PREVIOUS defeats against play-off opponents Eastmoor Dragons will have “no bearing” on Woolston Rovers’ preparations for Saturday’s showdown, head coach John Fieldhouse says.

The Green and Golds’ hopes of promotion from National Conference League Division Three rest on their trip to the Wakefield-based side, with victory earning them a place in the play-off final.

After beating them at this stage in 2016, Rovers have lost both games against the Dragons this season, with their last meeting being a 30-28 defeat at Monks Sports Club in July.

However, Fieldhouse says the mood within the camp is a good one as they look to fulfil their pre-season goal of promotion.

“We have been in good form over the past two months, with only the two setbacks,” he said.

“We know we are capable of playing top quality rugby and if we can do that this week, it will give us a great chance of reaching the final.

“The boys have been really upbeat in training and we are really looking forward to the game.

“We know that it will be a tough game. Both matches against Eastmoor have been really close and we have fallen short in each of them, but they will have no bearing on Saturday’s game.

“We set our goal at the beginning of the season to get promotion this time and, although we would have preferred to have done that automatically, it wasn’t to be.

“We have a lot of quality in our squad and I have every confidence that we can get the job done.”

The winners will face either Dewsbury Moor or Oldham St Annes for a place in Division Two on Saturday, October 21.

Should they beat Eastmoor, Rovers could have home advantage if Oldham win the other semi final clash after finishing the regular season above them in the table, but another trip to Yorkshire would be needed if Dewsbury Moor are victorious.

Kick off on Saturday is at 2.30pm, not 3pm as previously reported.