PREVIEW: Coventry in top of the table clash
Coventry Cycle Speedway face a stiff task for their first home meeting of their 2015 campaign as they welcome Wednesfield Aces in the Midland League on Sunday afternoon (26th April), starting at 2pm.
The two unbeaten sides go head to head at Hearsall Common. Wednesfield Aces, who also compete in the top tier Elite league, have won all their four Midland League matches in convincing style.
Coventry have also started the new season in fine fashion. A terrific performance on the road at East Park four weeks ago saw Coventry clock their first win of 2015 when it mattered, as the Godiva City side ensured the two league points on offer were collected.
A week later and Wednesfield Dragons were beaten by a single point in the most dramatic of fixtures at Ashmore Park, Wolverhampton, resulting in the Hearsall Common speedsters moving into an early second place in the current league standings.
The Aces, though, present a much stiffer task as world number 3 Paul Heard will spearhead the Aces charge, with four times British champion Lee Aris also likely to be included in a powerful combination.
In contrast, Coventry will be without several key riders. Flying heat leader Konrad Pietak has still not returned from his native Poland, whilst teenage sensation Kyle Roberts is out for at least another month due to a badly broken arm.
They will also be without Polish star Dominik Rycharski (pictured), due to work commitments, and there also doubts surrounding Dave Frith and Kelvin Williams.
In the build up to the meeting, Coventry boss Lee Marsh said “We’ve made a fantastic start to the Midland League – I think we’ve smashed all initial expectations to be honest and that’s down to both a terrific team spirit and the hard work put in on Wednesday nights when our riders train.
“Wednesfield Aces will push us hard. They have their strengths, but we also have ours. There’s no doubt our young boys are capable of pushing their top riders to their limit and we look to Myke Grimes and Bobby McMillan to lead our attack”.
Entry to Sunday’s meeting is free; tapes up at 2pm. With fireworks expected, it’s definitely an ideal family day out with blue skies and plenty of fierce racing action predicted.
Coventry team (probable): 1 Mason Phillips 2 Bobby McMillan 3 Matthew Lawrence 4 Dave Frith (TBC) 5 Myke Grimes 6 Dan Drewett 7 Tom Sensicall 8 Joe McLaughlin.
Two supporting matches will follow the main encounter between the teams, at both Midland League Division Two and Midland Junior League level and Coventry have named the following squads:
Midland League Division Two: Josh Marsh, Shaun Reynolds, Jake Slatter, Charlie Barnett, Sammi Marsh, Ollie Morris and Matt Hambidge.
Midland Junior League: Bailie Phillips, Liam Jones, James Morris, Sam Slatter, Jack Reynolds, Jack Bayliss and Ben Wells.
Girl racers Sammi Marsh and Bailie Phillips both rode tremendously well at Sheffield last Sunday afternoon. The pair represented the Midland’s in their clash with ‘The North’ in the first round of the annual Women’s League.
Sammie scored an impressive 13+1 from her four rides in the meeting. Later on, Bailie Phillips secured victory in the ‘B’ final of the individual event whilst Marsh picked up second in the ‘A’ final – an ideal start to the defence of her Intermediate National Title that she currently holds.
For more information on Coventry Cycle Speedway, including how to get involved, you can visit www.coventrycyclespeedway.co.uk or follow the club on Twitter using @CoventryCSC.