SPENNYMOOR manager Jason Ainsley is confident that his players will overcome several injury problems and beat Bradford Park Avenue in their play off qualifying round tonight.

Moors will be nowhere near full strength because of injuries to five players, but Ainsley believes that his remaining players will be fired up for one of the biggest occasions in the club’s history. It’s only twelve years since Moors were playing in the Northern League Second Division, and they’ve won four promotions since. Win tonight and they’re only two games away from the National League.

“We’re a bit stretched, but you expect to pick up injuries and suspensions during the season,” said Ainsley.

“I believe that the lads who come into the team tonight will step up to the plate. They have done well for us in recent weeks when they’ve been called upon. It shows how good the squad is.

“We have got home advantage, which is what we wanted all along, and we’ll be giving it our best shot. I really hope that that we have a big crowd to cheer us on for what will be a great occasion. We are delighted to be in this position, we set ourselves the target at the start of the season to get into the play offs and that’s what we’ve done. Personally, I’m delighted for everyone at the club, and the players have done great all season.”

Midfielder Shane Henry is the latest player to be ruled out because of a burst appendix, and he joins defender Stephen Brogan, midfielder Jack Diamond, and forwards Andrew Johnson and Micky Anderson on the sidelines. However, centre half James Curtis and full back Callum Williams have both recovered from a head injury Moors finished the regular season three places and eleven points ahead of Bradford, but they have yet to pick up a point from Bradford this season. They played well in their first meeting of the season at the Horsfall Stadium but lost 1-0, and then they lost 2-0 at home to them in their horrendous March.

“We’ve got a score to settle with Bradford, we’ve been unlucky to pick nothing up against them this season. “ Meanwhile, Moors striker Glen Taylor has been named the division’s player of the season for the 25 league goals he has scored this season, four ahead of Bradford striker Jake Beesley.

“It’s a massive achievement by Glen,” said Ainsley, “especially considering where he’s come from to where he’s at now.

“Over his five years with us, he’s developed into a really top player. Our system suits him, he enjoys playing as the lone striker, and the rest of the lads have been excellent for him and contributed a lot of assists. Mark Anderson, for example, has got 15 assists.”

Bradford are in the play offs for the second successive year under manager Mark Bower, having lost to Brackley in last season’s semi finals after beating Kidderminster. They pipped Moors for the play offs thanks to a last day win, and Moors’ implosion last season.

They just managed to grab a play off place even though they lost 3-2 at Chorley, as nearest challengers Telford lost 1-0 at York. They finished on the same points, but their goal difference was one goal better.