Blyth Spartans
0
Bradford (Park Avenue)
Louie Chorlton
1
Saturday 13 September 2025 3PM
League
Attendance: 400
Blyth Spartans v Bradford (Park Avenue) | Saturday, 13 September 2025 - 15:00 | League
Date: Saturday, 13 September 2025
Stadium: Croft Park
Time: 3:00pm KO
Ticket Prices: £12 for adults, £7 for concessions, blue light holders, 11-16 years & students, and free entry for 10 and under.
Blyth Spartans return to Northern Premier League East action as they host league leaders Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC.
Blyth Spartans were knocked out of the FA Trophy last weekend by North Ferriby. Despite having the extra man advantage, Blyth were unable to overturn a 1-0 deficit.
Colin Myers' side will be looking to get back on track in the league after picking up seven points from the previous four league matches.
The Opposition: Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC
Bradford Association Football Club was founded in 1907. They used the name of their ground, 'Park Avenue', to distinguish themselves from Bradford City AFC; however, the present club is a reincarnation that was established in 1987.
Avenue has reached the quarter final of the FA Cup on three separate occasions in 1912/13, 1919/20, and 1945/46 respectively.
However, in the 1949/50 season, Avenue was relegated, which would begin a huge decline for the club, seeing them drop through multiple divisions and eventually having to liquidate the club on 3 May 1974.
The club was relegated to the Northern Premier League East in 23/24 and finished last season comfortably in mid-table; however, they have started this season fantastically, topping the table with 13 points from seven matches, and will be looking to continue their good form and push for promotion this season.
One to Watch
Avenue has had lots of great performances at the beginning of this season, with some standout performers; however, my choice for the player to watch this weekend is Charlie Winfield.
Winfield has already notched four goals in all competitions this season and has been part of an excellent defence, which has kept four clean sheets so far this season across all competitions.
The full-back's most impressive game so far this season was the 3-0 away win against Pontefract Collieries, where he scored two goals in the second half.
From the Dugout
Craig Elliott is the man in charge of Avenue. He was appointed on 30 August 2024, steadily finishing in 10th place on 57 points.
Avenue has started this season without a defeat in league action, winning three games and drawing their other four matches, which has allowed them to top the table ahead of a trip to Croft Park.
As well as having such a fantastic start to the season, Avenue have also advanced to the second round qualifying of the FA Trophy, knocking out high-flying Redcar Athletic in the previous round on penalties.
What has been said?
Colin Myers spoke after Spartans were knocked out of the FA Trophy last weekend away to North Ferriby.
Here is what he had to say:
The whole day has been really disappointing if I'm honest. It's not acceptable; the level of performance wasn't where it should have been.
We never tested the keeper at all. We tried changing it up with a more attacking formation and putting an extra man upfront, but it just didn't happen for us.
We have to massively improve all round. We know it's not good enough, everybody's upset, but we've got to up our game, we've all got to be better.
You can follow all of the action on Saturday afternoon via our social media platforms and BlythLive on Mixlr from 2:45pm.
Written by Jack Lisle