Bradford extend unbeaten run with 4-0 win

Bradford (Park Avenue) beat Blyth Spartans at the Horsfall Community Stadium to make it 17 matches unbeaten at the start of their season.

The Northern Premier League East Division leaders scored twice in the first half and added two more after the break in front of an attendance of 478. The result kept Avenue top of the table, two points ahead of Dunston, having played a game more.

Luke Parkin opened the scoring in the sixth minute. A long free-kick was not cleared by the Blyth defence, and Parkin gathered the loose ball before finishing past goalkeeper Callum Dobson.

Bradford continued to create chances. Parkin had an effort saved after a pass from Brad Abbott, while Kareem Hassan-Smith curled a shot narrowly over. Marcus Carver also went close, and Robbie Fox headed just wide from an Abbott cross.

The hosts doubled their lead in the 27th minute. Parkin’s in-swinging free-kick caused trouble in the penalty area, and left-back Scott Duxbury struck the ball towards goal. It crossed the line despite efforts by Blyth players to keep it out.

Second-half goals complete the win

Bradford made two changes around half-time, with Abbott and captain Jameel Ible going off with injuries. Charlie Winfield and Haw came on, and the hosts continued to press.

Carver scored the third in the 58th minute. Dobson parried his initial powerful shot, but Carver collected the rebound and placed his finish into the bottom corner. He came close to scoring again eight minutes later, but his curling effort went narrowly wide.

Blyth’s clearest opportunity came in the 85th minute, when Jordan Summerly crossed into the box. Connor Brown’s attempted clearance struck his own crossbar before Bradford dealt with the rebound.

Substitute Jake Thompson completed the scoring in the 88th minute. He collected the ball outside the area after a throw-in from Winfield and struck a right-footed shot into the top corner.

The match was played at the Horsfall Community Stadium. Bradford’s next scheduled fixture was away to West Auckland Town.