Goole Vikings v Newcastle Thunder match preview

It's a short turnaround for both teams this week as Good Friday action sees Newcastle Thunder travel to take on Goole Vikings in a 17:00 kick off.

Vikings looking to bounce back

Goole currently sit fourteenth in The Betfred Champions having won two and lost five of their seven games. Goole's two wins in the league have come on the road at Swinton and also claiming the scalp of a Dewsbury team who are performing well this season.

Goole enjoyed a fine debut season in League 1 last season taking some big victories and finishing seventh in the league. They are currently having a really exciting development of their Victoria Pleasure Grounds Stadium. Scott Taylor has assembled a squad mixed with youth and experience with Brett Ferres leading the likes of ex-Thunder man Jack Miller, Will Jubb and Liam Watts. They also feature ex-Thunder men Nick Staveley and Mackenzie Harman in their squad although Staveley misses out this weekend.

After a disappointing result losing out 35-10 at Rochdale, expect to see a Goole performance that's wanting to put things right in their first match on home soil since mid-February no doubt backed by a big Easter crowd.

Continuity key for Thunder

Graham Steadman names a squad that includes a recall for Ukuma Ta'ai coming in for Will Roberts who has been quality for Thunder this season and is named in the York Knights squad for their game against Huddersfield. Good luck to Will if he makes the matchday squad!

Thunder will look to start strongly like what they showed on Sunday when three tries had Workington chasing the game. Thunder looked at their most dangerous when they attacked the outside space especially in the second half where despite tough conditions they ran Workington ragged.

Thunder are sitting fourth in a congested Betfred Championship and are unbeaten in the league away from home this season having won at Midlands, Whitehaven and Swinton. The attack is averaging just over thirty five points a game and defensively the improvement has been noticeable in the last few games with them conceding an average of just over sixteen points per game. In a way because of the congestion, Thunder have been quietly going about their business managing to string wins together and they'll hope this continues on Good Friday. A large travelling support can look forward to this exciting brand that Thunder play although the wind could play a factor on Friday.

Squads and officials:

Newcastle Thunder: 1. Myles Harrison, 2. Andy Djeukessi, 3. Joe Law, 4. Jude Ferreira, 5. Brad Ward, 6. Cody Hunter, 8. Bailey Antrobus, 9. Taylor Pemberton, 11. Harvey Reynolds, 12. Noah Whittingham, 15. Brenden Santi, 16. Leo Tennison, 17. King Vuniyayawa, 18. Ukuma Ta'ai, 22. John Sagaga (loan), 24. Matty Foster (loan), 25. Jack Smith (loan), 27. Jordan Lipp (loan), 30. Tom Inman.

Goole Vikings: 1. Josh Guzdek, 2. Tom Halliday, 3. Cooper Howlett, 4. Keenen Tomlinson, 5. Callum Shaw, 6. Mackenzie Harman, 7. Jack Miller, 8. Jack Arnold, 9. Jeylan Hodgson, 10. Tyler Craig, 11. Brett Ferres, 13. Harry Aldous, 16. Harry Medlicott, 18. Connor Barley, 20. Shane Tuohey, 22. Callum Rutland, 25. Brad Bullock, 30. Liam Watts, 31. Will Jubb, Jimmy Beckett, Flynn Holden.

Referee: A. Belafonte

Reserve Referee: G. Cox

Touch Judge 1: R. Schofield

Touch Judge 2: S. Quarmby

Venue: Victoria Pleasure Grounds

Kick off: 17:00

Championship fixtures this weekend

Easter weekend brings out some big derby fixtures and expect the crowds to come out. There's a big game in Whitehaven as they host near neighbours Workington. Both teams sit on three points, I can see Workington edging a ferocious encounter. Fifth place Barrow host seventh place Widnes with both teams on ten points, I fancy another close game here with Widnes edging it. Eighth place Oldham host neighbours Rochdale who are sat in tenth, I think Oldham will improve as the season goes on and expect them to beat Rochdale. Doncaster travel to Sheffield as two of the high fliers go head-to-head. This pits two really talented squads against each other, Doncaster could well edge this contest. Batley who have had a tough start host a Dewsbury side who have started well, this will be fiery and I expect Batley to take this one. I expect a high flying Newcastle Thunder side to win at Goole but the Vikings will be looking to put some things right after a disappointing result at Rochdale last time out. Keighley are an improved outfit this season and Hunslet are another club who have had a tough start but I fancy them to take a win at Keighley. In a bottom of the table clash Swinton host Salford, despite coaching changes at Swinton this week I think Salford will win this. Finally, North Wales and Midlands meet in Wales. North Wales comfortably beat Whitehaven last weekend and I'm backing them to grab another home win this weekend.

Whitehaven v Workington (away win)

Barrow v Widnes (away win)

Oldham v Rochdale (home win)

Sheffield v Doncaster (away win)

Batley v Dewsbury (home win)

Goole v Newcastle (away win)

Keighley v Hunslet (away win)

Swinton v Salford (away win)

North Wales v Midlands (home win)