Oldham all set for first battle

TONY BENSON

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THE BIG freeze has wreaked havoc with the country's sporting schedule — and Oldham Roughyeds are no exception.

The squad, preparing for a competitive season which is now only a month away, hasn't had an on-field training session for weeks due to frost.

But while coach Tony Benson could be forgiven for cursing the way the elements are conspiring, he is instead keen to stress that in the main, the pre-season programme up to this point has gone according to plan.

"We are as fit and strong as we can be at this stage and now it is a case of getting together and getting our team plays right," said Benson, ahead of this weekend's Swinton test at Sedgley Park.

"We are on target to be ready for February, despite the weather. Even when we haven't been able to go out onto the field, we have been indoors doing strength and conditioning work which will stand us in good stead.

"The pre-season games are always used for different things. We have done our core skills work so I would expect those to be good, though possibly our cohesion won't be as good and the Swinton game will help with that.

"I will be looking for the things we have ingrained into the players in training to be transferred and used in the heat of battle."

The forecast is for a milder end to the week and everyone concerned with arranging Sunday's game will hope that this proves to be correct.

The first of two pre-season friendlies for Oldham, the game doubles up as a testimonial event for Roughyeds reserves coach John Hough and Swinton full-back Wayne English, both of whom have had unbroken 10-year relationships with their current clubs.

Benson, who has experience coaching at both levels of the former National League, paid tribute to both men.

"John is a really good person and very affable around the place but also someone who knows his game," he added.

"He has played at a consistently high level and is very valuable to our whole set-up. He is passionate about the game, too, which is so typical of many people in Oldham.

"Wayne is one of those electric players that you have to watch closely when he has the ball in his hands.

"His loyalty to Swinton has been immense, even through difficult times, and that says a lot about him as a person."

Upcoming fixtures —

January 11: Swinton (A, friendly); January 25: Huddersfield (H, friendly); February 8: Rochdale (H, Northern Rail Cup); February 13: Widnes (A, NRC); February 17: Leeds (H, friendly); February 22: Sheffeild (H, NRC); March 1: Hunslet (A, NRC).