Match Preview

This Saturday we welcome Bradford Park Avenue to the LDJ Solicitors Stadium...
Mark Bower arrives with his side in the midst of a two game losing streak, having fallen 2-1 at home to Spennymoor Town, and, most recently, by the same scoreline away to York City. Much like the Boro', Bradford's game last weekend, at home to Gainsborough Trinity, fell victim to the weather as the Horsfall Stadium pitch was frozen.

In all, The Avenue haven't won since Boxing Day, a stretch that covers three matches. That festive victory came at home to Curzon Ashton and included a brace from Wayne Brooksby, who tweaked his hamstring in the loss to York and might not be ready to face Nuneaton. Defender Mark Ross also left that game with a hip injury and may be a doubt as well for the trip down the M1 to Nuneaton.

With the current injuries that The Avenue are suffering, Bower made a move to strengthen his squad this past week and could hand a debut to new signing Antoine Remi Recizac. The French midfielder has previously had spells with Widness FC and Stockport County. Bradford's top scorer is Oli Johnson with 13 league goals, followed closely by Adam Boyes with 12. In our previous meeting Johnson cancelled out Tom Elliott's opener in a 1-1 draw that was played in a monsoon for the first half an hour.

That match, played in Bradford in early September, was also notable as Daniel Nti and Joel Dielna made their debuts for Nuneaton, with the latter being sent off in the 54th minute. This is the third straight season that the two clubs have played in the same division. Nuneaton won the first two meetings but haven't won in the three matches since. Jordan Nicholson was on the scoresheet when Bradford visited Liberty Way last season, but Johnson was once again in the thick of things and his his goal helped his side to a 2-1 win that day.

The Boro' have won three of their last four league games at home and two straight over all, but haven't won three straight matches this season. Dino Maamria has a settled side now whilst Ade Shokunbi, the recent loan signing from Reading, could make his debut after being denied the opportunity by the postponement at Telford on Saturday. Andre Olukanmi made a good case for inclusion in the Birmingham Senior Cup match at Bromsgrove Sporting last week and Captain, Kelvin Langmead came through that test as he continues on the road to recovery.