League leaders Bradford (Park Avenue) extended their record-breaking unbeaten start to the season to 17 matches, with an emphatic 4-0 victory against an in-form Blyth Spartans at the Horsfall Community Stadium.
Much of the pre-match discussion centred around Craig Elliott, who has been appointed by Darlington FC as their new manager.
However, the Avenue, under the guidance of Assistant Manager Ryan Toulson and Academy Director Craig Large, wasted little time in making their mark, taking the lead inside six minutes. A long free kick was not dealt with by the visiting defence, allowing the ball to fall kindly to Luke Parkin, who calmly prodded a composed left-footed finish beyond Spartans goalkeeper Callum Dobson to give his side the perfect start.
Keen to extend their advantage, Bradford threatened again, just minutes later. Brad Abbott’s unselfish pass picked out Parkin on the right, whose powerful effort was well saved by Dobson. With Blyth Spartans unable to fully clear their lines, the ball fell to Kareem Hassan-Smith on the left, who curled a wicked strike narrowly over the crossbar.
The Avenue continued to push for a second, with both Carver and Fox close to extending their side’s advantage. Carver found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but fired wide after claiming he had been impeded by a recovering defender. However, his penalty appeal was rejected by the referee. Moments later, Robbie Fox came close, glancing Brad Abbott’s cross narrowly wide of the target with a well-directed header.
Bradford’s attacking persistence paid off just before the half-hour mark, when left back Scott Duxbury capitalised on an in-swinging free kick from Parkin that the Spartans defence failed to clear. Duxbury fired towards goal, and despite the visitors’ best efforts to keep the ball out, it crossed the line to double the Avenue’s advantage.
Despite losing the influential Abbott and captain Jameel Ible to injury either side of half time, the Avenue continued to press and added a third in the 58th minute. Marcus Carver unleashed a powerful effort towards goal, which Dobson could only parry back into the striker’s path. Carver gathered the rebound before calmly slotting an accurate finish into the bottom corner to make it three goals in as many games.
Carver came agonisingly close to doubling his tally just eight minutes later. The striker showed tremendous strength to hold off his marker before curling an effort narrowly wide of the target.
Blyth Spartans’ first and only real opportunity of the afternoon arrived in the 85th minute, highlighting Bradford’s dominance throughout much of the contest. Left back Jordan Summerly ventured forward and delivered a dangerous cross into the box. In an attempt to avert the danger, Connor Brown inadvertently directed his clearance onto his own cross bar, before the rebound was dealt with safely by his teammates.
The Avenue still had time to add a fourth, and it arrived in exquisite fashion courtesy of substitute Jake Thompson. Picking up possession just outside the penalty area from a Charlie Winfield throw, Thompson rifled an unstoppable right-footed effort from distance into the top corner, leaving Dobson with no chance. It was a fitting way to cap a dominant performance from Bradford – one that epitomised the determination and togetherness of a group of players who never give in, and a club that stands united through difficult times.
The emphatic victory ensures Bradford (Park Avenue) remain top of the Northern Premier League East Division, two points clear of Dunston, albeit having played a game more. More importantly, it extends their record-breaking unbeaten start to the season to 17 matches, providing further evidence of the resilience and consistency that have characterised their campaign.
The Green Army will look to carry that momentum into Tuesday evening, when they make another journey to the North East to face West Auckland Town at The Northern Metal Recycling Stadium.
Match Report by Ste Grimshaw
Date: Saturday 7 November 2026
Full Time: Bradford (Park Avenue) 4-0 Blyth Spartans
Attendance: 478
Kick-off: 15:00pm
Referee: Liam Batie
Venue: Horsfall Community Stadium
Bradford (Park Avenue): Lambton, Brown, Duxbury, Abbott (Haw 44′), Ible (c) (Winfield 52′), Misambo, Hassan-Smith (J. Thompson 83′), Ekpolo, Carver, Parkin, Fox
Unused Substitutes: B. Thompson, Chorlton
Goalscorers: Parkin (6′), Duxbury (27′), Carver (58′), J. Thompson (88′)
Blyth Spartans: Dobson, Evans, Summerly, Hickey, Vaulks (c), Wood, Dudgeon (Martin 46′), Zmich, Lanning (Van-Zandvliet 61′), McGowan (Spence 61′), Foalle (Joisce 72′)
Unused Substitutes: Walker