Points take priority over FA Cup for Bradford Park Avenue (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Points take priority over FA Cup for Bradford Park Avenue

5:06pm Thursday 11th October 2012 in Sport By Ian Whiting

In-form Bradford Park Avenue go into Saturday’s home game against Gloucester City looking for a fourth straight victory.

Avenue have won two FA Cup ties and beaten Boston United in the Blue Square Bet North since their last defeat, so confidence is high.

John Deacey’s side will host Evo-Stik League Division One North side Ossett Albion in the final FA Cup qualifying round a week on Saturday, when a potential money-spinning tie against a league club is at stake.

But, with Saturday’s clash and a rearranged trip to Chester next Wednesday to come in the league before then, the Avenue chief is determined his side focus on gaining points first.

He said: “The FA Cup is on the backburner – we are concentrating 100 per cent on this game because we need to move in the right direction in the table.

“We spoke about it in training this week. We have to be fully focused on picking points up.”

“It should be an interesting game. I have never been involved in a game against Gloucester, so again we don’t know what they are like.”

The Bradford boss had the same conundrum last weekend when they played Nottingham-based Carlton Town in the cup.

“My scouts won’t go out of Yorkshire for some reason, I think there must be something wrong with their cars,” joked Deacey.

“I have someone based in Worcester who has seen them play and I gave him a call for a little bit of information on Gloucester.”

“We have to make the most of our home games because this division is very tough. What makes life difficult at the moment is having Adam Clayton out.

“Losing Adam has been a massive blow to us and he could be out for a while.

“He is running in straight lines but, as soon as he turns or twists, he is in trouble.

“He had another scan on his knee this week and we are waiting on results but it could be more serious than we thought.

“He has no chance for this week but we are hopeful that Jamie Jackson will be fit enough to come back on the bench.”

Gloucester are five places below Avenue in the Blue Square Bet North table but are only two points worse off.

Avenue have played one game less than their visitors and are locked in mid-table after winning three, drawing three and losing three of their nine league starts.