West Riding County Cup
Bradford (Park Avenue) 3-2 Harrogate Town
Richard Marshall (left) scored in Avenue’s County Cup triumph
Bradford (Park Avenue) won the West Riding County Cup for a second consecutive season after defeating Harrogate Town at Valley Parade.
It ended up being a double celebration for Avenue with results in the league going their way meaning they will not be relegated from the National League North.
Avenue had the better chances during the first half, first Dylan Mottley-Henry was played through, but Town keeper Tom Stewart came out and bravely made a good save at the forwards feet.
Bradford then had a great chance to take the lead from the spot, Richard Marshall took it, but he could not beat Stewart who dived well to make the save.
Avenue then nearly got in front again when Luke Shiels and Stewart miscommunicated with the ball falling to Colley but as he looked set to tap the ball in, he was somehow tackled by Shiels and the ball went out for a corner.
Avenue would take the lead just before half-time when Colley found room in the area from a cross and after taking a touch he scored.
Harrogate only had one note able chance in the first half when Rob Worrall hit an ambitious free-kick from 30 yards, which had to be pushed over the bar by Avenue’s keeper Ryan Jones, that save meant Avenue took the advantage into the second half.
Town started the second half brightly, with Mason Warren seeing an effort tipped over followed by Andy Gascoigne firing wide.
But Avenue were soon 2-0 up when Bradford City loanee Rees Webb-Foster scored with a fine free-kick, which curled into the bottom right hand corner.
Town could have got one back as the game drew to a close with good work by Paul Clayton leading to Marcus Day having a near open goal but he fired over.
With minutes to go, Town were back in it thanks to Day getting a senior goal for the side after he flicked a header past Jones.
Avenue then scored from the spot in added time with Marshall finally getting the better of Stewart with a penalty, but Town went up the other end and got a penalty of their own which Joe Colbeck scored calmly as they tried to push forward in search for an equaliser, but time ran out and Avenue were able to celebrate another cup win.
Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver:
Bradford Park Avenue: Jones, Patterson, Thornton, Dean, Qualter, Ainge, Mottley-Henry (King 70) Marshall, Colley, Webb-Foster (Chilaka 70) St Juste. Subs unused: Schofield, Chippendale, Mather.
Harrogate Town: Stewart, Fallowfield, Riley, Worrall, Shiels (Coates 59), Foster, Cadman, Gascoigne (Colbeck 63), Day, Thewlis (Clayton 63) Warren. Subs unused: Swain, Prowls.
Referee: Ken Haycock
Attendance: 560