MARK Bower is thankful Bradford (Park Avenue) have a 3G pitch so they can finally play their league fixture against Chester tonight.

In a season heavily effected by Covid-19, the match had already been postponed twice due to the snow but with only rain expected the pair should finally be able to collide for a second time this term.

"It has been difficult," Bower said. "We have got a 3G pitch but if there is six inches of snow there is not much you can do about it.

"With the rain that is forecasted that will highlight the benefits from having it, we will get a game on that would have no chance of been played on a grass pitch."

Last month saw Bradford heavily beaten 3-1 at the Deva Stadium in the Buildbase FA Trophy. Although the newly reformed version of the club have never taken three points away from Horsfall. Something Bower thinks is irrelevant.

"It counts for very little historically that kind of thing," he said.

"It depends on which team can deal with the conditions the best and does the basics right, hopefully that’s us."

On second-placed Chester, Bower added: "Their managers (Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson) came in a few seasons ago and just missed out on the playoffs. Last year, they got in and it was a controversial defeat against Altrincham, they will count themselves unfortunate there.

"This season they have got a strong squad and are a big club at the level. They are in that large group of teams who want to be in that top seven come the end of the season.

"They are not the biggest team in the world, like us, and their emphasis is on getting the ball down and through to the strikers. They are strong in midfield with two technically gifted footballers who get them ticking.

"I’ve managed Anthony Dudley before (at Guiseley) and he is a very good footballer. They have got a lot of strengths which we have to be on top of if we are going to get anything."

The Avenue boss may finally have a selection headache. With Jake Hibbs and Isaac Marriott both back in midfield, they will be fighting hard for a starting spot.

However, the left back situation is still a worry as both Ryan Toulson and Matty Downing are out. Nicky Clee filled in for the injured Toulson after an hour against Boston while Jordan Windass and Mark Ross can also play there.

"We’ve missed both (Hibbs and Marriott) over the last couple of months and had to adapt a bit in how we play. Having said that, Regan (Booty) and Adam who have come in have done really well for us.

"For a change, we are going to have a little bit of strength in depth and decisions to make around team selection.

"The lads have got to take confidence from recent games. It is such a strange season. Some teams have played five or six more games than others. If you look at the points-per-game table some move dramatically, for us we are on an even keel and where we would be."