National North
“Pivotal” is how Mark Bower describes a massive weekend for Bradford (Park Avenue) who could take a giant leap towards safety.
Horsfall Stadium is the setting for two huge fixtures, beginning with the six-pointer with arch rivals and basement side Farsley Celtic tomorrow.
Avenue then host Leamington on Monday night and Bower is not playing down the importance of the fixtures.
Avenue go into crunch weekend refreshed after ten days off.
“After the York game I think we had played in four of the five previous midweeks so we have had a busy schedule,” Bower told Non League Yorkshire.
“It hasn’t been bad to have the weekend off and for the lads to have a break.
“They actually got together and did a gym at one of the lads’ gym – a little team bonding day.
“They have been back in training this week looking forward to a pivotal weekend.
“We have been playing well recently and we have two home games and if we can four or six points it will put some real distance between us and teams near the bottom of the table.
“If we were not to pick much up in those two games and if Farsley were to beat us it would close the gap at the bottom.
“We’d be looking over our shoulder but if we were to get four to six points from the two games I think we can start looking above us.
“It is definitely a big weekend for us.
“Home games are probably more important to us than the majority of teams in the league given the 3G pitch so we’re looking forward to it.
“If we can perform like we have done at home in the last few weeks then we give ourselves a great chance of getting a couple of results.”
Victory over Farsley would create a 13 point gap with 16 games to play so the stakes are high.
“It is big and people will look at the positions we are both in and if you had looked at it at the start of the season people would have expected us to be the other way round,” he said.
“Farsley have some really good players and they have put some good performances in in the last couple of weeks.
“They were unlucky against Gloucester last week and probably should have won that game.
“They took a really good Chorley team to a 3-3 draw the week before.
“They will come in with a bit of confidence and we know they have good players.
“You look at their squad and it shows the strength of the league.
“Jimmy Spencer is as good as anyone in this league as a number nine.
“We know we have to be vary of them.
“Obviously if we can win the game it puts a big gap between us and them.
“If they were to beat us it closes it right down so it is big, big game.
“It is a local derby and a lot is at stake so we’re looking forward to it.
“It is a big opportunity for us but I think they will look at it in the same way.
“I think there is a similar amount of pressure on both teams to go out and get a result
“If we were to beat Farsley it doesn’t mean they are down.
“If they beat us, it doesn’t mean to say it is doom and gloom for us but it is a big game.”
Lucas Odunston trained this week and will be fit for the weekend.
Jordan Windass planned to “start a reasonable amount of training this week” and could be available for selection in a week.
Dylan Mottley-Henry is banned as he serves his last game of his three game suspension.
Young forward Luke Rawson remains out on loan at Sheffield FC and Bower has observed his progress.
“We’ve kept on an eye on how he has been doing,” he said.
“He scored last week and he needs games.
“Rob Guilfoyle has come back and he’s benefited massively from his loan spell.
“He looks such a better player since he has come back.
“He’s banging on the door to get more minutes in our team and I think the loan spell has helped that.
“We hope that for Luke as well.”