The prospect of another home tie in the Coral Challenge Cup should be an added incentive to beat Siddal on Sunday, says Workington Town assistant coach Craig McDowell.

Town face National Conference League amateurs Siddal in their rearranged third round tie at Derwent Park this weekend, after the game was called off last Sunday due to snowfall making the pitch unplayable.

And if Workington are victorious, they will earn another home tie in the fourth round when they will welcome Newcastle Thunder and McDowell believes that can be a real boost to the side.

It will mean facing Thunder for two weeks on the trot, on March 24 in the league and the following week in the cup - but both games would be at Derwent Park.

And a win over them in the cup could throw up an even bigger challenge in the fifth round when some of the top flight teams enter the competition.

“If we can beat Siddal then we will face Newcastle two weeks in a row, first in the league and then the cup so we have two runs at them,” said McDowell.

“We know they will be a tough challenge, they have picked up a couple of wins but if we can succeed then there is the potential of meeting up with a big team, possibly at Derwent Park in the fifth round. We also know that we have to take it one fixture at a time and right now we have to focus on Siddal.”

McDowell admits his side will have to be wary of the amateurs who will be out to make their mark in the competition and try and overthrow the League 1 side.

Siddal have only played one league game so far this season when they went down narrowly at the hands of another Cumbrian side, Wath Brow Hornets.

“It is a hard game to gauge,” added McDowell. “We are expecting a really tough encounter.

“Siddal are a youthful team but they should not really be at the same level as us but it is a cup match and anything can happen.

“This cup can throw up a banana skin at any time so we won’t be taking Siddal lightly and we will give them the respect that they deserve.”

n WORKINGTON Town are holding a sportsman’s dinner on March 22 with Warrington legend Lee Briers the star attraction, along with a question and answer session with Workington coach Leon Pryce.

Guest compere for the night, which starts at 7.30pm, will be Gary McKeating. Tickets for the event, held at Derwent Park, are £20 and include a pie and pea supper.

For tickets or more information contact Helen McDowell on 07557 955622 or Casson Kirkbride on 07825 576907.