BRADFORD (Park Avenue) manager Mark Bower is expecting two tough games for his side over the Bank Holiday weekend, as they take on fellow promotion chasers Hereford and Boston United.

However, he knows that he can always rely on evergreen stopper Steven Drench, who has already shown this season why he is one of the best goalkeepers in the Vanarama National League North.

Casting an eye over the weekend fixtures, Bower admitted: "I've not seen Hereford in the flesh as they're a new team at this level and they have been playing down south until this season.

"But they've won three league titles in a row so they have momentum. It will be a tough away trip in front of 3,000 fans tomorrow too."

He is also wary of Monday's opponents Boston, who are strong at both ends of the pitch, saying: "They've not conceded many but they've got plenty of quality at the top end too.

That front three of Nathan Arnold, Adam Marriott and Jonny Margetts gives them a lot of firepower and it's surprising that they're playing at this level.

"It's two hard games against sides that are above us but if we do our jobs well, we'll have a chance."

Bower can count on Drench to do his job, with the keeper earning a spot in the league's Team of the Weekend after a fine display in the draw at home to Stockport County last Saturday.

The Avenue boss said: "He's been a top keeper at this level for years. I've played with him and managed him and he's always been vital.

"He pulled off important saves against Spennymoor Town and Stockport, and he made that key penalty stop just before half-time in Saturday's game, when a goal would have changed things."

Bower was happy with the Stockport result, saying: "We fell behind late on so it was a good comeback.

"It was a tired performance after five games in 15 days but I think we finished strongly. If you'd told me last week that we'd take four points from Spennymoor and Stockport, I would definitely have taken that."