Scunthorpe Scorpions vs Ipswich Witches preview

SCUNTHORPE owner Rob Godfrey is hoping for a change in the fortunes of the club – starting with the clash between Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions and Ipswich Witches at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Sunday (5.30pm), when club asset Tero Aarnio is set to make his first appearance in Scorpions’ colours since 2012.

Finnish star Aarnio, aged 33, is initially a temporary replacement for Stefan Nielsen, who is due to be out for around four-to-six weeks with the broken collarbone he sustained at Ipswich last week.

“We’ve had plenty of luck this season”, comments Godfrey, “but unfortunately it’s all been bad!

“We lost Fritz Wallner early in the season, and then the moment we replace him with Stefan and get back to full strength, both Carl Wilkinson and Ryan Douglas pick up knocks, and Stefan does his collarbone.

“I couldn’t believe it when we had riders going down like flies at Ipswich with Stefan getting injured in his just his second meeting for us. I really don’t know what we’ve done to deserve such bad luck, I really don’t. But all we can do is rise above it, dust ourselves down and go again.

“I didn’t waste any time getting hold of our old friend Tero Aarnio and agreeing a deal for him to re-join us.

“I was surprised he was still on the sidelines looking for a club, since he’s a quality rider. We know he can do the business for us – and he certainly knows the best way around the Eddie Wright Raceway.

“He’s a club asset, a fans’ favourite and slots straight into the team at reserve at No 6 in place of Stefan, so I’m really pleased we’ve managed to solve that problem so quickly.”

Ryan Douglas returns to action on Sunday – after an enforced spell out due to concussion due to a crash at Ipswich – and Scorpions are set to track seven riders of their own for only the fourth time in 13 meetings this season.

Nielsen is definitely part of Scorpions’ plans for the rest of the season and will return once fit, while Aarnio has a chance to stake his claim for a team place for the remainder of the year.

Godfrey was as disappointed as anyone with the 40-50 home reverse to Sheffield last week and wants to see a reaction against Witches.

Witches’ line-up is led by British Champion Danny King and Australian international Rory Schlein.

“We need to get back to winning matches very quickly and that starts with this meeting”, he stresses.

“We need to get the team spirit back and we need to get people working as a team, not as individuals. I think that is a key ingredient that can be worked on.

“I hope it’s a cracking meeting with the usual top class racing we have grown accustomed to around the Eddie Wright Raceway. But more than anything I want the three points and no more injures, please”, he concludes.

There are 21 heats of action in total on Sunday, including a six-heat second half Midland Development League match between Scunthorpe Stags and Milton Keynes Knights.

Admission prices for Sunday:

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 Sunday:

Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Michael Palm Toft (captain), 2. Carl Wilkinson, 3. Lewis Kerr, 4. Ryan Douglas, 5. Josh Auty, 6. Tero Aarnio, 7. Josh Bailey.

Ipswich Witches: 1. Danny King, 2. Cameron Heeps, 3. Justin Sedgmen, 4. Kyle Newman, 5. Rory Schlein, 6. Connor Mountain, 7. Nathan Greaves.

Midland Development League teams:
Scunthorpe Stags: 1. Chris Bambury, 2. Lloyd Ditchburn, 3. Luke Whitehead, 4. Sam Chapman.
Milton Keynes Knights: 1. Rob Watts, 2. Lewis Austen, 3. Chris Watts, 4. Connor King.