Long backs Oldham to win League 1 title at Keighley on Sunday

Roughyeds head coach Sean Long. Image courtesy of ORLFC

Sean Long has promised Oldham’s huge army of travelling fans that his side is battle-hardened and ready to win the Betfred League 1 title at Cougar Park on Sunday.

The Roughyeds have a three-point lead at the top of the table with just three games to go, and thumped second-placed Keighley 44-6 when the sides met at Boundary Park last month.

A win on Sunday – at a ground where Oldham have not won since 2019 – would clinch the title and automatic promotion to the Championship.

“We know the job in hand and this week is a completely different game,” Long told Roughyeds TV, wary of the 28-18 defeat his team suffered at the Cougars in May, a loss that remains the only dropped points of the season.

"I feel like we had an easy run into the last trip to Keighley.

"We went into it not battle-hardened and we got punched in the face.

"We are in a much better place and better mindset now.

"The lads know what to expect when it does get tough.

"We will learn from those lessons, get our prep right and be good to go.”

Keighley are set for their biggest crowd of the season thanks in no small part to a huge expected following from Oldham, with four coach loads already sold out.

“This all started in November. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel," added Long.

"It would be great to get our fans there – we have an unbelievable set of fans, I’m sure it will be rammed, a good atmosphere, hopefully the emotion doesn’t get hold of the lads too much and we can get the win.”

Elijah Taylor and Jack Johnson are both included in Oldham's 21-man squad ahead of the trip to Keighley.

Squad in full: Agoro, Aldridge, Astley, T.Chapelhow, Craven, Dixon, Ellis, Farnworth, Hirst, Jack Johnson, Kopczak, Laulu-Togaga'e, Lawton, Moran, O'Keefe, Sidlow, Taylor, J.Turner, C.Tyrer, Wardle, Wildie

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