Hamilton plays down Craven Park clash

ROUGHYEDS chief executive Chris Hamilton isn’t keen to over-play the significance of tonight’s Barrow match.

Oldham travel to Craven Park in the knowledge that should come away with three points, the club’s automatic promotion hopes would be handed a boost.

But with another game against the Raiders at Boundary Park still to come, plus home-and-away fixtures against Doncaster, this National League Two season still has the potential for plenty more dramatic twists.

“There is no getting away from the fact that this is a big game, but it doesn’t necessarily determine anything,” said Mr Hamilton.

“As we saw last week, and as we have said many times before, there will still be shocks and upsets to come. There are also plenty of teams at the top still to play each other.”

Barrow lost 15-10 at Hunslet last weekend, their first defeat of the league season.

But the Roughyeds are fully aware of what coach Dave Clark’s side are capable of, having lost the corresponding league fixture last season before winning 28-6 at the same venue in the play-offs.

“In the league game up there we were well in control before they came back at us in the second half,” added Mr Hamilton. “By the same token, we put 50 past them at home last season.

“We did a very good job up there in the play-offs and if we can get close to that level of performance we will be happy.

“It goes without saying that they are a very good side who are playing well. But we are going there to pick up three points.”

The Hunslet result apart, Barrow’s recent form is such that they have five players in the official NL2 select side.

Dave Armitstead, the Australian loose forward who performed superbly against the Roughyeds last season, was nominated as the division’s overall stand-out performer in that period. The other four were centre Liam Harrison, winger James Nixon, stand-off Darren Holt and hooker Andy Ellis.

Oldham had two men included, full-back Paul O’Connor and prop forward Richard Mervill.

Oldham (from): O’Connor, Langley, St Hilaire, Nanyn, Cardiss, Roden, Coyle, Boults, Joseph, Mervill, Hodson, Halliwell, Roberts, Brooks, Baines, Goulden, Tamghart, Littler, Onyango, Sutton.

Oldham’s reserves take on Barrow at Sedgley Park tomorrow (2.30pm).