Good Friday 29th March

OLD rivals Rochdale and Oldham will battle for Buddies National League Cup supremacy at Spotland, with the hosts battling to stave off three defeats in a row.
This Central Division match highlights the importance of the new mid-season innovation that allows clubs the opportunity to take a break from the bread and butter league games.
Hornets main problems rest with the fitness of ex-Dewsbury centre Brendan O'Meara, who is carrying a shoulder injury, but coach Martin Hall may take the opportunity to rest one of his key players. Hall is also considering bringing back Andy Ireland, Darren Robinson, Matt Long and Wayne McHugh, while, at the same time, battling to keep big prop Paul Davidson, who has been linked with a possible move to Tetley's Super League side Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
Oldham will also blood several fringe players, although coach John Harbin is far from keen to change a winning side.
"Continuity is important and I feel the least changes I make the better it will be for the team when we get back to our League commitments,'' said Harbin, who is considering the return of Keith Brennan following his 18-point haul in a recent reserve match.

WORKINGTON TOWN v WHITEHAVEN

TOWN are hoping for a massive band of support for this West Cumbrian derby Buddies National League Cup (West) clash with Whitehaven, according to new coach Martin Wood.
"This may seem a needless competition at this stage of the season for some clubs, but there will be no quarter given as far as we are concerned at Workington.
It's a big game for us and the fans,'' said Wood. With Steve Wood, Kevin Hetherington and Wood himself are all struggling to overcome injuries, Town's initial line-up may therefore be a little depleted against Whitehaven, but they should be at strength when they go to Barrow on Monday.
Whitehaven welcome back David Seeds and Paul O'Neil, who both missed the narrow win at Hunslet last weekend, while prop Mark Cox and fullback Wesley Wilson, both out for long spells through injury, could be on the bench. "There is no doubt this is a big game and one which we will not want to lose,'' said Whitehaven coach Paul Cullen.

LEIGH CENTURIONS v SWINTON LIONS

LEIGH boss Paul Terzis, subject of rumours that he is set to move to Salford Reds, is forced to make up to six changes for the West Division game against Swinton.
Vila Matautia, Jon Roper, Neil Turley, Chris Irwin and Simon Svabic are already ruled out of contention for a place in the side, while Phil Kendrick (wrist) and Paul Norman (ligaments) are both extremely doubtful. "We have suddenly ran into a ruck of injuries and it has left our line-up quite depleted,'' said Terzis, who denied that Salford have made an approach for him.
"No-one from Salford has contacted me. I think it is pure press speculation,'' said Terzis.
Youngster Ian Hodson, a promising 19-year-old second row forward, could make his first appearance at senior level for the Centurions, as Terzis contemplates his problems.
Swinton, with several ex-Leigh players in their line-up and buoyed by their first NFP win of the season against Keighley last week, could go into the game unchanged, according to coach Tony Humphries. "We didn't pick up any injuries from the win, so I don't foresee making any changes,'' he said.

CHORLEY LYNX v BARROW RAIDERS

CHORLEY could have on-loan signing Paul Noone in their Buddies National League Cup (West) line-up to face the Raiders.
Noone is back at Lynx for a second on-loan spell from Warrington Wolves and could be just the tonic that coach Graeme West needs to pep up his side.
But Chorley fans have said goodbye to the busy halfback John Duffy, who has returned to Leigh for a four-figure fee.
Barrow will be without back row forward Chris Massey and ex-Salford City Reds winger Iain Marsh for up to six weeks after both suffered bad ankle injuries against Batley.
That leaves coach Cameron Bell with the opportunity, albeit ill-timed, to introduce two of his promising Academy players Barry Pugh (17) and Simon Lions (18). Both players will be on the bench, but could play either at Chorley or in Monday's crunch match against Workington.

DEWSBURY RAMS v BATLEY BULLDOGS

RAMS boss Andy Fisher will check on the fitness of key forward Jim Leatham before naming his Buddies National League Cup (Central) line-up to face Batley.
Leatham picked up a back injury in the fiery win over Workington Town and could well sit the game out.
"I think Jim may just miss this match, but if he does he should be fit to play at Oldham next Tuesday,'' said Fisher, who may make a move to sign York Wasps' utility player Leigh Deakin, who became a free agent following the club's demise this week.
"I'm sorry to see what has happened at York. I went there on trials nearly 20 years ago when they had a top side. I just wish there was some way they could have stayed in the game,'' said Fisher.
Batley may stick with the line-up that beat Barrow last weekend, although team boss Paul Storey could have a new face in his line-up if his move to sign York's Peter Edwards comes off.
Meanwhile, long serving scrum-half Glen Tomlinson is just two tries away from clinching a club record. Tomlinson needs a brace to beat the record of 111 held since the 1920's by Harold Nunns.

HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS v HUNSLET HAWKS

NORTHERN Ford Premiership pacesetters Huddersfield will ring the changes for their Buddies National League Cup (Central) match with neighbours Hunslet.
Coach Tony Smith, still drooling over his scintillating win over Premiership rivals Leigh, sees this as a window of opportunity to blood some of his fringe players and also to give a welcome rest to a handful of his seasoned professionals.
"It seems an ideal opportunity to make a few changes to the side,'' said Smith, who offers promising 17-year-old loose forward Philip Joseph his debut chance into the bargain.
"He is a lad who has a bright future, so I expect he could play at some stage on Friday,'' said Smith, who also recalls fullback Paul Reilly following his one-match ban.
Also in the starting blocks are Chris Langley, Chris Molyneux, Andy Rice, Adam Hayes, Paul March and Mark Moxon, while latest signing Heath Cruckshank will start the game in the second row. All nine are changes from the side that started at Leigh last week and will form the backbone of the Giants two Easter games against the Hawks on Friday and Batley Bulldogs on Monday (kick-off 6.30).
Hunslet, one of the most improved teams in the NFP will be without the versatile Dave Jessey, who has damaged ankle ligaments, while nippy halfback Scott Dyson is doubtful with a damaged shoulder.
But coach Roy Sampson may have Jonlee Lockwood and Nick Thornton back in contention for their next leg of the competition at Batley on April 14th.

GATESHEAD THUNDER V HULL KR

REJUVENATED Thunder offer a home debut to 20-year-old former English Students centre Rob Keegan for the National League Cup (East) clash with top side Hull KR.
Keegan, an ex-England Under 19's rugby union player will partner Mick Walker, a player he teamed up with in the other code at under-17's level, according to caretaker coach Paul Fletcher.
"We are basing our future on up-and-coming players who will hopefully form the backbone of our club for years to come,'' said Fletcher, who is in the throes of negotiating his future with Gateshead.
The Robins will have Jimmy Walker and Bob Everitt (free of suspension) back in their line-up, while Aussie Adrian Rainey has a 50-50 chance of making the game, according to coach Gary Wilkinson.
Paul Fletcher (ankle), Richie Hayes (shoulder) and Lynton Stott (hamstring) are set to miss the match, but could return for the re-arranged game against Keighley Cougars, who have been switched across from the Central Division to fill the gap left by York Wasps, on Easter Monday.

Easter Monday 1st April

FEATHERSTONE ROVERS v DONCASTER DRAGONS

THE Rovers will be minus Gavin Swinson (ankle) and Chris Spurr (damaged elbow) for their Buddies National League Cup (East) game on Monday.
Coach Ian Fairhurst, who implied that a lack in discipline let them down at Oldham last week, is set to bring in Jamie Coventry, who rejoined the club after a 12-month lay-off, to fill the gap left by the injury to Spurr.
Fairhurst will also have to plan ahead for when the two sides meet again in their outstanding NFP game on April 14th, for he could then be without robust prop Ian Tonks who was dismissed for dissent at Oldham. "It's a fair bet that Ian will be suspended,'' admitted Fairhurst.
Doncaster could have halfback Paddy Handley back for the clash, but Martin Ostler is doubtful with a leg injury.
But coach St John Ellis is more concerned that star centre Marvin Golden stays with the Dragons, following suggestions that Wakefield Trinity are showing an interest in the former Leeds Rhinos player.
Golden was one of the top players on view in Doncaster's late win at Rochdale last week, when prop Paul Mansson was sent off in the ninth minute for a late tackle.