The Oldham Evening Chronicle has cast doubts on Hurst Cross' suitability for Sunday's big game with the Biffs. They said today, "The derby is sure to be the biggest test yet of Hurst Cross’s ability to stage one of the Roughyeds more attractive NFP games in a long season."

And whilst club officials expect their best attendance so far at Hurst Cross they haven't deemed it necessary to impose an all-ticket gate. These doubts compound recent concerns over the state of the playing surface - not helped by the monsoon conditions of recent weeks.

The current capacity at Hurst Cross is 2,080 - last season’s Hornets Oldham games were watched by 3,402 fans at Spotland and 2,398 at Boundary Park. All we can suggest is - in order to get a decent spot - get there very early.