Mark Bower has recalled Lee Knight from his loan deal at Halesowen Town. With current injuries and Oli Johnson’s suspension Lee will offer some much needed cover up front for the remainder of the season.

Confidence in football is massive and it is clear at the moment that we are struggling on that front. Earlier in the season when we were playing well and winning games, you could see the players playing on the front foot, anticipating things and taking risks going forward. Recently we’ve been a bit more hesitant and maybe over thinking things and this has led to us becoming disjointed and not as fluent as we were. It is certainly not for a lack of effort as it may look at times from the terraces, we have a great dressing room full of lads that are desperate to do well and work hard for each other. It is our job as a management team to re install that confidence and belief and remind the players that only a month ago we were matching Salford away from home who look set to win the league. We have to find a way with the limited numbers we have to get back to winning games and the players need to draw on their experience to help them get through this period.

We’re having to contend with a few injuries at the moment. This league is the strongest it has ever been, so for us to be missing Rob Atkinson, Adam Nowakowski, Nicky Clee, Javan Vidal, Oli Johnson and effectively Adam Boyes is making it tough for us. The loss of six important players would effect even the likes of Salford and Harrogate with their sizeable budgets, so it’s obviously going to impact us. We’re having to patch others up also to get them on the pitch and it is so frustrating that we have gone through most of the season without too many injuries to then be hit with numerous within a week of the transfer deadline passing and leaving us with few options.

On Saturday we face Leamington who have had a good season so far after they were written off by many at the start of the season. Paul Holleran is an experienced manager and has done fantastically well to get them promoted last season and competing well this season. They beat us in the away fixture earlier in the season and we know what they’re all about. It will be another tough game, but we must concentrate on ourselves and our performance first and foremost to give ourselves a chance of winning the game.

Mark

Gaffers Review Stockport County & Chorley FC

It has been a disappointing Easter for us with two defeats against sides chasing a play-off place in Stockport and Chorley. In both games we were guilty of conceding poor goals and having to chase games. Against Stockport we responded well in the second half to get back on level terms, so then to concede in the fourth minute of injury time was a real sickener. Against Chorley the first goal was always going to be vital against a team who do not score too many goals but concede fewer. We had a great chance mid-way through the first half to take the lead and had that gone in things may have been different, but we then conceded on the stroke of half time and in truth we found it very difficult in the second half.

Finally I must thank the Avenue fans who dug themselves out on Monday morning and travelled through horrendous weather conditions on the M62 to support the players at Chorley. I am sorry that we were unable to put on a performance to reward their dedication and hope that we can put things right with a strong showing on Saturday.

Thanks for your amazing support

Mark

A despondent Avenue suffered a 2-0 defeat to Chorley to further dent their fading play-off hopes.

Mark Bower made two initial changes to the side that lost to Stockport County on Good Friday, but a late change to the starting line-up saw Adam Smith make his first start for the club in place of Javan Vidal. Jamie Spencer’s impact from the bench against the Hatters earned him a place in the starting eleven and Danny Boshell reclaimed his spot in the centre of midfield. Adam Boyes dropped to the bench and Oli Johnson missed out altogether through suspension.

The home side dominated large portions of the first-half, with Avenue struggling to catch many glimpses of goal.

Alex Newby was the first to call Steven Drench into action, forcing the goalkeeper to beat away a powerful drive from the edge of the box.

A breakdown in communication between Drench and Luca Havern almost allowed Marcus Carver to shoot from mere yards out but the striker was challenged quickly, and the ball was hacked clear.

Avenue’s only chances of the half fell to Frank Mulhern and Jamie Spencer. The latter blasted over from just inside the box and Mulhern’s low drive from a free-kick was held by Matt Urwin.

Josh O’Keefe had an opportunity to fire the hosts ahead when the ball fell kindly for him on the edge of the box, but his drilled effort flew wide.

Chorley were, however, rewarded for their continuous pressure when Carver steered past Drench after Newby had provided a pinpoint cross from the right.

The half-time whistle was music to the ears of Avenue players, who seemed frustrated by their inability to carve open more opportunities and their failure to hold out in the latter stages of the opening 45 minutes.

Avenue found themselves 2-0 down shortly after the restart as an Andy Teague cross picked out an unmarked Jason Walker, who directed his header past Drench with no defender around him.

The visitors continued to struggle to test Urwin, and both Mulhern and Wayne Brooksby glanced headers wide of the post.

Mark Bower’s side knocked on the door repeatedly in the second-half, but Chorley’s defence held strong, leading to praise for the Magpies’ backline in the Avenue manager’s post-match interview.

The Magpies could have extended their lead further in stoppage-time but Drench made a tremendous save to deny Carver’s low drive.

Nicky Wroe and debutant Antoine Remi Recizac both saw long-range efforts blocked before they could reach goal in the late stages, which was symbolic of the afternoon that the Yorkshire side had had.

Avenue have a chance to respond on Saturday, as they face strugglers Leamington at Horsfall Stadium. The action kicks-off at 3pm.

Chorley: Urwin, Challoner, Blakeman, Teague (c), Leather, Jordan, Newby (Wilson 72’), O’Keefe, Carver, Walker (Hughes 82’), Cottrell (Molyneux 89’).

 Unused substitutes: Gregory, Brewster.

 Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Ross, Hill (Boyes 69’), Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby, Boshell (Recizac 87’), Mulhern, Smith (Toulson 45’), Spencer.

 Unused substitutes: Hall.

 Referee: Steve Copeland

Bradford Park Avenue have received confirmation from Chorley that there is no planned pitch inspection for today’s game and the game is on.

However we would like to advise all travelling Supporters to take care when travelling and to set off in good time as delays are to be expected.

Following the clubs decision to appeal Matt Hill’s sending off against FC United of Manchester on Saturday 24th March, the club are happy to announce the appeal has been successful and his automatic suspension has been rescinded.