Bradford (Park Avenue) suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to promotion rivals North Ferriby on Friday night, marking their second consecutive league loss and a frustrating blow to their play-off ambitions. The defeat leaves Avenue eighth in the Northern Premier League East Division, four points adrift of the play-off places as the Christmas period approaches.

The evening began on a disappointing note for Avenue, as right-back Kareem Hassan-Smith was forced off with an injury after just ten minutes, with Keenan Ferguson coming on to replace him. Despite the early setback, Bradford managed to carve out the first real chance of the game midway through the first half. A well-worked spell of possession ended with a thunderous effort that struck the woodwork, leaving the visitors agonizingly close to taking the lead. Minutes later, Bradford won a free kick in a dangerous position, but North Ferriby’s goalkeeper Ben Bottomley produced an excellent save to keep the scores level.

North Ferriby responded almost immediately, with Kieron Ceesay narrowly missing a floated ball into the box, but the forward would not be denied for long. In the 27th minute, Ceesay collected the ball in space and rifled it past Avenue’s goalkeeper Jack Hall to put the home side in front. Bradford pushed for an equalizer before the break, but Bottomley remained resolute, making another vital save to ensure his side went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.

The second half saw Avenue continue to press for a way back into the game. A brilliant ball across the face of the goal early on somehow evaded everyone in the box, while Bottomley was once again called into action to thwart a dangerous Avenue attack. North Ferriby came close to doubling their lead on several occasions, with one effort flying just wide and another forcing a smart save from Hall.

Bradford had their chances to level the game, with Paddy Sykes heading narrowly wide just after the hour mark and a late effort from six yards out sailing over the bar in what was arguably their best opportunity of the match. Despite a determined final push, Avenue could not find a way past Bottomley, who delivered a man-of-the-match performance to preserve North Ferriby’s slim advantage.

The hosts nearly sealed the win in the closing stages, with Ceesay almost doubling his tally on the counter-attack, only for a last-ditch clearance to deny him. However, North Ferriby did not need the second goal, as Ceesay’s first-half strike proved decisive. The win lifted North Ferriby into the play-off places, while Bradford will be left to reflect on missed chances and a growing gap to the top five.

Avenue will look to bounce back on Boxing Day when they return to Horsfall Community Stadium to face Yorkshire rivals Pontefract Collieries, who currently sit in 15th place.

Join us on Thursday, 26th December, as Bradford (Park Avenue) take on Pontefract Collieries in a festive football clash! 🟢⚪

Kick-off: 3:00 PM
Venue: Horsfall Community Stadium

🎟️ Ticket Prices:

• Adults: £10
• Concessions: £8
• Students, BlueLight, & Armed Forces (ID Required): £5
• Youths (12-17): £3
• Juniors (U12s): £1

🍽️ Hospitality Packages
Enjoy the game in style with discounted hospitality!

• Adults: £20
• Concessions: £18
• Students, BlueLight, & Armed Forces: £15
• Youths (12-17): £12
• Juniors (U12s): £11

📣 Special Offer: Book a table of 8 for just £100 – perfect for families, friends, or a festive outing!

🎫 Book online now through Fanbase:
👉 https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=8651

Wrap up warm, bring the Green Army spirit, and let’s create a Boxing Day atmosphere to remember! 💚⚽

This week’s match and programme are proudly sponsored by Director Shadow Parvez.
A huge thank you to Shadow for his continuous support, both financially and through his efforts with our sponsors. His commitment to the club is truly appreciated by everyone at Bradford (Park Avenue).

The matchday programme, available today for just £3, is packed with exciting content and insight for all Avenue fans. Here’s a glimpse of what’s inside:

Front Cover

This week’s cover features two of our standout first-team players, Connor Shanks and Jack Goodman, who continue to make headlines for their contributions on the pitch.

Inside the Programme

• Manager’s Notes
  Head Coach Craig Elliott shares his thoughts on recent performances, the squad’s progress, and the approach to tonight’s fixture.
• Club Secretary’s Column
  Sheridann Dickerson provides an update on the club’s ongoing initiatives, upcoming events, and plans for the rest of the season.
• Supporter Feedback
  Director Paul Armitage dives into fan comments and responses, featuring a heartfelt piece sent in by a long-time Avenue supporter, reflecting the passion and loyalty of the Green Army.
• Scholars in Focus
  This week’s Scholars feature includes some fantastic photos from our 3-2 win vs. Lincoln City, celebrating the young talent that represents the future of Bradford (Park Avenue).
• This Week in History
  Take a trip down memory lane with a look back at last season’s memorable win on the road against Macclesfield, a key moment in the club’s recent history.
• First Team Photos
  Relive the action from our last home game, the 4-1 win against Sherwood Colliery, with a stunning photo spread capturing all the drama and excitement.
• Tim Clapham’s History Corner
  Tim Clapham takes us all the way back to 1935 for a deep dive into our first-ever meeting with Bridlington Town, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past.

With so much more packed into this week’s programme, it’s a must-read for Avenue fans of all ages. Don’t miss your chance to grab a copy today!

Available in the Clubhouse for just £3 – pick yours up and enjoy the match. Up the Avenue!

Bradford (Park Avenue) is pleased to announce the signing of Keenan Ferguson and Brad Williams, who both join the club on deals until the end of the 2024/25 season.

Keenan Ferguson

Keenan Ferguson, a talented defender, brings a wealth of experience and tactical acumen to Bradford (Park Avenue)’s defensive line-up. Ferguson began his career in the academies of Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur, where he honed his skills before joining Boston United after impressing during a pre-season trial in 2021.

Ferguson became a mainstay for the Pilgrims during his debut campaign, excelling on both the right and left flanks as the team reached the National League North play-off final. His adaptability and defensive prowess solidified his reputation as a reliable and versatile player.

In June 2023, Ferguson transitioned to Spennymoor Town, making over 25 competitive appearances during his tenure there. Now, at 24 years old, he brings his considerable experience and familiarity with Head Coach Craig Elliott’s management style, gained from their time together at Boston United, to strengthen Bradford (Park Avenue)’s depth, defensive structure, and strategic approach.

On the signing of Keenan, First Team Manager Craig Elliott commented;

“Keenan is somebody I have worked with before at Boston United.

“He is a very good 1v1 defender that can also give us good quality in the final third.

“He has a good experience at some big clubs and a great lad off the pitch so I am really pleased to have him on board.”

Brad Williams

In addition to Ferguson’s signing, Bradford (Park Avenue) can confirm the signing of Brad Williams on a contract extending through the end of the season. Recently released by Harrogate Town, Williams is returning to a familiar environment, having previously represented Bradford (Park Avenue) in January while on loan from Harrogate. He also scored in his debut at the Sherwood game in November, coming on to replace the injured Myles La Bastide.

Welcome to the Green Army!

The club extends a warm welcome to Keenan and Brad as they join the Green Army family. Their integration is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing the club’s objectives, and supporters eagerly anticipate their contributions on the pitch.

The Fans Forum, originally scheduled for tomorrow night, has been rearranged to Saturday, 4th January 2024, following our match against Belper Town.

We hope all our loyal supporters can join us for what promises to be an insightful evening. This is your chance to ask questions, share your thoughts, and hear from the First Team Manager Craig Elliott.

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to seeing you there!

#GreenArmy 💚 #FansForum #BPATogether

Ready to kickstart your football journey? Join us for our trial night on 19th December, 5-7 pm at Bradford (Park Avenue)! Whether you dream of playing, coaching, or working in the football industry, this is your chance to take the first step. 🌟

📅 Date: 19th December

⏰ Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM

📍 Location: Horsfall Community Stadium

🔗 Sign up now: https://forms.gle/CTYvBGoSX7QABfkY8

For any questions, email our course tutor at John.Sanderson@bpafc.com

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be part of something special! 💚⚽

#GreenArmy #BPAFC #FootballEducation #TrialNight #FootballPathway

Bradford (Park Avenue) missed an opportunity to move into the play-off spots on Saturday, suffering a 2-1 defeat away to Carlton Town. The match, one of only three played in the league amidst the challenging weather brought by Storm Darragh, saw Avenue struggle to capitalize on key chances and remain eighth in the Northern Premier League East Division, three points off the play-off places.

The first half was largely dictated by the horrendous conditions in Nottinghamshire. Carlton looked the more dangerous, with Alex Howes narrowly missing the target and Niall Davie forcing Avenue goalkeeper Jack Hall to tip over a wind-assisted corner that almost flew straight in. Hall also denied Charlie Carter’s overlapping effort, keeping Avenue in the game.

Bradford came closest to breaking the deadlock when Iyrwah Gooden’s pinpoint free kick found Mark Beevers, whose powerful header rattled the crossbar. It was a missed opportunity that would prove costly as Carlton came out firing in the second half.

Within a minute of the restart, Alex Howes put the hosts ahead with a stunning strike from the edge of the box, following Avenue’s failure to clear their lines. Hall produced more heroics to deny Carter twice in one-on-one situations, but Oliver Clark doubled Carlton’s lead in the 65th minute. A half-cleared free kick fell to Clark, who chested the ball down and volleyed home a sublime finish.

Carlton nearly extended their lead further, with Nathan Watson narrowly missing the target. Bradford eventually found a lifeline in the 88th minute when a wind-assisted free kick caused chaos in the Carlton box, allowing Ben Blythe to bundle the ball home. Despite a frantic final push and extended stoppage time, Avenue couldn’t find the equalizer, falling to just their second defeat in 13 games.

Next Match

Bradford (Park Avenue) will look to get back on track on Friday when they host Bridlington Town at Horsfall Community Stadium. The struggling Yorkshire rivals will present an opportunity for Avenue to close the gap on the play-off places.

Teams

Carlton Town

1. Felix Annan
2. Lawrence Stewart Gorman
3. Niall Davie (C)
4. Daniel Brown
5. Dean Freeman
6. Oliver Clark
7. Charlie Carter
8. Khyle Sargent
9. Nathan Watson
10. Alex Howes
11. Niall Hylton
    Substitutes:
12. Michael Ford
13. Lewis Durow
14. Harry Goddard
15. Liam Moran

Bradford (Park Avenue)

1. Jack Hall
2. Josh Ashman
3. Dan Francis
4. Luke Hogg (C)
5. Ben Blythe
6. Mark Beevers
7. Brad Williams
8. Ted Lavelle
9. Jack Goodman
10. Connor Shanks
11. Iyrwah Gooden
    Substitutes:
12. Paddy Sykes
13. Jack Normanton
14. Ewan Gregson
15. Sonny Whittingham
16. Connor Dimaio