Park Avenue hit four-midable run of form (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford Park Avenue hit four-midable run of form

7:40pm Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Headlines By Ian Whiting

Bradford Park Avenue will have a spring in their step as they head to Stafford Rangers on Saturday following four victories on the trot.

John Deacey’s men journey to the Midlands in search of the three-point maximum that would take them through the 50-point barrier.

A win could also lift them back into the play-off places in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

They currently sit in sixth place but have games in hand on some of their promotion rivals and are in good spirits after winning their last two league games and progressing in two cup competitions.

They know they will be in for a tough game at Stafford, however, as the Midlands outfit are just four places lower than their visitors.

Avenue strolled to a 3-1 win in the West Riding County Cup quarter-finals in midweek and chairman John Dean said: “Progress into the semis keeps the winning run going. It is also looking quite good in the league now because other clubs have dropped points, so finishing in the play-offs is back in our own hands.

“We could even reach second place as it stands at the moment but, obviously, we have to win a lot of games between now and the end of the season – difficult games like Saturday’s – but at least it should be a very interesting run-in.

“Nicky Matthews had a superb debut last Saturday and scored. He also looked confident and he has a bit of speed about him. I hope he works out to be as good a signing as Ross Daly.”

Both striker Matthews, who was signed just a few weeks back, and midfielder Daly have come from Northern Counties East League Premier Division neighbours Thackley.

They should both be in the travelling party on Saturday as Deacey has a full squad from which to choose, excluding long-term absentee Amjad Iqbal.

In Division One, Farsley need a home win to stay in the play-off zone when they host Bamber Bridge.

Neil Parsley’s men are inside the top five but Bamber are one of four clubs just outside the play-off zone who are within one win of overhauling Farsley. Three of the clubs have also played fewer games than the Villagers.

Farsley have lost their last two league games but Parsley has no new injury concerns.