(SPEEDWAY 1 - WEDNESDAY PREVIEW)
POOLE promoter Matt Ford is calling on his side to redeem themselves on Wednesday when they host Wolverhampton at Wimborne Road.The Pirates only picked up one Elite League point in the reverse fixture at Monmore Green on Monday, losing 46-47 despite having held a 12-point lead after nine races.They remain at full strength for the home clash, with Wolves again without both of their regular reserves. James Sarjeant and Robert Branford stand in for Lewis Blackbird (injury) and Josh Bates (illness) respectively.Ford said: “Monday night was simply an unacceptable effort in my book and has left me considering options if we are to be absolutely serious about making it three straight league titles, which has been my aim from the very outset.“I am sure some of the riders will have had time to reflect on their contribution from Monday and will be out to redeem themselves when we meet the Wolves again.”Wolves promoter Chris Van Straaten said: “Our away form overall this season has been extremely disappointing, but hopefully we can come to the party at Poole and get something.“It’s never nice for anyone at the club when you are at the bottom of the table, so we want to pull ourselves clear of that position and getting something at Poole would help us to do that.”Meanwhile King’s Lynn are out for revenge over Belle Vue when the third and fourth-placed sides meet at the Adrian Flux Arena.The Aces won 55-35 in Manchester on Monday but the Stars are unbeaten at home so far and expect to welcome Robert Lambert back into their line-up after injury - although reserve Lewis Kerr misses out following a crash on Monday and is replaced by Adam Roynon.King’s Lynn boss Rob Lyon said: “Hopefully Robert will be back from his crash at Berwick a couple of weeks ago and we will be back to full strength to see off the Aces. “Buster (Chapman) prepared a superb racing strip for the boys to perform on last week so more of the same this week would be great. All the team enjoyed it and produced a superb solid display.”Aces skipper Scott Nicholls said: “It’s no secret that King’s Lynn are a strong team at home but there’s nothing to suggest we can’t push them as hard on this occasion as we did the first time we visited Norfolk in April.“We’re a lot more comfortable as a team these days and certainly a lot more confident in what we’re capable of doing and man for man we’re more capable of beating them.”In the City Gearboxes National League, second placed Cradley are looking to make inroads into the 17-point lead currently enjoyed by co-tenants Birmingham when they face Buxton at Perry Barr.The Heathens welcome Michael Neale back from injury with rider-replacement in operation for the injured Nathan Greaves, whilst the Hitmen are seeking cover at reserve for Dale Lamb, with rider replacement used for Adam Extance.Cradley star Ellis Perks said: “You can’t go any meeting just expecting to win, speedway is tricky and you have to concentrate and be on the ball at all times.“We are going to give it 100 per cent to make sure we come away with the win we need and get a busy few days off to a good start.”Buxton’s Tom Woolley said: “When we faced Birmingham earlier in the season it was the first time many of us had ridden the track. “I loved it and am very much looking forward to Wednesday and hopefully my good streak of form will continue.”(SPEEDWAY 2)
SHEFFIELD and Wolverhampton’s Josh Bates has spoken of his delight after earning a call-up to the Great Britain team for the World Under 21 Team Cup semi-final in Germany next month.Bates joins Robert Lambert, Kyle Howarth and Adam Ellis in Neil Vatcher’s four man side to ride in Gustrow on August 22.“I’m more than happy to be riding for my home country in a World Cup, and it should be a great experience for me,” Bates said.“It’s a good chance for me to test myself against some top riders from other countries and see where I’m at compared to them. Hopefully I can ride well and as a team we can do a good job to get through to the Final.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter believes his side are in good shape heading into a season-defining week.Although there is no action at the Abbey this week, the Robins will face four meetings in five days starting with a trip to Wolverhampton next Monday, July 27 as they continue their chase for an Elite League play-off spot.Rossiter said: “It’s going to be an important week, and it’s probably come at a good time for us. With Troy (Batchelor) having such a good Grand Prix at the weekend he seems to be back to full fitness and getting back to his best. “Darcy (Ward) coming in has given the boys a bit of a lift as well, and although we are not quite at full strength with Lewis Rose out injured we are feeling good about things.“All four meetings are vitally important, we know we need some away wins to get play-offs and hopefully we can come away with plenty of points next week.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
SCUNTHORPE No.1 Josh Auty should discover later this week how strong his prospects are for racing again in 2015.Auty returned to action last Friday after nine weeks on the sidelines with a broken hand, but then suffered further damage in a post-Heat 10 incident with Ipswich’s Rohan Tungate.Scorpions promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Josh's hand was too swollen after the incident last Friday, and so the doctors couldn't tell if it was broken again or not.“He's going to the hospital on Thursday, and then we should have a much better picture of where we are with Josh. We can only hope for the best.”
(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY JULY 22:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Belle Vue 7.30, Poole v Wolverhampton 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Buxton 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 23:PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Glasgow 7.30TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Redcar v Edinburgh 7.30CHALLENGE: Sheffield Select v Cradley Select 7.30
FRIDAY JULY 24:PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Rye House 7.30, Scunthorpe v Plymouth 7.30, Somerset v Ipswich 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Coventry v Eastbourne 7.30, King’s Lynn v Cradley 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: King’s Lynn v Buxton (follows previous fixture)
