PREVIEW: Coventry v East Park ML1
Coventry Devlins Newsagents Cycle Speedway face a tough Easter Sunday challenge this Sunday (20th April) at Hearsall Common (2pm start).
They entertain inform East Park Wolves of Wolverhampton, looking to open their home Midland League account. After two recent narrow defeats, including at Birmingham last Sunday, Coventry will be keen to repeat last season’s home victory over their Black Country rivals.
Following the senior clash, the two sides meet at 3.45pm in supporting Midland League division 2 action and Coventry junior team manager Andy Drewett will pick from the following squad:
Coventry junior team (from): Levi Walters, Sammi Marsh, Jake Slatter, Bailie Phillips, Jack Bayliss, Josh Marsh, Shaun Reynolds, Ollie Morris, Sam Slatter, Adam Dickinson, Billy Bloore, Spencer Sawbridge, Harley Webb, Josh Walters and Charlie Barnett.
Coventry Cycle Speedway were disappointed to miss out on picking up any points in their opening Midland League fixture of the season as they slumped to a 91-80 defeat at Perry Hall playing fields in Birmingham.
The Hearsall Common based side welcomed back home grown talent Myke Grimes but were without Phillips and Rycharski, together with Joe Kemp and Tom Sensicall.
Though the early heats were shared, Birmingham soon opened up a handy early advantage as they led Coventry 24-16 by heat 4 with two maximum 7-3’s helping Birmingham’s cause.
A Coventry 6-4 in the following race – with a second win for inform Grimes – was immediately cancelled out as Dave Frith was excluded for the use of leg in the following heat.
Two costly exclusions for Coventry both before and after the break didn’t help the Devlin’s Newsagents cause. Firstly, Josh Marsh was excluded for movement at the tapes and then veteran star Joe McLaughlin failed to complete the following race meaning Birmingham further extended their already commanding lead.
Shared heats followed though Coventry soon clicked into gear as they picked up a 7-3 in heat 14 courtesy of Konrad Pietak and McLaughlin. Despite Coventry’s late 7-3, it was to no effect as the Monarchs closed out the meeting by heat 16.
Heat 17 saw Coventry pick up a rare 7-0 though it proved too little too late as they suffered their first competitive meeting defeat of the season.
After the match, team manager Lee Marsh said “That was a tough meeting with lots of exclusions. On some occasions we made costly errors but I think it’d be fair to say the Monarchs did as well. We were beaten by the better side, however the team spirit remains as good as it’s ever been.
“All the lads just like to race and if we can win then that’s a bonus. The juniors had plenty of success so overall today has been a good days experience for Coventry Cycle Speedway.”
Meanwhile, this Thursday`s (24th April) Coventry League Round 2 fixture at Bretford has been postponed. A new date will be announced shortly.
For more information on Coventry Cycle Speedway, including how to get involved yourself, please visit www.coventrycsc.com