Bradford Park Avenue boss John Deacey will have his troops fully focused for tonight’s Evo-Stik Premier Division top six clash against Chester at Horsfall Stadium.
Last Saturday saw Avenue progress into the first round proper of the FA Cup and, though they failed to draw a Football League side, there is still a big game to plan for a week on Saturday.
But Deacey is desperate for league points and the euphoria of their win in the fourth qualifying round must be put to one side if they are to improve their standing.
Avenue’s cup run means they have three games in hand over tonight’s visitors and they have dropped down the table.
Chester are second, 11 points better off than their hosts.
“We have to concentrate on the bread and butter now and this is a huge game for us,” said Deacey.
“We need a favourable result because we are not having many opportunities to pick points up at the moment.
“We had four cup games on the trot with the FA Cup and FA Trophy and the game before that was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.”
Free-scoring Chester have netted 41 goals in their 16 league games and conceded only 14, giving them a goal difference of 27, the best in the league.
However, they were held to a 2-2 draw at home, in front of 2,485 spectators, on Saturday.
Deacey added: “I started with Jimmy Beadle on the bench last Saturday because he has been struggling in the last two games. He has come to us following a spell in Sweden and he is working his way back into the English style.
“He did so well to come off the bench and score both goals (in the 2-0 FA Cup win at Kidsgrove Athletic) so he is adjusting.
“Amjad Iqbal also played and he has made a massive difference to us since coming in. With this squad we can challenge the likes of Chester.”
* Avenue’s neighbours FC Halifax Town landed a plum FA Cup tie at home against League One leaders Charlton Athletic and will pocket £67,500 from the FA for a live broadcast fee.
The game at The Shay has been chosen for live television coverage, with the kick-off moved to 12.30pm on Sunday, November 13.
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