Workington Town and Barrow have both named their squads ahead of their clash at the Fibrus Community Stadium tomorrow.
It’s the first competitive game for both, in the Cumbrian group of the 1895 Cup, and they go into it with differing preparations.
Because their Ike Southward Memorial game with Whitehaven was postponed last week, Town have only had one pre-season workout – a 46-0 defeat at Widnes three weeks ago.
By contrast Championship opponents Barrow have had three warm-up games and Town will be the fourth League One side they have faced.
They have beaten Rochdale, North Wales Crusaders and Hunslet in fairly quick succession so the squad should be more or less match-fit.
In addition Paul has signed five young players on dual-registration after they earned deals with the club, impressing during the Raiders’ three pre-season friendlies.
Max Anderson-Moore, Roly Seward, Connor Terrill, Fin Dutton-Rosconie and Finn McMillan will all continue to train wih the senior side and be available for selection, but can also enjoy game time with their respective community clubs.
All five players are either current players in, or products of, the club’s Furness Raiders academy.
Young forward Terrill has previously enjoyed two spells with the Raiders and is back for more ahead of the new season.
Named Scotland’s Under-19s Player of the Year for 2019, Terrill spent a season in the French Elite Championship with Villeneuve before returning to the UK and linking up with Workington Town, where he made five appearances in total.
Anderson-Moore, who has previously been capped by Scotland’s U20s, is capable of playing across the backline and also spent time at Workington last season, scoring twice in seven appearances.
McMillan is the only one named in Crarey’s squad of 21 for the game at Workington but involved will be three former Town players – Luke Broadbent, Jarrad Stack and Tom Walker..
The squad is: Luke Broadbent, Greg Burke, Max Clarke, Matt Costello, Luke Cresswell, Charlie Emslie, James Greenwood, Adam Jackson, Ryan Johnston, Harvey Makin, Finn McMillan, Mike Ogunwole, Ryan Shaw, Ramon Silva, Aaron Smith, Jarrad Stack, Shane Toal, Brad Walker, Tom Walker, Tom Wilkinson, Josh Wood.
Town coach Anthony Murray would have liked more game time, particularly last week with Whitehaven, but has been happy with the ay his squad have knuckled down for pre-season training.
“We lost at Widnes but there were a number of good points that came out of that asnd we have been working hard on what we didn’t do right on that occasion.
“It’s a good preparation for the League One season as we play two Championship sides, both at home in the 1985 Cup, which will should be well supported and give us a good lead into the season.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt that League One is going to be very competitive this year. Oldham have spent heavily and will be strong favourites but we want to be pushing with three or four other good sides up there with them,” said Murray.
His named squad is: Jordan Burns, Dave Eccleston, Chris Taylor, Jason Mossop, Ethan Bickerdike, Ciaran Walker, Carl Forber, Jordan Thomson, Steve Scholey, Malik Steele, Jake Bradley, JJ Key, Blain Marwood, Jack Stephenson, Grant Reid, Connor Saunders, Jake Lightowler, Tyler Walton, Jonny Hutton, Sean Croston, Jarrod Sammut.
The kick-off is 3pm.
