BRADFORD Park Avenue head to Throstle Nest for a second consecutive Saturday but they will be facing a much sterner test.

Avenue ran out 3-1 winners against tenants Albion Sports last weekend but they will be taking on landlords Farsley Celtic this time.

The Celts are on the up after last season’s play-off win and are now just one division below Mark Bower’s Avenue.

The Horsfall Stadium boss said: “It’s a big derby and I’m sure they will be keen to beat us.

“Farsley have stepped up and are now just one level below. There is also a lot of National League North experience in their squad so it should make it a very good game.

“There has been a change of manager, and when a new man comes in they always have their own ideas and a few players that they want to bring in, but they’ve kept the core of last season’s squad and a lot of them have been at Avenue - the likes of Adam Clayton, Paul Walker, James Walshaw and others, all very good players proven at National North level.

“I don’t know a great deal about Farsley’s new signings but it looks like they have a very good mix of players and a new manager who has put his own stamp on it.”

Avenue go into the game guarding a four-match unbeaten run in pre-season after Tuesday night’s 1-0 victory at Ossett Town.

The Celts are now under the stewardship of Adam Lakeland and former Avenue striker Mark Bett following changes at the top.

They have lost one and won two after Wednesday’s 3-1 victory at home to Avenue’s league rivals Harrogate Town.

Bower has been looking at a number of trialists and also trying to get as much game-time for his players as possible since they came back in at the start of the month.

He has made some decisions and intimated that there may be fewer trialists involved in Saturday's friendly.

Bower said: “We have whittled it down a bit and there will be a smaller squad on duty for this game. There is plenty going on behind the scenes but there are various reasons why we have to keep things close to our chest at this time of year.

“We’re looking forward to it though because Farsley will give us a proper test.

"There isn’t a massive step between the Evo-Stik Premier and the National North, and teams that have come up in the past have gone straight through.

“Farsley will be confident of having a decent season, and with the players they have I can see them doing really well in that division.”