BRADFORD Park Avenue, who already face a race against time to get their remaining 19 league fixtures in before the end of the Vanarama Conference North season, are desperately hoping Saturday’s game gets the go-ahead.

Avenue visit Stalybridge Celtic in one of the key clashes that Bradford boss John Deacey refers to as ‘cup finals’.

The Avenue chief believes his side can beat the drop and he knows that to do it they must perform well in the games against their fellow strugglers.

Stalybridge are one of Avenue’s relegation rivals as they are just six points better off but they have played four games more.

Bradford will also be renewing acquaintances with a player who featured for Avenue and the Bantams.

Midfielder Scott Kerr left Avenue to join the Celts in November and picked up the league’s December Player of the Month award.

Stalybridge boss Keith Briggs further strengthened his squad with a double signing earlier this month.

Defender Stefan Galinsky was drafted in from Boston United while Steve Brogan was snapped up from Conference Premier outfit Southport.

Brogan, a former Rotherham United and Guiseley midfielder, scored 14 goals in 48 appearances in his first spell with Celtic.

Deacey has also been busy, offering an 18-month contract to Danny Frost and terms to midfielder Danny Barlow, which both players were happy to accept.

Follwoing the postponement of Wednesday’s home game with Chorley, their fifth fixture to fall foul of the weather since Boxing Day, Avenue are anxious to start their climb out of the relegation zone.

The extended break means injured players Paul Walker (back), Nathan Hotte (knee), Chris Lever (knee) and Billy Priestley (broken nose) are all closer to a comeback but Deacey is unlikely to risk them as they are woefully short of match fitness.