Home advantage crucial for Naylor’s Oldham

Oldham coach Scott Naylor believes that home advantage could be crucial to his team’s chances of reaching the League One Cup final at Blackpool.

The Roughyeds were knocked out of the Challenge Cup last week by Sheffield, but Naylor is backing them to bounce back strongly when they play North Wales Crusaders at Whitebank Stadium on Sunday.

“We don’t have any injury problems at the moment but we played in a really tough game on Sunday against Sheffield Eagles,” said Naylor.

“They are a big unit and of course in the division above us but I’m hoping that the experience has had a positive effect on the team.

“We have the home advantage which is nice and we are viewing this as a really important game, training will be intense this week.

“North Wales Crusaders are beating everyone in front of them at the moment, they’re the favourites to top the league and so I am expecting a really tough game.

“It would be great to reach the final, it’s a new day in the calendar and we are desperate to be involved, it’s a huge incentive.

“I’ve seen what it’s like at Magic Weekend, it’s a great event and we really want to be part of that.”