More misery for Oldham

IAN CHADWICK . . . sidelined.

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Double trouble rocks under-pressure club

WHEN you are struggling, fate has a nasty habit of kicking you in the teeth.

No team knows that feeling better than Oldham for whom things are going from bad to worse despite their spirited attempts to swim against the tide.

The Pollards club’s build-up to the Lake Garage CLL season was blighted by their unsuccessful attempts to sign a professional and the subsequent loss of key amateur players, including last year’s skipper Mel Whittle.

Led by new captain Chris McDonnell, Oldham regrouped and an 11th-hour decision was made to take up their CLL fixtures and stave off the threat of resignation from the league.

An opening-day victory over Radcliffe was a real tonic for Oldham, but since then they have failed to win a game in the CLL, their only bright moment being a bowl-out victory over Swinton Moorside in the LCB Knock-out Cup.

Last weekend produced thumping defeats at Walsden and at home to old rivals Werneth, while Monday’s LCB Cup second-round game at Uppermill saw an improved display, but yet another reverse.

It could hardly get any worse for Oldham but, unfortunately, it has.

Paul Jewitt, signed as professional for the 2009 campaign, has announced his retirement from cricket following a serious bicep injury which has left him unable to hold a cricket bat.

And Ian Chadwick, one of a handful of senior players left in the first team, has been ruled out for several weeks after breaking his hand while fielding against Uppermill.

Rueful skipper McDonnell confirmed he and vice-captain Paul Thompson have already started looking for a replacement for Jewitt.

“I think there are a few knocking about, but we need someone we can afford,” said McDonnell.

With senior personnel at a premium, Oldham have had to dip into the youth teams to swell their ranks and another youngster might be needed to fill in for Chadwick.

Batsman Martin Kershaw and all-rounder Joe Rawlinson both showed promise last weekend, but Oldham are desperately short of penetration with the ball.

Abid Fasil-Masih and Neil Inkpen have been leading the attack, while McDonnell, Thompson and overseas amateur Nick Maree have been helping out.

Most are part-time bowlers, so it is no surprise that opposition batsmen have been cashing in.

“It’s also had an affect on our batting.” admitted McDonnell. “If we bat first we are frightened of making a mistake and getting out and if we bat second we are chasing big scores.”

Oldham will need to adopt a positive attitude if they are to turn the tide, starting on Saturday with a trip to fellow strugglers Ashton.

But Sunday is the big day for Oldham, who have a first-round John Willie Lees Wood Cup match at Clifton.

A cup run and the revenue it would produce is at the top of Oldham’s wish-list and a tie against Clifton gives them a fighting chance of a morale-boosting victory.