Scunthorpe Scorpions v Lakeside Hammers preview

HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions welcome back American star Gino Manzares to their ranks, when they entertain high-flying Lakeside Hammers in a crunch league match at the Eddie Wright Raceway tonight (Friday, 7.30pm).

Scorpions are looking to bounce back, after their injury-hit squad suffered a 40-50 home defeat to Peterborough last Friday.

It’s the first of two meetings in two days against the Hammers, as Scorpions travel down to Essex for the return fixture on Saturday. Lakeside have assembled a quality line-up, led by former Scorpion Nick Morris, Richard Lawson and Adam Ellis.

Manzares has been out injured, since hurting his shoulder while riding for the United States in the Speedway Of Nations in Germany three weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Scunthorpe No 1 and skipper Steve Worrall is still not quite ready for a full-time return, and Charles Wright will guest for Worrall, while rider replacement will operate for broken leg victim Stefan Nielsen.

Scorpions’ injury problems have now spread to their guest riders. Originally Tero Aarnio was booked to guest for Nielsen this week, but the Finn was then injured while riding in Sweden on Tuesday evening.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We’ve taken last week’s home defeat to Peterborough on the chin and we are looking to make sure we beat Lakeside at our place tonight.

“It’s another tough match, against a team sitting second in the league table.

“We don’t want to drop any further points at home, and the three points would be very welcome as look to narrow the gap on the top four teams in the table.

“We really missed Gino last week, because it’s so difficult finding a guest who can match the points he is capable of scoring, and I’m delighted to have him back.

“I’m sure it’s going to be a meeting containing some cracking racing, plus it’s the first-ever chance for Lakeside fans to see their team in action around the Eddie Wright Raceway.

“The weather forecast is glorious and I can’t see a better way of spending your Friday evening than enjoying some sunshine speedway at Sunny Scunny.”

Admission prices for tonight:

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 tonight:

Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Charles Wright (guest), 2. Rider replacement for Stefan Nielsen, 3. Josh Auty, 4. Jake Allen, 5. Jason Garrity (captain), 6. Danny Phillips, 7. Gino Manzares.

Lakeside Hammers: 1. Nick Morris, 2. Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen (guest), 3. Adam Ellis, 4. Rider replacement for Kyle Newman, 5. Richard Lawson, 6. Ben Morley, 7. Alfie Bowtell.