Lions Next Up

PREVIEW Friday 23rd September 2022, 4:27pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The What the Fork Monarchs face the biggest challenge of their season as the playoff semi finals get under way at Armadale on Friday night against table topping Leicester who are going for a 2nd title in the last 3 seasons.

Stewart Dickson's men were comfortable regular season top dogs but come into this one a little wounded after taking a heavy aggregate defeat to Poole in the KO Cup semi final over the last week a result that will make them glad that the Monarchs were their choice of opposition for this one.

Both teams are at full strength with key battles obvious throughout, the top end of the Lions has been their strength all year and with the Armadale experience and pedigree of Nick Morris, Richie Worrall and Kyle Howarth it will ever have been harder for the Monarchs top men Sam Masters and Josh Pickering.

Connor Mountain appears in fine form and is joined by Dan Thompson in the 2nd string positions that may be key as the Monarchs look for Lasse and Paco to step up and find their best form this weekend.

The Lions also have a former league winning Monarch at reserve in Max Clegg so there is no obvious weak spot in the visitor's line-up of course this not unusual when a team that won 14 out of 18 of their league fixtures this year come to town.

Added spice is thrown into the fixture with the future of the Monarchs still very much in doubt meaning every home fixture could be the last for the team and with the depth of feeling that the likes of Masters and Pickering have publicly expressed in recent weeks there is no doubt that a steely determination exists within the Blue and Gold ranks.

Tapes up is at 7.30 with pay at the gate option available for those that haven't gotten their tickets so far.

Who knows how many times I will be able to say this the rest of this season but as always Friday night is speedway night, get yourself trackside!

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