Star showing can boost Avenue lead

10:29pm Wednesday 16th April 2008

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Bradford Park Avenue can extend their lead at the top of the UniBond Division One North tomorrow night if they gain a positive result from the re-arranged fixture at Newcastle Blue Star.

Nearest challengers Curzon Ashton dropped points in midweek to leave Avenue a point clear with a game in hand.

As much as a draw tomorrow would double the Bradford club's advantage, manager Dave Cameron is looking for a victory to push them through the 80-point barrier.

"It will be a tough game up at Newcastle but we certainly will be going there looking for a win," said Cameron.

"If we haven't got the belief in us after the run we have been on we might as well give it up.

"We know it will be a hard game but we have just taken six points from two games, scored ten goals and conceded only one."

The squad could not be more buoyant after going top of the league thanks to a 3-1 victory over Wakefield and backing that up with a 7-0 thrashing of Bridlington Town two days later.

They stayed out in front when Curzon Ashton were held to a 1-1 draw at Bamber Bridge on Tuesday.

However, if Avenue needed a reminder of the quality of their hosts, it came on the same night as Newcastle Blue Star beat Wakefield 3-1 on their own patch.

Tomorrow's game could be a test of endurance more than anything. Avenue and Newcastle have been playing four games in eight days because of congested run-ins.

But Cameron said: "We won't be tired. You don't feel it when you are winning because the next match can never come quickly enough.

"There is more of a chance that you will pick up injuries because the players are increasing their time in competitive action.

"I had some scouts at the Curzon game and I understand that they battered Bamber Bridge after getting a late equaliser but just couldn't find another goal.

"That is great news for Park Avenue but we have sympathy for Curzon because we have all had games like that."

Cameron is going into this game without striker Paul Gedman, who he is resting, but confirmed there were no fresh injury worries.

He said: "I have decided to leave Paul at home for this one. It is my choice and I will stand by it whatever the result.

"I want to play a different system tomorrow night and I want Paul to have a rest and be ready for Saturday at Woodley Sports."