Barrow repeat

SEVEN days before the Law Cup clash at Bower Fold, Oldham will play a warm-up game at Barrow for the third year in a row.

They lost there last year and Craig Briscoe suffered the serious knee injury that was to ruin his first season with the Roughyeds, but that didn't change Scott Naylor's liking for a pre-season challenge at Craven Park.

"I ask for a game up there every year. There's no better place to go to prepare us for the season ahead," said coach Naylor.

The game at Craven Park will be played on Sunday, January 15 (2pm kick-off) and admission prices will be £10 (adults), £7 (concessions) and £3 (children).

TOUGH

The Roughyeds boss added: "It's always a tough place to go to and that's what we need to be looking for.

"It doesn't matter what division Barrow are in (League 1) they're always tough at Craven Park. Everything about the place presents us with a tough challenge.

"After the game we can have a laugh and a bit of team bonding on the journey home - and that's also important, especially with a few new faces in the squad."

Naylor would like to kick-off his pre-season programme with the first of three games on Sunday, January 8, but so far there are only two confirmed - Barrow away on the 15th and Rochdale at Bower Fold on the 22nd. If possible he wants to keep Sunday, January 29 free (the last weekend before the start of the Championship), but he is adamant he wants three warm-up games even if it means playing that weekend, maybe on the Friday night.

In response to early demand for season tickets, Oldham have launched a dedicated payments website which enables fans, for the first time, to buy on line.

A secure payment gateway accepts credit and debit cards, while payment can also be made by cheque.

An interest-free payment plan can spread the cost over three equal payments to be collected at the end of November, December and January, but this is available only until November 30.

Season-long car parking can be bought, also gift certificates which can then be redeemed against a season ticket.

Current prices are available until December 23 and fans can pick up tickets at the Law Cup game at Bower Fold on January 22.

Prices: Standing, adults £190; concessions £154; under-16s £25; seats, adults £210, concessions £178, under-16s £35.