Match Preview: Oldham v Barrow

Three-times winners Oldham bid to reach the fourth round of this year's Betfred Challenge Cup with a crunch home tie against Barrow Raiders this Sunday afternoon at Boundary Park.

Having seen off local amateurs Rochdale Mayfield a fortnight ago, Sean Long's Roughyeds are back in action against the team they knocked out of the competition 12 months ago, with a fierce contest expected in the last run-out before the new Championship season kicks off against York next weekend.

Oldham won this Cup tie 12 months ago 22-10 up in Cumbria and have a strong home record against Barrow, winning the last 17 home games against the Raiders.
Barrow's last win at Oldham came in the Slalom Lager Championship in February 1981.
The two sides also met in the Challenge Cup first round in 2021, Oldham winning 20-6 at Bower Fold.

Team News

Head coach Long has named a strong 21-man squad for the visit of the Raiders with all of his fit players vying for selection.

Captain Jordan Turner remains absent with a hamstring injury, while Logan Astley, Adam Lawton, Brad Gallagher and long-term absentee McKenzie Yei remain sidelined as they work their way back to full fitness. Look out for an in-depth update from Head of Medical Aaron Scholes on our new Injury Bay feature on Roughyeds TV.

Phoenix Laulu-Togaga'e is unavailable despite returning to Oldham this week.

The game marks a milestone for two Roughyeds stars, as popular forward Ted Chapelhow makes his 200th career appearance, and new signing Gil Dudson plays in his 300th career club game.

Squad in full: 2. Kieran Dixon, 4. Iain Thornley, 5. Mo Agoro, 6. Danny Craven, 7. Riley Dean, 8. Gil Dudson, 9. Matty Wildie, 10. Owen Farnworth, 11. Matty Ashurst, 13. Adam Milner, 14. Bailey Aldridge, 15. Jay Chapelhow, 16. Pat Moran, 17. Elijah Taylor, 18. Jumah Sambou, 19. Ted Chapelhow, 20. Jack Johnson, 23. Josh Drinkwater, 24. Ben O'Keefe, 25. Craig Kopczak, 27. Ben Forster

Match Experience

Tickets, priced at £20 for adults and £14 for concessions, will be available on the day as well as in advance online. Fans are strongly advised to purchase in advance.
The last few matchday hospitality spots in the Broadway Suite remain which features a pie and peas meal, bar access and free tea and coffee as well as the usual 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.

Bar 1895 has become an unmissable pre-match venue for Oldham and visiting fans alike, with entertainment starting with live music from resident house band the Boundary Parkas, before host George Riley takes over with the exclusive first read of the big-match team news plus live interviews with the Oldham stars not in the matchday 17.
It is a fantastic hub to meet your friends, have a drink before and after the game, listen to live music, watch Roughyeds footage on the big screens, and gain real insight from the players ahead of the game.

Access:
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.

Roughyeds merchandise and kit is now being stocked in Athletic Store at Boundary Park, and fans can pop in to get kitted out on matchday too.

Season tickets

For those who have purchased a season ticket for the upcoming 2025 Championship season, physical cards will be available for collection in Bar 1895 from 12:30pm, ahead of the Barrow game.

To pick up your card, please provide your purchase receipt.

Cards will also be available for collection in our forthcoming fixtures, for those unable to collect this weekend.

Media coverage

For those unable to make it to Boundary Park, we now have exclusive live audio commentary available at 3pm on our fast-growing YouTube channel Roughyeds TV. Join George and one of our platers at kick-off, and use the chat feature to get involved during the broadcast.
Make sure you are subscribed to gain access to all of our exclusive content, and like/share/comment to help with our IMG stats!

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

See you Sunday!