Bradford (Park Avenue) returned to winning ways, with a resolute 1-0 victory over Matlock Town at the Proctor Cars Stadium, stretching our unbeaten start to the league season to nine matches.
It was a frustrating first half for both sides, with neither able to find their rhythm and create many goalscoring opportunities.
The Green Army felt particularly aggrieved when, after taking a quick free kick to send Hassan-Smith through over the top, a Matlock defender caught the ball in his hands while seemingly being the last line of defence. After consulting with the fourth official, the referee penalised the handball but took no further action, much to the disbelief of the majority of the 425 spectators in attendance.
Bradford had to wait until the 26th minute for their first real chance of the game. Brad Abbott battled well on the right to win possession before sending a cross to the back post. The ball was headed back across goal to Marcus Carver, who was denied from close range by the Gladiators goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst.
The hosts’ approach was to try and get the ball into the experienced Conor Washington at every opportunity, and in the 36th minute they came close to finding the striker in a dangerous position. Washington was played in behind the Avenue defence, but goalkeeper Declan Lambton was quick off his line, racing out to smother the effort at the striker’s feet.
Lambton remained on high alert after the interval and, just past the hour mark, pulled off a superb acrobatic save, throwing himself full stretch to claw a goal-bound Matlock effort over the crossbar.
The hosts continued to push for the opener and, five minutes later, were left wondering how they had not taken the lead. A dangerous ball flashed across the face of goal, but Zak Goodson could only steer his effort wide from close range.
From the restart, the Avenue immediately went on the attack, looking to punish their opponents. Less than a minute after Goodson’s miss, Carver saw his effort towards goal strike substitute Louie Chorlton, who reacted instantly, taking the ball in his stride before unleashing a powerful left-footed finish high into the net, beyond the reach of Dewhurst.
Bradford’s task of defending their lead was made even more challenging in the 80th minute when Charlie Winfield was shown a straight red card. The Avenue defender entered what appeared to be a 50/50 challenge, but, was adjudged to have caught his opponent on the follow-through. The referee deemed the challenge to be high and dangerous, showing no hesitation in dismissing Winfield.
Winfield’s dismissal naturally sparked a Matlock Town attacking onslaught, with the Gladiators making full use of substitute Sam Giles’ dangerous long throws. However, Lambton and the Avenue defence stood firm, dealing with everything thrown their way. At the other end, goalscorer Chorlton remained a constant threat on the break, helping to carry his side up the pitch, while fellow substitute Bailey Thompson provided a valuable outlet with his ability to hold the ball up and relieve the pressure.
In the final minute of time added on, Matlock Town thought they had found a dramatic equaliser as chaos descended inside the Avenue penalty area. A goal-bound effort appeared destined for the net, only for Avenue captain Jameel Ible to produce a stunning goal-line clearance, hooking the ball away to preserve the lead and secure all three points.
It was a tough, hard-fought encounter at a notoriously difficult place to visit, with clear-cut opportunities at a minimum throughout. In a match where one moment was always likely to make the difference, it was substitute Chorlton who provided it, taking his chance brilliantly to put the Avenue ahead and ultimately secure a precious three points. From there, Bradford showed all the qualities required to see out the result, displaying a dogged and resolute defensive performance despite being reduced to ten men for the final stages.
The victory extends the Green Army’s unbeaten start to the league season to nine matches and leaves them just one point off the top of the table, with three games in hand over the sides above.
The Avenue now turn their attention back to the Emirates FA Cup, with a West Yorkshire derby away to Guiseley AFC in the Third Round Qualifying on Saturday (3 October). Guiseley, who play in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, will provide another stern test, with a number of familiar faces in their ranks having previously represented Avenue, adding an extra edge to the meeting at Nethermoor Park.
Match Report by Ste Grimshaw
Date: Tuesday 29 September 2026
Full Time: Matlock Town 0-1 Bradford (Park Avenue)
Attendance: 425
Kick-off: 19:45pm
Referee: Matthew Rose
Venue: Proctor Cars Stadium
Matlock Town: Dewhurst, Eratt-Thompson (C), Asante-Boakye, Andoh (Gough 75′), Etherington, Walker, Goodson, Washington, Sault (Westwood (88′), Abbey, Bradbury (Giles 81′)
Unused substitute: Parkin
Bradford (Park Avenue): Lambton, Hassan-Smith (Chorlton 63′), Winfield, Duxbury, Misambo, Ible (C), Abbott, Moke (Parkin 39′), Carver (Brown 83′), Ekpolo, Fox (B. Thompson 73′)
Unused substitute: Andreucci
Goalscorer: Chorlton (71′)