Sunday's Coming
Steve Molloy should have cramp in his fingers by Sunday - such is the
amount of time he'll spend crossing them over the next few days. As I researched
this piece, what was intended to be a look down the Oldham side gradually
became an extensive casualty list - one so serious that Molloy and Chris
Hamilton are frantically searching for loan players to bolster the squad.
We know that Oldham will come and play a forward-based power-game led
by Jason Clegg, Molloy and Bryan Henare. And we know that current form,
league placings and injury doubts mean nothing in this fixture. And we
know that - despite the jibes and the stick - Oldham's humble league position
belies their players' ability.
So - here we go.
Second row Phil Farrell is waiting for a shoulder operation, but is
is prepared to play so long as a specialist can assure him that a knock
will not cause further damage. Fellow second rower David Gibbons is out
with a torn groin muscle and unlikely to be back for a couple of weeks.
There are doubts too over John Braddish who severely damaged ankle ligaments
against Swinton four games ago.
20 year old Lee Doran gave an impressive performance at loose forward
in last week's draw at Batley, but picked up a shoulder injury and three
stitches in a clash of heads with team-mate Keith Brennan. Brennan received
ten stitches in his head and was hospitalised for observation after the
game. He claims he's prepared to play on Sunday with a headguard.
Full back Mark Sibson is hoping that the rib injury that kept him out
of last week's clash will have cleared sufficiently for him to play on
Sunday.
In what sounds like a bruising encounter at Mount Pleasant, Danny Guest
suffered a dead leg and a bicep injury at Batley, but should be fit for
weekend - while Molloy is holding out for Paul Norton who hurt a
muscle in his neck.
Neil Roden is expected to have recovered from his throat infection and
should start.
Phew.
As for Hornets, Hally is also crossing everything over Stevo and James
Bunyan, while Danny Sculthorpe should feature at some point. Woo-hoo!
Elsewhere, the team should look pretty much the same as it did against
Workington, with Casey Mayberry all stoked up and ready to terrorise his
opposite number.
As we've said lots of times before - this is the game we all look forward
to. Our own little bit of partisan rivalry that settles who's the best
side in our corner of East Lancashire. With Oldham 3-nil down on games
this season, they'll be gagging for at least one chance to gloat. With
Hornets 3-nil up on games, we'll be hoping for for the whitewash and the
opportunity to wear our Hornets shirts at work and walk past the resident
Oldham fan (sorry Steve).
Either way, this fixture does keep finding ways of adding extra spice
to what's already a mouthwatering prospect. With Featherstone at
Hull KR, Batley at Shuddersfield and Doncaster at Whitehaven this game
gives us an opportunity to make a real claim on third spot. This is in
every sense of the phrase a 'must-win' game - and your support will play
a vital part in helping Hornets achieve that.
There really is nowhere else to be on Sunday afternoon. Get there early
- it'll be an absolute cracker.
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