Bradford Park Avenue 1 Garforth Town 0

BRADFORD Park Avenue ensured the season that saw them successfully climb from second bottom in the Conference North to mid-table respectability ended with some silverware as they lifted the West Riding County Cup at Valley Parade.

It was a good return to the Coral Windows Stadium for former Bantam Chib Chilaka as he netted Avenue’s late winner in a tense final.

Chilaka’s Avenue team-mates Joe Colbeck and skipper Simon Ainge also enjoyed their run-out at their old stamping ground.

Chilaka had Avenue’s first goal attempt but his early shot was blocked and another effort from the striker soon after was palmed for a corner by Garforth keeper Ben Hunter.

Ainge, as ever, led by example for Bradford and he headed a Colbeck delivery over the bar. Midway through the half Hunter was in action again and made a very good save to deny a long-range effort from Paul Walker.

Hunter’s opposite number John Danby had been quiet but was alert in the 24th minute when he raced out to clear a through ball before an attacker reached it.

A free-kick for the Miners led to a corner that Jamie Price only half cleared before Luke Mangham curled a shot just wide of Danby’s goal.

The pattern was set and the teams reached the break on level terms after Avenue’s Steve Boothman failed to find his range with a handful of free-kicks and a succession of shots were blocked by Garforth’s determined defence.

After the interval Colbeck sent in a weak shot before Ryan Qualter had an effort cleared but it was a more even game. Garforth’s Sam Jones hit a speculative effort after a good run and Ainge was solid in defence to halt a break by Mangham.

Extra time may have been creeping into the subconscious when Avenue launched the moment of quality that produced the match-winning strike. Chilaka picked out the bottom corner after beginning a move that involved Richard Marshall and substitute Brad Barraclough.

It was a good effort from Avenue as it was their third game in five days.

SILSDEN had also played Saturday and Monday ahead of their game in the North West Counties Premier.

The Cobbydalers hosted title-hopefuls and FA Vase finalists Glossop North End and went down 1-0.

Glossop’s Ben Richardson netted a 24th-minute penalty after a foul in the area by Josh Brown.