BBC Radio Manchester to cover Rochdale v Oldham Athletic as Josh Watton leads the commentary
Match date:
Rochdale v Oldham Athletic in English League Two on Saturday, 19 September 2026, is set to have strong local coverage for British fans, with BBC Radio Manchester providing live commentary from 12:30 BST. The radio team is led by Josh Watton, with Calvin Andrew and Pete Wild joining as co-commentators, while Will Robinson is listed as the main commentator for the highlights coverage on ITV English Football League Highlights, Sky Sports and Sky Sports+ via the app.[1][2][3]
For supporters unable to attend Spotland, the combination of local radio and televised highlights means there are several ways to follow this Greater Manchester derby. BBC local radio remains an important part of EFL coverage, and BBC Radio Manchester is the natural choice for listeners wanting detailed, club-focused commentary from the region.[1][15]
Josh Watton has become a familiar voice for BBC Radio Manchester listeners. His professional profile describes him as a sports journalist, commentator and presenter with experience across radio, print and social media, and says he has worked with the BBC sport team since February 2020.[1] It also notes that he has commentated on football from the Champions League to the National League, as well as rugby league, giving him a broad background that suits a fixture with as much local interest as this one.[1]
Calvin Andrew adds another layer of authority to the broadcast. The former striker is well known to many football fans for his playing career in the EFL, and his move into punditry and co-commentary has made him a useful presence on regional coverage. His experience as a forward should provide practical insight into the attacking patterns and physical demands of a game between two clubs with deep histories in the North West.[9]
Pete Wild is also an experienced football voice, having built a reputation in the game as a manager and tactician. His background in coaching gives the coverage a different perspective, particularly when discussing structure, pressing and game management. That blend of a journalist, a former player and a coach is exactly the sort of set-up that can make radio football feel vivid and informative.[13]
On the highlights side, Will Robinson has established himself as a freelance sports commentator covering football across a wide range of broadcasters, including Sky Sports, ITV, BBC, talkSPORT and club channels.[7] His work has included live Football League matches for Sky Sports+ and highlights across television and digital platforms, making him a recognised voice for EFL coverage.[7] That makes him a sensible fit for the post-match TV package from Sky Sports and ITV.
For readers wanting to track the wider competition context, the current BBC League Two season preview offers club-by-club background on the division and highlights how closely fought the campaign is expected to be.[2] With Rochdale and Oldham both carrying strong support in the region, this fixture has the feel of one that could matter well beyond the 90 minutes.
As ever with matches of this type, the appeal is not just the football itself but the storytelling around it. BBC Radio Manchester brings the immediacy and local flavour, while Sky Sports and ITV’s highlights coverage offers a broader national audience a chance to catch the key moments afterwards.[1][4][6] For British fans, that means plenty of options to keep across what should be an engaging League Two clash.
Article generated: 19 September 2026, 12:31 GMT