Waterhead look for cup-tie tonic

ALAN WILLIAMSON (right): Fit to return for Waterhead.

Home game awaits round two winners

WATERHEAD, who have only played once in the last six weeks, will try again to get their postponed BARLA National Cup second round match at Leigh Central Lions on tomorrow (1.30pm).

Mick Slicker’s side, who have trained well amid the poor weather of late, travel to the North-West Counties League division four side looking to book a home tie against Castleford Lock Lane in the competition’s last 32 in seven days’ time.

Alan Williamson is back after a knee injury, but Scott Frost’s shoulder injury now looks set to rule him out for the full season.

“We are upbeat about everything and the young players we have got are getting into good habits,” said Slicker.

Oldham St Anne’s coach Mick Cashin still has Martin Ryan missing from his squad, while Ryan Blake (ankle) is doubtful for the re-run of last week’s postponed home Carnegie Challenge Cup preliminary round tie at home to Wigan St Jude’s (1.30pm).

The winners face a home tie against Myton Warriors in the first round on Saturday, January 24 — a week after St Anne’s are scheduled to be in action in the third round of the BARLA National Cup, away to Siddal.

There is also a Standard Cup semi-final tie at home to Saddleworth Rangers to fit in at some point.

With preserving their status in National Conference League division one a priority, in some ways the cup competitions are something coach Mick Cashin could do without.

“We really have to concentrate on the league and that is our priority,” Cashin said.

“But these games will at least give us a good chance for the lads to play against good quality opposition.”

Saddleworth Rangers coach Keith Brennan has a full squad to pick from for the visit to Eccles and Salford Juniors in the Challenge Cup preliminary round (2pm).

Rangers are boosted by the probable return of veteran forward Emerson Jackman — described as “a big plus for us” by Brennan — with a trip to Hull Isberg in the first round at stake.

Saddleworth go into the match on the back of an 18–12 derby win over St Anne’s on their last outing.

The game prior to that, Eccles were beaten 22-14 on their own patch by Rangers in the National Cup second round.