THIS weekend's bank holiday fixture schedule may be a demanding time for clubs in all three divisions of the National League – but the entire opening two months of the season is no less busy for clubs just outside the Football League.

Bradford Park Avenue face AFC Telford United away today and Chorley at home on Monday, with the National North rivals having already played five games inside 15 days from the opening day of the season to last Saturday.

They have had a brief respite as there were no midweek fixtures in the run-up to this weekend but, as Avenue manager Mark Bower is well aware, another glut of games is imminent.

"There's been a lot of talk about this weekend and rightly so because its two games in three days, which means six points to play for in quick time," said Bower.

"If you win both of the games, it can take you a long way up the table, but if you lose both you can suddenly find yourself well behind.

"The 15 points already played for, it doesn't matter if you've averaged one point per game or two in those five games. If you've got five or ten points already – another six, or none, is going to make a big difference to your club and the expectations for the whole season."

Avenue go into the weekend with six points after two wins and three defeats but with confidence high after last week's 3-0 victory over FC United in the roses derby lifted the mood.

Yet there were some raised eyebrows at the team sheet as Avenue failed to fill their quota of substitutes.

With assistant player-manager Danny Boshell in the dugout and his brother Nicky and Shane Killock wandering around in tracksuits, questions were asked as to why one of them was not named as the fifth sub.

Bower had the longer term in mind when he told the players they had the day off and could relax. Looking at the next set of fixtures, it is a decision that could pay dividends.

The Avenue manager said: "Its not just a tough weekend, it's a tough few weeks. By the time we play Boston United at home, we'll have played six games in 17 days, so we're going to need everyone in a spell like that.

"That schedule would test Football League clubs' squads, so it's definitely a big test for a club with our resources."

Once the two bank holiday weekend fixtures are done, Avenue face games at Stockport County and Gainsborough Trinity before hosting Nuneaton Town and then Boston United on Monday, September 11.

It is a punishing schedule but Bower reckons his side are up for the test.

He said: "The way the league is set up, there are a lot of games early on and by the second week of the second month 11 games have gone. That's a quarter of the season.

"But we've got more depth in the squad this season and people who can come in and not just do a job but to battle for their place.

"There will be opportunities for all of the players and the best teams put runs of results, together so that's the challenge for these players."