MATCH PREVIEW: Two tough opponents in town

As if the challenge of Cleethorpes Town wasn’t enough, Reds are also tasked with getting the better of Storm Boelo which will surely have some impact on Saturday’s FA Trophy First Round tie at the Fibrus Community Stadium.

We can only hope that the weather doesn’t spoil what should be an intriguing contest too much, as ‘Clee make their second visit to Workington this month.

Three weeks ago, the teams played out a 1-1 draw in the league – Josh Walker opened Workington come into the game on the back of last Saturday’s 2-1 win at Bamber Bridge when the average age of the squad was 22. Cleethorpes were also involved in a 2-1 score line last time out, losing their top of the table battle at Guiseley on Tuesday.

Workington come into the game on the back of last Saturday’s 2-1 win at Bamber Bridge when the average age of the squad was 22. Cleethorpes were also involved in a 2-1 score line last time out, losing their top of the table battle at Guiseley on Tuesday.

In the last round, both teams recorded comfortable victories with Reds getting the better of Blyth Spartans (4-2) and Town sweeping Lancaster city aside (5-1).

New goalkeeper, Alfie Scales, will make his home debut after making an impressive start last week and could be joined by a colleague with Billy Barr also borrowing defender Adam Fairclough from Morecambe on a short-term deal.

Adam will feature to become the thirtieth different name to appear on the team sheet this term.

In the last round, both teams recorded comfortable victories with Reds getting the better of Blyth Spartans (4-2) and Town sweeping Lancaster city aside (5-1).

New goalkeeper, Alfie Scales, will make his home debut after making an impressive start last week and could be joined by a colleague with Billy Barr also borrowing defender Adam Fairclough from Morecambe on a short-term deal.

Adam will feature to become the thirtieth different name to appear on the team sheet this term.

Manager Barr is not getting too excited about a lengthy run in the competition, instead taking a more pragmatic stance of getting through the game without adding to the much talked about injury list.

One of the greatest moments of his coaching career, however, was helping Wrexham to Trophy glory at Wembley thirteen years ago. The Wrexham Reds took the Trophy back to North Wales after a penalty shoot-out, which he didn’t watch, ironically overcoming Grimsby Town (4-1) after the game had finished 1-1.

If you believe in such omens, I’m sure you would get good odds for a little bit of Billy Barr history being repeated!

Incidentally, Cleethorpes become the 75th different team we have met in the Trophy.

The prize money on offer for this round is: £3,000 (winners) and £775 (losers).