By Alexander Fynn
Bradford (Park Avenue) and Bridlington Town shared the points with a 0-0 draw at the Mounting Systems Stadium, as both sides maintained their unbeaten league records.
Jack Hall and Charlie Winfield, who both played key roles in Bridlington Town’s survival in the NPL East last season, returned to Queensgate this time in Avenue colours.
Before kick-off, there was a minute’s silence to remember Arsenal and Chichester City player Billy Vigar, who tragically passed away on Thursday.
The first period was a cagey affair. Bridlington started with pace, Ahmed Salam skipping past Kareem Hassan-Smith before flashing a cross onto the roof of the net. Will Annan then set up Jake Day, but the striker’s shot cleared the bar.
Avenue struggled to gain a foothold early on, though Prince Ekpolo went close after squaring into the middle, only for Tom Allan to clear. From the resulting corner, Adriano Moke’s low-driven effort rolled wide. Alex Markham was then booked for a late challenge on Ekpolo, with Winfield curling the free-kick high and wide. Hassan-Smith also went close on the counter, but his shot hit the side-netting.
The second half began much the same, Salam’s corner falling kindly to Day, but Conor Brown blocked superbly at close range. Avenue started to grow into the game, with Ekpolo bursting forward to set up Joe Ackroyd, whose effort was palmed away by goalkeeper Jonathan Dash.
Ackroyd forced another fine save after meeting Winfield’s delivery, while Marcus Carver and Ekpolo also saw efforts denied. Brown was cautioned for a late tackle on substitute Ben Farrar as Avenue pushed for a winner.
Ackroyd again went close late on, his header tipped wide by Dash, before Carver saw a powerful strike turned over the bar. Substitute Tom Corner had the final chance in stoppage time, colliding with Dash as the keeper claimed the ball to preserve parity.
Reflecting afterwards, Avenue boss Craig Elliott said:
“I don’t think the first half was the best of games, I don’t think there was much quality in the game. I thought the second half we produced the better chances, but with their keeper being given man of the match says it all.”
The result leaves Avenue top of the NPL East, four points clear of Emley, while Bridlington remain unbeaten and in the top seven.