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Bobbie gets right response

Mike Floyd
8/ 3/2008

HORNETS prepared for tomorrow’s Carnegie Challenge Cup third-round home tie against amateur side York Acorn with a thrilling win against Oldham Roughyeds at Spotland on Wednesday night.

Having suffered an embarrassing 38-8 defeat at the hands of their arch rivals last Friday, Hornets’ boss Bobbie Goulding was delighted with the response from his players and said: "The result was secondary, all I was looking for was a good performance.

"I needed to see a performance after Friday’s debacle. I know there’s character and talent in the dressing room and we saw it on Wednesday.

"Oldham might say they were already through to the next round and this game was meaningless. If that was the case, why did they play their full-strength squad?"

It was no surprise to Goulding that his team clicked into gear, he’s been expecting it, adding: "Things have been coming together for the past six weeks and we had Chris Spurr running down the wing, Paul Alcock’s runs, and Martin Ainscough having a great game.

"But my man of the match by a mile was Carl Sneyd. He’s 18 years old, played under 21s last year, and he’s made his debut tonight. To be truthful he’s made that number one spot his for the foreseeable future.

"He didn’t put a foot wrong and I thought he was outstanding. He didn’t make a mistake and if he had I’d already told him he was not coming off. That’s how confident I wasin the lad. He showed a lot of maturity and a lot of character. He’s one for now and the future.

"I also thought our skipper, Jimmy Elston was great. He lifts the side, knows what his job is and his talking is really good. He doesn’t say much but what he does say makes the lads sit up and take notice.

"He takes the team forward. Martin Ainscough came off a lovely ball from him in the second half to send Chris Spurr on the outside.

"I’m just delighted. I thought to a man the lads were outstanding. If we can perform like that consistently we’ll get more wins than losses."

Confidence will be high in the squad, but Goulding will be keen to avoid an unlikely upset against York Acorn tomorrow. "We won’t be underestimating them," he said.

"I know York Acorn from my St Maries days and I want a really professional performance from my lads. The longer they are in the game, they are in with a shout, so we want the game sewn up in the first 20 minutes. I’ll be turning out a full strength squad, certainly the first 13."

Goulding has signed powerhouse prop forward John Cookson on loan from Leigh. He believes the 21-year-old will add more steel to the pack and said: "John has turned out regularly for Leigh’s first team. He’s a big aggressive runner with an excellent step and he’ll give us more options up front."

Cookson won’t be available for tomorrow’s match as he is cup tied.