BRADFORD (Park Avenue) boss Mark Bower is delighted that young winger Brad Dockerty has netted in his last two games, insisting that he is getting better and better as the season progresses.

Bower has talked up the way Dockerty has been playing, buzzing around the usual lone striker, but until the 3-2 win over AFC Telford United a fortnight ago, he had yet to score this season.

But after netting the second goal in that victory, and from the spot in the 1-1 draw with Spennymoor Town last weekend, Dockerty is feeling full of confidence.

A delighted Bower said: "It's been good for Brad to get those two goals.

"He had some niggles in pre-season and we struggled to get him back up to speed.

"But he's been getting fitter and stronger, and last Saturday was his best game for us so far this season.

"He scored the penalty but he was involved in a lot of other good stuff too.

"We've been on at him to produce more goals and assists but he's doing that now and really enjoying his football.

"He was one of the players who was really affected by the season getting cut short last time out, and I think he'll really benefit from getting a full one under his belt."

Dockerty's goal against Spennymoor ensured Avenue made it seven points from their last three home games, and Bower said: "Our home games are important, because as Telford found out the other week, Horsfall isn't the most hospitable place in the wind and rain.

"Our 3G pitch doesn't suit certain teams either.

"But we are hard to beat away on the whole, though we've underperformed in losing our last two games on the road 5-1 at Kidderminster and Alfreton.

"Last time we were at Farsley, we lost 5-0, so we'll need to be more resolute when we go there again this weekend."

Long-serving manager Adam Lakeland departed the Celts at the end of last month, but Bower is not expecting any great surprises from them tomorrow.

He said: "In this region, Farsley are probably the one team who've had real go at getting top, top, quality players.

"They'll still be thinking of competing at the top end of the table this season, rather than where they are now (18th), and any team with a front two of Jimmy Spencer and James Hanson is immediately very strong."

Bower added: "It's going to be difficult over there, because Farsley haven't got the easiest pitch to play on.

"They're a big, physically strong team too, who are good at long throws, whereas we've built a team that suits a 3G pitch and good passing surfaces.

"We've just got to prepare right, because we know, regardless of their manager, how Farsley will have prepared and how they'll have been taught."

Bower said experienced men Oli Johnson and Luca Havern have returned to training, with another veteran in Ryan Toulson edging closer to full fitness.

Matty Downing and Jake Hibbs are both still long-term absentees.

Meanwhile, the National League have received more funding from the Premier League.

An additional £5m is being distributed over the next 4 seasons; with £2m this season and £1m the next three campaigns.

The National League Board say the £2m will be given out immediately and divided as 50 per cent to Step 1 and 50 per cent to Step 2.