Oldham await next challenge

NO CHICKENS are being counted by Oldham officials ahead of tonight’s Carnegie Challenge Cup, fourth round draw.

The 26-8 defeat of amateur side Sharlston Rovers put the Roughyeds into the hat for the next stage, at which point the Super League clubs step into the competition.

But while many fans will be hoping that the club is fortunate to land a tie against one of the giants of the game, chief executive Chris Hamilton is happy simply to sit back and await Oldham’s fate.

“We have given up dreaming of landing certain ties,” said Mr Hamilton, who professed himself pleased with the attendance figure of 800 at Boundary Park.

The draw will be made in Leeds by rugby league legends and former internationals Ellery Hanley and Martin Offiah and will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Five Live at 8.05pm.

Fourth round ties will take place on the weekend of April 4 and 5.

Oldham sustained three injuries during yesterday’s hard-fought win over determined opposition. Report and reaction on Pages 16-17.

Robert Roberts dislocated a finger — though it didn’t stop him from immediately rejoining the action once it had been ‘popped’ back in by the club doctor on the touchline — James Coyle suffered a suspected broken nose and Jamie I’Anson hurt a shoulder.

Those injury issues will be examined at training tomorrow night, along with those affecting Phil Joseph (knee), Marcus St Hilaire (hip), Paul Reilly (dead leg) and Anthony Bingham (back), all of whom were forced to miss the game.