Defeat for Bradford (Park Avenue) would condemn our hosts to relegation, a disastrous second relegation on the spin, as they would be unable to catch Basford United on the final day. The win for Trinity, would keep alive our own slim hopes of gate crashing the play-offs on the final day.

Our last encounter with Bradford PA, was a 2-1 victory at the KAL Group Stadium. Connor Shanks put the visitors a goal to the good in just the 19th minute, and we went into half-time trailing 1-0. Dylan Southwell got us back on level terms, two minutes past the interval. Javelle Clarke got us in front on the 57th minute and the Blues saw out the 2-1 victory. Shanks will not be available for selection against his former club, having been dismissed in the game against Hyde United, meaning he also misses out on the visit of Radcliffe next Saturday.

Bradford’s fight for survival has seen them pick up 12/30 points, through wins against Basford United, Workington and Stafford Rangers. Three draws coming against Ashton United, Whitby Town & Ilkeston. Top scoring for BPA is Jordan Preston, the brother of Trinity’s Fraser. He has nine goals to his name. Chinedu Osadebe has seven, but none since February & Edy Maceio has five for the season. His latest coming in a double against the Champions, on April Fools Day!

Avenue have won four of their nineteen home games this season. Scoring 24 tunes, with 37 conceded, Bradford have a -13 goal difference at the Horsfall Stadium. With a return of 14 points, less than a point per game (0.73). Trinity, away from home, have recently set about improving their away form, picking up seven wins and a draw in our nineteen away games (1.16 points per game). With 21 goals scored, and 36 conceded – that’s a -15 goal difference.

Since the turn of the year though, Russ Wilcox’s men have conceded only eight in nine, whilst scoring fifteen times. (+6) Declan Howe scoring 47% of the Holy Blues’ goals. There’s set to be some interest surrounding this fixture. No Leeds United game in the Championship, and with Bradford City, Avenue’s League 2 neighbours away at Walsall… there is certainly going to be a little more interest in the game than normal, and with James Hanson now amongst the BPA ranks, given his legend like status across Bradford… who knows how many will make the trip down Cemetery Road?

We’ll need the Blue Army backing out in numbers and in full voice, so please make the journey to the Horsfall, if you can. It’s just under an hour and a half to Bradford from the Kal Group Stadium, sitting at 65 miles… so come along, sing, shout and cheer on Russ and the boys as they go in search of another three points – and a third straight victory, what would be our third win in seven days, at the business end of the season!

If all else fails, there will be full match commentary from the game, through the usual channel - so please, get in touch on the socials, and let us know where you are keeping up to date with the game!

Elsewhere

Saturday could be the day that our outside play-off push is finally ended. Everything needs to go Trinity's way, including an away win for Matlock at Hyde. And Warrington Rylands winning away at Worksop, plus Stafford putting in a Boxing Day style performance at home to Ashton... if FC United could do us a favour too... I still say, if this season was just a few weeks longer, we could really have snuck in at the last - but honestly feel that we have just ran out of games.

From where we started, to looking like breaking the 60 point barrier, in an incredibly tough league.. everyone associated with Gainsborough Trinity should be proud of the season's achievements, no matter what!

In any case... the full Pitching In Northern Premier League fixture list can be found, here:

Bamber Bridge vs Whitby Town
Guiseley vs FC United of Manchester
Hyde United vs Matlock Town
Ilkeston Town vs Morpeth Town
Macclesfield vs Workington
Marine vs Atherton Collieries
Radcliffe vs Basford United
Stafford Rangers vs Ashton United
Worksop Town vs Warrington Rylands

Preview written by Rob Hughes & James Whitbread

Photo credit, Phil Dawson (@PhotosbyPhil)