Back-to-back home games for Avenue

Bradford Park Avenue update, by Lewis Sale

The race for the playoff spots continues, and Bradford (Park Avenue) face back to back home games at the Horsfall Stadium on Saturday and Monday respectively.

Despite suffering a 3-2 defeat at Chester FC, Bradford remain in the playoffs. The Avenue were trailing 3-0 at half time, but pulled back two goals to make it a tense finish against the league leaders. But, with the other playoff contenders picking up victories in recent weeks, and FC United of Manchester keeping the pressure from sixth, Bradford will be relishing the challenge to stand a chance of playing knockout football in April.

On Saturday, The Avenue face Ashton United, whom manager Danny Johnson collected the Manager of the Month Award for February. In the reverse fixture at Hurst Cross, Bradford had mixed emotions. During the game, they lost defender Amjad Iqbal to a broken leg, but secured a vital three points, thanks to a last minute goal from the recently departed Aiden Savory.

Two days later, The Avenue host Kendal Town at the Horsfall Stadium. It was only in February since the last time both sides met, when it ended 1-1.

However, the Bradford manager John Deacey remains buoyant of remaining in the playoff places: 'We have nine games and there is plenty of football left. The games against Northwich Victoria and Chorley are crucial. Now, we have two home games and we still have a great chance.'

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