Skipper hopes to build on Oxford rout

OLDHAM captain Lewis Palfrey believes the level of performance produced in the 64-0 demolition job on Oxford could be the catalyst for an exciting second half of the League One season.

The end of Sunday’s game at Sedgley Park against derby rivals Swinton Lions (3pm kick-off) will mark the half-way point for Oldham in a 22-match programme.

Including that one there are 12 to play — seven away, with long trips to Gloucester, London Skolars, Hemel Stags and Oxford, plus three of the hardest games of the season at Swinton, North Wales and Newcastle.

The five home games - York, Rochdale, Keighley, Barrow and Swinton - will also provide a severe examination of the Roughyeds’ resolve, with each of the teams also hoping for a play-off place.

Palfrey said: “Eight Northern clubs are chasing five places so it’s not only going to be tough for us; it’s going to be tough for all the other clubs too. It’s a hugely competitive division, which was always the intention when the RFL restructured everything.

“We went through a dodgy spell losing three out of four prior to the Oxford game, but we played much better against them.

“Hopefully we’ve got the blip out of our system now and we can look at the Oxford performance as a fresh start for the second half of the season.”

In his third year at Whitebank, Palfrey has twice captained Oldham to promotion-deciding grand finals only to lose.

“I love this club and the supporters and whatever the rest of the season has in store for us I’d like to be here again next year.”

Swinton are one point and two places behind Oldham in the table with a game in hand.