The latest from the Lakeside Speedway Press Office…
LAKESIDE team boss Will Pottinger admits it’s a “huge night” for the club at their new home of Rye House.
The Hammers left the Arena-Essex Raceway after 34 years in style on Friday night by beating on-form Glasgow 50-40.
But now the Essex boys need to seal their place in the Championship Play-Offs with at least one win at their new venue Hoddesdon against Newcastle and Peterborough in a cracking double header tonight – starting at 7pm.
Pottinger said: “It was always going to be a big weekend for the club. We’ve taken one massive step towards the Play-Offs by beating Glasgow.
“Now I want us to get wins over Newcastle and Peterborough to complete the job. I think one win would probably be enough but we want two to go into the Play-Offs on a high.
“It won’t be easy because we go into the meetings effectively without any home advantage. It will be like racing at a neutral territory.
“But the boys are naturally up for it. It’s another huge night for the club and fans. It will be very special if we can cap an emotional weekend by making the Play-Offs.
“We can’t take anything for granted because Peterborough are top of the table right now. But two wins and if we stop the Panthers taking a point could see us finish top.
“That would be some achievement considering on Friday evening we were fifth. That’s why it is such an important double header. It’s going to be a grandstand finish.”
The Hammers have a fitness doubt over Zach Wajtknecht after he took a heavy crash on Friday night while Nick Morris walked away from a nasty pile-up in Heat 15.
Pottinger added: “We’ll obviously have to wait on the verdict for Zach. He’s a key member of the side at reserve.
“We were relieved to see Nick get up from his crash. But they’ll be feeling second hand today which is frustrating. We hope they are both OK obviously.”
Lakeside: 1.Richard Lawson, 2.Kyle Newman R/R, 3.Adam Ellis, 4. Ben Morley, 5. Nick Morris, 6. Zach Wajtknecht, 7.Alfie Bowtell.
Newcastle: 1. Ludvig Lindgren, 2. Matej Kus R/R, 3. Ashley Morris, 4. Tero Aarnio, 5. Stuart Robson, 6. Carl Wilkinson, 7. Matthew Wethers.
Lakeside: 1.Richard Lawson, 2.Kyle Newman R/R, 3.Adam Ellis, 4. Ben Morley, 5. Nick Morris, 6. Zach Wajtknecht, 7.Alfie Bowtell.
Peterborough: 1 Ben Barker, 2 Emil Grondal, 3 Bradley Wilson Dean, 4 Michael Palm Toft, 5 Ulrich Ostergaard, 6 Jordan Stewart, 7 Broc Nicol.
