ASKAM are aiming to claim a prized scalp as the Challenge Cup reaches the third round stage tomorrow, with Betfred League One outfit York City Knights the visitors to Fallowfield Park.

Millom are in cup action too, away to St Helens amateurs Pilkington Recs, and if either manages to get through to round four they will be in with a chance of drawing a Championship club, including Barrow Raiders.

Meanwhile, Barrow Island kick-off their National Conference League Division Three season when they travel to Beverley.

ASKAM v YORK CITY KNIGHTS

(Fallowfield Park, 2.30pm kick-off)

ASKAM head coach Dave Clark is looking to add a second York scalp in this year’s competition when the Knights visit Fallowfield Park.

In round one, the Villagers pulled off a great 32-12 win at fellow amateurs York Acorn.

Clark has some prior knowledge of the Knights, having coached Workington Town against them on two occasions in League One last season.

And the former Barrow Raiders player and coach is looking forward, along with his players, to what is a big occasion for the club and village, and a potentially big pay day.

“It is a massive game for the boys, a real challenge, and we know what is to be expected against a League One side,” said Clark. “It is a perfect draw; you can’t wish for anything better than a league club at home.

“We have had two good wins so far; York Acorn away and (National Conference League) Premier opposition in West Hull at home. They were two terrific wins and the confidence in the camp is spot-on.

“It is a pleasure, along with other members of the coaching staff, to coach these boys; there is a real buzz down at the club. They are keen to play and are very focused. We know what we have to do, I am not too worried about York, I am more interested in our preparation.

“It was a great win over West Hull in the previous round. We were under a lot of first-half pressure, but scoring right on half-time (Sam Dowsett’s try) lifted the players.

“We had a good chat at half-time about how well we defended and we carried that into the second half. The attitude and spirit in this camp is 100 per cent and we will take that into tomorrow’s game.”

Clark has yet to finalise his 17 while he awaits a fitness test on Jake Spedding. The former Ulverston forward turned his ankle in the win over Hull and is rated 50/50. Marc Dixon, though, is very doubtful as he has a dislocated thumb.

Clark will be looking to old heads Jamie Butler and Mike Wilson to lead his troops, but all round the Villagers are a strong outfit.

York ran relegated Bradford Bulls close last weekend on the opening day of the new League One season, losing 22-20 before a home crowd of 4,000-plus.

PILKINGTON RECS v MILLOM

TOM Sibley will take a confident squad to St Helens for their third round tie against NCL Division One side Pilkington Recs.

The Woollybacks overcame a strong challenge from Scottish side Strathmore Silverbanks in round one and pulled out all the stops in sending Dudley Hill crashing out in round two.

Millom will be hoping to reverse a defeat at the hands of Pilks in the competition three years ago, when they were heavily beaten at Devonshire Road. However, player/coach Sibley believes his side can be triumphant.

“We have had three good wins this season so far; the two Challenge Cup wins and last Saturday 34-18 against Ulverston in the Barton Townley,” said Sibley.

“It is a winnable game and we will be taking a strong side down to Pilks.

“We will be quietly confident and I have the hard task of naming the 17 for duty. The lads have trained and worked hard so far and I will have to leave some good players out.”

Sibley returns to the squad along with Luke Brady, but missing is Rickie Donaghue (work), while Jonathan Hodgson is having treatment for a hamstring pull.

BEVERLEY v BARROW ISLAND

THE Island go with an under-strength squad on their long trip to Humberside as the new Conference campaign gets under way.

Work rules out Matt Parkinson, Joe Mallinson and Dan White, while Ryan Clegg picked up a shoulder injury in a friendly with Walney Central two weeks ago.

Coach Joe Elliott said: “We have a long list of players unavailable, but we will go with what we have. It is a difficult start going to Hull against a Beverley side who are back in the Conference.

“We should have several back next week – the start of three home games, so we will be looking for points in those games.”