BRADFORD (Park Avenue) manager Mark Bower will see his side take on Farsley Celtic in National League North for the second time in six days tomorrow, yet he expects a completely different game.

Using the conditions to their advantage on Boxing Day, Avenue probably edged the first encounter at Horsfall, but had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

And Bower knows his players will have their work cut out if they are to take all three points from The Citadel on New Year’s Day.

He said: “I think I expected us to be more comfortable and slightly on top on our 3G pitch in those bad weather conditions.

“It will be a completely different game in completely different conditions at their place though.

“Farsley’s pitch suits them, and we’ll have to prepare for a different challenge to the one we faced on Boxing Day.

“We stood up well against them physically on Monday though and we’ve done a good job at some tough places already this season.

“We played them in the FA Trophy last month too, so we’re both familiar with each other but if we do the basics right at their place, we’ve got a good chance, as we have match-winners in our squad.”

Sam Fielding’s goal was not the winner for Avenue on Boxing Day, but it was a fine strike which earned them a point against the Celts.

Avenue have almost exclusively relied on their forwards for goals this season, and this was midfielder-cum-defender Fielding’s first of the season.

Bower said: “You’ve got to get goals in as many ways as you can, like from set plays.

“That was how Farsley scored on Boxing Day, and Sam’s goal was him netting from a loose ball that had dropped to him in the second phase from a corner.

“Sam got one for us against Spennymoor last season too though and he is a good finisher.”

Fielding had to adapt on Boxing Day, with Bower explaining: “He started out in midfield in the first half, but had to drop in at centre-half when Reece Staunton came off ill at the break.

“We just felt on the day it was better to do that so we could bring on a third forward in Oli Johnson, given we were chasing the game.”

Bower confirmed that former Bantams prospect Staunton is feeling fresh after his illness, while he expects Mitch Lund to return from his hamstring issue tomorrow.

Only Harrison Hopper (ill) looks set to miss out on New Year’s Day, good news for Bower in a tight league which sees Avenue five places but just two points above the drop zone.

He said: “It’s so competitive towards the foot of the table and as I’ve said before, the gap in quality between the top and bottom in this league is probably smaller than ever.

“We can’t rely on others and their results, we have to look after ourselves.

“We know in our own minds where we need to get to, and three points on New Year’s Day would be a good start.”