Crusaders face up toCumbrian challenge.

Celtic Crusaders begin their National League Two campaign tomorrow looking to end Workington Town's 23-month unbeaten home league record (3pm).

It's a long trip for the Bridgend-based Crusaders, but they could cash in on recent turmoil at the Cumbrian club.

Workington have lost their last three matches, including a humbling Powergen Cup defeat against Thornhill Trojans, and seen star players Luisi Stone and John Tuimaualuga leave the club.

One Crusader who knows Derwent Park well is assistant coach Kevin Ellis, who spent half a season there on loan from Warrington, playing alongside fellow Welsh international Rowland Phillips.

Ellis said: 'It's a hard ground to play at - they've got a very good record there.

'If I remember right, we won nine out of 12 games when I was there and that ensured our Super League survival.

'They have a passionate crowd who took to us like we were Cumbrians.

'I've always thought that Cumbrian fans are similar to the Welsh - they get behind their team and they're worth an extra couple of men to the side.

'However, we're up for the challenge tomorrow and I believe that it's a game we can win.'

There are just two changes to the Crusaders squad that lost 32-8 to Rochdale Hornets in the Powergen Cup last week - their first defeat in eight games - with Karl Hocking and Scott O'Kelly coming in.

Crusaders coach John Dixon said: 'We really don't know what to expect from the game.'

Crusaders squad (probable) v Workington Town (a): T Duggan, C de Chenu, L Woodard, D Quinn, P Morgan, L Young, J Van Dijk, R Barton, M Ryan, P Cushion, D Scully, D Simm, D Fitzgerald, C Ellis, G Davies, K Hocking, S O'Kelly.