Scunthorpe v Poole – big match preview
BIGGEST MEETING OF THE YEAR AT THE EDDIE WRIGHT RACEWAY
ATTIS INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions face a vital clash with league leaders Poole Pirates at the Eddie Wright Raceway tomorrow (Friday) at 7.30pm, in a match that also represents the famous South Coast club’s first-ever visit to Scunthorpe.
It’s Scunthorpe’s final regular league meeting of the season and the three points for victory would place them with one foot in the Championship play-offs, due to commence at the end of the month.
Scorpions are currently in fifth place and need to finish in the top six to qualify for the play-offs.
A win on Friday night would see Scorpions complete their 20 regular league meetings on 33 points.
Sixth-placed Edinburgh (currently on 29 points, with superior race points) would then need four points from their remaining three away matches to overhaul Scorpions in the table.
While that very possibly could happen, it would require a second team to go past Scunthorpe in the table, to deny Scorpions a place in the play-offs.
A Scorpions victory against Pirates would place them totally out of reach of seventh-placed Kent (who are unlikely to qualify in any case, because they need points from a very tough away match at Leicester) and would also provide a very difficult task for eight-placed Birmingham.
If Scunthorpe finish on 33 points, then Birmingham (currently on 23) would need 11 points from their remaining four fixtures to go past Scorpions, since Brummies also have inferior race points. It would mean not only would Brummies have to defeat Edinburgh and Newcastle at home, but also pick up five points from two away meetings at Newcastle and Glasgow.
Scorpions are still without Jordan Palin (injured) and Tero Aarnio (visa issues) for the clash against Poole. Meanwhile ex-Scorpion Stefan Nielsen will be missing for Pirates, after he was injured at Birmingham last week.
Eight out of 11 Championship clubs are in action on Friday, while both Aaron Summers and Connor Mountain are ruled out by the eight-day rule, since they both guested at the EWR last week, and Leon Flint is also ruled out since he is competing for GB in Poland.
Scorpions bring in Kasper Andersen as a guest for Aarnio and will use rider replacement for Palin. Meanwhile, Poole have Kent’s Dan Gilkes as a guest for Nielsen.
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We could have hardly asked for a tougher assignment for our league regular match than a visit from the league leaders, Poole Pirates, a very famous name in British Speedway who are coming to Scunthorpe for the first time.
“But it’s a meeting that we can win. Poole have received a big blow with the unfortunate injuries sustained to our old friend Stefan Nielsen at Birmingham last week. Had Stefan come to the Eddie Wright Raceway riding at reserve, there’s no doubt that Pirates would have had a big trump card.
“Of course, we’re also hit, since we’re currently without both Tero Aarnio and Jordan Palin.
“Poole still have one of the strongest heat leader trios in the league, which means our boys are going to have to be on top of their game if we are to get the three points we badly need in the battle for the play-offs.
“Looking at the table, you would think the top four are nailed on now, in Poole, Redcar, Leicester and Glasgow, which leaves two play-off places up for grabs between, realistically, ourselves, Edinburgh and Birmingham.
“We are very capable of beating Poole and giving Birmingham a real mountain to climb, so I ask for our fans to get behind the boys, be noisy, and hopefully it will be enough to get us over the line and into those play-offs.”
Scunthorpe and Poole have never clashed before in the North Lincolnshire town in the history of the two clubs – despite Poole Speedway being 73 years old and Scunthorpe Speedway celebrating its 50th birthday this year.
Since Scunthorpe Speedway began at their first venue, Quibell Park, in 1971, Pirates have been mostly been a top-flight club. They did compete in the second tier National League between 1985 and 1990, but Scunthorpe closed at their second circuit, Ashby Ville, in early ’85, before the two clubs were thrown together.
Poole won the first-ever meeting the two clubs in August, winning at Wimborne Road by 57-33 against a makeshift Scorpions side. Tomorrow, Scorpions can register their first victory over the ten-time champions of the top-flight of British Speedway.
Expected teams for tomorrow (Friday):
Attis Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Adam Ellis, 2. Rider replacement for Jordan Palin, 3. Theo Pijper, 4. Kasper Andersen (guest), 5. Thomas Jorgensen, 6. Josh MacDonald, 7. Simon Lambert (captain).
Poole Pirates: 1. Rory Schlein, 2. Benjamin Basso, 3. Steve Worrall, 4. Ben Cook, 5. Danny King, 6. Dan Gilkes (guest), 7. Danyon Hume.
* THE EDDIE WRIGHT RACEWAY stages the prestigious British Under-19 Championship a week on Friday (September 17th) at 7.30pm.
ADMISSION PRICES FOR TOMORROW (FRIDAY):
Adult: £17.00 (including programme)
Student/OAP: £15.00 (including programme)
Child (10 – 17): £5.00 (not including programme)
Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult – not including programme)
Tickets can be obtained in advance online, or they can be purchased (cash only) on the day at the turnstiles.
There is a 3% handling fee for online sales – please note this handing fee goes to the ticketing provider, not the club.
Almost all our COVID restrictions have now been relaxed, although we will keep the same queueing system in the clubhouse, with entry via the small viewing area outside the clubhouse and the exit through the main entrance. Hand sanitiser will still be provided. Please respect others who still wish to practice social distancing and/or wear facemasks.
Tickets are available under the Ticket Office menu on the club website at:
http://scunthorpe-speedway.com/ticketoffice
When you click on the link you will be taken to the following URL:
https://scunthorpescorpionstickets.seatedly.com/
Click on the “buy tickets” tab which will take you a list of meetings and when you have finished, please click on “my basket” tab to complete the transaction.
NOTE REGARDING TICKETS: Please bring your ticket with you – either a physical copy or on your phone. The QR code (the matrix barcode) will be scanned to allow you entry to the stadium – please present to the staff at the entry point at the Eddie Wright Raceway. Please note there is a 3% handling fee for each ticket ordered – this goes to the ticketing provider, not the club. If you have any problems when ordering your tickets, please contact the club (email gail.godfrey@btconnect.com) and we will assist you. Please note that cash admission on the day is also available.
