MARK Bower believes it would be a huge financial boost for Bradford (Park Avenue) if they can see off Spennymoor Town in the FA Cup.

Avenue host Town in the second qualifying round tomorrow and would land £3375 by gaining a passage through to the next stage.

Despite, beating Southport and Darlington in recent years, the Avenue boss has struggled later on in the tournament against league rivals.

Defeats to Altrincham and Harrogate Town have hurt and has meant Bower has not reached the first round proper with Bradford.

He hopes to extinguish this hoodoo by starting off well this season against a Vanarama National League North team who will be no-pushovers.

Spennymoor narrowly missed out on the playoffs last term and have brought in the likes of Adriano Moke and ex-Bradford boy Jamie Spencer, in an attempt to get over the line.

Bower expects a difficult test but thinks his team are capable of causing a shock.

He said: "They (Spennymoor) have recruited as if nothing is going on in the world and it is just a normal season.

"The quality of players they have been able to bring in, not just the first XI, but you look through their squad, they have got 18 players who are really good at this level and above.

"They will be one of the better teams this year and I fully expect them to be at least in the playoff picture.

"We always seem to get a tough draw. They are in the same position as us though.

"If we had drawn a team from the league below, they would be more up to speed as they have been playing competitive games.

"I expect a tough game but if our lads do as well as they can, we have got a chance of getting a result.

"The funds are reduced this year but a win for us represents a massive amount of income.

"You need a little bit of luck along the way in a cup run. We will certainly be taking it very seriously and doing all we can to get through."

A 3-0 victory over neighbours Farsley Celtic certainly helped generate confidence in a pre-season which was like no other.

Bower said: "It is the most difficult one that I have every been involved in from various angles.

"Trying to get players in, we had the issues with the pitch, and games were called off due to COVID.

"It has not been the most enjoyable one when you compare it to season’s gone by. But, everyone has had disruption so we just have to get on with it."

This past week, there was relief felt from all corners in the Avenue camp when the news broke that the government would provide the National League with a financial package to ensure the 2020/21 campaign would go ahead.

Bower is glad to see that football can return as planned.

He added: "We are in this awkward position in the pyramid where we have got such a contrast in our division. There is some full time, ex football league clubs and teams like ourselves who are part time and have less resources.

"It is easy to criticise, but it is a very difficult position for everyone involved.

"It is easy to say we should be allowed fans but they have got to draw a line somewhere if that’s how they see it.

"I think this is going to be the world for the foreseeable future in terms of things will change and we have to adapt.

"It is sad that fans can not come in because there will be plenty who want to come and watch the game.

"We are all having to make sacrifices at the minute and that is one of them."