(SPEEDWAY 1)
SOMERSET and Ipswich face the decisive fixture in their Premier League play-off group on Friday – with the successful club to meet Edinburgh in the Final.The Rebels need a home win by seven or more points to leapfrog the Witches at the top of the group table, whilst any other result will send the Foxhall club through.Olly Allen and Charles Wright are set to return from injury for the home side, and they will continue to operate the rider-replacement facility for Brady Kurtz.Somerset promoter Debbie Hancock said: “Brady has still not been given the all clear to resume racing from the doctors and it looks as if this will not be forthcoming before the end of the season.“In any case, there is no point in trying to rush Brady back, only for him to then have another off and cause further damage or complications. He is just starting out on what promises to be a great career and we have to look at the bigger picture rather than any possible short-term gains.”Ipswich co-promoter Chris Louis said: “After seven months and 31 Premier League and play-off meetings it’s simple, we need to score a point at Somerset, the boys know exactly what they have to do. “All I know is, if they prepare themselves correctly and give 100 per cent on the night, they are more than capable of doing that. Somerset know that too.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
EDINBURGH stage a double-header at Armadale on Friday with the first leg of their Knockout Cup semi-final against Newcastle to be followed by the second leg of the League Cup Final.Peterborough provide the opposition in the latter fixture with the Monarchs two points ahead from the first leg – but Panthers boss Carl Johnson insists his side are still in contention.Johnson said: “Our season has boiled down to one meeting and we know what we need to do to win a long overdue trophy for the club. Edinburgh might be unbeaten at home all season, but we are going there to win.”Monarchs chief Alex Harkess said: “I’d like to think that we have done much of the hard work down at Peterborough on Sunday but we are racing for a national trophy so I don’t expect the Panthers will just roll over. I’ll be very happy when we reach a Cup winning score.”Meanwhile Kent complete their season at Central Park with a Tunnel Trophy clash against Arena-Essex, who will be fielding a Young Hammers team ahead of a possible entry into the National League next season.Visiting riders include Marc Owen, Stefan Nielsen and James Cockle with Kent naming a full-strength team.
(FIXTURES)
FRIDAY OCTOBER 10:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: Somerset v Ipswich 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Edinburgh v Newcastle 7pmLEAGUE CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Peterborough (follows PLKOC fixture)NATIONAL LEAGUE: Devon v Mildenhall OFFTUNNEL TROPHY: Kent v Arena-Essex 6.30
SATURDAY OCTOBER 11:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: Berwick v Workington 7pm
SUNDAY OCTOBER 12:PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: Workington v Berwick 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Sheffield 5pmPREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Buxton (follows PL fixture)
