Crunch time for Scorpions on Friday
ATTIS INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions will face reigning champions Leicester Lions in two vitally important Championship play-off meetings at the end of this week.
On Friday (October 1) at 7.30, Scorpions will entertain Lions at the Eddie Wright Raceway, while 24 hours later, the two sides meet again at Leicester on Saturday (7pm).
It’s the first time that Scunthorpe have reached the play-offs since 2014, and nine years since the Scorpions won the play-offs in 2012.
It’s been a fabulous season so far for the North Lincolnshire club, who have also seen their No 1 Adam Ellis crowned as British Champion.
Leicester finished third in the league table, while Scorpions progressed in the final qualifying position in sixth, which means they meet at the quarter-final stage of the play-offs. The play-offs are all-important, since they, rather the league table, determine who ends the season as champions.
The winner on aggregate will progress to the semi-finals, along with table-topping Poole, second placed Glasgow and the winner of the Redcar v Edinburgh quarter-final.
Leicester will be considered as most people as favourities to win on aggregate against Scorpions, having won all four previous meetings between the two sides in 2021.
But Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey insists that counts for nothing when it comes to the two meetings over the weekend.
He says: “We’ve been written off all season. Very few people outside Scunthorpe expected the Attis Insurance Scorpions to reach the play-offs, but we have.
“Again, I suspect very few people outside Scunthorpe will expect us to beat Leicester on aggregate, but we have every chance.
“It all starts from zero when Heat 1 gets underway at the Eddie Wright Raceway at 7.30pm on Friday night. The previous form between the two sides will count for nothing and our aim will be to score 91 points over the two legs.”
Scorpions’ supporters are being urged to come along to the EWR on Friday and be the ‘8th man’ for the side.
Godfrey adds: “It’s at this stage of the season where the supporters can really make a difference.
“Make no mistake that skipper Simon Lambert and the boys will be fired up for it against Leicester. But when they can hear the fans out on the terraces, it does urge them on even more.
“We need plenty of support to help get the result we need on Friday, to put us into a position where we can complete the job on Saturday. It was great to qualify for the play-offs, but we don’t want to stop there – we want to make it all the way to the final.”
Team news will follow later in the week.
Online tickets are already on sale via the club website, but there is no restriction to the numbers who can pay at the gate on the night. Supporters are urged to arrive in good time, since a large crowd is expected.
ADMISSION PRICES ON 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.
PHOTO: Ian Rispin.
