Last updated 19:42, Thursday, 26 June 2008

WORKINGTON Town travel to Yorkshire to take on Doncaster in NL2 tonight (8pm ko).

Forwards Brett Smith (neck) and Matthew Tunstall (arm) picked up knocks during last Sunday’s 23-20 defeat to Hunslet but both are fit to make the trip to the Keepmoat.

Town destroyed an unbeaten Doncaster team 32-10 earlier in the season but revenge is on the cards according to Donny centre Andreas Bauer.

The Kiwi said: “We went there cock-a-hoop, thinking we had only to turn up to win the game. A couple of our players said to theirs during the game, ‘you are winning now, but wait until we come back’.

“It taught us a lesson and showed that Workington are a quality side, especially at home.

“Their forwards had a stranglehold over ours, and their backs showed how classy they were.

“Once the forwards had given them the go-forward, Shaun Lunt was killing us around the rucks.

“After Workington, we lost to Barrow and Gateshead, so they started our downward spiral.”

Last weekend’s defeat was a bitter blow to Town but coach Dave Rotheram refused to blame the referee after Town fans screamed for a knock-on.

He said: “Plenty of Town fans jumped up for a knock-on, but we shouldn’t have to rely on a ref’s call at home against a team that’s had one win all year.

“A lot of credit to Hunslet, they wanted it a bit more than we did. They out-enthused us and deserved the win.

“We took some poor running and kicking options. At critical moments we made some bad decisions.

“We ran it when we should have kicked, or kicked when we should have run it, and that’s what we need to address. We were too stereotypical, charging up the middle.”

Town will not move to replace assistant coach Gary Hewer following his return to Whitehaven.

Town boss Dave Rotheram is happy to stick with reserve-grade coach Craig Barker, who was in joint charge of the first team in NL2 for much of last season, and conditioner Matthew Johnson.

Rotheram said: “The way we structure things, everyone trains together, and we’ll share the workload.

“Craig’s been head coach before, and Matthew’s top class as a conditioner. I have every confidence in the boys, and we don’t have to go out and replace Gary just yet.

“But we will miss Gary. Over the past six months he’s worked on our scholarship and turned it in to a very well-organised scheme. We’ll continue that good work.”

Hewer said: “I enjoyed my time at Town,and leaving the club has nothing to do with any players or coaches. I’ve left purely for personal reasons.

“The chance to return to the club where I spent seven years, to continue working with some of the players I helped develop, was too good an opportunity to turn down.”

In his new post he will provide support to coaching staff and talent spot at all levels, attract new young players for the scholarship programme and recruit new coaches for the scheme.

Town Flyer - Monday, E Sewell, Workington, D3219; Tuesday, D Hodgson, Workington, D4363; Wednesday, JD Walker, High Seaton, E5876; yesterday, J Dixon, Maryport, D9568; today, AM Marsden, Workington, D9790.