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Happy at opening

4/ 2/2004

PLAYER-COACH Steve Molloy declared himself satisfied as Oldham began their Arriva Trains Cup campaign with a comprehensive 64-14 defeat of Chorley Lynx.

The Roughyeds gave the National League Two side little respite all afternoon, running in eleven tries and kicking nine goals in what Molloy described as a "professional performance."

He said: "Our professionalism was questioned after the Rochdale game when we had got ourselves into an early advantage and then let it go. So, I am pleased for the guys - it's an area where I felt they could pick up and they did that."

"The overall team performance was very good. We played to our pattern and structure and a large proportion of that was down to our half-backs Ian Watson, Simon Svabic and Gareth Barber who, I felt, constantly sparked us and took us around the field."

"If we can keep them playing to that kind of standard we will be serious contenders."

Oldham's first half completion-rate was 90 per cent and, despite a brief dip after the restart, they remained territorially dominant and focused throughout.

Molloy added: "It's hard to get an idea from that sort of performance who is at their best."

"However, Jon Goddard reverted to a centre role and had a great game for us which proves he is a good player and not just a good full-back."

"Across the board I was pleased with a good professional performance, but I don't want to get too carried away with it."

"I'd seriously hoped we could do that to sides and at half-time I didn't want to get a scenario where we took our foot off the gas again."

Tryscoring forward Martin Elswood is the Roughyeds' main injury doubt ahead of Friday night's Challenge Cup third-round tie against amateur club Castleford Panthers at Boundary Park (7.30 pm kick-off).

Elswood took a blow to the knee against Chorley and there are fears a previous cartilage problem may have flared up again.

Two-try centre Iain Marsh also sustained a minor knock (jaw) but is expected to be fit for the visit of the amateur side - another game Oldham are expected to win comfortably.

Molloy said: "Again, I'd like to think that if we conduct ourselves professionally then we will be able to come up with a good result."

"However, I don't want Castleford to be coming here and us getting into a scenario where our home spectators and people are against us, which can happen."

"It's their little Wembley, they are going to be motivated, so again I just ask for a repeat professional performance."