A much-changed Bradford (Park Avenue) side suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat at home to South Leeds in the West Riding Senior County Cup.
With manager Craig Elliott looking to rest first-team players ahead of Saturday’s crucial away league fixture against Consett AFC, Bradford fielded a side made up primarily of reserve-team players for the clash with South Leeds, with Under 19s and Reserves Lead Coach Owen Murphy in the dugout.
South Leeds took the lead in the seventh minute when Avenue defender Connor Douglas attempted to clear a dangerous cross from the right. However, his clearance looped over goalkeeper Lucas Jones and into the net, giving the visitors an early advantage.
South Leeds doubled their lead just seven minutes later. Warren Carr found space in the Avenue penalty area before firing a precise finish into the bottom corner.
Carr found the net for a second time in the 28th minute. A sweeping move down the right culminated in a ball across the face of goal, where Carr was on hand to tap home from close range and make it 3-0 to South Leeds.
The Avenue emerged from the interval with renewed confidence and determination, and needed just four minutes to pull a goal back. Substitute Max Walker delivered a corner that was met by captain Jodi Tiffany, who headed home to reduce the deficit.
Bradford continued to grow into the game and almost pulled another goal back just after the hour mark. Another dangerous delivery from a Walker corner nearly found its way straight into the net, only to strike the post. The ball was eventually cleared to Reuben Armitage, whose spectacular long-range effort was tipped over the crossbar by South Leeds goalkeeper Ryan Eades.
Ten minutes later, the Avenue finally found their second goal. Once again, South Leeds struggled to deal with a Walker corner kick, and Tiffany was on hand to fire home a powerful, low finish to reduce the deficit to one.
Bradford continued to dominate proceedings and pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages. In the 84th minute, Michael Douglas broke down the left and unleashed a low, right-footed effort, but Eades was equal to it, tipping the ball behind for a corner.
South Leeds weathered the late Avenue onslaught to see out the victory and book their place in the second round of the competition. Despite the defeat, the youthful Avenue side earned recognition from the supporters, who stayed behind to applaud the players following a much-improved and spirited second-half performance.
Match Report by Ste Grimshaw
Date: Tuesday 27 October 2026
Full Time: Bradford (Park Avenue) 2-3 South Leeds FC
Kick-off: 19:45pm
Referee: Louie Parker
Venue: Horsfall Community Stadium
Bradford (Park Avenue): Jones, C. Douglas, Thokoza, Moke (Walker 45′), Brewis, Gama, Armitage, Tiffany (c), Cuffe, Owen, M. Douglas
Goalscorer: Tiffany (49′, 72′)
South Leeds FC: Eades, Chambers, Llewellyn, McKendry, Haigh (c), Pawlak, Carr, Meeres, Law, Wright, Parker
Goalscorers: C. Douglas (7′ og), Carr (14′, 28′)