Kingstone Press League 1 preview: London Skolars v Barrow Raiders

London Skolars coach Jermaine Coleman was very disappointed with his side’s performance at Oxford.

“We didn’t start the game particularly well and things went from bad to worse in the first half,” he said.

“Having said that, when you analyse the game it comes down to four missed tackles and one moment of a lack of desire to go and catch a ball.

“In the second half we got a reaction, which I asked for, unfortunately the game changed on a refereeing decision. That doesn’t take away from the fact that we weren’t that creative in the first half and just weren’t good enough.

“Barrow will be super confident given their win at the weekend but it’s an opportunity for us to get back on the horse and for our guys to show what they’ve got in the locker, which they did in the second half last week. That’s the challenge that I would pose to my players this week – are they capable of repeating that second 40 minutes for the whole 80 minutes?

“If they do that then we give ourselves an opportunity.”

Coleman should have prop Louis Robinson available for selection.

Barrow Raiders became the first side to defeat Oldham last week. Coach Paul Crarey said: “Oldham were coming off a five-game winning streak so we knew we had to be at our best. It was a really important game for both sides.

“Now we need to go to London and win otherwise it’s all been for nothing. We’ve got to start picking up on our away form. We don’t know what to expect.

“It’s a long trip for us and some of the lads are worrying about the routine of going away on Saturday night and staying over in a hotel.

“But it happens in professional sport, so it’s a new challenge for them to prepare well. We’ve got a young set of lads but if we get everything right I’m sure we can do really well.”

Loose forward Danny Toal and second row Liam Harrison are doubtful with arm injuries.