OLDHAM hit the 1895 Cup trail on Sunday dreaming of a first-ever Wembley appearance but with experienced centre Jordan Turner warning about the harsh reality of another meeting with local rivals Rochdale.
The Roughyeds have lifted the Challenge Cup three times, and played in seven finals all told, but the last of those was in 1927, two years before the London stadium staged its first.
Promoted Oldham made a flying start to life in the Championship by thumping York 50-4 at Boundary Park, and will host Hornets in the 1895 Cup as favourites for that tie.
But Turner warned: “It will be tough and after playing Rochdale in pre-season (Oldham edged the Law Cup clash, also at Boundary Park, 16-14), we know they are a good side with some threat.
“They gave us some trouble, just as they did last year when we were both in League One, and they will be as up for it as we are. Everyone wants to make the final, but there’s a long way to go.”
Sheffield, the inaugural winners of the competition in 2019 and last year’s beaten finalists, and Doncaster also meet for the second time this year.
The Eagles won 26-10 at the Eco-Power Stadium in pre-season, and this time have home advantage.
The Dons also lost also lost 30-4 at Bradford in round two of the Challenge Cup and 22-4 at Featherstone in their first Championship game.
But halfback Ben Johnston insisted: “It’s a great chance for us to respond to those results.
“We’ve had an honest chat and looked at how to improve, and we’ve been working on a few areas in training.”
Having opened their league campaign at Oldham, Batley host Bradford with coach Mark Moxon saying: “They’re probably the two biggest spenders in the Championship.
“It’s a great chance to test ourselves and see where we are at in comparison.”
Halifax, the 2023 winners, are at home to York in a meeting which is repeated in the league seven days later.
