Kingstone Press Championship Preview: Rochdale Hornets v Barrow Raiders

Rochdale Hornets coach Ian Talbot says there is “a buzz in the camp” after last week’s win over Featherstone Rovers.

Now Talbot wants to maintain the momentum by securing a win over Barrow Raiders on Sunday.

Talbot said: “I doubted the result with five minutes to go, but massive credit needs to go to our lads – they reacted positively and got themselves back in front when it mattered most.

“This game against Barrow is massive for both teams, and I’m sure it’ll be one Bobbie (Goulding) has marked down as ‘must win’.

“If we can get a good result and put ourselves five points clear of them, that’s great, but I’m looking at getting three points closer to Swinton rather than three away from the bottom.”

Stuart Littler and Dave Llewellyn will both be checked before Sunday’s game, but Tony Suffolk is available for the hosts.

Raiders coach Bobbie Goulding hopes to have Liam Campbell available, while Ben Karalius and Bradley Goulding are also expected to be pushing for places.

Coach Goulding is hoping for a big improvement on last week’s defeat against Whitehaven.

He said: “We just don’t know how to win football games. We just do not have the experience, the nous, or the intelligence.”