Last updated at 13:08, Tuesday, 20 March 2012

Workington Town boss Gary Charlton says memories of Town’s Challenge Cup win 60 years ago will be put aside at the weekend to deal with a modern-day challenge – Batley Bulldogs.

Gary Charlton

The Co-operative Championship outfit will head up to Derwent Park on Sunday in the third round of the prestigious competition.

And Charlton says it will be a tough game for his up and coming stars but one they are raring to take on.

“People have been talking about it being 60 years since we won the cup but I look at this as a challenge now to ourselves,” said Charlton.

“Batley are going to bring a big challenge and we have to challenge ourselves to get up there with them.”

Charlton praised Batley for their policies in bringing in local players, similar to Town and it has certainly paid off for them.

First under Karl Harrison and now John Kear, they are enjoying status as one of the top teams in the Championship, so they will be a tough act for Town to break apart on Sunday.

“It’s a challenge this weekend, we know Batley are a very good team,” he added.

“We have to go out there and play like we did in the first 40 minutes at the weekend, for the full 80, which is what we will have to do against Batley.

“They have got good players, a good coach, and they will be well drilled. We can’t afford to turn over any ball and give daft penalties away. When Karl Harrison took over there, he brought in a young set of lads together who were local and now John Kear is coaching they have come on again.

“I think they’ve done it the right way. Karl brought in a heap of local fellows who wanted to play for the club and we are exactly the same.”

First published at 11:31, Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk