Match Preview: Oldham v Barrow

Oldham bid to maintain their unbeaten start in the Betfred Championship, with a trip to take on a familiar opponent this Sunday in Cumbria. (3pm)

Sean Long's first road trip comes against Barrow Raiders, the side Oldham have knocked out of the Challenge Cup in each of the last two seasons.

Having won and drawn in the first two games of the Championship campaign, this is a game in which Long wants to see the quality of his squad shine through against an opponent capable of being very dangerous at home.

Click here to watch Long's preview.

Team News

Long makes several changes after admitting to some soreness in certain players after last weekend's win over Rochdale. Centre Iain Thornley, half-back Josh Drinkwater, prop Gil Dudson and second row Matty Ashurst all miss out this weekend. Winger Mo Agoro is still recovering from his groin injury.

Logan Astley returns to the squad after injury, and winger Cian Tyrer - last season's top try scorer - is also included. Experienced forward Elijah Taylor returns following illness.

If Danny Craven is selected on Sunday it will be his 250th career appearance.

Squad in full: 1.Logan Astley, 2. Kieran Dixon, 6. Danny Craven, 7. Riley Dean, 9. Matty Wildie, 10. Owen Farnworth, 12. Adam Lawton, 13. Adam Milner, 14. Bailey Aldridge, 15. Jay Chapelhow, 16. Pat Moran, 17. Elijah Taylor, 18. Jumah Sambou, 19. Ted Chapelhow, 20. Jack Johnson, 21. Lewis Baxter, 22. Cian Tyrer, 24. Ben O'Keefe, 27. Ben Foster, 30. George Hirst, 31. Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e

The Opposition

A trip to Barrow is traditionally one of the trickier trips in the Championship, with the Raiders providing a stern test at home in front of a vocal home crowd.

We have enjoyed Cup wins over Barrow in each of the last two seasons but this is the first league meetings between the sides in 10 years, Oldham winning 28-12 at Whitebank, Barrow winning their home fixture 30-18.

Barrow were the opposition when Roughyeds progressed through in the Betfred Challange Cup at Boundary Park 42-4 last month and will again head to Oldham for the quarter-finals of the 1895 Cup after knocking out Goole Vikings 34-16 last weekend.

Paul Crarey's side head into this weekend a point behind Oldham in the early Championship table, having won one and lost one of their first two games.

They opened the league season with an impressive 38-12 home win over Hunslet before losing 24-14 away to Halifax.

Barrow also boast the joint top try scorer in the Championship, with winger Andrew Bulman crossing three times in two games so far and also scoring in last week's 1895 Cup win. He is level on three with Jack Johnson and Bradford's Jorge Taufua.

Tickets and access

Match Tickets are £15 for adults if purchased before midnight on Saturday here.
Fans are strongly advised to purchase in advance to secure their place.

When purchasing on matchday - either online or on the gate, the ticket price is £18.

All juniors (under 16) are free, but those under secondary school age must be supervised by an adult.

For tickets purchased online you will be emailed your ticket to be scanned at the gate for entry - either via your phone or printed out.

Media coverage

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For our loyal fans unable to get to Barrow there will be a live audio-only commentary service available via Roughyeds TV on YouTube from 3pm. But it is no substitute for being there!

We can't wait to see you in Barrow on Sunday - Let’s hear the Roughyed Roar!