BRADFORD (Park Avenue) superbly recovered from a nightmare start at Golcar United in the West Riding County Cup first round last night to claim an entertaining 3-2 victory.

Avenue had only won three competitive games all season going into this fixture, and they have an appalling record in this competition of late.

In part due to them using it as a chance to give youngsters first-team action, Avenue had not won a game in the County Cup for eight years.

But with a strong line-up picked by Craig Elliott last night, Bradford were odds-on to end that run, with Golcar playing their football a division below.

Yet the home side got off to a sensational start, leaving Avenue on the brink of exiting the competition inside five minutes.

Slater Barnes scored after 32 seconds for Golcar, before team-mate Callum Petch quickly added a second.

Avenue soon had an effort cleared off the line by Adam Field, then Golcar suffered a real blow when Kai Phillip, who had set up both of his side’s goals, was forced off injured.

Barnes flashed an effort just wide after 40 minutes, and that miss proved vital, as Avenue’s own quick one-two drew them level at the interval.

Great work from Oli Norman set up Paddy Sykes to halve the deficit, then new signing Jack Normanton scored on debut, turning the ball home after Harry Stead had saved well from Sykes.

Between that, Normanton headed Norman’s ball in over the bar, in a chaotic end to the first half.

Oli Norman was outstanding in turning the tide for Avenue after their dreadful start.Oli Norman was outstanding in turning the tide for Avenue after their dreadful start. (Image: John Rhodes.)

And the drama continued immediately when the game resumed, as seconds after the interval, Avenue keeper Ed Hall gave away a penalty by dragging down Keegan Hartley in the box.

He redeemed himself by saving Barnes’ spot kick, before Avenue new boy Elie Ikwa grabbed his first goal for the club on 52 minutes.

With teenager Brady Coldwell outstanding until being taken off with 10 minutes to go for former Knaresborough Town man Ewan Gregson, Avenue were able to maintain a level of control in the second half, as the game fizzled out.

That was just to Avenue’s liking, as the final whistle sealed rare progression into the second round.

There was more good news for Bradford last night too, as they confirmed the signing of midfielder Sonny Whittingham on a deal until the end season.

He has spent the last two seasons at Hyde United, making 45 competitive appearances in total.

The 20-year-old, who is from Dewsbury, came through the ranks at West Yorkshire clubs Bradford City and Huddersfield Town.