Match Preview: Oldham v Rochdale

Oldham bid to reach the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup quarter-finals at the expense of local rivals Rochdale, when the teams lock horns for the second Boundary Park derby of 2025 so far, kick-off 3pm.

Sean Long's men are unbeaten in competitive fixtures this year, but needed a viral moment from Josh Drinkwater to salvage an 18-18 Betfred Championship draw against Batley Bulldogs last weekend.

That was a late fightback that showcased this exciting team's character and leadership, according to the Chapelhow twins, who join us on this week's episode of The Boundary Line on Roughyeds TV.

Team News

Long makes one change to his initial 21-man squad this week with forward Ben Forster included against his former club after impressing in training.

Half-back Josh Drinkwater is the man to make way, meaning Danny Craven is set to return in the halves alongside Riley Dean after being named as 18th man last week.

Experienced forward Elijah Taylor is still missing through illness, with powerhouse winger Mo Agoro again sidelined with the groin issue that has dogged him for the last fortnight.

Adam Lawton made his return in the back row last week and keeps his place in the squad, but captain Jordan Turner remains absent with a hamstring injury, while Logan Astley, Brad Gallagher and McKenzie Yei continue to work their way back to full fitness.

We could have a milestone on Sunday too, with goalkicking winger Kieran Dixon needing just two points to reach 1500 for his career.

Squad in full: 2. Kieran Dixon, 4. Iain Thornley, 6. Danny Craven, 7. Riley Dean, 8. Gil Dudson, 9. Matty Wildie, 10. Owen Farnworth, 11. Matty Ashurst, 12. Adam Lawton, 13. Adam Milner, 14. Bailey Aldridge, 15. Jay Chapelhow, 16. Pat Moran, 18. Jumah Sambou, 19. Ted Chapelhow, 20. Jack Johnson, 21. Lewis Baxter, 24. Ben O'Keefe, 27. Ben Forster, 30. George Hirst, 31. Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e.

The Opposition

The Hornets head into this second derby of 2025 with their tails up, having opened the Betfred League 1 season last weekend with an eye-catching 44-0 win over Keighley Cougars.
Given that Keighley were the only team to beat Roughyeds last year in the League 1 title race, that was a real statement of what Rochdale might be capable of this year. It was also a result that cost Keighley boss Jake Webster his job this week.

The win included a hat-trick from winger Luke Forber, the League 1 Player of the Month for February. Forber was also a Rochdale try scorer last month when the sides competed for the Law Cup on a bitterly cold Wednesday night at Boundary Park. Oldham edged out the old enemy 16-14 on the night.

The winners of this tie go into the 1895 Cup quarter-finals and will be ball number 6 in Sunday evening's draw which takes place on BBC Radio Leeds at 5:15pm.

Match Experience

The matchday experience at Boundary Park is fast becoming 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 on the pitch on derby day, 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

Match Tickets, priced at £20 for adults and £14 for concessions, free for children, will be available on the day as well as in advance online.
Fans are strongly advised to purchase in advance to secure their place, although two cash turnstiles will also be open this weekend.

Please note: For fans who have still not collected season tickets, please contact kasey.smith@roughyeds.co.uk.

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 those wishing to pay cash on the day, please use turnstiles 30 and 31.

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 are delighted to announce that having twice sold out through high demand, our much sought-after Roughyeds bobble hats are back in stock!
We are also now offering huge discounts on all of last year's stock - you can kit yourself out for as little as £10 an item!

All of our Roughyeds merchandise, including brand new training gear, is now being stocked in Athletic Store at Boundary Park, and fans can pop in to get kitted out on matchday too.

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.
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 living away from Oldham, and those unable to make the game, there will be a live audio-only commentary service available via Roughyeds TV on You Tube from 3pm.

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