The latest from the Lakeside Speedway Press Office…
BOSS Kelvin Tatum admits his juggling act with guests for Lakeside is going to provide an ever-increasing headache as the season goes on.
The Vortex Hammers face a crucial home clash with play-off hopefuls Mildenhall on Friday (8pm), bidding to avenge Sunday’s 55-34 chastening in the reverse fixture.
Tatum is adamant his side must win each of their remaining fixtures at the Arena Essex Raceway as well as pocketing points on the road in order to make the top four.
But his plans rest on contributions from Plymouth’s big hitter Steve Boxall and Tom Bacon, who replaces the injured Zach Wajtknecht and free-scoring captain Ben Morley who is on Premiership duty for Rye House at Somerset. Alex Spooner is in for Jamie Couzins.
“There is a bit of frustration because we will require the use of guests on a regular basis now with the injury to Zach Wajtknecht and clashes for Alfie Bowtell and Ben Morley,” said Tatum.
“It is not going to make a tough run-in any easier and we have to try to make the right choices at the right times from what we have available to us.
“Being without Ben is not great for us so we need any replacements to do a decent job.
“We need to make sure we don’t slip up. It is getting very tight in the race for the play-offs and maintaining our unbeaten home record is essential, because ideally we need to keep picking up points on the road.”
Drew Kemp, this week announced as a Mildenhall signing for 2018, rides at reserve for the Tigers.
Vortex Hammers: Steve Boxall, Nick Laurence, Tom Bacon, Alfie Bowtell, Paul Hurry, Alex Spooner, Connor Locke.
Mildenhall: Connor Mountain, Luke Riddick, Jon Armstrong, Jordan Jenkins, Dan Halsey, Danno Verge, Drew Kemp.
