Workington Town coach Leon Pryce says they can’t let their emotions get the better of them against arch rivals Whitehaven this afternoon.

The two sides are set to clash in the traditional Good Friday derby at Derwent Park, kick-off 3pm, with League 1 points at stake.

And Pryce says Town have to be completely switched on if they want to take away the local bragging rights – and more importantly the points.

“I believe last year we let emotions get the better of us but I think we have all learned from that,” said Pryce.

“There are local bragging rights at stake and this game means a lot to the players and the fans.

“I do know what it means up here but our focus has to be the two points. We have got to get the balance right between emotion and the cold hard fact of what we are playing for.”

The last time the two sides met was in pre-season when Workington won back the Ike Southward Memorial Shield, but Pryce admitted this will be a different game altogether.

“The old saying is that you are only as good as your last game and you can’t rest on your laurels,” said Pryce.

“My aim is to try and get a fit 17 players available and then for us, as a team, to get back on the horse.

“Our last league game at London was disappointing so we need to get back to winning ways.

“For me it is about having a sustained period of playing well. We have played well in patches but not strung a full 65/70 minute performance together yet.”

Pryce does have injury worries over skipper Ollie Wilkes, hooker Sean Penkywicz and second rower Gordon Maudling who are all carrying knocks and are doubtful for the derby.

The fixture also marks the testimonial of long-serving half-back Carl Forber who has amassed over 350 games in his career and over 1,500 points.

There will be a bucket collection, and a match day strip auction with all proceeds heading to the testimonial fund.

Town: Barnes, Curwen, Dawson, Doran, Farrell, Forber, Hopkins, G Maudling, Mellor, Moimoi, Penkywicz, Rooke, Scholey, Singleton, Sutton, Tickle, Walsh, Wilkes, Worthington.

Haven: Forrester, Burns, Taylor, Parker, Aiye, C Phillips, Shackley, Newton, Coward, B Phillips, Moore, Wilkinson, Dowsett, Holliday, Thomson, McGoff, Mossop, K Maudling, Carter.