Bradford (Park Avenue) survived a spirited second-half fightback from North Ferriby to secure a crucial 3-2 victory, moving two points clear at the top of the Northern Premier League East Division and extending their record-breaking unbeaten start to the campaign to 19 matches.
Despite kick off being delayed by 15 minutes due to traffic on the M62, Bradford started on the front foot and took the lead after just six minutes with a clever finish from Adam Haw. The Avenue man, operating in the number ten role, found space inside the penalty area before drilling a precise, low right-footed shot into the bottom corner. North Ferriby goalkeeper Jonathan Dash was left flat-footed as he could only watch the ball trickle into the net.
Twelve minutes later, the Avenue came close to doubling their advantage. The increasingly confident Haw gathered possession outside the penalty area before unleashing a speculative, low effort from distance. His strike drifted narrowly wide, however, with Dash scrambling across his goal in an attempt to make the save.
Despite their sluggish start, North Ferriby’s first clear cut opportunity arrived with the Villagers already trailing by a goal. A long pass from right to left evaded Bradford centre back Rudy Misambo and found Joe Wood. The North Ferriby attacker cut inside onto his right foot, but his resulting effort was smothered by Avenue goalkeeper Declan Lambton, who had been quick off his line to close down the shot.
The visitors were left to rue their missed opportunity, as Luke Parkin doubled Bradford’s advantage in the 27th minute. North Ferriby failed to deal with an Avenue attack, allowing the ball to fall invitingly to Parkin, who made no mistake from the centre of the penalty area, firing a right-footed effort past Dash through a crowded box.
Avenue continued to dominate proceedings and extended their lead to three goals just before half time. Marcus Carver displayed tremendous strength on the right flank to hold off his opponent before driving a powerful ball across the face of goal. Robbie Fox was on hand to apply the finishing touch from little more than a yard out, nudging the ball over the line to register his 11th league goal of the season.
The Villagers emerged from the interval looking a rejuvenated side and reduced the deficit just six minutes into the second half. A short-corner routine caught the Avenue defence by surprise, and Olly Green was fouled on the whitewash of the penalty area. Following a lengthy spell of treatment from the physio, Green dusted himself down to take responsibility from the spot, calmly sending Lambton the wrong way to make it 3-1.
Bradford responded positively and immediately went in search of a fourth goal. Just two minutes after conceding, Fox demonstrated excellent control on the edge of the penalty area before seeing his left-footed effort flash narrowly wide of the target.
Moments later, Avenue threatened again from a set-piece on the right. The ball eventually fell to Charlie Winfield on the edge of the penalty area, but his looping effort bounced back off the crossbar with Dash seemingly beaten.
North Ferriby continued to battle away and enjoyed particular success in the middle of the park, taking advantage of the injury problems Avenue have experienced in that area of the pitch in recent weeks.
In the 80th minute, the Villagers squandered a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit to just one goal. A corner from the right found an unmarked North Ferriby player in the centre of the penalty area, but his powerful header skimmed the crossbar before sailing over.
In the 89th minute, North Ferriby finally found a second goal to set up a nervy finale for the hosts. A cross into the penalty was misjudged by Lambton, allowing Jack Walters to rise above the Avenue goalkeeper and guide his header into the unguarded net.
However, the goal proved too little, too late for the visitors, as Bradford managed the closing stages superbly. The introduction of Bailey Thompson provided the hosts with a focal point in attack, with the forward chasing down loose balls and holding up possession effectively to relieve the pressure and help ensure Avenue saw out the victory.
It was another huge three points for the Green Army, whose victory, coupled with Dunston’s goalless draw against Liversedge, sees them move two points clear at the top of the table, though having played a game more than their nearest challengers.
Although not at their best in the second half, Bradford showed plenty of character and resilience to manage the closing stages effectively. Despite coming under increasing pressure following North Ferriby’s late goal, Avenue demonstrated the composure needed to see out another important victory and extend their unbeaten start to the season to 19 matches.
Avenue’s next fixture is a trip to Silsden on Saturday 21st November, for a Bradford derby, with the club hopeful of having a new manager in place ahead of what is set to be a challenging encounter with their cross-city rivals.
Match Report by Ste Grimshaw
Date: Saturday 14th November 2026
Full Time: Bradford (Park Avenue) 3-2 North Ferriby
Attendance: 500
Kick-off: 15:00pm
Referee: Kaan Hayes
Venue: Horsfall Community Stadium
Bradford (Park Avenue): Lambton, Brown (c), Winfield (J. Thompson 73′), Ekpolo, Misambo, Duxbury, Hassan-Smith (Chorlton 73′), Parkin (Songo’o 81′), Carver (Andreucci 87′), Haw, Fox (B. Thompson 90+1)
Goalscorers: Haw (6′), Parkin (26′), Fox (43′)
North Ferriby: Dash, Clackstone, Sutton, Jones, Lewis, Walters (c), Ofoegbu (Johnson 65′), Dunkerley, Day, Green, Wood (Marshall 89′)
Unused Substitutes: Douglas, Murillo, Williamson
Goalscorers: Green (51′ pen), Walters (89′)