Big test if Bradford Park Avenue beat the weather (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Game in hand could prove key to Bradford Park Avenue ambitions

5:20pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in Sport By Ian Whiting

If the winter freeze relents then BRADFORD PARK AVENUE will travel to Cheshire on Saturday to take on Evo-Stik League promotion rivals Northwich Victoria.

John Deacey’s men will be looking for the win that could lift them back into the Premier Division play-off places – but they face a stern test. Avenue are sixth in the table but Northwich are two places higher, although they have played a game more.

That single game in hand is key to the equation as the two rivals go head to head. Avenue trail their hosts by five points, so a win would cut that to two and mean they would overhaul Northwich in the table with victory in that additional fixture.

Another factor is that it is not actually a home game for Northwich as the match is scheduled to take place at nearby league counterparts Nantwich Town’s ground.

The Vics were kicked out of their Victoria Stadium home last month after receivers acting for accountancy firm Deloitte & Touche accepted a bid for the land from a third party.

Northwich are playing this game at the home of their Cheshire rivals and their outstanding FA Trophy third-round tie at Macclesfield Town’s Moss Rose ground.

But those should only be distractions to Northwich as Deacey has his men primed for a tough away fixture whatever the venue.

Avenue’s last two scheduled matches, a league fixture and a cup tie, both suffered postponements, so match sharpness rather than injuries and suspensions will be at the forefront of the manager’s mind when he makes his selection.

In Division One, Farsley AFC are also on the road following a fortnight off. Farsley and Avenue last played in the final midweek of January, when both clubs reached the West Riding County Cup semi-finals.

The task facing Neil Parsley’s side this weekend is getting back to winning ways in the league so they can stay in the play-off zone.

Farsley make the short trip for a derby at Harrogate Railway Athletic, who are down in 19th place in the 22-strong division. Parsley’s men are fifth, the last play-off spot, but are on the back of two league defeats.