Salford City FC welcome Bradford Park Avenue to a floodlit Peninsula Stadium in tonight’s rescheduled match in the National League North.

Salford City come into the game off the back of a 3-2 win away at Alfreton Town having lost the two previous. A win tonight is essential to Bernard Morley’s side maintaining their title charge with the gap to second placed Harrogate Town a measly two points.

Bradford Park Avenue sit in a respectful ninth place after manager Max Bower guided the Avenue to safety last season. Their recent form however has taken a bit of a hit, with just one win in 2018 coming in a 5-0 pasting of second-from-bottom Gainsborough Trinity.

In the three matches last season and one this, in league and cup, Salford have a perfect record, winning with every opportunity.

The reverse fixture will be fresh in the mind of all involved for all the wrong reasons; when the two sides faced-off in late October, despite Salford coming away with all three points in hard fought 2-1 win for the Ammies, it was a game to forget for Goalkeeper Max Crocombe. The 24-year-old was sent off in bizarre circumstances as he was spotted urinating on the pitch in the final three minutes of the game.

Following his dismissal it was reported that a fan at the game went as far as reporting the Auckland born shot-stopper to the police. Crocombe was quick to apologise though, composing the following tweet shortly after the game (@meeiix): “I’d like to sincerely apologise for the incident today. I was in a very uncomfortable position and made an error in judgement which spoiled a great win.”

Bower’s side boast an experienced line-up with a number of their current roster having previously been promoted with the manager’s former side Guiseley in 2015.

Adam Boyes scored 23 goals in aforementioned side. However, he struggled to make quite the same impact in the level above. In his first season back in the National League North, Boyes has failed to score in only three games, resulting in 15 goals for BPA. Boyes, having drawn blanks in his last two matches, will be hungrier than ever to get on the scoresheet.

 

Salford’s Anthony Dudley scored seven goals in 16 appearances under Bower for Guiseley, where he played on loan from Bury. With five in 26 league games so far this season, Dudley will be looking to help inflect a third loss on-the-bounce for his former boss.

The match kicks-off at 7.45 pm. Tickets are available on the gate with adults priced at £10, concessions at £5 and those aged five and under can enjoy the game for free.

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