Big Match Preview: Scunthorpe v Birmingham
SCORPIONS SEEK TO COMPLETE JOB AGAINST BRUMMIES
ATTIS INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions will be looking to ensure there are no slip-ups when they host the Birmingham Brummies in the second leg of a Knockout Cup quarter-final tie at the Eddie Wright Raceway tomorrow (Friday, 7.30pm).
Scorpions will start the meeting as firm favourites to progress. They lead 46-44 from the away leg, while they beat highly fancied Redcar Bears by 55-35 in a Cab Direct Championship league match at the EWR last Friday.
In contrast, Birmingham have experienced a tough start to the season and they have only once all year – ironically away at Plymouth.
Scorpions are due to track an unchanged septet from the side that clobbered Bears last week.
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We can’t afford to be complacent, but we will go into the cup clash with Birmingham full of confidence after last Friday’s fantastic performance against Redcar in our opening home league match.
“There’s a lot more to come from Drew Kemp around our track. By his own admission – on his debut for us last week – he tried to ride it like a Polish track and that doesn’t work at Scunny, but he’s figured things out now and the points will flow, I’m sure.
“I’m liking what I’m seeing from young Nathan Ablitt as well. He’s a real trier, he’s making starts, he’s trying to go round people and the points are definitely going to come for him if he continues like that. He got a paid win up at Edinburgh in our last away meeting and 4+2 overall and got three against the Bears last Friday and if he keeps that up, we will be happy.
“We’ve just bought some team kevlars for Drew and Nathan because this is the team that we want to see us through to the end of the season, all being well.
“If we can finish the job off and get past Birmingham in the cup, it will take us through to the semis where Redcar are waiting. After last Friday’s win over them, that would give us confidence to set our sights on getting through to the cup final and hopefully that will be achievable. But we need to take it one meeting at a time, and make sure that we beat Brummies first.
“It’s going to be another great night of action at the Eddie Wright Raceway. As well as the 15 races of Scorpions versus Brummies, there’s an extra 18 races thrown in with the 250cc and 125cc support classes of the British Youth Championship. Those races will follow in the second half, all for no additional admission price, and they will add additional value to a cracking night’s entertainment.”
For those who cannot make it to the Eddie Wright Raceway, Scorpions are live streaming home meetings for just £11.99 at: https://tv.scunthorpe-speedway.com/
ADMISSION PRICES FOR TOMORROW (FRIDAY):
Adult: £20.00
Student/OAP: £18.00
Child (0 – 16): Free (must be accompanied by paying adult)
Programme: £1.00
Car Parking now free
Pay on the day at the turnstiles by cash or card.
Expected teams for tomorrow (Friday):
Attis Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Ryan Douglas, 2. Drew Kemp, 3. Simon Lambert (captain), 4. Jake Allen, 5. Michael Palm Toft, 6. Nathan Ablitt, 7. Connor Mountain.
Birmingham Brummies: 1. Nick Morris, 2. Alfie Bowtell, 3. Zach Cook (guest), 4. Stefan Nielsen R/R, 5. Justin Sedgmen, 6. Joe Thompson, 7. James Pearson.
British Youth Championship:
250cc class: Seth Norman, William Cairns, Jamie Etherington, Caydin Martin.
125cc support class: Lewis Hague, Jack Scully-Syer, Charlie Southwick, Archie Whitelam, Kane Newby, Tai May Brant, Joe Brice, Lee Harrison, Jayden Bailey, Charlie Fletcher, Adam Sidyk, Rocco Webb, Liam Morris, Rhys Harrow.
