(SPEEDWAY 1 - SUNDAY REVIEW)
GLASGOW edged out Peterborough 31-29 in a Premier League clash cut short by rain at Ashfield on Sunday.The result moved the Tigers back into second place in the table, two points ahead of the Panthers who have two matches in hand.Victor Palovaara produced a crucial ride for the home side, overtaking Peterborough skipper Ulrich Ostergaard in Heat 8, which took Glasgow in front for the first time after the visitors had taken an early six-point lead.Tigers boss Stewart Dickson said: “Victor had a difficult start to the day and I told him before Heat 8, when I made the change, that I'd put my neck on the line for him - because Adam Roynon was far from pleased to get taken out of what he thought was his easiest programmed ride.“I said to Victor, you need to go out and do the business, and prove that it was the right call. I think everyone was firing him up before he left the pits and it worked for him.”Panthers manager Carl Johnson said: “Both teams were in total agreement on the abandonment and I’m sure both were relatively happy with the result. Glasgow got the win while we got another good away point.“There was no point in racing on and risking more injuries as we are two teams who have already been affected in that regard this season.”(SPEEDWAY 2 - MONDAY PREVIEW)
LAKESIDE are expecting a bumper attendance for their televised clash with Elite League leaders Coventry on Monday.The Hammers had already put a successful £5 advance tickets promotion into operation, and that offer has now been extended to on-the-night sales too.Both teams have declared full-strength line-ups with the Bees looking to extend their three-point lead at the top of the table with skipper Chris Harris continuing at No.1.Hammers chief Jon Cook said: “It's a big night already for the club with the biggest attendance of the season guaranteed. “Our off track team have done a superb job - now it's up to our riders.”Coventry manager Gary Havelock said: “I spoke to Chris before moving him in the first place, he’s happy to ride anywhere for the team and he’ll be there throughout August so we’ll carry on like that this week.“I always go into every away match feeling we can get something out of the meeting, and that’s certainly the case again on Monday.”Meanwhile Wolverhampton host Swindon at Monmore Green with the Robins needing away wins to boost their play-off challenge.Wolves are looking to secure a second successive win at home after defeating Poole in dramatic circumstances last week, whilst maximum points for the visitors would see them move into the top four.Former Wolves rider Ashley Morris guests for the injured Lewis Rose for Swindon, who go into a run of four matches in five days this week.Wolves skipper Peter Karlsson said: “I think at the moment it's just important for us to try and focus on winning our home meetings. We showed a lot of fight to come back and win against Poole last week, so we have to try and build on that against Swindon on Monday.“They are a good side who are going for the play-offs so it won't be an easy one for sure, but if we can start like we finished off against Poole we will do fine.”Swindon boss Alun Rossiter said: “It’s important for us to get something, and we are going there to get the win which could be really vital for us.“It’s an important week and we need to be at the top of our game, so hopefully we can start off well with a good performance against Wolves to make sure our confidence is high.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
GLASGOW have announced the signing of Hynek Stichauer to come in at reserve for the Tigers from next week.Czech Republic rider Stichauer, who had a spell with Berwick this season before suffering injury, replaces Dimitri Berge who quit the club recently.Glasgow boss Stewart Dickson said: “We're not asking him to score sevens, eights and nines - if he rides to his average he'll keep the balance of the team, which is important.“We've managed to skip through July pretty unscathed - and results-wise, pretty good - but it's getting a bit tight, so we need to strengthen up.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
BERWICK boss John Anderson has issued a public apology following the club’s exit from the Travel Plus Tours KO Cup on Saturday.The Bandits took a six point lead into their home fixture against Rye House, but were beaten 50-40 by the Rockets who had not won at Shielfield Park for 38 years.Anderson said: “The team fell woefully short of the mark in far too many departments and I can only sincerely apologise to supporters for what they had to endure. “We fully understand how the fans feel as I can assure everyone we feel the same pain and despair as we’ve tried everything this season to get a winning side and still nothing has worked and we end up suffering a match like that.“With the season fizzling out quickly we’d like to let fans know to look out for further announcements that will be made about what direction Berwick Speedway is going to take soon.”
(FIXTURES)
MONDAY JULY 27:ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v Coventry 7.30, Wolverhampton v Swindon 7.30
WEDNESDAY JULY 29:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Lakeside 8pm, King’s Lynn v Leicester 7.30, Poole v Swindon 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v King’s Lynn 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 30:ELITE LEAGUE: Swindon v Lakeside 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Scunthorpe 7.30, Sheffield v Rye House 7.30
FRIDAY JULY 31:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v King’s Lynn 7.30, Lakeside v Swindon 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Somerset v Plymouth 7.30
