Saturday 18 October 2025 | Horsfall Community Stadium | Attendance: 360

Bradford (Park Avenue) were held to a goalless draw at the Horsfall Community Stadium as both sides battled for control in a competitive Northern Premier League East encounter.

Craig Elliott’s side started strongly and created the better chances in the first half. Marcus Carver’s early free kick was pushed away by Heaton goalkeeper Alfie Gordon, with Kareem Hassan-Smith firing the rebound into the side netting. Carver later struck a volley straight into the keeper’s gloves, before Joe Ackroyd’s low effort was blocked by a defender inside the box.

Mark Beevers, returning from injury to captain the side, went close with a half-volley that drifted just wide of the post, while Ackroyd again tested the goalkeeper shortly before the break as Avenue pushed for an opener.

The second half saw few clear chances as Heaton Stannington defended deep and slowed the tempo. Carver’s header midway through the half was well saved, and Louie Chorlton had a half-chance after stretching to meet a loose ball, though his effort was comfortably gathered. Late on, substitute Luke Parkin’s half-volley deflected wide for a corner as Avenue continued to press, but the breakthrough never came.

The draw extends Avenue’s unbeaten run to five matches in all competitions, though the result sees them remain third in the Northern Premier League East table on 28 points — one behind Matlock Town and two off new leaders Redcar Athletic.

After the match, manager Craig Elliott said the team “played really well first half” but admitted frustration with the second, adding that “we’re still in a strong position and will keep improving.”
🎥 Watch the full interview here: Craig Elliott Post-Match

Captain Mark Beevers, making his return from injury, described the result as “feeling a bit like a defeat,” but was pleased with another clean sheet on his comeback.
🎥 Watch the full interview here: Mark Beevers Post-Match

Avenue now turn their attention to Tuesday night, when they host Pontefract Collieries in the West Riding County Cup (7:45pm KO), before welcoming Morpeth Town to the Horsfall in the Isuzu FA Trophy First Round Proper next Saturday.

Bradford (Park Avenue) are back at the Horsfall Community Stadium this Saturday, 18th October, as they take on Heaton Stannington in the Northern Premier League East Division.

Kick-off is at 3pm, and supporters can take advantage of a special discounted ticket offer available exclusively on Fanbase — the perfect chance to come down and back Craig Elliott’s men in league action.

🎟 Special Offer (Fanbase Only):

• Adults: £8
• Concessions: £5
• Youth (12–17): £3
• Juniors (Under 12s): £1

🍽 Hospitality: £15 per person

Tickets are available now via Fanbase:
👉 https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=15600

Come and enjoy an afternoon of football at Horsfall — a great atmosphere, great value, and your chance to get behind the lads as we look to keep pushing on in the league campaign.

Bradford (Park Avenue) supporters can now book their place on the club’s official minibus for this Saturday’s away fixture against Blyth Town.

The Green Army will be heading north to back Craig Elliott’s side as they look to bounce back following last weekend’s narrow defeat to North Ferriby.

The minibus will depart from the Horsfall Community Stadium at 10:45am, with a second pick-up at Cedar Court at 11:00am.

Seats are priced at £10 per person, and places are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

To reserve your seat, please email Thomas.McStravick@bpafc.com.

Get behind the lads and be part of the Avenue support on the road this weekend!

Tuesday 7th October 2025 | 7:45pm KO | Horsfall Community Stadium

Bradford (Park Avenue) return to Northern Premier League East action tonight as they welcome North Ferriby to the Horsfall Community Stadium for what promises to be another thrilling midweek encounter under the lights.

Craig Elliott’s side remain unbeaten in their opening 11 league matches, and their incredible form has seen them top the table with 12 unbeaten games in all competitions — a run that includes three FA Trophy victories. Avenue’s only defeat this season came back in August, in the FA Cup against Avro.

The Green Army head into tonight’s match following a 2–1 win over Heaton Stannington in the FA Trophy on Friday night, where goals from Jak McCourt and Tom Corner sealed Avenue’s place in the next round. Confidence remains high as Elliott’s side look to extend their unbeaten streak and continue their push at the summit of the table.

Visitors North Ferriby have also been enjoying a strong run of form, currently unbeaten in seven matches across all competitions. Their last defeat came away at Bridlington Town on 25th August, and since then they’ve built momentum with key results including a 3–0 win over Silsden and a 2–0 victory against Garforth Town, followed by a goalless draw at Blyth Town on Saturday.

Both sides are known for their defensive discipline, with only 6 goals conceded between them, and with Ferriby’s resurgence and Avenue’s unbeaten streak, tonight’s clash has all the makings of a closely contested fixture.

Looking ahead to the match, Craig Elliott said:

“ North Ferriby will be a team that’s right up there. They’re very well organised, with a good manager, so I’m expecting a tough game. We’re on a good run, we’ve got some minutes into lads who haven’t played recently (On Friday), and we’ll prepare properly and look forward to it.”

Kick-off is at 7:45pm — join us at the Horsfall and back the lads as they look to make it 13 unbeaten!

🎟️ Tickets:
£10 Adults/Concessions
£5 Students, Blue Light, Forces
£3 Youth (12–17)
£1 Juniors (U12s)
👉 Buy online now

We’ll host Pontefract Collieries in the West Riding County Cup on Tuesday 21st October, with kick-off at 7:45pm.

More details, including ticket information, will be announced soon — make sure you’re there to support the lads under the lights!

#Bradford #ParkAvenue #GreenArmy #WRCFA #CountyCup

Bradford (Park Avenue) have been drawn at home in the Isuzu FA Trophy First Round Proper, where we will face either Runcorn Linnets or Morpeth Town.

The tie will take place at the Horsfall Community Stadium on Saturday 25th October, 3:00pm kick-off.

We will find out our opponents following the conclusion of Runcorn Linnets’ Third Qualifying Round tie against Morpeth Town, which takes place on Tuesday 7th October, 7:45pm at the Apec Taxis Stadium.

Runcorn advanced to this stage in emphatic fashion, beating Bury 7–0 on Saturday in the Second Qualifying Round.

Following this draw, we can also confirm that our scheduled Northern Premier League East Division fixture away at Newton Aycliffe has been postponed, with a new date to be announced in due course.

Craig Elliott’s side will now prepare for Tuesday night’s league fixture against North Ferriby, as attention begins to build for another exciting FA Trophy clash under the lights at Horsfall later this month.

Tickets for Tuesday’s league clash vs North Ferriby are available now – https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Fixtures/Index?fanStoreType=Fixtures&clubId=361

Bradford (Park Avenue) return to Horsfall this Friday night for an FA Trophy clash under the lights against fellow NPL East outfit Heaton Stannington.

Craig Elliott’s men come into the fixture full of confidence after extending their unbeaten league run to 11 matches with a 2–1 victory over Ashington on Tuesday evening.

Avenue started brightly in that contest, storming into a two-goal lead inside the opening 15 minutes. Joe Ackroyd continued his fine scoring form with a stunning chest-and-volley from 25 yards that thundered off the post and into the net. Shortly after, Kareem Hassan-Smith capped off a flowing team move with a clinical finish across the goalkeeper to double the advantage.

Although Ashington pulled one back through Scott Lowery’s header, the Green Army stood firm to secure another three points, maintaining their place at the top of the NPL East and six points clear of Matlock Town, who have games in hand.

Reflecting on Tuesday’s win, Elliott praised his side’s start and the quality of both goals, particularly Ackroyd’s strike which he described as “brilliant,” and Hassan-Smith’s effort which came from “as good a move as you’ll see at Horsfall for a good few years.”

Attention now turns to the FA Trophy, where Avenue have already progressed past Redcar Athletic and Consett in previous rounds. Elliott is keen for his squad to keep momentum going:

“It’s another game in a different competition, but we’re on an unbeaten run and we want to get through to the next round. We’ve had two good wins in it so far, so it’s important that we keep the momentum going.”

Match Details
📍 Horsfall Community Stadium, BD6 2NG
📅 Friday 3rd October 2025
⏰ Kick-off: 8:00pm

Admission

• £10 Adults/Concessions
• £5 Students/Bluelight/Forces (ID Required)
• £3 Youth (12–17)
• £1 Juniors (U12s)
• Hospitality: £15 per person

🎟 Tickets available now via Fanbase:
https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=15282

By Alexander Fynn

Bradford (Park Avenue) and Bridlington Town shared the points with a 0-0 draw at the Mounting Systems Stadium, as both sides maintained their unbeaten league records.

Jack Hall and Charlie Winfield, who both played key roles in Bridlington Town’s survival in the NPL East last season, returned to Queensgate this time in Avenue colours.

Before kick-off, there was a minute’s silence to remember Arsenal and Chichester City player Billy Vigar, who tragically passed away on Thursday.

The first period was a cagey affair. Bridlington started with pace, Ahmed Salam skipping past Kareem Hassan-Smith before flashing a cross onto the roof of the net. Will Annan then set up Jake Day, but the striker’s shot cleared the bar.

Avenue struggled to gain a foothold early on, though Prince Ekpolo went close after squaring into the middle, only for Tom Allan to clear. From the resulting corner, Adriano Moke’s low-driven effort rolled wide. Alex Markham was then booked for a late challenge on Ekpolo, with Winfield curling the free-kick high and wide. Hassan-Smith also went close on the counter, but his shot hit the side-netting.

The second half began much the same, Salam’s corner falling kindly to Day, but Conor Brown blocked superbly at close range. Avenue started to grow into the game, with Ekpolo bursting forward to set up Joe Ackroyd, whose effort was palmed away by goalkeeper Jonathan Dash.

Ackroyd forced another fine save after meeting Winfield’s delivery, while Marcus Carver and Ekpolo also saw efforts denied. Brown was cautioned for a late tackle on substitute Ben Farrar as Avenue pushed for a winner.

Ackroyd again went close late on, his header tipped wide by Dash, before Carver saw a powerful strike turned over the bar. Substitute Tom Corner had the final chance in stoppage time, colliding with Dash as the keeper claimed the ball to preserve parity.

Reflecting afterwards, Avenue boss Craig Elliott said:
“I don’t think the first half was the best of games, I don’t think there was much quality in the game. I thought the second half we produced the better chances, but with their keeper being given man of the match says it all.”

The result leaves Avenue top of the NPL East, four points clear of Emley, while Bridlington remain unbeaten and in the top seven.