Scunthorpe Scorpions v Newcastle Diamonds preview

HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions are looking to get their league challenge back to track, with they entertain the Newcastle Diamonds at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday (7.30pm).

It’s three weeks since the Scorpions took a 54-36 victory over Workington in their last action at the venue.

Since then Stefan Nielsen has picked up a broken leg, while both Jason Garrity and Gino Manzares has also found themselves in the wars.

Scorpions found their five-match winning sequence ended with a 36-54 defeat at Glasgow last Friday in a meeting where Garrity was forced to withdraw mid-meeting, leaving Scorpions in the unusual position of using both rider replacement and injury rider replacement.

Kyle Howarth comes in to replaced injured No 1 Steve Worrall on Friday, while rider replacement will operate for Nielsen.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “We beat Newcastle at the Eddie Wright Raceway by 50-40 in the Championship Shield in mid-may, but it was a tough meeting and we can expect more of the same on Friday.

“Tero Aarnio was on fire the last time we met and with Stuart Robson returning after injury, plus two very experienced reserves in Carl Wilkinson and Matthew Wethers, we will certainly have to be on our guard.

“It does seem we are like the walking wounded at the moment. Jason Garrity says he’ll be OK for Friday, while we’re awaiting further news on Gino Manzares.

“Gino has really been in the wars. He had that nasty smash in our last home meeting against Workington, then piled up during the Speedway of Nations tournament in Germany last weekend, a crash that many will have seen on television.

“And of course, we’re also without Steve Worrall and Stefan Nielsen. But we’ve got to pull together, and ensure that we come out of Friday’s meeting with a victory.

“It’s going to be a hard-fought night, no doubt containing some thrilling action, and we need to come out of it with three precious league points.”

Admission prices for Friday:

Adult: £16.00
Student/OAP: £14.00
Child (10 – 17): £5.00
Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult)
Family Ticket £37 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-17)
Match Programme: £1.00

Expected teams for Friday:

Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Kyle Howarth (guest), 2. Rider replacement for Stefan Nielsen, 3. Josh Auty, 4. Jake Allen, 5. Jason Garrity (captain), 6. Danny Phillips, 7. Todd Kurtz (guest).

Newcastle Diamonds: 1. Ludvig Lindgren, 2. Stuart Robson, 3. Matej Kus, 4. Ashley Morris, 5. Tero Aarnio, 6. Carl Wilkinson, 7. Matthew Wethers.

FOOTNOTE: Plus note Gino Manzares will not be fit for tomorrow, and Todd Kurtz will guest in his place.