Speedway action at last

NEWS Thursday 13th July 2023, 2:40pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

It's a month since we have seen a completed Speedway match at Armadale so we are pleased to be offering important matches on both Friday and Saturday this week, starting with the Stellar Monarchs home match against Plymouth Gladiators on Friday at 7:30pm.

Saturday's action will be the Stellar Monarchs Academy against the new Workington Comets side, start time 7pm.

The Championship Monarchs are locked in a tussle for the final Playoff spot against the Gladiators plus Berwick and Birmingham – it's realistic to say that even at this early stage. Monarchs are closer to full strength than they have been in their previous home matches with captain Josh Pickering and Craig Cook back from injury – only Paco Castagna is still missing and his absence will be covered by rider replacement.

The Gladiators have been struggling for results home and away and yet they have a set of heat leaders which matches most, namely Armadale expert Richie Worrall, Kyle Howarth and Ben Barker. So they should not be looked upon as easy opposition.

Captain Josh Pickering certainly agrees with that but believes the Monarchs can prevail. "It won't be easy on Friday that is for sure, Richie is one of the best riders ever at Armadale, so it won't be an easy task. You have Richie as I said, Ben Barker and Kyle Howarth can be very good as well, but I think our 1-7 is stronger and we just need to do our job."

Monarchs slightly rearrange their side aiming for an improved balance.

Friday's match will be Live Streamed for those who cannot attend, details on www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk.

FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 14th July: Edinburgh Monarchs v Plymouth Gladiators (Championship), Armadale, 7:30pm

STELLAR MONARCHS: Josh Pickering (captain), Bastian Borke, Kye Thomson, rider replacement for Paco Castagna, Craig Cook, Dayle Wood, Lasse Fredriksen.

PROW PARK GLADIATORS: Kyle Howarth (captain), Dan Thompson, Ben Barker, Dan Gilkes, Richie Worrall, James Pearson, Ben Trigger.

The Championship match will be followed by a Northern Junior League match between Armadale Angels and Redcar Cubs.

The second match of the weekend is at National Development League level and brings the Workington Comets back to Armadale for the first time since 2018. The Comets are this year's success story in British Speedway at their new venue.

On-track they have had a couple of surprise home defeats but still present a very interesting team and a challenge for the Stellar Academy. Ace Pijper (contender for the British Under-21 title the next day) will be riding while Lee Complin comes in to guest for Connor Bailey (riding for Redcar). They also track Luke Harrison who is a top young prospect just back from a lengthy injury absence.

The Academy side will be missing Jacob Hook who is riding for Berwick on Saturday evening, but they should be well covered with the introduction as a guest of the highly talented Ashton Boughen the Leicester Cubs starlet. Alex Spooner and Kyran Lyden are still out but Micky Simpson, injured when his bike went on fire at Berwick, returned successfully at Mildenhall last Sunday.

Team boss Scott Wilson said following a hard-fought loss at Mildenhall "I will make sure the boys have picked themselves back up in time for Friday's match against a good Workington side. Again, we find ourselves depleted with Alex and Kyran on the sidelines and Jacob engaged on Championship duty. However, we have one of the most exciting young talents in British speedway to fill in for Jacob in Ashton Boughen and with Dayle in great form, and Mickie showing more consistent flashes of his true level we will look to cover the Rider Replacement as best we can".

Saturday's match will be Live Streamed for those who cannot attend, details on www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk.

SATURDAY'S MATCH:

Saturday 15th July: Monarchs Academy v Workington Comets (National Development League), Armadale, 7:00pm

STELLAR MONARCHS ACADEMY: Max Clegg, Mark Parker, Ashton Boughen (guest), rider replacement for Alex Spooner, Adam Roynon, Micky Simpson, Dayle Wood.

GT TYRES COMETS: Lee Complin (guest), Sam McGurk (captain), Luke Harrison, rider replacement for Luke Crang, Ace Pijper, Harry McGurk, Elliot Kelly.

The NDL match will be followed by a Northern Junior League match between Armadale Angels and Workington Meteors.