Oldham act over Fogarty

MATTHEW Fogarty has been dropped and fined by Oldham RL for a breach of club discipline.

The young centre, who celebrates his 20th birthday today, played well in the 24-14 win at Workington, but he won’t be in the side to take on Gateshead Thunder at Whitebank on Sunday (3pm kick-off).

Instead, he played in the reserves’ 38-10 victory at Keighley last night, creating the first of Oldham’s seven tries for Tom Rigby and scoring the fifth himself from stand-off Jack Reid’s defence-splitting pass.

The club says the matter of Fogarty’s indiscipline was investigated and dealt with internally.

Coach Tony Benson said: “This is a very important year for the club. Individually and collectively, the players are fully aware of their responsibilities.

“Matthew has been dealt with and that’s the end of the matter.”

Benson may have to find a new right-flank partnership against the Tynesiders because Fogarty’s winger, Shaun Robinson, is doubtful with a hip injury which could keep him sidelined for three weeks.

Hooker Danny Whitmore (neck) will face a late test alongside three players who have not played for some time because of knee injuries, Chris Murphy, Valu Bentley and Paul Ballard.

On a brighter note loose-forward Alex Thompson is available again after suspension and in-form prop Bruce Johnson will be back in the squad after missing the Workington game because of family commitments.

“Bruce was at a wedding last weekend,” explained Benson. “He told us about it before he signed. He went with our full knowledge and approval.”

Mark McCully, a substitute at Workington, will be in the running to replace Fogarty, as will David Cookson, who travelled to Cumbria as 18th man, or stand-by reserve.

Matty Syron (20) will make his home debut in the front-row, probably off the bench, after impressing at Workington in his first outing since signing on dual registration from Leeds Rhinos.

Syron and fellow prop Dave Ellison came off the bench at Workington to form a twin strike force the Cumbrians couldn’t handle.

Benson is aware, however, that Thunder are looking much stronger than last year, having bee unlucky to lose 32-30 to South Wales last week.

Assuming that Robinson, Murphy, Bentley and Ballard fail to make it, Benson will chose from the following 19 players.

Greenwood, Brocklehurst, Gillam, N Roden, Dallimore, Boults, Clough, Clarke, Noone, Smith, M Roden, McCully, Whitmore, Ellison, Syron, Cookson, Thompson, Johnson, Ward.

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