(SPEEDWAY 1)
GLASGOW took a 38-34 win at Somerset in the first leg of their KO Cup semi-final tie – after what boss Stewart Dickson described as a “crazy” evening.Already without Jake Allen due to concussion, the home side lost both reserves during the meeting, Bradley Wilson-Dean with a broken collarbone and Tom Bacon with a hip injury.Bacon’s crash also involved Tigers duo Rene Bach and Fernando Garcia, who were able to continue in the meeting which was curtailed after twelve races due to the curfew.Dickson said: “It was a crazy night, nobody was giving an inch. It was unlucky for Bradley Wilson-Dean - the rest of the riders that were in crashes were all wounded but managed to walk back. We send our best wishes to Bradley, because we don't like to see that happening to any rider.“Rene is extremely sore - but he's a tough kid - and he got up and got on with it, and we got the result.“When at heat 12 the curfew was up, we were pretty relieved - nothing to do with heat 13 or 15, because Aaron (Summers) had already lowered Josh Gracjzonek's colours, and Richie Worrall was getting right on it - it was the fact that we have both got to patch up our teams.”Somerset boss Garry May said: “To their credit, the remaining boys were determined that they were not going down without a fight, despite the fact we had to go into half of the heats raced with just one rider, and they showed great character and spirit to keep things as close as they did.”“Of course it is never nice to lose at home, especially as it is the first home loss this season, but in the circumstances the boys cam be really proud of their efforts, and it just means that we have to go to Glasgow on Sunday and take the win, just as we did in the league, as this tie is far from over.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
EDINBURGH No.1 Sam Masters raced to a 12-point maximum as the Monarchs defeated a depleted Peterborough team 59-33 at Armadale.Masters got the better of former Edinburgh favourite Craig Cook on his return to his old club, with Cook scoring 13 points to lead the Panthers’ scoring.Edinburgh boss Alex Harkess said: “We needed a strong performance after last night’s disappointment, because we will be facing a stronger side next week. We all enjoyed seeing Craig again though.”In the Travel Plus National League, Belle Vue were 50-40 winners over Cradley, who had already confirmed a place in the play-offs.Skipper Matt Williamson scored 14 for the Colts with Lee Payne and guest Jack Smith adding 12+1 apiece, whilst Ashley Morris scored 12 for the Heathens.Williamson said: “We’ve struggled more at reserve this season but they did really well and chipped in vital points on the night while the rest of the boys put in a good night’s work at the office. We’re really happy.“In the same breath however we are really disappointed because unfortunately it’s not enough to put us in the play-offs, and that’s something we’ve been working really hard for all season.”Cradley boss Will Pottinger said: “It's never nice to lose but the boys did their best at a track they've never seen before.“Nathan Greaves came back in as a guest and did a good job for us and Ash (Morris) was superb as ever. I'm looking forward to next week now when Max Clegg is back with us and we can give it a good push.”Home team Kent won the County Fours at Central Park with 30 points, three ahead of the Isle of Wight with Eastbourne on 24 and Crayford 15.
(SPEEDWAY 3)WORKINGTON will aim to restore some pride when they host Glasgow in the second leg of their League Cup semi-final at Derwent Park on Saturday.The Comets were hammered 64-25 at Ashfield last weekend meaning only a miraculous turn of events in the tie will see them reach the Final.Glasgow are seeking to confirm qualification for two Finals over the weekend, and boss Stewart Dickson said: “We've got to do a professional job at Workington and then on Sunday you can be assured Somerset, the holders of the KO Cup, will come up with a decent guest for Bradley Wilson-Dean, and Jake Allen is back. They will be strong.”Meanwhile Eastbourne continue their build-up to the National League play-offs by hosting King’s Lynn at Arlington.The Eagles welcome back No.1 Adam Ellis after he missed their fixtures last weekend due to racing in the Czech Republic.Boss Connor Dugard said: “It is really good that the boys are busy now we are coming to the semi-finals of the KO Cup and the play offs.“We are on a roll and this will help keep it going. We don't want them going ‘cold’ at a crucial point in the season.”
(FIXTURES)
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 24:LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Workington v Glasgow 7pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v King’s Lynn 7.30
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 25:PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle v Scunthorpe 6.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Glasgow v Somerset 3pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Eastbourne 3pm
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 26:ELITE LEAGUE PLAY-OFF S/F 2nd leg: Belle Vue v Lakeside 7.30, Wolverhampton v Poole 7.30
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 27:NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Cradley v Eastbourne 7.30
