Scorpions taking nothing for granted

FLUIDAIR POWER Scunthorpe Scorpions will be taking nothing for granted when they entertain local rivals Sheffield Tigers at the Eddie Wright Raceway tonight (Wednesday, 7.30pm), in a meeting re-arranged from last Friday when it was washed out by heavy rain.

Sheffield currently sit bottom of the Premier League table, while three points for the Scorpions would move them past Ipswich into second place in the league table, behind runaway leaders Edinburgh.

But Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey insists there won’t be any complacency from the FluidAir Power Scorpions.

Results between Scunthorpe and Sheffield have been topsy-turvy in 2014. Scunthorpe won away at Owlerton three times, but lost their home League Cup against Sheffield on March 30, the opening Scorpions’ meeting of the season at the Eddie Wright Raceway.

Godfrey said: “I’ve been involved in speedway for long enough to know that nothing is a formality in this game. We must not get complacent, because Sheffield did win here early in the season and we have to respect that.

“Ultimately, our goal is three points to add our tally. If we show the focus we have in our last two home meetings, against Ipswich (55-38) and Newcastle (58-38), we should be well on our way.

“But while we have Owlerton track specialists in our side, Sheffield have got Eddie Wright Raceway specialists in theirs. Simon Stead is perfectly capable of going through the card for starters, so I think it’s going to be a tough match for us.

“A cracking night of racing is ahead of us. I’m sure Sheffield will bring plenty of supporters with them up the M18, looking to get one over us, and likewise we need our fans in good voice behind our lads.”

There are 24 heats of action in total, with a nine-heat second half, including a Midland Development League match between Castleford and Stoke.

Admission prices for tonight:

Adult: £15.00
Student/OAP: £13.00
Child (10 – 17): £5.00
Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult)
Family Ticket £35 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-17)
Match Programme: £1.00

Expected teams for tonight (English unless stated):

FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Nicolai Klindt (Denmark), 2. David Howe, 3. Ashley Birks, 4, Josh Auty, 5. Ryan Douglas (Australia), 6. Matt Williamson, 7. Thomas Jørgensen (Denmark).

Sheffield Tigers: 1. Simon Stead, 2. Andre Compton, 3. Simon Nielsen (Denmark), 4. Ty Proctor (Australia), 5. Leigh Lanham, 6. Taylor Poole (Australia), 7. Josh Bates.

Midland Development League teams:
Castleford: 1. Adam Portwood, 2.Tom Bacon, 3.Sam Darroch, 4.Ben Hewitt.
Stoke: 1.David Holt, 2.Sam Ward, 3.Scooter Webster, 4.Sam Woods.