PREVIEW: Cheetahs welcome Boughen into squad for Friday night home tie against Plymouth
Teenager Ashton Boughen will make his debut for the Monarch Oxford Cheetahs on Friday night when Plymouth Gladiators visit Oxford Stadium in the Championship.
The 16-year-old signed his first professional contract with the Cheetahs on his 16th birthday on Monday and will ride at reserve with Cameron Heeps as Peter Schroeck’s side look to maintain their unbeaten Cab Direct Championship home record.
Top pair Sam Masters and Scott Nicholls have also been confirmed to ride with main body trio Lewis Kerr, Henry Atkins and Jordan Jenkins completing the Cheetahs squad.
Gladiators’ visit marks the first time Cheetahs have raced at Sandy Lane on a Friday night as a team since the club’s sensational return was confirmed almost two years ago.
A bumper crowd is forecast as supporters start the Bank Holiday Weekend in style, and Team Manager Schroeck can’t wait to get his riders back on the Cowley shale following a five-week absence.
“We’ve had to be patient because of the weather but we’re really looking forward to getting the Cheetahs back on track,” said Schroeck. “This is a winnable fixture, but we have a target on our back and Plymouth will want revenge from our two results in Devon earlier this season so we’ll treat this meeting like any other.
“We’re really pleased to welcome Ashton (Boughen) into the side who we’re excited to work with given his progress in such a short period of time.
“Our position in the play-offs might be confirmed, but we desperately want to end the regular season at the top of the league so we can pick our play-off opponents. It’d be a huge advantage, so we’re eyeing victory on Friday to start the Bank Holiday Weekend with a bang.”
Tickets for the Monarch Cheetahs’ Cab Direct Championship fixture against Plymouth Gladiators are on sale now via the club website. Adults are priced £20 and all U16s accompanied by a paying adult can watch for FREE!
Monarch Cheetahs: Sam Masters, Henry Atkins, Lewis Kerr, Jordan Jenkins, Scott Nicholls, Cameron Heeps, Ashton Boughen.
Plymouth Gladiators: Kyle Howarth, Max Perry, Ben Barker R/R, Jason Edwards, Richie Worrall, James Pearson, Ben Trigger.