importance to both clubs, and the result goes to show how little difference there is in the calibre of the sides representing the higher and lower rungs of the league ladder. The northern club is to be congratulated on the whole-hearted display they gave from start to finish, and the average supporter of the team can only sigh and wish that the methods adopted against Bradford had only been oftener in evidence. Swinging the leather about with refreshing vigour, the value of this method was shown to be much more productive than had been seen in many of Ashington’s previous games this season.
GOOD OPENING
The Yorkshireman fielded the same side that had been so signally successful in recent weeks but the home side had two changes. Colling coming in at the left-back again after his recent injury, while Tubb filled the right-half position. The local side opened in a reassuring way with the sun and breeze at their backs for Scattergood had to run out and clear several times in the opening minutes, while a good situation was spoilt when Robertson got offside. This advantage was only momentary however for Turnbull soon got his wings together and he was only inches wide with a fast ground shot. He came nearer when he struck the crossbar with a capital attempt from a freekick just outside the penalty area, the game settling down to a stern contest with both defences frequently under pressure. McLean shot high over the bar when in a good position, and Scattergood had to go full length to a freekick taken by Price, but he got the leather round the post for an abortive corner. He also saved splendidly by smothering a shot from Robertson’s toe, this corner also being of no advantage to the locals.
VIM BEFORE GOAL
The opening half had been well and evenly contested, but Turnbull made some excellent attempts to get through on restarting, two ground drives in as many minutes being safely dealt with by Davidson and the custodian made another great save from the visiting centre in the next few minutes. However the home quintette soon got settled down again, Robertson finding the firm footing to his liking. He beat the backs, but Scattergood came out and stopped his drive, the leather going to Relph who scored into a tenantless goal in six minutes. three minutes later the home centre again got through, but he struck the upright in attempting to place the leather out of Scattergood’s reach and Relph scored from the rebound. The visitors did not take these reverses lying down and for some time it was only fine defensive work the kept them out. Fetherstone unnecessarily handled at the end of fifteen minutes and from the freekick on the penalty line Fell headed the ball past Davidson. This success spurred Bradford to greater efforts and Davidson had several fine shots to handle, but the home attack developed fine form in the closing quarter of an hour and were the better side in this period.
HALF TIME: ASHINGTON AFC 0 BRADFORD (PARK AVENUE) AFC 0
FULL TIME: ASHINGTON AFC 2 BRADFORD (PARK AVENUE) AFC 1
IN THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE – HEAD TO HEAD
Between 1922-23 and 1927-28 Ashington AFC faced Bradford (Park Avenue) twelve times in Division 3 (North) of the Football League.
Overall the record stood at three wins for Ashington (all coming at home), two draws (both at home) and seven defeats.
Bradford (Park Avenue) had their only win in NE63 in their very last visit at the end of the 1927-28 season.
All of the Football League results are below:
| Season | Date | Match |
| 1922-23 | 14-Apr-1923 | Ashington 2-1 Bradford Park Avenue |
| 1922-23 | 21-Apr-1923 | Bradford Park Avenue 3-0 Ashington |
| 1923-24 | 12-Apr-1924 | Ashington 1-0 Bradford Park Avenue |
| 1923-24 | 19-Apr-1924 | Bradford Park Avenue 3-1 Ashington |
| 1924-25 | 17-Dec-1924 | Bradford Park Avenue 7-1 Ashington |
| 1924-25 | 18-Apr-1925 | Ashington 1-0 Bradford Park Avenue |
| 1925-26 | 14-Nov-1925 | Bradford Park Avenue 1-0 Ashington |
| 1925-26 | 27-Mar-1926 | Ashington 1-1 Bradford Park Avenue |
| 1926-27 | 09-Oct-1926 | Bradford Park Avenue 2-0 Ashington |
| 1926-27 | 26-Feb-1927 | Ashington 2-2 Bradford Park Avenue |
| 1927-28 | 22-Oct-1927 | Bradford Park Avenue 5-0 Ashington |
| 1927-28 | 03-Mar-1928 | Ashington 0-3 Bradford Park Avenue |
THE LAST FOOTBALL LEAGUE MEETING
Saturday 3rd March 1928
Football League – Division Three (North)
Portland Park, Ashington
Attendance: 4,052
| ASHINGTON AFC 0 | BRADFORD (PARK AVENUE) AFC 3 |
| Bert Davis Ken McDonald (2) | |
| Manager: Committee | Manager: Claude Ingram |
| 1. Ralph Ridley | 1. Jack Clough |
| 2. Ted Ferguson | 2. Bertie Manderson |
| 3. George Hamilton | 3. Tommy Llody |
| 4. Joe Coombs | 4. Harold Taylor |
| 5. Jimmy Price | 5. Billy Matthews |
| 6. Frank Chipperfield | 6. Don Duckett |
| 7. Robert Robinson | 7. Bert Davis |
| 8. George Johnson | 8. George McLean |
| 9. Samuel Ball | 9. Ken McDonald |
| 10. Bill Watson | 10. Arthur Hawes |
| 11. Jimmy Randall | 11. Alf Quantrill |
LAST TIME WE MET – HOW THE WORLD LOOKED
HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Tickets for the match can be bought in advance via our online ticket site which offers a discount of £1 compared to on the day entry prices. Of course, those wishing to wait until the day, can pay by cash and card at the turnstiles.
Online Sales
https://ashingtonafc.ktckts.com/event/bpafacup/ashington-afc-vs-bradford-park-avenue-afc-fa-cup
