Big match preview: Scunthorpe v Plymouth

SCORPIONS BEGIN CUP DEFENCE

ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions face Plymouth Gladiators in the first leg of the first round of the Cab Direct Knockout Cup at the Eddie Wright Raceway tomorrow (Friday) at 7.30pm.

Scorpions are the reigning Knockout Cup champions – having beaten Poole Pirates by 92-88 on aggregate in a memorable final last October.

While the Eddie Wright Raceway track is back in good nick, after the rain left it tricky for last week’s 52-38 victory over Redcar, the same cannot be said for Plymouth’s Coliseum. The weather has been particularly harsh in South Devon, and the second leg has been moved back seven days from this Saturday to April 20th.

The winners on aggregate will face Berwick Bandits in the quarter-finals.

While it was a team performance against Redcar last Friday, the performances of Jake Allen (13+1) and Nathan Ablitt (12) stood out, while there was a pleasing paid five return from 16-year-old Luke Harrison on his Scorpions’ debut.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “I can only apologise last week for all the teething problems caused by the recent rain. The track is fixed now, it is hard underneath, the wind has taken all the moisture out and sealed it, so it should be perfect and we shouldn’t have any issues going forward.

“On track, it was a good result for us against Redcar last week – especially after losing Michael (Palm Toft) early on. For us, Jake was very, very good, maybe this is really going to be his year, and our two reserves, Nathan and young Luke, also showed some very encouraging signs. Michael will be okay for this week – he just winded himself.

“I don’t want to blow any trumpets at this stage but we believe we have got the ingredients for a trophy-winning team. We just need to keep it going, stay safe and put some more results on the board.

“Against Plymouth, we begin the defence of the Knockout Cup. That’s a new one, we’ve never said that before! We need a good positive result from the first leg at the Eddie Wright Raceway, so that can be complete the job whenever we go down to the Plymouth for the second leg.”

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
Student/OAP: £18
Child (0 – 16): Free (must be accompanied by paying adult)
Programme: £1
Free car parking
Pay on the day at the turnstiles by cash or card.
Stamped readmission tickets from the postponed Scunthorpe v Workington meeting are valid.

Expected teams for tomorrow (Friday):

Ellis Rose Travel Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Kyle Howarth, 2. Connor Mountain, 3. Simon Lambert (captain), 4. Michael Palm Toft, 5. Jake Allen, 6. Nathan Ablitt, 7. Luke Harrison.

Plymouth Gladiators: 1. Anders Rowe (guest), 2. Alfie Bowtell, 3. Dan Thompson, 4. Kyle Newman, 5. Ben Barker, 6. Joe Thompson, 7. Jacob Hook.