BRADFORD City face a long trip to Colchester United tonight, in a game that was originally postponed due to international call-ups, not exactly a common occurrence in League Two.

The U's had been flying high in the league, but hit the buffers over New Year, with four successive draws seeing them drop to ninth.

It was therefore a welcome return to winning ways on Saturday as they beat crisis club Macclesfield Town 2-1.

They present a real away day challenge for the Bantams, who still have not won on the road since October 12, when goals from Hope Akpan and Aramide Oteh secured a 2-1 win at Morecambe.

Can they finally stop the three-month long rot? Their fans will certainly hope so. If you are one of the brave souls making the trip down to the game in Essex tonight, here is the T&A's comprehensive away day guide.

GROUND

Venue: JobServe Community Stadium

Capacity: 10,105

Address: ‎United Way, Mile End, Colchester, CO4 5UP

TICKETS

Seated tickets are still on offer for Bantams fans to purchase, and admission prices are as follows:

ADULT - £20

STUDENT (18-23) - £16

SENIOR CITIZEN - £15

UNDER 18 (College student) - £11.50

JUNIOR - £5

UNDER 11 - £2

DISABLED HELPER - Free

If you haven't already purchased your tickets online or from the Valley Parade Ticket Office, collect them on the day from Colchester United's ticket office at the ground.

TRAVEL

The main concern for the big day is how to get there, how long it will take to get there, and where on earth you’re going to park.

Train: After catching a train from Bradford Interchange/Forster Square to Leeds, you'll need to catch an LNER service to London King's Cross.

Then, you'll need to take the Metropolitan line on the London Underground from London King's Cross. That line ends at Aldgate but you'll need to get off after four stops at Liverpool Street.

You'll need to pop up to the overground part of the station. From there, catch the Greater Anglia service to Norwich, which arrives at Colchester Station after around 45 minutes.

If you leave the station and turn right under the railway bridge, the bus stop there serves the 2, 8 and 65 bus, all of which get you to within a ten minute walk of the stadium.

Alternatively, taxis do serve the station.

Car: After leaving Bradford, get yourself on to the M62. At Junction 32A, exit on to the A1(M). Continue on that route for around 115 miles, before taking the ramp on to the A14.

Fifteen miles later, keep right to continue on to the M11 and follow the signs for London. At junction 8, take the A120 exit to Colchester/Bishop's Stortford/Stansted Airport.

At the roundabout, take the first exit on to Thremhall Avenue/A120. Just under half a mile later, at Priory Wood Roundabout, take the third exit onto the A120 ramp to Colchester.

Continue on to the A120. Stay on there for around 17 miles, then at the roundabout, take the second exit and stay on the A120.

At the roundabout a mile later, take the third exit onto Coggeshall Road/A120

Nine miles afterwards, at the roundabout, take the second exit onto Marks Tey Interchange/A120, before merging on to the A12, via the ramp to Colchester/Harwich.

Exit at junction 28, and you will come to a series of roundabouts. At the first one, take the third exit. At the second, take the first exit. For the final one, take the third exit.

From there, continue on to United Way, turn right, turn right again, before turning left. Your destination will be on the right. Remember, the address is United Way, Mile End, Colchester CO4 5UP, UK

The journey, without too much traffic trouble, should take just under four hours.

PARKING

Colchester's official website lists this parking advice:

Please note that there is only limited car parking at the stadium itself, with just under 700 spaces in the main stadium car park. You can book a parking permit via 01206 755161 or on www.colutickets.com, where we also offer the chance to print your own permit.

Fans are able to use the nearby Park & Ride car park, which is a 5-10 minute walk to the stadium across Boxted Road bridge.

Both Colchester United and visiting supporters should be aware that the immediate area around the JobServe Community Stadium is subject to a Parking Exclusion Zone on matchdays.

Covering both existing clearways and also nearby residential areas, these roads are marshalled by Colchester United and Essex Police to prevent parking on roads not permitted under the Stadium Travel Plan.

Fans coming by car are able to park in town centre car parks, paying the required fee, before joining up with the Matchday Travel Service.

There are a number of town centre car parks if you wish to sample the town itself before the game, while there is also an extensive pay car park at Colchester Train Station.

If parking in a town centre car park, visiting fans can buy a ticket on the number 65 bus on Head Street, which drops off in Mill Road, which is a 10 minute walk to the stadium.

There are plenty of pubs and restaurants in the town centre, and visiting fans may find that getting to the ground in this way is an enjoyable one.

PUBS

Nice of Colchester's official website to mention the pubs on offer for away fans, so let's take a look at them shall we?

First of all though, the club allows access to the bar and toilets located on the concourse area of the Weston Homes Stand before each home game.

Drinks can be taken back outside the stadium to enjoy the pre-match entertainment, such as the live bands which often play under the marquee.

This bar is available to both home and away supporters. with alcohol all priced at £3.80.

The stadium is on the outskirts of Colchester, so The Dog and Pheasant pub on Nayland Road, is probably the closest, even if it is still around three-quarters of a mile away. But it seems that away fans may only be allowed entry if they are not wearing their club's colours.

To find the pub, go down to the end of United Way, then turn left into Boxted Road and at the mini-roundabout go straight over into Nayland Road. The Dog and Pheasant is on the right next to a fish and chip shop.

A safer bet, about one and half miles away on the Ipswich Road (A1232, off A12/A120), may be the Balkerne Gate pub, which is part of the Brewers Fayre chain.

If you are arriving at Colchester Train Station, then directly opposite is the Bricklayers Arms, which normally has a good mix of home and away fans inside. This pub serves real ale, shows Sky Sports and also does food.

Alternatively, you can take the short train ride from Colchester station to Colchester Town, around which there are plenty of pubs to be found.

A decent bet is the Odd One Out pub at the bottom of Mersea road (about a two minute walk). It is the most traditional real ale pub in Colchester, although swearing is banned.

A five to 10 minute walk away is the Playhouse, which is a Wetherspoons outlet. This former theatre is a spectacular setting for a bar, as the original dress circle and stage of the theatre have been preserved.

PREVIOUS TEASER (Crawley Town away):

Q: Which former Bradford City player, who played a big part in the Bantams' memorable FA Cup run in 2015, is currently on loan at Oldham Athletic from Crawley Town?

A: Filipe Morais

THIS WEEK'S TEASER:

Q: In the 1970-71 season, Fourth Division side Colchester United reached an FA Cup quarter-final. Which First Division team did they memorably beat 3-2 along the way?