John Deacey feels the policy of playing friendly games in between league fixtures and cup ties has paid dividends.

Bradford Park Avenue scrapped their reserve side at the end of last season for a variety of reasons, with cost and sharing Horsfall Stadium with Albion Sports among them.

They instead looked to build links with Albion, who were newcomers to the non-league scene.

With no second team for players to top-up match fitness or play their way back in following injury or suspension, Deacey felt arranging mid-season friendlies would benefit his squad.

He said: “We have got a squad of about 18 or 19 and we have got to keep them all match fit, which isn’t easy. There are six or seven who miss out each Saturday or who spend a lot of time on the bench.

“You can train and train but, with the best will in the world, it is nothing like a game.

“We arranged a game for last Tuesday but it was off because of the bad weather. We shouldn’t have to do it for a few weeks now because we have midweek games coming up.

“We play a vastly improving Worksop Town tomorrow and we have a West Riding County Cup tie on Monday night, so the squad will get used in those two games.

“There is such a short time between the games that you have to make changes so the players will all get time on the pitch.”

The previous midweek friendly at Tadcaster Albion was seen as a chance to get new striker Nicky Matthews integrated into the squad but that plan fell by the wayside.

Deacey was disappointed that the player missed out due to illness and said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing him play for us.

“We have watched him a lot playing for Thackley and he has got the ability. He has done well at a lower level and you have got to give people chances. It’s down to how much he wants it now.

“Thackley are obviously a very good club and Ross Daly has done really well for us since he came.

“But it would be an unfair comparison to expect young Nicky to get off to that kind of start. It is very different for the players up front. They have a lot more of the focus on them.”