BRADFORD (Park Avenue) kept up their unbeaten start to pre-season on Saturday, as they prepare for a Bantams XI to visit Horsfall tomorrow night.
They have now won all three of their away friendlies to date, as they beat Golcar United 1-0 in Huddersfield at the weekend.
But Avenue probably had their toughest test of the summer to date, as their rampant hosts completely dominated the first half.
Visiting keeper Craig Ellison made a stunning double save in the opening minute to keep out Ryan Hall, before the same player hit the woodwork from a tight angle on the stretch.
Slater Barnes cracked an effort just wide after 12 minutes for Golcar before forcing a good save from Ellison.
The Avenue stopper had to be at his best again just before the half-hour mark to keep out Alfie Wilkinson, then he prevented Danny Naidole from opening the scoring.
Wilkinson steered a shot just over the bar moments before the break, before both he and Malakai Phillip had efforts cleared off the line on the stroke of half-time.
Ellison made two more fine saves early in the second half, but Avenue started to gain a foothold as the game wore on.
Craig Ellison was outstanding in Avenue's slightly fortunate win at Golcar United. (Image: John Rhodes.)
They came close when an effort rattled back off the woodwork on the hour mark, before Joe Crosby gave them the lead with 10 minutes to go.
And there was to be no reply from Northern Counties East League Premier Division side Golcar, as Avenue pinched a fortunate victory.
But Danny Whitaker will not be too worried about his side, who were not at full strength due to injuries and holidays.
The City XI will provide a good test for his players tomorrow, though it will be made up exclusively of academy players, with the Bantams first-team squad currently out in Austria for a training camp.
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