Raiders need to kick on against Workington
Last updated at 14:41, Thursday, 10 May 2012
RAIDERS boss Darren Holt is convinced victory in Sunday’s huge Cumbrian derby against Workington will be a big step towards promotion.
Barrow host Town at Craven Park with the sides locked together in second place in the table – two points behind Doncaster, but each with a game in hand.
Both teams have lost only once in the Championship One campaign thus far and Holt believes victory this weekend will see the winning side sitting pretty in their quest for a top-four finish.
“Both teams will be quietly confident going into it and whoever wins will be sitting pretty for the rest of the season,” said Holt, who was part of the Town team that reached the Championship One Grand Final last season.
“It really is set up nicely, both teams are level on points. It is looking good for either team if they win.
“It’s by no means make or break though. It is still very early in the season and I don’t think the table will really take shape until the first round of games is finished, then you will have a better idea of where teams are.”
Barrow go into Sunday’s game with an unbeaten home record in all competitions this season – including cup wins over Town, Championship side Swinton Lions and French champions Lezignan.
That is a run Holt – one of several former Town players in the Raiders side – is keen to maintain, though he knows Workington will be determined to end it.
“I don’t think we need any extra incentive,” said Holt.
“We set ourselves a target of not getting beat at home this year. Workington coming down will be one of the hardest home games we are going to have, so we have got to gear ourselves up for it.
“We know how tough it is going to be, we know what they are going to bring – I know most of their players quite well and I know what they all bring and the game plan they are going to bring. I am sure it is vice-versa as well, that they know ours, so it really is going to be like a cup tie – whoever turns up on the day and performs the best will come away with the points.
“Either way, I am sure it will be a very close game.
“Don’t get me wrong, there would be something wrong if you didn’t look forward to this game and I can guarantee that Charlo (Paul Charlton) will be saying to his players that if they come down here and get the points at Barrow then that’s one of their hardest away games of the season out of the way and they will be sitting pretty.”
He added: “We set ourselves that target at the start of the year and if you win all your home games and then pick up even just two or three victories away from home, 12 wins will get you in the top four.
“In seasons gone by, history tells us that 12 wins will do it. That is what we got at Workington last year and we got all the way to the play-offs final.”
Holt confirmed last night that the prognosis for centre Aaron Low’s shoulder injury is not positive.
The injury is now believed to be to his clavicle rather than his acromioclavicular (AC) joint, but is still swollen. Further assess-ment will be needed when the swelling dies down, but the 24-year-old is set for a spell on the sidelines.
l The Raiders Bar will be open tonight to show the Championship game between York and Sheffield on Premier Sports. Doors open at 7.15pm, with kick-off at 7.30pm.
l The University of Gloucester All Golds were yesterday confirmed as the third new team in Championship One next season, following Northampton and Hemel Hempstead.
First published at 13:24, Thursday, 10 May 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Have your say
up the TOWN !!!!
Posted by townie on 12 May 2012 at 13:13