By Matthew Burdin
Brighouse look to kickstart 2026 with victory against out of form Bradford Park Avenue
The Orange Army Kick off the new year with a Yorkshire Derby against the out of form Bradford Park Avenue who have lost their previous two games and are winless since the 6th of December.
Grant Black’s men however come into this game on an even longer winless streak – with the last victory dating back to the 8th of November – which will hopefully motivate the players as they look to leave the poor results in 2025 and look forward to a new year full of wins.
Last time out for Brighouse it was a 1-1 draw away at Silsden where the Orange Army’s number seven, Nathan Curtis grabbed his sixth goal of the season in the sixth minute of the game.
Silsden fought back in the 23rd minute when Luke Brooksbank found the back of the net, and then from their onwards neither side could find a goal that would secure them the crucial three points.
This is the first time that Brighouse and Bradford Park Avenue have met in the Northern Premier League, East Division this season, however last season when the two sides met neither side grabbed all three points on both occasions.
The first meeting last year between the two sides was a 1-1 draw, and then when the two sides met again in April 2025 it was a 2-2 draw.
The home side will be especially excited by the prospect of winning and not drawing this time around, as three points for Brighouse could see them rise from 15th place all the way up to 12th place.
This isn’t to say that Bradford Park Avenue aren’t equally as enticed by three points, as every point is ever so crucial for them as they seek a playoff place in the hopes of promotion to the Premier Division.
Consequently, we should be in for a tasty affair at the Heffernan Utilities Stadium as both sides will be looking to begin the new year in style.