Sean Long’s Oldham side have landed an upset in the third round of the Challenge Cup with the League One side knocking out Championship club Barrow Raiders in Cumbria.
On the road, the Roughyeds were brilliant and showed intent throughout the game with former Super League talents such as Jordan Turner and Joe Wardle shining in the game.
It’s the second time that Oldham have beaten a Championship side this season after having beaten reigning champions Halifax Panthers in the 1895 Cup, highlighting the club’s credentials to earn promotion from League One.
Long was appointed as the club’s head coach in the off-season and he’s gone about assembling possibly the best-ever League One side with a blend of youth and experience, but ultimately sheer talent.
Trailing at half-time, Oldham went on to win the second half 18-0 to run out as 22-10 winners in the impressive win as they shut out the Championship side.
Oldham progress to round four of the Challenge Cup
Oldham have progressed to round four of the Challenge Cup after beating Barrow Raiders. – Picture by Chris Mangnall/SWpix.com
Barrow Raiders went ahead in the cup tie with the boot of Ryan Shaw opening the scoring from 40 yards out to settle the nerves early on.
Minutes later Barrow extended their lead after a high kick wasn’t dealt with but they responded quickly through Ben O’Keefe who pounced first to reel in a Jamie Ellis grubber kick.
Shaw added another two points before the break but that was all the scoring for the first half with Sean Long’s side going in 10-4 behind but having shown plenty of grit to remain in the game.
They managed to start the second half far quicker though as they scored their second try through hooker Matty Wildie who’d rated over from dummy half under the sticks.
The conversion tied the game up and left it with everything to play for with half an hour to go and Oldham simply took the cup tie by the scruff of the neck.
Adam Lawton powered through on the hour mark to make it 16-10 and put the home side under immense pressure.
Barrow thought they’d got back in it with a try in the corner but Ryan Shaw was ruled in touch and despite multiple line breaks the Raiders were unable to add another.
Instead, it was Oldham who would score the last of the game with an intercept on halfway from O’Keefe sealing the tie as he scored his second and Oldham’s fourth.
The game was marred slightly by handbags late on near the Oldham line as Barrow tried to force a turnover and Broadbent saw red for Barrow for an unseen incident.
Nevertheless, Oldham have progressed to the fourth round of the Challenge Cup and they won’t fear anyone having already beaten Championship opposition twice this season.
They will face either Swinton Lions or West Hull in round four.
red card for Broadbent
