But after 17 minutes, the game was going according to the expected script. Tries from Doran, Cowell and Roden - plus some sporadic hacks at goal from Watson (who was roundly booed all afternoon) - saw Oldham 16-nil up. Up to that point Hornets looked exactly like a side that hadn’t played together before. Passes went to ground, the defence was slow to cover, tackles were mistimed and the Hornets fans geared themselves up for shouting encouragement through the expected heavy defeat. But wait...

... the one thing Goulding’s Heroes do have is heart in abundance. All it needed was a bit of a kick start and that arrived on 20 minutes in the shape of ex-mayfield Rochdalian Sam Butterworth. His arrival sparked Lee Birdseye into life as they proceeded to show Oldham what a decent half back partnership is capable of. On 25 minutes Birdseye hoisted a towering bomb, Oldham full back Gavin Dodd filled his shorts and Birdseye collected the spilled ball to score.

Five minutes later it was Butterworth’s turn to shine. A perfectly lofted Chip to the touchline saw Hornets wing Liam Williams leave his opposite number for dead as he gathered on the run and swept in to score. Birdseye converted - 16-12 and the Oldhamers shifted uneasily in their seats.

With the half ticking down, Roden put in a neat chip to Williams’ exposed corner where he was out-jumped 3 to 1. Johnson it was that gathered to score. Watson hoofed the conversion attempt into the tea bar. Half time, 20-12.

With the realisation that their opposition were, in the main, clueless, Hornets completely dominated the second half. Early doors, Hornets’ second row Chris Radcliffe was sent to warm the bench for ten minutes for interference - joined two minutes later by Oldham’s Gavin Johnson, sin-binned for foul play.

As the Hornets pack began to assert itself over their peculiarly sluggish opposite numbers, it was Sam Buterworth again who dealt out the lesson in creative half back play. On 55 minutes he chipped the ball over the half way line, cut through a couple of shoulder charges, delicately tapped through again past standing defenders, beat the undecided Svabic to the bouncing ball, gathered and fed the supporting Chris Campbell for the try of the game. Birdseye added the extras, the fans went mental and Hornets were within touching distance at 20-18. Fantastic stuff - Oldham sphincters beginning to squeak.

Oldham needed something to steady their nerves. Svabic had the chance and missed a penalty.

Hornets responded in fine style. The forwards drove the Oldham pack back up the field, Quick hands from Braddish and full back Michael Platt shipped the ball left and - with Oldham running out of defenders - it was the ubiquitous Sam Butterworth who took advantage to score wide out. Hornets in front; cue delerium on the terraces. Birdseye completed his 100% with the boot, slotting over the touchline conversion to rapturous applause.

But the improbable victory wasn’t to be. With time running out, Oldham ascrambled a desperate kick behind Hornets defence, Campbell slipped trying to clear the danger and fat-lad Paul Southern on his way back from the tea bar found himself fortuitously in the right place to fall over and score. Svabic goaled and Oldham celebrated like they’d won the Challenge Cup.Oldham 26 Hornets 24

But Hornets fans weren’t downhearted. Goulding’s charges had proved that when something bigger beats under the badge, you’ve got much more than a fighting chance. This was the second of them Goulding Miracles - we’d gone out there and shown that there really is a good side in waiting, ready for the season ahead. And this side will get better. Once the ring-rust is gone, the fitness levels increase (though we did look to have more in the tank than Oldham) and players start putting plays together through instinct and familiarity, we’ll have a side more than worthy of carrying the Hornets name.

The Fans too played a blinder. In great voice, they gave unwavering encouragement and showed that there’s life in our proud old club yet. Indeed, even in defeat to the oldest enemy, they drowned out Oldham Post match celebrations - though it is hard to sing when you’ve got a foot-wide grin.

As Bobbie Goulding, the Hornets players and the loyal Hornets fans tip up for work today fired up for a new season, poor Steve Molloy will be wondering what he has to do to get his side up and running. In today’s League Express he says, “Credit to Rochdale, they were enthusiastic. Perhaps I could do to instill a bit of that intro my side.”

Bobbie was somewhat more upbeat: “We were all together and committed to the job in hand. I couldn’t have asked any more of them. It’s going to be hard, but all the lads are happy with what we’re doing.” So are we, Bobbie. So are we.