BRADFORD Park Avenue aim to defend their West Riding County Cup at neighbours Bradford City’s Valley Parade tonight against National North rivals Harrogate Town.

Had Avenue lost their league match at the weekend, boss Darren Edmondson may have seen tonight as a distraction as his main priority would have been securing the club’s current league status.

However, Saturday’s comfortable 3-1 win over Worcester City effectively ensures that Avenue will still be in the division next season.

They go into tonight’s showpiece final in a healthy 12th place against a Harrogate side that Simon Weaver is hoping will not be in the same division next term.

Weaver’s side are guaranteed a play-off finish with two games to spare, but have been held to goalless draws in their last two league games. Play-off hopefuls Boston United, at the weekend, and Nuneaton Town both nullified Harrogate.

Avenue will be coming up against familiar faces in Joe Colbeck and Louis Swain, who also know Valley Parade after spells with the Bantams.

They also have their own sprinkling of former Harrogate men, such as Chib Chilaka, Richard Marshall, Luke Dean and Jason St Juste, so the final should have a real derby edge.

Edmondson said: “There will be changes to the side from the weekend because there are a few who are cup-tied.

“Obviously, most of the later signings can’t play and we have a few injuries after the win against Worcester. We need to have a bit of a look at it and have a head count but I expect Simon Ainge to be available.

“He came off at half-time on Saturday but we did that because he’d been booked and they (Worcester) were at him knowing he couldn’t risk another yellow card.”

Avenue won the trophy at the same venue a year ago with a 1-0 win over Garforth Town, Chilaka scored the game’s only goal, with Colbeck picking up a winners' medal as an Avenue player.

Elsewhere tonight, LIVERSEDGE host Retford United in the Toolstation Northern Counties East Premier Division, just three days after the reverse fixture was washed out.

The equation remains the same for Sedge though – a win would lift them out of the drop zone.

SILSDEN are also in action but not even a home victory over Squire Gate would lift them out of the North West Counties Premier Division relegation places. The Cobbydalers are five points from safety and tonight is the first of three home games in five days.