Hull LC began the NEMLA Premier 3 season a week later than anticipated with a trip to Oldham, just across the Pennines! The weather presented perfect conditions for match and Hull were fielding what appeared to be a strong squad.

Sam Hanson started in goal ahead of his first full season for the men in Black & Amber with stalwarts Gareth Cornelius, Paul Hutchinson & Josh Wilkinson in defence joined by Tom Peel, making his competitive debut in defence. Jimmy Nsouli, also making his competitive debut wass joined in attack by captain Jack Stamford, Dean Johnstone, Darryl Harris, Tom McInally, Sam Hemsley, Ross Jenkinson, Toby Mulford & Phil Steele.

The opening quarter started brightly for Hull, repelling a number of Oldham attacks with some resolute defending, allowing the attack to seize the initiative and Jack Stamford to fire a first quarter hat-trick. But before the quarter could be closed out, some sloppy mistakes at the back, perpetuated by the fast pace of the game, allowed Oldham to close things up, the quarter ending 3-2 to the visitors.

In the second Oldham shut-up shop and allowed Hull little time on the ball to build any structure, Darryl Harris & Dean Johnstone went close, as did Jack Stamford, but Hull could not find a way past the keeper. It was Oldham who were to dominate this quarter and were able to level the tie and then move past Hull, taking the quarter 3-0 for a 5-3 half-time lead.

Half-Time also saw the arrival of Phil Steele delayed by traffic problems and his presence seemed to settle Hull, but they quickly lost a host of players to injuries. Toby Mulford & Ross Jenkinson were first to depart with shoulder injuries, reducing the Hull bench to just 2 replacements. Hull were able to register just the one score to briefly close the gap, with Jack Stamford again finding the net, but Oldham were able to add another score to head into the 4th quarter with a 6-4 lead.

Heading into the final quarter and Hull were chasing the game. However, they quickly lost two key players in Dean Johnstone & Gareth Cornelius to injury; Johnstone taking a rather nasty blow to the back of the neck flooring him and Cornelius suffering what turned out to be a double brake of his thumb. This left Hull with no replacements and 15minutes remaining. The ill-discipline of Oldham wasn't enough for Hull to steal the game and some costly penalties by the Hull defence allowed Oldham to net two more times. Jack Stamford grabbed a brace of his own to end the day with 6 goals, but it was not enough to avoid an 8-6 defeat.

Hull now move on to face Chester, a club still in its infancy, but must go into the next 4 games without experienced defender Gareth Cornelius. A host of other players including face-off man Jimmy Nsouli & defender Tom Peel will also be unavailable for the trip to Cheshire due to other commitments.