Cup dilemma for coach Farrimond

Standard Cup preview: CRAIG Farrimond leads his first game as Saddleworth Rangers coach tomorrow with a selection poser.

Prop Ryan Moores, who is recovering from a shoulder operation, is the only member of the squad ruled out of the Standard Cup, first-round clash against Waterhead at Churchill playing fields (kick-off 2pm).

It leaves Farrimond to pick a side from the 26 players at his disposal.

Farrimond, who has taken over the first-team coaching duties from Shane Tupaea at the National Conference League Division One club, said: “The players returned to training in the first week of November. We did six weeks in the gym and conditioning work on Saturday mornings.

“Post Christmas we’ve had structured gym sessions, and now everybody is itching to get a game.”

Farrimond’s opposite number Mick Slicker junior is also making his bow as the coach of Waterhead, having replaced Chris Hough.

The Peach Road club is hoping to kickstart an upturn in fortunes after relegation to Division Three of the NCL at the end of last season.

With a doubt over the match being staged at Churchill, officials are on stand-by to relocate to Peach Road or, if the pitch there is considered unfit, Hollinwood’s ground at Fields New Road.

Temperatures are due to rise which should eradicate the threat of frost. But a thaw brings with it the potential problem of standing water.

Any news of a venue switch will be posted on the Saddleworth Rangers website, facebook page and twitter feed on the morning of the match.