Deakin: Destiny in our hands

OLDHAM’S promotion chasers are being urged to grab the opportunity that lies before them.
Following a weekend in which Gateshead Thunder clinched the National League Two title and Barrow reasserted their credentials for second, Roughyeds coach Steve Deakin is now facing the increasingly likely prospect of a play-off campaign.

A final-day victory over Workington Town at Boundary Park on Sunday will guarantee a minimum third-placed finish — which, in turn, would leave Oldham just two wins away from National League One.

“Our destiny has been in our own hands all year,” said Deakin, following yesterday’s comfortable 38-20 win away to Swinton. Report on Page 22.

“We can’t look at anybody else to do us any favours — that doesn’t apply in this game.

“We are where we are because of what we have done or, to put it brutally, what we didn’t do.

“If we get a win next week we finish minimum third so that is the target.”

Barrow have yet to play Swinton and Doncaster away from home and only defeats in both of those games for the Cumbrian side will hand the Roughyeds a realistic chance of going up automatically.

Jason Boults came off worst in yesterday’s Sedgley Park clash, the prop forward aggravating a knee injury which has troubled him for a number of weeks.

Of the rest of the squad which played, nobody is thought to have picked up any serious problem.

Richard Mervill was unavailable, Daryl Cardiss missed out with a sore groin and Adam Robinson’s wrist and knee are still troubling him.

Mick Nanyn (fractured thumb), Tommy Goulden (ligament damage in a foot), Craig Littler (fractured jaw) and Matty Brooks (torn calf) are set to miss this week’s match, but all could feature in the play-offs.

Should Oldham finish in third, they will face Keighley, Doncaster or York in a qualifying play-off at Boundary Park on Sunday, September 14, giving plenty of scope for recovery from injuries.

The National Leagues Grand Finals day takes place this year at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium on Sunday, September 28.