Bradford (Park Avenue) extended their unbeaten start to the league season, coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Garforth Town in front of a bumper crowd of 810 for the West Yorkshire derby.
Fresh from last weekend’s Emirates FA Cup success against higher-level Lancaster City, the Avenue made a bright start to proceedings. Just four minutes in, Ben Andreucci’s right-footed effort flew in off the underside of the crossbar, only for the linesman’s flag to rule the goal out for offside.
The visitors began to settle, with their first opportunity arriving in the 21st minute. Attacker Mutty Al-Jahadhmy found space inside the Avenue defence, but his low right-footed effort was saved well by goalkeeper Declan Lambton.
It was an opening half-hour of few clear cut chances for either side, but Garforth Town broke the deadlock in the 30th minute. A cross from the right found Ollie Patrick unmarked at the back post, and his low first-time effort found the bottom corner. Despite Avenue protestations, the flag stayed down and the Miners had the lead.
Bradford responded well, and seven minutes later came within inches of an equaliser. The lively Andreucci timed his run down the right channel to perfection, but his low effort from a tight angle struck the post before being cleared to safety.
The Avenue still had time for another good opportunity before the break. In the 42nd minute, Brad Abbott’s precise ball over the top of the defence found Marcus Carver, but Garforth Town goalkeeper Harry Flatters was quick off his line to deny him from close range.
A trio of Bradford substitutions just before the hour mark provided added impetus to the hosts’ attack, as they looked to break down a stubborn Garforth defence. In the 58th minute, Carver once again managed to get goal-side of his marker, but was denied for a second time by another fine save from Flatters.
Carver continued to prove a handful for the visiting defence, and, in the 79th minute, earned his side a penalty. A coming together with Niall Tilsley inside the area saw the Garforth defender seemingly lash out at Carver, and after consulting the linesman, the referee pointed to the spot.
However, Flatters proved to be Carver’s nemesis once more. The Avenue striker fired his spot-kick down the middle, but a trailing leg from the Garforth goalkeeper was enough to keep it out.
As has often been the case this season, the Green Army refused to give in, and in the 87th minute their persistence paid off. The visiting defence failed to clear their lines from a Jake Thompson corner, with the ball falling to Robbie Fox, who made no mistake from close range to draw his side level.
Despite late pressure from the hosts, the Avenue could not find a winner, but their late fightback ensured they left with a share of the spoils. Once again, Bradford showed the resilience and determination that has underpinned their impressive start to the campaign, extending their unbeaten run and maintaining their status as the division’s only side yet to taste defeat.
The result leaves the Green Army third in the table, four points behind leaders Liversedge, but with three games in hand.
Craig Elliott’s side face another tough test on Tuesday evening (29 September), travelling to the Proctor Cars Stadium to take on Matlock Town, where the Avenue will be looking to follow Saturday’s hard earned point with another positive result on the road.
Match Report by Ste Grimshaw
Date: Saturday 26 September 2026
Full Time: Bradford (Park Avenue) 1-1 Garforth Town
Attendance: 810
Kick-off: 15:00pm
Referee: Julia Kings
Venue: Horsfall Community Stadium
Bradford (Park Avenue): Lambton, Brown (Duxbury 56′), Winfield (J. Thompson 75′), Moke, Misambo, Ible (C), Hassan-Smith, Abbott (Ekpolo 56′), Carver, Parkin (B. Thompson 75′), Andreucci (Fox 55′)
Goalscorer: Fox (87′)
Garforth Town: Flatters, Colville, Emery, O. Marshall (Allerton 82′), Tilsley, Barkway (C), Al-Jahadhmy (Burgess 71′), Savage (Johnson 46′), C. Marshall (Eggleston 74′), Patrick, Tweddle
Unused Substitutes: Aldrich
Goalscorer: Patrick (30′)