OUR head coach Sean Long has praised Roughyeds fans for their magnificent support at Swinton where his side was beaten for the first time under his tutelage after four wins and a draw.
Despite going 14-0 down pretty quickly, losing 28-12, failing to find their usual form and never getting their noses in front, the support of Oldham fans was, in Long’s description. “absolutely terrific.”
Interviewed after the match on Roughyeds TV, Long said:
“Our fans made iit like a home game. They were absolutely terrific. I’m gutted, and so are the players, that we couldn’t deliver for them this time. It was a tough one to take, We didn’t respect the ball and we made way too many errors. Despite that, and despite playing our worst rugby league so far, we were only eight points down for much of the second half.
“We put them under a lot of pressure at that stage and I thought we were in with a chance, but it didn’t happen for us on this occasion. However, this isn’t a time for kicking stones. The lads have to dust themselves down and get ready for another tough cup-tie at York on Sunday,” writes ROGER HALSTEAD.
Winger Jack Johnson, similarly interviewed on Roughyeds TV, described the Challenge Cup defeat as a “wake-up call” — and everyone in the Roughyeds camp knows that the quarter-final of the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup on Sunday (3pm) will be just as demanding as was the fourth-round Challenge Cup tie at Swinton.
Added Long:
“We’ll have to be on our mettle. York are a good side, well coached and we’ll have to play a lot better than we did at Swinton.”
He revealed that two of his key forwards. Elijah Taylor and Craig Kopczak were hurt at Swinton , the New Zealander with a hamstring problem and “Koppy” with a knock on his shoulder.
Taylor would need a scan — two experienced forwards who “lead from the front”.
The winners at York will be only 80 minutes from Wembley with a home semi-final to follow – fantastic incentive for both sides.
