Big Match Cup Preview: Scunthorpe v Redcar

SCORPIONS UP FOR THE CUP

ATTIS INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions are looking to build up a defendable lead they host Redcar Bears in the first leg of the Knockout Cup semi-final tonight (Friday, 7.30pm) in another big clash at Scunthorpe’s Eddie Wright Raceway.

Scorpions have only reached the Knockout Cup final at Championship (second tier) level once in their history – in 2018, when they lost out in the final to Workington Comets. Scorpions twice won the KO Cup at third tier level – in 2006 and 2007.

Should Scorpions reach the final, they will face Poole Pirates, who broke Scunthorpe hearts in the play-offs, with a 50-40 Cab Direct Championship play-off victory at the Eddie Wright Raceway last Friday. Scorpions rallied with a 54-36 victory at Edinburgh on Saturday, but Pirates clinched their final place with a 55-35 home victory over Edinburgh on Wednesday.

In the early season BSN Series, Scunthorpe topped their group after narrowly taking the aggregate bonus point against Redcar – with scores of 50-40 to Scunthorpe at the EWR and 49-41 to Redcar at the ECCO Arena.

In the Cab Direct Championship, Scorpions defeated Bears by 55-35 at Scunthorpe, while Bears won 48-42 in a last-heat decider at Redcar. Scorpions picked up the aggregate bonus point with some comfort.

Having defeated Redcar twice on aggregate already this season, Scunthorpe are out to pull off that feat a third time in the season and progress to the Cup Final.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “It was a big disappointment to miss out to Poole in the play-offs, but we still have a trophy to go for and it’s a major trophy as well.

“I believe it is realistic that we can get to the Cup Final and come the final, I also believe it’s realistic that we can lift the trophy.

“Redcar are without Charles Wright, who was unfortunately injured in a bad crash in Poland recently, and he is a very big loss for them. We naturally wish Charles a full recovery.

“We have met the Bears twice already this season, in the early season BSN Series and then the league, and we managed to get the better of them both times on aggregate. We will now attempt to do that for a third time to book our place in the Cup Final. I full believe we can do that. But we need our fans out in full force, to get behind the boys, to build up a lead ahead of the second leg at Redcar next Friday (October 6).

“We need to take it one step at a time, but we’d love to have another crack at Poole in the Cup Final.”

Accompanied children aged 16 and under will be admitted free all season to speedway meetings at the Eddie Wright Raceway.

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 TONIGHT (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 tonight (Friday):

Attis Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Ryan Douglas, 2. Connor Mountain, 3. Simon Lambert (captain), 4. Jake Allen, 5. Michael Palm Toft, 6. Nathan Ablitt, 7. Drew Kemp.

Redcar Bears: 1. Danny King, 2. Danyon Hume, 3. Connor Bailey, 4. Leon Flint, 5. Erik Riss, 6. Jason Edwards, 7. Luke Harrison.