BRADFORD Park Avenue manager John Deacey says Saturday’s home game against Colwyn Bay is one of a number of cup finals his team need to win to hold onto their Vanarama Conference North status.

Second-bottom Avenue have suffered back-to-back postponements since their much-needed victory at mid-table Worcester City and are anxious to avoid extending their period of inactivity.

Deacey said: “The pitch has been covered in snow for most of the week and Horsfall is high up, so it was always going be in doubt, but we’re all hoping they can work miracles and get the game on.

“There is no bigger game than this one against Colwyn Bay because they have an outstanding away record.

“Martin Drury, Jamie Price and I have been concentrating on this tough test all week.

“It’s a cup final for us because Colwyn Bay aren’t out of trouble, and if we can take points off as many clubs as we can to drag them into the equation, the better it will be for us.”

Avenue are currently five points from safety and have played four less games than Colwyn Bay, who have taken just three points from the last 27.

A 5-0 defeat at Boston United on January 4 prompted the former Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair to resign as manager.

First-team coach Adi Akinbiyi also departed so Gus Williams, who has been at the club for a number of years, has taken over the reins.

His first two games have both ended in defeat.

Deacey said: “I had a message from Frank and I’ve wished him well – you never know what the situation is at another club. We have had our problems with injuries and things, and people outside our club don’t see that.

“Tomorrow’s squad will be unchanged from the Worcester game but there will be some good news coming shortly.

“Certain players – big players – will be back quite soon.”