Match Preview: Oldham v Barrow

Oldham bid to move within one game of Wembley and could hand a debut to Super League Dream Team centre Nene Macdonald as Barrow come to Boundary Park in the 1895 Cup quarter finals.

No Oldham side has ever been to Wembley, but Sean Long's men know a semi-final place awaits if they can gain revenge on the Raiders for defeat in the Championship last month.

Team News

The headline team news is the inclusion of Salford Red Devils centre Macdonald who has joined the Roughyeds this week on an initial three-match loan.

Macdonald says he is hungry to play after giving an exclusive interview to Roughyeds TV after his stunning move to Boundary Park. Click here to watch.

Also included is youngster Tom Forber, with the hooker joining on dual-registration from Super League champions Wigan. Forber had previous stints with Oldham in both 2022 and 2023.

Elsewhere this week the team news is mixed. Both of the wingers who started last week's win at Sheffield are out, with Kieran Dixon set to undergo surgery after learning that he scored the match-winning try against the Eagles with a broken arm.

Nathan Lowe also drops out, with the Wigan teenager suffering a shoulder injury, while Elijah Taylor misses out through concussion protocols. Bailey Aldridge has also picked up an injury.

Iain Thornley though is fit to return, as is Riley Dean after passing concussion protocols, and George Hirst returns to the squad following injury.

Squad in full: 3. Jordan Turner, 4. Iain Thornley, 6. Danny Craven, 7. Riley Dean, 8. Gil Dudson, 9. Matty Wildie, 10. Owen Farnworth, 11. Matty Ashurst, 13. Adam Milner, 15. Jay Chapelhow, 16. Pat Moran, 19. Ted Chapelhow, 20. Jack Johnson, 21. Lewis Baxter, 23. Josh Drinkwater, 27. Ben Forster, 30. George Hirst, 31. Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e, 34 Josh Cartwright, Nene Macdonald, Tom Forber

The Opposition

This is the third meeting between the two sides this year, with Oldham knocking Barrow out of the Challenge Cup in a convincing 42-4 Boundary Park win in February, but losing to the Raiders on a bad away day in the Championship last month 20-6.

On-loan St Helens winger Tee Ritson scored a superb solo try that day, and Paul Crarey's side can be a very tough nut to crack as Oldham learned on the road.

As for Barrow's Championship form, they are just a point behind Oldham in the table thanks to three wins from their first five games. The Roughyeds sit second on seven points, but Barrow are lurking dangerously, having lost most recently to York and early on to Halifax, but beaten Hunslet, Bradford Bulls away and Oldham.

Oldham's home record against Barrow bodes well, with the Roughyeds winning the last 18 home games against the Raiders dating back to 1981, when Barrow earned a 15-8 Slalom Lager Championship win.

Match Experience

The matchday experience at Boundary Park is an unmissable day out for friends and family and there is plenty included in the price of a match ticket - kids go free too don't forget!
Not only the exhilarating brand of rugby league being showcased from our Roughyeds stars, but in the entire day around the stadium, with street food, drinks and live music before the match.

Join players, fans and mascots before and after the game in Bar 1895, our popular pre-match hub for both Oldham and visiting supporters alike. Fans are urged to arrive early to avoid disappointment, with the venue regularly reaching capacity.

The entertainment kicks off with live music from resident house band the Boundary Parkas, before host George Riley takes over at 2pm with the all-important exclusive first read of the big-match team news plus live interviews, photo opportunities and autographs with the Oldham stars not in the matchday 17.
Our legendary club mascot Roary the Roughyed will also be on hand to meet all our young - and old - Roughyeds fans.

It is the perfect place to meet your friends and family, have a drink before and after the game, listen to live music, watch live sport including Roughyeds footage on the big screens, and gain real insight from the players ahead of the game.

Tickets

Adult match tickets have been reduced to a special discounted price of just £12 for this fixture! These can be booked online before Sunday - please note that the price on the day rises to £16 so do book in advance if you can.

The last few VIP Access hospitality tickets in the Broadway Suite remain, which features a pie and peas meal, bar access and free tea and coffee as well as exclusive pre-match interviews with our players, and post-match presentations including Player of the Match.

To upgrade your matchday ticket, simply select the 'pie and peas hospitality' add-on when buying online.

Access:

For hospitality - including pie and peas - we request you arrive before 2pm if you are eating.

For Bar 1895 - please note that fans can enter the stadium via Bar 1895, but there is no re-entry to Bar 1895 before kick-off once you are inside the stadium - so relax and enjoy the Bar 1895 entertainment before taking your seats.
Once the match has kicked off, fans will be able to access Bar 1895 from the stadium.
Other refreshments are available via the kiosks on the concourse.

Merch:

We want you to look the part and are delighted to have taken a spot in Athletic Store at the ground this year!
So all of our Roughyeds merchandise, including our training gear, is now being stocked at Boundary Park, and fans can pop in to get kitted out on matchday.

Media coverage

Make sure you are following all of our social channels, on Facebook, X and Instagram, the only place to hear the first thoughts from head coach Sean Long before and after kick off, see exclusive on-the-hooter interviews with our players at the end of the game, watch try clips during matches and much more.

Start your build up to the game by watching the brand new episode of our exclusive magazine show The Boundary Line here as George is joined by managing director Mike Ford to talk Wembley, chairman Bill Quinn rounds up matters behind the scenes and veteran prop Craig Kopczak emotionally reveals why he has decided to retire.

Please subscribe, follow, like, comment, share and engage with our media content that we are so proud to have to rival any throughout rugby league - it all helps with our IMG score too.
For our loyal fans unable to get to the game there will be a live audio-only commentary service available via Roughyeds TV on You Tube from 3pm. But it is no substitute for being there!

We can't wait to have you with us at Boundary Park on Sunday afternoon - as we bid to move a step closer to Wembley and watch Nene Macdonald's debut.

Let’s hear the Roughyed Roar!