Benson glad to face stern test

ROUGHYEDS coach Tony Benson is glad his side are up against such tough opposition tonight, feeling it will help bring the best out of them.

Having selected a strong squad for the trip to Widnes for the team’s opening Northern Rail Cup group one game (7.30pm kick off), Benson is set to hand competitive Oldham debuts to eight players.

For vice-captain Paul Highton and Ireland international Stevie Gibbons, both in the 18-man squad travelling to the Stobart Stadium, it will be the first time they have had the chance to turn out in Oldham colours at all, having missed all three pre-season friendlies.

Benson’s only injury absentees are David Allen (back), Richard Mervill (knee) and Gary Sykes (knee), while Simeon Hoyle is unavailable.

Senior men Luke Menzies, Craig Robinson, Lucas Onyango, Craig Littler and Luke Sutton all miss out on selection.

“It is a good one to start off with,” said Benson, who was able to get another field session in with his squad last night.

“When you are up against quality, it means that you raise your own levels. It will certainly be a good test for us and we are just looking forward to getting out on the field and playing.”

A precautionary pitch inspection was set to take place at Widnes today but no problems are anticipated.

Oldham (from): O’Connor, Greenwood, Ballard, St Hilaire, Reilly, Halliwell, J Coyle, T Coyle, Roden, Kerr, I’Anson, Boults, Highton, Gibbons, Joseph, Baines, Goulden, Roberts.

Widnes coach Steve McCormack is set to name the same squad that was due to play Barrow last week, with former Oldham men Gavin Dodd and Lee Doran among that number.

Widnes (from): Dodd, Doran, Duffy, Fletcher, Flynn, Gannon, Grady, Kavanagh, Kohe Love, Mills, Morrison, Ostick, Simm, Smith, Thackeray, Thompson, Varkulis, Webster, Wildbore.


THE Players’ Association will hold a questions-and-answers forum at the Oldham St Anne’s club on Monday night (7.30pm start).

The panel will consist of Roughyeds chief executive Chris Hamilton, coach Tony Benson, referee Robert Hicks and Leeds legends Barrie McDermott and Kevin Sinfield. Tickets are £3 each including supper.