Bradford (Park Avenue) suffered their first defeat of the season with a narrow 1-0 loss away at Belper Town. Despite a strong start, including an early corner in the 5th minute and a long-range effort from Oli Norman in the 12th, both comfortably dealt with by the Belper keeper, Avenue couldn’t find the breakthrough.
Belper Town’s first significant chance came in the 17th minute when Keaton August found space but missed the target. The hosts grew into the game, but the first half ended goalless despite a free kick in the 35th minute after Alex Francis fouled former Avenue player Luke Rawson.
Avenue came out stronger in the second half, creating opportunities through Kelan Swales, Paddy Sykes, and Dan Francis, but they were unable to capitalize. A crucial yellow card for Dan Francis in the 62nd minute showed Avenue’s commitment to keeping the game level.
Belper made key substitutions, including bringing off Keaton August for Nathan Whitehead in the 59th minute. The decisive moment came in the 73rd minute when Ben Rhodes scored with a diving header, leaving Avenue chasing the game.
Late substitutions by both teams, including Theo Hudson replacing Harry Colville for Avenue, couldn’t change the outcome. Despite four minutes of added time, Avenue couldn’t find the equalizer, and the match ended 1-0.
Avenue will look to bounce back quickly as they return to Horsfall Stadium this weekend, aiming for success in the FA Cup when we host Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday 17TH August, KO 3pm. We urge all Bradford supporters to come out and back Danny’s team as they push for victory.
Bradford (Park Avenue) travels to Raygar Stadium on Tuesday night for a key NPL East fixture against Belper Town.
After securing a hard-fought 1-0 win against North Ferriby in the season opener, Danny’s team is eager to continue their winning momentum tomorrow night against the Nailers.
The ones to watch for Avenue will be Oli Norman, who assisted Kareem Hassan-Smith on Saturday to claim the win.
Goalscorer Kareem will also look to increase his tally and put out a similarly strong defensive performance to Saturday’s, which gave us our first clean sheet of the season.
Forward’s Paddy Sykes and Harry Colville will also be itching to score their first goals of the season, after both came close in the 1st half on Saturday, just dragging their shots wide.
Goalkeeper Craig Ellison will also look to continue his fine form, after a stellar performance on Saturday with 4 unreal saves in the 1st half alone.
Belper, who narrowly missed the playoffs last season, comes into the match after a comeback win in their opener. Despite some squad depth issues, they remain a formidable opponent, especially at home.
Key opposition players to watch at Belper Town will be Nathaniel Crofts and Keaton August, who both claimed goals in their opening fixture vs Heaton Stannington.
Match Details:
Date: Tuesday, 13th August 2024
Kick-off: 7:45 PM
Venue: Raygar Stadium, DE56 1BA
Admission Prices:
Adults (16-60): £11
Concessions (U16s & 60+): £7
Students (with ID): £7
U11s: Free (must be accompanied by an adult)
Come and support the Green Army as we seek to make it two wins in a row!
Photo from John Rhodes. Left to Right – Craig Ellison, Kelan Swales, Luke Hogg, Kareem Hassan-Smith, Paddy Sykes (Behind), Oli Norman, Harry Colville, Ben Whelan, Alex Francis
Date: 10th August 2024 Venue: Horsfall Stadium Attendance: 335
Bradford (Park Avenue) secured a vital 1-0 victory against North Ferriby on Saturday, in our opening fixture of the 2024/25 season at Horsfall Stadium.
This hard-earned win not only marks a positive start to the campaign but also our first opening day victory since 2018. Kareem Hassan-Smith’s goal in the second half proved decisive, as we handed out no fewer than twelve debuts in this tightly contested match.
First Half:
We began the match on the front foot, with Oli Norman making an early run into the opposition area, only to see the ball run just out of play. Craig Ellison, who was outstanding throughout, made a crucial save in the 3rd minute to deny Josh Whitley and keep us level.
Photo from Connie Lea – Dan Francis in action
We created several chances in the first half, with a notable opportunity coming in the 24th minute when Kareem Hassan-Smith struck the post following an impressive run into the area. Despite our best efforts, including a penalty shout after Paddy Sykes appeared to be brought down in the box, the referee waved away any appeals. The half ended with the scoreline still goalless, but with plenty of positives to take into the break.
Second Half:
We made a change at halftime, with Josh Askew replacing Kelan Swales to bring fresh energy into the side. The breakthrough came in the 58th minute when Oli Norman demonstrated superb awareness to find Kareem Hassan-Smith, who finished expertly to give us the lead.
Photo from Connie Lea – Oli Norman in actionPhoto from John Rhodes – Kareem Hassan-Smith scores his first goal for the club. Photo from John Rhodes – Harry Colville, Kareem Hassan-Smith and Dan Francis celebrate the goal.
North Ferriby pushed for an equalizer, but our defense remained resolute. Craig Ellison continued to be a rock at the back, and our midfield worked tirelessly to disrupt Ferriby’s rhythm. Despite a couple of cautions for Luke Hogg and Paddy Sykes, we managed the game well and even created chances to extend our lead, with Ben Whelan heading over from a set piece late on.
The team showed great character and discipline to secure the win and maintain a clean sheet, something we hadn’t achieved on the opening day in six years.
Milestones:
This match marked our 897th in NPL football, and with three more games to go, we are approaching a significant milestone with our 900th match scheduled against Liversedge at home on 26th August.
Next Fixture:
We turn our focus to the next challenge as we travel to Belper Town on Tuesday, 13th August. Kick-off is at 7:45 PM at Raygar Stadium. We look forward to building on this positive start and continuing our momentum.
Final Thoughts:
First Team Head Coach, Danny Whitaker:
“I’m really proud of the team for their performance on Saturday. We knew it would be a tough match, and the boys delivered exactly what we asked of them. Defensively, we were solid, and Craig made some crucial saves to keep us in the game. Kareem took his goal brilliantly, and it was great to see the team work so hard for each other. There’s still plenty to improve on, but for a first outing, especially with so many debuts, it was a very encouraging performance. We’ll take the positives from this and keep pushing forward.”
Sporting Director, Thomas McStravick:
“We’re absolutely delighted with the result today and overall performance. It’s always important to start the season on a positive note, and the lads showed great determination and quality throughout the game. With so many new faces in the squad, it was encouraging to see them gel so quickly and perform as a unit. Kareem’s goal was a moment of real class and an example of how we want to play. Our defensive display was outstanding when needed. We’re excited to build on this foundation as we move forward.”
Get ready for an action-packed day at the Horsfall Stadium tomorrow, as Bradford (Park Avenue) hosts a special Family Fun Day leading up to our much-anticipated league opener against North Ferriby!
Family Fun Day: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
We’re kicking off the festivities with a variety of exciting activities for fans of all ages. Here’s what you can look forward to:
– Live DJ (Outside): Enjoy the latest tunes while soaking up the matchday atmosphere.
– Toy Tombola: Try your luck and take home some fantastic toys!
– Bottle Card Game: Win prizes in this fun and easy game.
– Tombola: Another chance to win big with a variety of great prizes up for grabs.
– Penalty Shootout: Test your skills and see if you can beat the keeper!
– Football Speed Shot: Show off your power and accuracy in this thrilling challenge.
– Xbox Competition (In Clubhouse): Compete against others in FIFA and prove your gaming skills.
– Cake Stall: Treat yourself to some delicious homemade cakes.
– Darts Game: Aim for the bullseye in our classic darts competition.
– Glitter Tattooist: Get a temporary glitter tattoo and sparkle throughout the day.
– Find the Joker: A fun and exciting game with prizes to be won.
– Ice Cream: Cool off with a refreshing ice cream treat.
– Food and Drink: Enjoy a variety of food and beverages available throughout the event.
– Raffles and Prizes: Lots of chances to win fantastic prizes in our many raffles!
Hungry or thirsty? We’ve got you covered! Hot food, drink, and refreshments will be available in the **Horton Park Suite (Academy Cafe)** and the **Green Army Cafe**. Plus, the **Clubhouse Bar** will also be open, offering a range of drinks to keep you refreshed.
League Opener: Kick-off at 3:00 PM
After enjoying the Family Fun Day, stick around as Bradford (Park Avenue) takes on North Ferriby in the league opener. The match promises to be an exciting start to the season, and your support in the stands will make all the difference!
Make sure to arrive early and bring the whole family for a day full of fun, excitement, and football. With so much happening at the Horsfall Stadium, this is one event you don’t want to miss!
Venue: Horsfall Community Stadium Gates: 11am – FREE ENTRY TIL 1:30PM FOR FAMILY FUN DAY! Kick-off: 3:00 PM
As our NPL East 2024/25 season kicks off this Saturday, Bradford (Park Avenue) is set to welcome North Ferriby to Horsfall Community Stadium.
Following a summer of intense rebuilding, (Park Avenue) are entering this season with renewed optimism. Whitaker’s new-look squad, a blend of seasoned veterans and fresh faces, showed promise during pre-season. Four wins, a draw, and three losses might suggest mixed form, but the performances displayed resilience and attacking flair.
Pre-season saw some standout moments:
Campion 2 – 5 BPAFC: Harry Varley’s hat-trick stole the show, with additional goals from Jodi Tiffany and Oli Norman.
BPAFC 1 – 1 Ecclehill United: Joe Crosby’s goal secured a draw in a tightly contested match.
Wakefield AFC 1 – 3 BPAFC: Goals from a trialist, Connor Shanks, and Joe Crosby capped off a solid win.
Golcar United 0 – 1 BPAFC: Crosby was on target again, continuing his pre-season scoring streak.
Hinckley LRFC 1 – 2 BPAFC: Kelan Swales and Dan Francis found the net to close out pre-season on a high.
However, the team faced some tough matches, including a 0-3 loss to a strong Bradford City XI and narrow defeats to Mossley and Stalybridge Celtic.
The Visitors: North Ferriby
North Ferriby arrives at Horsfall Community Stadium with their own aspirations. After finishing just outside the playoff spots last season, the Villagers will be eager to start their campaign on a positive note.
Having achieved back-to-back promotions in 2021/22 and 2022/23, North Ferriby will be looking to rediscover that momentum and push for a third promotion in four seasons.
Their disciplined defense and physical style of play will make them a formidable opponent, and this match promises to be a stern first test for Whitaker’s men in the NPL East.
Family Fun Day: 11 AM – 1:30 PM
This Saturday isn’t just about the football—it’s also about family fun! Join us at Horsfall Community Stadium from 11 AM until 1:30 PM for our Family Fun Day. There will be a variety of activities for all ages, and entry is free before 1:30 PM. It’s the perfect way to spend the day with the whole family before cheering on the lads in our league opener.
Admission Prices
Those attending the match will be able to pay from 1:30pm, admission is as follows.
Carers: Free (Person being supported pays the applicable rate)
Season Tickets – Still Available!
Support the club throughout the season and save on matchday admission by purchasing a 2024/25 Season Ticket today.
Adults (18+): £140 (Equivalent to £7.36 per game)
Concessions (65+): £120 (Equivalent to £6.31 per game)
Students, NHS, Armed Forces, Police & Fire (with valid ID): £55 (Equivalent to £2.89 per game)
Youth (12-17): £40 (Equivalent to £2.11 per game)
Under 12s: £10 (Equivalent to 53p per game)
Your support could make all the difference as we embark on this crucial season. Together, let’s make Horsfall a fortress once again, and UP THE AVENUE!
We can today confirm the signing of Defender Ben Whelan, who has agreed terms on a deal until the end of the 24/25 season.
Ben joins us after playing a season with Fleetwood Town’s development squad. He spent time out on loan last season with NPL East side Sheffield FC, where he earned 2 man of the match awards and scored once in 9 appearances.
As a youngster, Ben was also ever present in Mansfield Town’s Scholarship programme.
Welcome to the Club Ben!
HAVEN’T BOUGHT YOUR 24/25 SEASON TICKETS YET?
PURCHASE HERE https://bpafc.com/product-category/season-tickets/
Adults (21+): £140
Concessions (65+): £120
Students & 16-20s : £55
Youth (12-17): £40
Under 12s: £10
SEASON TICKET PRICE PER GAME: Adults: £7.36, Concessions: £6.31, Students & 16-20s: £2.89, Youth: £2.11, u12s: 53p.
REGULAR ADMISSION (PAY ON THE GATE)
Admission Prices:
Adults (18+): £13
Concessions (65+): £10
Students, NHS, Armed Forces, Police & Fire (Must show valid ID): £5
Youths (12-17s): £3
Juniors (Under 12s): £1
Carers (Person being supported pays applicable rate): Free
We would like to update our supporters of the planned pre-season friendly against Farsley Celtic on Saturday 3 August.
Due to an event that was booked in at the stadium some time ago for this weekend and some unexpected logistical changes we’ve tried to work with Farsley Celtic to move the kick-off to 5pm. Unfortunately, this doesn’t suit them which has left us with no alternative but to postpone the fixture.
We will now be travelling to Leicestershire to face Hinckley LRFC in what will be a very competitive fixture with the league season just one week away. Kick Off is at 1:30pm, and address is Leicester Road Stadium, Leicester LE10 3DR.
Danny Whitakers unbeaten squad will face a Bradford City AFC XI tonight.
We are playing for the annual Tom Banks Memorial Trophy, Kick Off 7:45pm.
POTG: £10 Adults (18+), £5 Concessions (65+, u18s, Students (With ID)), £20 Hospitality. Card/Cash taken on Cemetery Road turnstiles.
Buy online here – https://bpafc.com/product-category/match-tickets/
If you’ve already purchased your tickets, but haven’t received them yet, you can collect or purchase yours today from the Horton Park Suite (Academy Cafe).
