BIG MATCH PREVIEW: Scunthorpe v Oxford

TARGET: 56 POINTS!

ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions are seeking to overturn a 20-point-deficit against the Oxford Cheetahs at Scunthorpe’s Eddie Wright Raceway tomorrow evening (Friday, May 23) at 7.30pm, in order to progress to the semi-finals of the MAXiCab Knockout Cup.

Cheetahs won the first leg of the quarter-final at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on April 9 by 55-35, with a final heat 4-2 from Steve Worrall and Jake Allen giving Scorpions a glimmer of hope.

Scunthorpe won the Knockout Cup in 2023 – defeating Poole by 92-88 on aggregate in a memorable final – and were semi-finalists last season.

Both Australian brothers Declan Kennedy (6.22) and Zaine Kennedy (5.92) have new averages from this meeting, and have pushed skipper Simon Lambert and Luke Harrison down to reserve.

For Cheetahs, Francis Gusts makes his debut as an injury replacement for Dan Gilkes – the Latvian previously had a spell for Oxford Spires in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “The target will be 56 points against Oxford at the Eddie Wright Raceway to get us through to the semi-finals. Although it’s a big one, we know we are capable of hitting it, if we’re firing on all cylinders.

“Last season, we faced a similar deficit of 18 points against Berwick at the quarter-final stage and we made it through.

“Obviously, we need to get off to a good start, and if we do that, and we get the crowd get right behind us, then anything is possible.

“We won the competition in 2023 and we’d like another shot at winning the MAXiCab Knockout Cup this season. We might be 20 points behind, but it’s still within our hands to get through.”

For those who cannot make it to the Eddie Wright Raceway, Scorpions are live streaming the meeting for just £12.99 at: https://tv.scunthorpe-speedway.com/

Please note that while it’s cash or card on the turnstile, it is cash only once you were inside the venue.

ADMISSION PRICES FOR TOMORROW (FRIDAY):

Adult: £20

Student/OAP: £18

Child (0 – 16): Free (must be accompanied by paying adult)

Programme: £1.50

Car Parking free

Pay on the day at the turnstiles by cash or card.

Expected teams for tomorrow (Friday):

Ellie Rose Travel Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Steve Worrall, 2. Declan Kennedy, 3. Zaine Kennedy, 4. Connor Mountain, 5. Jake Allen, 6. Luke Harrison, 7. Simon Lambert (C).

SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies: 1. Sam Masters (C), 2. Jonas Knudsen, 3. Cameron Heeps, 4. Francis Gusts, 5. Jordan Jenkins, 6. Mitch McDiarmid, 7. Luke Killeen.