Report provided by Edward Taylor

Bradford (Park Avenue) were disappointingly beaten 3-1 at home by Consett on Saturday afternoon, in the first-ever encounter between the two sides at the Horsfall Community Stadium, marking a third straight league defeat for the Green Army.

It would be Avenue who would mark the first attempt of note in the game inside the eleventh minute, with Josh Ashman and Sam Brown linking up well before the former beat his man and curled an effort just wide of the mark from the edge of the box.

Just two minutes later, however, Consett would hit the front.

The visitors retrieved the ball in midfield through Smith, who played a through ball for Walker to latch onto on the left wing before manoeuvring into the Avenue box and calmly passed the ball into the bottom left corner, putting his side 1-0 up in the thirteenth minute of play.

Consett played with the wind in their sails after breaking the deadlock, and they would have cruised into a 2-0 lead inside fifteen minutes if not for a fine save by Cam Mason.

David Allasan raced through on goal with just the Avenue shot stopper to beat, but Mason impressively managed to turn his effort past the post.

Mason was the hero again just 3 minutes later after Charlie Exley’s cross deflected awkwardly off Mark Beevers, but the Avenue keeper pulled off a remarkable acrobatic save to deny an own goal accredited to the skipper.

After a barrage of Consett attacks in the immediate aftermath of the opening goal, Avenue managed to take the sting out of the game and suppress their visitors’ efforts before coming very close to an equaliser in the thirty-fourth minute.

This time it was the Consett skipper who nearly turned the ball into his own net after Connor Shanks whipped in a lovely low cross, causing Ryan McKinnon to divert the ball goalwards and be bailed out by a fantastic reaction save from Harry Moss.

Despite some encouragement, the afternoon would get worse for Avenue- Sam Brown was penalised for a foul in the box, resulting in a Consett penalty on the verge of half-time.

The spot-kick was tucked into the bottom left corner of the net by Calvin Smith, doubling the visitors’ lead at 2-0 heading into the break.

Avenue had plenty of work to do in the second period of play, but just as they did in the first period, conceded within the eleventh minute of the half.

Craig Elliott’s side lost the ball in the middle of the park which resulted in Consett striker Brandon Holsworth slotting Wil Shaw in behind the defence, who finessed his right-footed effort from the left-hand side of the box into the bottom right corner to put the game beyond reach for Avenue.

A quiet period followed the goal, as the visitors proved tough to break down for Avenue, who were frustrated in their efforts to get back in the game.

After a long spell without a clear-cut chance in the game, the Green Army eventually managed to grab a goal in the last of 4 added minutes in the affair through Paddy Sykes.

Myles La Bastide dispossessed Liam Colledge on the edge of the box and saw an effort denied by Moss, but Sykes was on hand to tap home the rebound to get Avenue on the scoresheet.

The referee blew the final whistle moments later, signifying the end of a rough afternoon for Avenue.

Next up for the Avenue is a chance to right their wrongs at the Horsfall Community Stadium, as they turn their focus to Tuesday night’s home clash with Carlton Town.

We’re back at the Horsfall tonight as we take on Garforth Town under the lights.

Tuesday, 18th February

Kick-off at 7:45 pm

Horsfall Community Stadium

Tickets are available online at https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=8653 or at the turnstiles, where both cash and card are accepted. Use the code GREENARMY2025 for 20% off all tickets.

Tonight’s match is sponsored by Shahida’s Cafe, a valued local business supporting the club.

We look forward to seeing you at the Horsfall.

Bradford (Park Avenue) are back in action at the Horsfall Stadium on Saturday, 15th February, as we take on Consett. Kick-off is at 3:00 pm, and we need your support to get behind the team.

Ticket Prices:

• Adults: £13
• Concessions: £10
• Students, Bluelight, Armed Forces: £5
• Youth (12-17): £3
• Juniors (Under 12): £1

Book online now through Fanbase and use discount code GREENARMY2025 at checkout:
👉 https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Fixtures/Index?fanStoreType=Fixtures&clubId=361

Join us at the Horsfall and be part of the action!

Report provided by Edward Taylor

Bradford (Park Avenue) fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat on the road against high-flying Emley in a Yorkshire derby on Saturday, dealing them a setback in their bid to reach the play-offs. 

The affair started relatively cagey, as both sides struggled to carve out any clear-cut chances in the open stages. The hosts would be the first side to cause a serious threat in the 18^th minute, as Amir Berchil shrugged off multiple Avenue challenges before firing an effort just wide from the edge of the box. 

Not long after going close to taking a slender lead, it would be Emley’s turn to face some Avenue pressure in the 25^th minute after the Green Army came agonisingly close to hitting the front.  

In a lovely team move that saw Avenue maintain possession for a prolonged period of time, Connor Dimaio picked up the ball in the middle of the park and floated a defence-splitting ball for Sam Straughan-Brown to latch onto, 1-on-1 with the Emley keeper, but the latter’s touch took the ball just too far from him to get a shot at goal. 

Avenue would be made to pay for not taking their chance, as a moment of individual brilliance from Hayden Lindley put Emley a goal to the good with 28 minutes played. After a slightly scrappy piece of play, the ball was headed down for Lindley to blast an incredible half-volley past Cam Mason from 25 yards out, dipping into the back of Avenue’s net. 

The Green Army’s bad fortunes would continue just 12 minutes later when Keenan Ferguson was given his marching orders after being shown a straight red card by the referee for dragging Berchil to the ground as the Emley-man raced clean through on goal, sending Avenue down to 10 for the rest of the game. 

It was a tough end to a tough half for Avenue, as they went into the break a goal and man down. 

Emley continued to make life difficult for Avenue after the restart, going close on multiple occasions early on, but Cam Mason was on hand to expertly tip Berchil’s low curling effort wide of the mark before denying Donae Lawrence’s powerful strike from close range not long after. 

However, Avenue couldn’t keep Emley at bay for long. As the clock ticked over into the 64^th minute, Emley’s lead doubled as Berchil played a ball inside to Belchior Rodrigues who made drove inside the Avenue box and placed the ball in the bottom left corner. 

Despite slipping to a 2-goal deficit, Avenue were more than in the game and did not want to go down without putting up a fight. With just 20 minutes left to be played, Jordan Preston controlled a beautiful Connor Dimaio long ball in the hosts’ half and calmly chipped the ball over Emley keeper Declan Lambton, who was in no-man’s-land, giving the travelling Avenue faithful a moment to celebrate and belief their side could get a result. 

With everything to play for in the latter stages, Avenue built up a surge of momentum to try find an equaliser, which they were inches away from doing 5 minutes from time. A corner was whipped in towards Ben Blythe at the near post, who caught a volley perfectly before it flashed just wide of the woodwork, causing a gasp of relief in the home end. 

However, it just wasn’t meant to be on the day for Avenue, as Emley secured the 3 points through substitute Laurence Sorhaindo’s composed effort in the 89^th minute, ending the Green Army’s dreams of a comeback. 

The final whistle shortly followed to mark defeat on the road for Avenue, who will next travel to the northeast on Wednesday night to face Heaton Stannington as Craig Elliott’s side look to bounce back with a big away win. 

Following a 9:30 am pitch inspection, tonight’s match against Heaton Stannington at Grounsell Park is going ahead as planned.

It’s a big night for us as we look to close the gap on the teams above, and your support could make all the difference. Kick-off is at 7:45 pm.

If anything changes, we will update supporters as soon as possible on our social media channels and website.

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC is delighted to announce the signing of experienced striker Brendon Daniels on a 28-day loan from Leek Town.

Daniels, 31, boasts an impressive career with over 270 National League appearances. After beginning his journey at Crewe Alexandra, he went on to feature for clubs including Chester, Tamworth, Harrogate Town, AFC Fylde, Alfreton Town, and AFC Telford United, where he spent four seasons. Most recently, he has been playing for Leek Town and has made 14 appearances, scoring twice.

The club would like to extend its gratitude to the Development Fund for their invaluable support in making this signing possible.

Daniels will be available for selection immediately as Bradford (Park Avenue) look to strengthen their attacking options for Saturday’s huge away match vs Emley.

Welcome to the club, Brendon!

Bradford (Park Avenue) are delighted to announce the signing of 22-year-old left-back Lewis Cunningham.

Cunningham joins Avenue after leaving Pontefract Collieries, where he made seven appearances.

A versatile and talented defender, he brings valuable experience from his time in the academies of Manchester City, Barnsley, Doncaster Rovers, and Birmingham City U21s, as well as senior spells with York City and Mickleover.

Cunningham will be available for selection for Avenue’s upcoming away match against Emley as we continue our Northern Premier League East Division campaign.

We’d like to say a huge thank you to the Development Fund for their help in getting this one over the line.

Join us in welcoming Lewis Cunningham to The Green Army!

Bradford (Park Avenue) can confirm that forward Jack Goodman has been recalled by his parent club, Doncaster Rovers.

Jack joined the Green Army earlier this season and made eight appearances, finding the net once during his time at Horsfall. His effort and commitment to the team were evident throughout his spell, and we are grateful for his contributions.

We would like to extend our thanks to Doncaster Rovers for allowing Jack to be part of our squad and wish him all the best in his future career.

Thank you, Jack!

Report provided by Edward Taylor

Bradford (Park Avenue) picked up a pivotal 3-0 home win over fellow play-off contenders Stocksbridge Park Steels, as goals from Jordan Preston, Connor Shanks and Paddy Sykes secured back-to-back victories for the Green Army in their bid to close the gap on the top 5.

Avenue controlled the fixture from the very start of proceedings, with Connor Shanks particularly causing the Steels trouble early on. The number 10 went close to breaking the deadlock twice in the opening stages- his outside of the box effort forced Steels goalkeeper Ben Townsend into a fine save to parry the strike away inside 5 minutes, and then just 7 minutes later he saw another attempt go agonisingly wide of the visitors’ post.

After a positive start to proceedings, the Greens weren’t disheartened by their early chances going begging and broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, giving them a deserved lead. Jordan Preston’s low ball into a central area of the box was only partially cleared towards Connor Dimaio and the midfielder lined up a thunderous effort which was deflected back into the path of Preston, who created his own space towards the right-hand side of the penalty area and chipped a fine finish into the far corner to make it 1-0.

Just 7 minutes after taking the lead, Avenue came close to doubling their advantage as Shanks weaved his way through multiple Stocksbridge Park Steels defenders before seeing his shot parried out for a corner.

However, it wouldn’t be long before Avenue and Shanks would celebrate taking a 2-0 lead. In the 37th minute, Shanks pounced on a loose pass from Stocksbridge defender Tom Charlesworth just inside Avenue’s half, before racing through on goal and coolly slotting a 1-on-1 effort past Townsend to give his side a 2-goal cushion heading into the break.

Back underway from the half-time interval, Stocksbridge Park Steels came out of the break with the intent to put the pressure on the Green Army early in opening stages of the half, but Avenue remained strong throughout the period and came out unscathed.

In the 64th minute, Avenue were rewarded the fruits of their defensive labour earlier in the half as they put the game beyond the reach of the visitors with a 3rd goal of the afternoon. Jak McCourt whipped in a beautiful free-kick in from the right-hand side of the penalty area towards the front post which met the head of Paddy Sykes, who flicked a lovely header into the bottom right corner.

The scoreline could have been even more satisfying for the Green Army, but Iyrwah Gooden had his goal 3 minutes from time disallowed for offside, denying the hosts of back-to-back 4-0 wins.

Avenue shot-stopper Cam Mason was called into action for the first time of the afternoon in the dying moments of the game, as he preserved a clean-sheet to accompany the win after making a great save to deny Oliwier Grzelak’s low effort.

The referee’s whistle followed shortly afterwards, signifying a massive 3 points for Craig Elliott’s side who now sit within 6 points of a playoff spot.

Avenue will travel to high-flying Emley next Saturday, as they look to continue their good form in the race for promotion.