IN the curtailed 2020/21 non-league season, Bradford (Park Avenue) found a young gem in Sheffield United loanee Harry Boyes.

So the National League North side have gone back to the Blades for teenage prospects Nickseon Gomis and Oliver Arblaster, who will remain on loan at Horsfall until the New Year.

And Mark Bower likes what he has seen so far, with both making their debuts in the 5-1 defeat at Kidderminster Harriers last Saturday and Arblaster also starting in a 2-1 victory against Blyth Spartans on Monday.

The Avenue boss said: "We've loaned players from various clubs before, and it just so happened that we needed to strengthen in those positions, with Nickseon a left-back and Ollie a central midfielder.

"All parties were happy with how the Harry Boyes loan went, and Sheffield United clearly see the benefit of giving their young lads a mix of Under-23s action and men's football in the National League North.

"I've been pleased with how Nickseon and Ollie have started too.

"Nickseon is a left-back, though he can play at left centre-half in a three, while Ollie can do a few things in central midfield.

"He can run box to box, go past his man, but also sit deep and dictate play. He's only 17 and you need to look after yourself at this level, but he's capable of that."

Striker Luke Rawson is not much older than Gomis and Arblaster, but the 20-year-old stepped up when needed on Monday, crashing home a fine winner against Blyth.

Having come through the ranks at Chesterfield, he has embarked on a series of loan deals over the last three years, before joining Avenue on a free transfer in August.

Bower said: "Luke's one of many young players that just need a consistent run of games, and he has the opportunity to really learn and improve here, now he's come in on a permanent deal.

"He's not scored loads for us, but he's been unlucky with a couple of disallowed goals, and we have moved him about a bit.

"He's played alone up top, in a front two, and against Kidderminster and Blyth, he was out on the right, and in the latter, he caused their left-back lots of problems.

"He gives everything for us, and if he can score another four or five by Christmas, he'll have made a good start."

Avenue visit Alfreton Town tomorrow, who haven't lost a league game for nearly two months.

Bower said: "They're third in the form table and were unlucky to only get a point against (title favourites) Fylde the other week.

"They're not fancied to go up, but they still have some very good players, especially Matt Rhead up top, who had a decent career in the Football League before going there.

"They're a difficult team to play against, and we'll have to be strong and resolute if we want to beat them, especially at set-pieces."

Bower is hoping Jordan Windass will be back from injury to face Alfreton, but Matty Downing, Oli Johnson, Ryan Toulson and Jake Hibbs are all set to remain on the sidelines.