DERBY day is around the corner for Roughyeds, as they take on Rochdale Hornets at the Crown Oil Arena this Sunday, writes Kasey Smith.
Fresh from hammering title-challengers Keighley, Oldham will be looking to solidify their position at the top of League One with a seventh win on the spin.
The two sides have already met twice this year - once in the 1895 Cup and the other in the league - with Oldham resounding victors on both occasions.
Hornets, when fully-strengthened, have proved to be a dangerous, attacking side with them averaging 32 points scored a game.
But with both first choice half-backs out - former Oldham captain Martyn Ridyard as well as Lewis Else, one of League One’s stand-out performers this year - Roughyeds will be clear favourites.
After a 20-20 draw away at Keighley, Rochdale were on a six-game unbeaten run and one of the form teams in the League.
However, they subsequently fell to Workington, losing narrowly by 14-12, while last week they just scraped past Midlands Hurricanes 14-10, with injuries taking their toll
Elijah Taylor, who missed last weekend’s game due to a failed HIA (Head Injury Assessment), should be back available for Oldham.
McKenzie Yei, who the club signed back in April but still to make his debut, has been given the all-clear by a specialist and while Rochdale may be a game to soon, the Papua New Guinea bulldozer is expected to feature in the coming weeks.
At time of writing, tickets for Sunday’s derby game are selling well with the Main Stand expected to be sold out by Sunday.
Hornets have confirmed there is scope for additional areas of the stadium to be opened but Oldham fans are advised to purchase tickets online to avoid disappointment.
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