EXPERIENCED Bradford (Park Avenue) midfielder Simon Richman is delighted his goal against Boston United late last month helped kickstart the Horsfall outfit's latest good run, which has moved them four points clear of the drop.

But though they were denied the chance to record a fourth successive National League North win on Saturday at King's Lynn Town due to a frozen pitch, Richman was not complaining.

The 32-year-old laughed: "I'm not going to lie, I was buzzing the game was off.

"The lads and I really wanted to watch England in their World Cup quarter-final, and that would have been tricky on the coach back from King's Lynn with poor signal.

"I think we deserved a bit of a rest after the run we'd been on and it gave us chance to watch the game, which was a good one, even if the result didn't go England's way."

Make no mistake though, Richman is 100 per cent committed to Avenue, and discussing his 70th minute equaliser against Boston, which was followed by a Jacob Blyth winner, he said: "It was a turning point for us, as we went on to win the game.

"It's amazing how moments like that can be key to your season and it was good to get the goal.

"I'd been disappointed to go so many games without one before that, but I've got a few for the season now and hopefully there are more to come."

Richman did not score in Avenue's next match at Buxton, but was instrumental in their sensational 3-2 win, secured by injury-time goals from Oli Johnson and Blyth.

The former Altrincham midfielder said: "It was a funny game, because I thought we did really well in the first half, but were only level at the break.

"I felt we got our just rewards in the end, against a side who've got plenty of quality and cash.

"We're going up against teams with more might than us, but often counteract that with our team spirit."

Richman is an experienced head at Avenue, alongside the likes of captain Luca Havern and striker Johnson, but the squad is littered with talented youngsters.

Those prospects have impressed the 32-year-old, who said: "There is a lot of talent in this team, and the younger lads like Lucas (Odunston), Reece (Staunton) and Sam (Fielding) are really stepping up to the plate.

"They're showing consistency and are performing really well.

"Those three and some of the other young lads have the potential to play at a higher level in future, but they definitely have a good platform in National League North.

"They're playing week in, week out, which is the best way to progress.

"They could be at clubs higher up in the league pyramid, but not getting a look in, whereas they're playing regularly at a decent level here.

"It can only help us having lads like that in the side."

Even when the players, young and old, are not at their best, Richman still finds reason to be cheerful.

He reflected: "The last of those three victories in a row, against (rock-bottom) Telford last Monday, we didn't play well.

"But we still won 1-0, and they always say that when you're not at your best, it's a good sign if you're still picking up points.

"We managed that against Telford by managing to remain defensively solid and keeping the door shut on them."