BRADFORD Park Avenue returned to winning ways in midweek and boss John Deacey is asking for just one more big effort from his squad as the curtain comes down on their season at North Ferriby United tomorrow.
With their Vanarama Conference North status under threat at the beginning of February, this clash with FA Trophy winners Ferriby could have looked like a mismatch at one time, but just five points separate the clubs as they go into this mid-table clash.
Deacey said: “We had decent away support the other night, the atmosphere was brilliant, and we hope they will follow us for this one.
“I’m glad we’re not going to Ferriby needing to get a result on the last day of the season because that would have been tough. But, we did it (guaranteed safety) with six games to spare.
“It’s been a tough season but we won a trophy and finished mid-table so it’s been a decent one and it would be nice to finish it off with another win.”
Avenue suffered back-to-back 1-0 defeats before they took all three points thanks to a single goal at relegation threatened Stalybridge Celtic on Tuesday. A Joe Colbeck penalty midway through the first half sealed the 1-0 win despite a late fight back from their hosts.
After a hectic run-in and four games in eight days, Deacey rotated his squad for the Stalybridge game. However, Ferriby also won in midweek, a Tom Denton hat-trick helping them to a 3-2 victory over play-off side Guiseley. It was Ferriby’s first victory since beating Wrexham at Wembley.
Deacey said: “We played really well at Stalybridge and should have won by more, we could have had four. But we missed some sitters and that gave Stalybridge a lift and they made it difficult for us. They only needed one point to be sure of staying up and they went all out for it.
“We had made a few changes and Lamin Colley came in up front and played very well indeed. Colbeck was awesome, simply unplayable in that type of form and on a decent pitch.
“Luke Dean was also superb. We all know he has a great attitude but his performance the other night was something else. They all played well but I think Luke was the best of them all.”
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