Coach laments disruptive build-up

Photo: PICTURE: DAVE MURGATROYD

Oldham’s John Gillam makes a break against North Wales Crusaders.

OLDHAM boss Tony Benson said he was “devastated” by the circumstances of Roughyeds seventh league game without a win.

Two second-half tries were disallowed for forward passes, the team missed a gilt-edged chance to score when the game was finely balanced, and they were caned 8-0 in the second-half penalty count.

Benson: “We began very poorly. We were unsettled from the start and that was because circumstances dictated that I had to throw a team together on Saturday morning.

“I had only 18 to choose from. Typical of our recent misfortune, Chris Clarke was over his shoulder injury and ready to play, but on the very last play of Thursday’s training session he pulled a hamstring.

“I didn’t know until Friday night that I would have Colton Roche on dual-registration from Leeds, and neither he nor two others were available for training on Saturday.

“On top of that we expected three or four to be back after injury, but we had only one, Neil Roden.”

“Things started to come together as the game wore on and we totally dominated the last 20 minutes of the first half to take a substantial interval lead. The penalty count was massive against us in the second half when we also had two tries disallowed, which would have put the game to bed.”



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