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by ROGER HALSTEAD
 
Roughyeds have been  made red-hot favourites by the bookies to win the Co-operative NL2 which starts for most clubs, including Oldham, this Easter weekend. Steve Deakin's boys go to Rochdale on Friday (3pm) in the opening game (hoping to make amends for two defeats already on that ground this season) and then take on Hunslet Hawks at Boundary Park on Monday, also kicking off at 3pm.
 
As you can read in other news items today, the club is hoping to make the big kick off to the league campaign at Boundary Park a little bit special with the appearance before kick off of world-renowned singer Laurence Robinson, who will "sing in" the new, all-important league season.
 
There is also available a special 'one adult plus one child' admission offer for only £7, but please be advised that this does involve obtaining a voucher, filling it in and redeeming it for match tickets either at Lansdowne Road before 5pm Thursday or pre-match at Boundary Park on Monday before 230pm.
 
Meanwhile, the pressure is on our squad because, according to League Express, bookmakers William Hill have made us odds-on favourites to win the league at 5/6.
 
Other odds: Doncaster 7/4; Barrow 10/1; Rochdale Hornets 10/1; London Skolars 16/1; York City Knights 16/1; Gateshead Thunder 25/1; Swinton Lions 33/1; Keighley Cougars 40/1; Workington Town 40/1; Blackpool Panthers 80/1; Hunslet Hawks 100/1.
 
Writing in the paper under the headline: "Small clubs with big ambitions", Gareth Walker writes: "National League Two faces one of the most interesting seasons for many years, with some traditional heartland teams preparing to do battle  with some improving clubs from expansion areas that are hoping to follow the example of Celtic Crusaders by winning promotion to a higher level.
 
"And with the legendary Ellery Hanley in charge at Doncaster, you can be sure that NL2 will attract plenty of interesdt as the season unfolds, with Hanley set to do battle  against the mercurial Bobbie Goulding at Rochdale, alongside a host of other new coaches, who will all be battling to establish their reputations."
 
Gareth looks briefly at the prospects of each club and he has this to say about Oldham: "Pundits have been queuing up to instal Oldham as competition favourites ever since their close season recruitment drive saw them capture the likes of Mick Nanyn, Marcus St Hilaire and Phil Joseph.
 
"Depending on which of their Northern Rail Group matches you take the most notice of, those predictions could be spot-on or wide of the mark; the Roughyeds stunned full-time SDalford, but then lost at neighbours Rochdale.
 
"Coach Steve Deakin has hardly been helped by a bout of serious injuries to key men already. Still, it would be a major shock if they weren't at least in the top three, especially if half-backs James Coyle and Neil Roden find their form."
 
Rising star: James Coyle; key man: Neil Roden; Odds: 5/6
 
Talking of those injuries, the latest reports emerging from the Roughyeds camp today say that Daryl Cardiss is likely to be out until June following an operation on a dislocated shoulder; that Lucas Onyango is still three or four weeks away; and that Lee Wingfield is alo looking at another month.