PREVIEW: Edward Kennett makes home debut, as Oxford Cheetahs take on Glasgow Tigers in potential humdinger
SD TIMMO CAR SALES Oxford Cheetahs are looking to build up some momentum, when they host Glasgow Tigers in a mouth-watering clash in the Cab Direct Championship at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Wednesday (June 17) evening at 7.30pm.
To complete the party atmosphere, the stadium will also show the England vs Croatia football World Cup clash on the large TV screens in the main grandstand from 9pm.
New signing Edward Kennett – a 28-day replacement for the ill Erik Riss – makes his home appearance for Cheetahs. The 39-year-old – twice British No 2 and twice British Under-21 Champion – made a highly encouraging debut for Cheetahs in the narrow 42-48 loss at Workington on Saturday afternoon, scoring 7+1.
Cheetahs are hoping to have Luke Killeen back in action. Killeen has spent a period on the sidelines with a broken rib, but is now close to a return. He will face a late fitness test.
Glasgow are always attractive visitors, and boast a potent heat-leader trio in former Oxford rider Chris Harris, Kyle Howarth and Leon Flint. Tigers topped the regular Cab Direct Championship table last season, before losing out to Poole in a Super Heat in the Grand Final.
Cheetahs’ manager Peter Schroeck said: “We head into match against Glasgow knowing it’s a meeting that we need to win. Winning at home is important in any case, plus it will give us some momentum heading into the away meetings this weekend, and also the home match to Redcar next Wednesday.
“The meeting away at Workington last Saturday was a good exercise to start our busy period. Of course, it would have been even nicer to win, but we kept it close at six points and we’re in a good position for the aggregate bonus point. I had all the boys together at the end of that meeting, to tell them it was a good performance that we can build upon.
“Glasgow cannot be under-estimated, but we know if we ride to our abilities around the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium, that we can beat them. As usual, it’s about one meeting at a time, but when you’re in a sequence of meetings in a short period of time, of course you want to build up confidence and a feelgood factor and that’s what we’re looking for that against the Tigers.
“With the football on the big screens in the main grandstand from 9pm, there’s a chance for supporters to come along and have a bumper night, watching live speedway plus televised football in a lively, shared environment.”
Tickets are on sale at the Oxford Speedway website at: https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/
Admission is available at the early bird price of £21 for all adults, which increases to £23 on Race Day. All under-16s go free. A reminder that Oxford Speedway is online ticket sales only – tickets remain on sale on the website until the start-time of the meeting.
Spectators are also reminded that they will need to pay £2 when booking their ticket if they are planning to park in the Unipart car park. Parking at the Unipart car park is now fully restored and the club thank Unipart for their co-operation.
Teams:
SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs: Sam Masters (C), Luke Killeen, Anders Rowe, Edward Kennett, Mitch McDiarmid, Darryl Ritchings, Dayle Wood. Team manager: Peter Schroeck.
Glasgow Allied Vehicles Tigers: Chris Harris (C), Sam Hagon, Leon Flint, Kevin Juhl Pedersen, Kyle Howarth, Mario Hausl, Freddy Hodder. Team manager: Cameron Brown.
PHOTO by Steve Edmunds