BRADFORD (Park Avenue) manager Mark Bower has praised new goalkeeper Heath Richardson for an assured performance on his debut and hopes Bradford City will let them keep the teenager for a while just yet.

Richardson, who has signed from the Bantams on an initial month’s loan, kept a clean sheet in Avenue’s vital 1-0 Northern Premier League Premier Division win over their fellow strugglers Marske United last Saturday.

Bradford face another huge six-pointer at lowly Basford United tomorrow, but Bower will now have real confidence in the new boy, especially given the 19-year-old has only had minimal non-league experience.

The Avenue boss told the T&A: “Heath did what was needed.

“He kicked well, he was quick with his distribution, and he made one really good save in the first half, which was the only time Marske really tested him.

“He’s a young keeper and it was a promising first start for him, so hopefully he continues in that manner.

“You get a lot of these initial month’s loans between EFL and non-league clubs, but they often turn into something much longer.

“As long as it’s working out for us and City, and he’s benefitting from this experience, we’ll certainly want to keep him for longer.”

Richardson was undoubtedly guided through his debut by experienced centre-half pairing Luca Havern and Mitch Lund.

Havern was the club captain before taking on a player-coach role in the summer, while Lund is the new skipper following the sale of goalkeeper George Sykes-Kenworthy to York City last week.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Mitch Lund (shooting) is a threat from set-pieces, but it is his composure in defence that Mark Bower relies on him for.Mitch Lund (shooting) is a threat from set-pieces, but it is his composure in defence that Mark Bower relies on him for. (Image: John Rhodes.)

On the decision to choose Lund for the role, Bower said: “Mitch was one of our captaincy candidates in the summer before we decided to go with George.

“We’ve not got many experienced players in the squad that have played quite a bit of non-league football, but Mitch ticks both of those boxes.

“He leads by example and he was one of our best players in that win over Marske.

“I hope him getting the captaincy allows him to grow as a player too, and I hope that extra responsibility benefits him.”

Amid the positivity over Richardson and Lund, the reality is that a depleted Avenue side only sit a point above the drop zone and are yet to win an away league game all season.

Three points at fellow strugglers Basford tomorrow would be a good time to end that run, with Bower saying: “We have to win some away games.

“We’ve had a few times this season where we’ve let our hosts off the hook too, like at Guiseley and Bamber Bridge when they were down to 10 men.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bradford (Park Avenue) threw away victory against Guiseley, losing their lead twice and having a long spell with 11 men against 10.Bradford (Park Avenue) threw away victory against Guiseley, losing their lead twice and having a long spell with 11 men against 10. (Image: John Rhodes.)

“But we played really well at Ashton United in September and were unlucky to lose there, and this game at Basford is on a 3G pitch like ours at Horsfall, so we know we’re adept at playing on a surface like that.”

But Bower’s side travel to Nottingham with their stocks more depleted than ever.

He said: “Luca’s out with a hamstring problem and Brad Dockerty is suspended for this game.

“We’re actively looking for replacements ahead of this weekend, which we have scope to do with us getting a fee for George last week.

“We’re very low on numbers for Basford, though Brad, Harrison Hopper and Simon Richman should all be back by next weekend.

“For this game then, it’s a chance for some lads to keep their shirts going forward.”