Siddal coach Greenwood accepts Batley training 'ban'

But the experienced winger says he cannot fault the decision of Batley chief Karl Harrison.

"When the draw first came out I rang him and we were laughing down the phone at each other," said Greenwood, who will be in the dug-out at The Shay for Halifax amateurs Siddal.

"Obviously, though, I was gutted when we (Batley) got picked to face Siddal.

"The worst-case scenario would have been physically playing against the team I coach and it looked like I might have to because we've got a lot of injuries at the moment.

"But Karl's been sound and as soon as he knew he had 17 there was no issue and at training on Monday he just said, 'See you Sunday.'

"He banned me from the training ground for the rest of the week so I'll just be coaching this weekend which is still not ideal – I'm going to be managing a side against all the lads I play with."

National Conference League champions Siddal caused a major shock by winning 26-0 at Championship club Doncaster in the last round – their first

victory over professional opponents – but Greenwood knows they face a much bigger task against Batley.

"Realistically we should not have a chance of winning again," he said.

"Doncaster were really struggling in the lower reaches of Championship One whereas Batley are going for the play-offs in the division above.

"There's a big step up between the two and Batley are literally a big, physical team too. We just want to go out and be competitive."

Although such a day is a huge occasion for amateur clubs, Greenwood conceded their most important test of the season was Wednesday night's 32-24 win at Premier Division rivals East Hull.

"We still need to make sure we pick points up to finish second in the league and get a good spot for the play-offs," he said last night.

"I'd not even thought about Batley until today and we've got another game next Wednesday when we're supposed to play Wath Brow. That's after facing Batley on Sunday.

"It's not ideal but we have to catch up with our fixtures. Sunday will be a great day for the club but the league is our priority."

Greenwood admits he is struggling to work out what to say to his troops ahead of the game.

"I've not really even thought too much about our game plan as we'd been concentrating on East Hull," he said.

"In the NCL, you can't afford to switch off – we'd lost last Tuesday at home to Wigan St Judes who were second-bottom.

"I'll come up with something for our session tomorrow morning.

"Even that's awkward. Any other team I'd pick out weaknesses and who we'd target but I'll have to go training with those Batley lads again on Monday – and there aren't any weaknesses.

"I would not wish this to happen to anyone. I think it is pretty unique and cannot imagine it has happened before. It is so awkward."

However, Greenwood revealed there has been one positive out of his bizarre situation.

"I normally train with Batley Monday, Wednesday and Friday while Siddal generally practise Tuesday and Thursday," he said.

"The good thing about all this is I've had a couple of nights spare this week so the wife won't be trying to divorce me."