Match Report provided by Charlie Fawcett
Bradford (Park Avenue)’s youngsters concluded a fantastic NFYL Division 1 campaign on Tuesday afternoon, sitting proudly at the top of the table. However, a few dropped points from teams around them have left the title race wide open.
In what was a thrilling and tightly contested encounter, both sides hit the net four times, with Avenue having to dig deep to salvage a well-earned point.
It was the visitors who opened the scoring early at a sun-soaked Horsfall Community Stadium. A well-worked Leeds United move was initially denied by Olly Farrar, but the young Whites reacted quickest to the rebound and tapped home to make it 1–0.
A flurry of Avenue chances soon followed. A foul on Oliver Madunicky just outside the penalty area resulted in a free-kick, despite strong protests from the Leeds defence. Josh Owen stepped up confidently and curled a low shot into the bottom-left corner – a finish matched by a lively celebration, complete with gun fingers.
As the first half wore on, BPA began to dominate. Madunicky was again brought down in the box, but the referee remained unmoved amid strong penalty appeals. He then forced a save from distance with a well-struck effort, but the goalkeeper gathered with ease.
Just before the drinks break, a long ball from Leeds caught the Avenue defence out and was clinically finished to restore the visitors’ lead heading into half-time.
Half-Time: Bradford (Park Avenue) 1–2 Leeds United
The second half began much like the first – with Leeds adding a third. A low-driven cross somehow made its way into the net, and Avenue found themselves two goals down and with work to do.
But the response was immediate and full of character.
First, a long throw into the Leeds box caused chaos, and Dylan Wellock headed home from close range to make it 3–2. Moments later, Jayden Bedeau nodded in from a swift restart, levelling the game at 3–3 and sparking wild celebrations from the Avenue players.
BPA were firmly on the front foot and pushing for a winner. Their pressure was rewarded when a foul on Josh Owen resulted in a penalty. Bedeau stepped up and calmly slotted his second of the game into the bottom-left corner, giving Avenue the lead for the first time at 4–3.
But there was one final twist. Leeds took a short corner, and their No.7 produced an unorthodox finish that somehow beat the defence, levelling the match once more.
As the final whistle blew, Park Avenue’s players were left with mixed emotions – pride in their fightback, but disappointment that the win slipped away. With just a two-point lead at the top and other sides holding games in hand, the title race is set for a dramatic finale.
Full-Time: Bradford (Park Avenue) 4–4 Leeds United (NFYL Division 1)