BRADFORD (Park Avenue) will be hoping for a the same result they achived last time out when they face Altrincham this weekend.

Bottom side Avenue will be travelling to Moss Lane knowing they can challenge this in-form Alty team after beating them 2-0 last month, one of only three wins they have recorded this campaign.

Here’s all the news, analysis and insight that you need ahead of Saturday’s Vanarama National League North 3pm kick-off.

Form Guide

Despite competing throughout with higher opposition once again, it proved to be the case of same old Bradford last week as they were downed 2-1 by third-placed Brackley Town.

The loss meant it is six defeats in seven for Mark Bower's side, leaving them 13 points adrift with a miserable goal difference of -52, a dramatic escape is needed to avoid the drop.

It was the complete reverse for Altrincham as they went on a remarkable run after that Horsfall defeat, going unbeaten in their next seven, winning five, before defeat at Gateshead last matchday, denied the 10th-placed team a spot in the playoffs.

Bower’s thoughts: Transfer activity a struggle

“We’re only playing once a week now at this time of year, so we have time to get people in.

“But it’s been frustrating because of the attitude people have. People look at our results and the table and think we’re not a great proposition.

“It’s difficult to get right because we need to bring people in that will improve us, while also working in tight financial constraints.”

Team News

Bower will have the same 15 available from the Brackley game after the club recently announced the departure of loanees Issac Marriot and Lewis Rathbone.

The news of Alex Hirst’s loan being extended until the end of the season from Port Vale is positive news for Park Avenue fans.

Alty will hope to call upon the experienced Craig Mahon after he came in from Chester as part of a deal that saw John Johnston move to the Cestrians for a substantial fee.

Possible line-ups

Alty: Thompson, Desmore, White, Mullarkey, Hnnigan, Moult ©, Johnston, Lundstram, Hulme, Hancock, Peers

BPA: Green, Toulson, Priestley, Hughes, Lund, Nowakowski, Hibbs, Hall, Clee, Hurst, Clare

Battle to watch: Tom Clare v Jordan Hulme

It could be the clash of the forwards with both sides needing their frontline to fire.

Clare should have worked his way into Bower’s starting plans with his great last-minute finish against Brackley.

Despite only netting two in his eight appearances for the club, one of those coming in the reverse fixture, the former Bradford City striker has looked dangerous off the bench with his height causing issues for the opposing team.

Hulme is almost into double figures forming a great partnership with Josh Hancock, who also has bagged nine goals this term.

The home side will rely on the pair to gain revenge and help them jump into the top seven.

Opponent History

After being founded in 1891, the Robins moved to the now 6000 capacity Moss Lane in 1910, mixing it in the Cheshire leagues until they were one of the founding members of the Northern Premier League in 1968.

Subsequently they would also become part of a number of teams to create the Alliance League (now the National League) after several failed attempts of election into the Football League.

Regardless of winning the first two titles, FL election still avoided Alty.

Once the Conference North was introduced, Altrincham gained promotion at their first attempt in 2005 where they remained until 2011.

After a brief spell back in the top division of non-league, successive relegations left the Robins in the Northern Premier League in 2017.

However, Phil Parkinson created a title winning squad the season after.

Interesting fact: Altrincham hold the record (17) of knocking the most Football League sides out of the FA Cup than any other club that has spent its entire history playing in Non-League.

Head to Head

Other than that Avenue's win earlier this term, Altrincham usually dominate this encounter, previously holding a 10-match unbeaten streak over a 14-year period from the start of the decade.

Overall, the hosts do lead the win column from the 18 meetings with eight victories over Bradford’s four.