Lead To Be Built

PREVIEW Friday 28th September 2018, 3:49pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

After a two week break it's back to action for the Staggs Bar Monarchs as we go in search of a big lead to defend in the first leg of our KO Cup semi final against the Workington Comets.

It is back to back matches against the Comets this weekend with the visit to Derwent Park due on Saturday and going on previous encounters between the two this year then the tie is a difficult one to call. The Comets have visited Armadale twice so far this season and the results could not have been much different first back in the Championship Shield the Comets ran out 46-44 victors however in the league fixture at the end of last month it was the Monarchs who would go on to rout the visitors with a 65-25 win.

No one is expecting a repeat of the performance and score line from that night and the feeling in the Monarchs camp is that a 12-16 point margin of victory would be handy to take to Cumbria for the 2nd leg.

There are changes enforced for both teams due to injury. As most will be aware Dan Bewley's season was ended a few weeks ago with some horrific injuries coming from a crash against Lakeside. This weekend will be the last in which a guest is available for the former Monarch with Berwick's Kevin Doolan stepping in, Doolan being a part of the Berwick side that ended our playoff hopes 2 weeks ago and already having a 16 point score to his name at the Dale this season.

The rest of the Comets are as per usual with Ty Proctor having returned from an injury of his own last weekend. They will look to be led by one of their classy Dane's Nikolai Klindt who has shown excellent form at Armadale so far. While Proctor and fellow heat leader Rene Bach will look to show what they are made of after horror shows in the last matchup. Rasmus Jensen has had his moments at Armadale and with Mason Campton having the potential for extra rides at reserve there is no obvious weaknesses in the Comets line-up and that is no surprise given they are still in the hunt for a clean sweep of all competitions at Championship level.

For the home men it is a chance for redemption after the league ending defeat to Berwick and the disappointment that brings. A cup win would go some way to alleviating that disappointment and the team are all aware that they need to refocus to achieve this. Unfortunately the task will need to be completed minus Joel Andersson who is still nursing his broken foot. Glasgow's James Sarjeant steps in and on his day he is as good as any reserve in the league around Armadale so we will be hopeful of a score to match that of what we were getting from Joel. Elsewhere the team lines up as per usual with Victor Palovaara raring to go after a break to heal his recent injuries also. As per usual we will look for our heat leader trio of Ricky, Erik and Richie to lead the way with backup from the rest required also.

So an enticing looking tie lies ahead with the Monarchs after as big a lead as possible while the visitors will look to contain then spring into a potential lead of their own before the deciding second leg on Saturday evening.

After a two week break I for one am raring to go and the boys will appreciate all the support they get so get yourself trackside to cheer them on,

See you there!

Full Result Details