FA Trophy Third Round
Bradford (Park Avenue) 3-3p FC Halifax Town
FC Halifax Town dramatically won on penalties after an epic draw with local rivals Bradford (Park Avenue) at Horsfall Stadium.
Pete Wild’s Halifax were heading out after conceding in the 92nd minute but one last throw of dice saw Tom Bradbury equalise in the dying seconds to send the tie to spot kicks.
The ending was so cruel on underdogs Avenue who led three times against their high-flying National League visitors.
Mark Bower’s Avenue took a third minute lead through former Hemsworth Miners Welfare attacker Brad Dockerty.
Halifax responded and Jack Vale was handed an easy chance to cancel out Avenue’s opener.
Avenue stunned Halifax again on the stroke of half-time as a low shot from Issac Marriott nestled in the net.
Halifax hit back again in the second half, Luke Summerfield finding the net from 20 yards.
Avenue appeared to have won it when Marriott hit the top corner in stoppage time but one last chance enabled Bradbury to head home a ‘Fax free kick.
The Shaymen won 5-3 in the shootout, booking a tie against former manager Billy Heath’s Alfreton Town.
The Teams
Bradford (Park Avenue): Sykes-Kenworthy, Ross, Clee, Marriott, Havern (captain), Windass, Mottley-Henry, Richman (Odunston 23), Dockerty (Nowakowski 81), Johnson, Maguire. Subs unused: Toulson, Saltmer, Lund, Rawso.
FC Halifax Town: Johnson, Warren, Senior, Maher, Bradbury, Summerfield, Woods, Gilmour (Green 83), Vale (Warburton 60), Slew (Waters 55), Newby. Subs unused; Scott, Benn, Debrah, Spence.