PREVIEW: Spires’ boss issues rallying call ahead of double Easter Monday clash

BETGOODWIN Oxford Spires’ team manager Peter Schroeck has asked for the supporters of the club to get right behind the side when they take on the Leicester Lions in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Easter Monday (April 21), in an afternoon meeting commencing at 1pm.

The two sides will meet twice on the same day, with the return clash at Leicester at 7.30pm.

Spires have yet to record a victory in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership this season, although the fixtures have not been kind, with home-and-away meetings with title favourites Ipswich, and a tough away trip to reigning champions Belle Vue.

Oxford are without skipper Maciej Janowski in either meeting on Easter Monday, due to the Pole competing in the Golden Helmet meeting in his own country – which determines the Polish qualifiers for the World and European Championships.

Tom Brennan, arguably a rider in better current form, will guest for Janowski in both meetings, while Charles Wright will take over as captain in Janowski’s absence. Brennan won the Ben Fund Bonanza individual meeting at Cowley in March.

Danish star Peter Kildemand – who has been missing due to nerve damage in his back after a crash at Oxford on March 27 – is due to return from injury.

Schroeck said: “It’s been a difficult start for Spires. I fully realise that the buck stops with the management. But at the same time, speedway is all about individuals combining as a team and it’s up to each rider to score points – that’s the job they are employed to do.

“We will be looking to turn it around for the Leicester home meeting on Easter Monday, which starts at 1pm. For that meeting, I urge the supporters to please come along and persuade any friends to attend as well, so that can we have a big crowd to get right behind the lads and kick-start the season for Spires.

“I’ve said it time and again, but we value the support of the fans and it really makes a difference to the boys when they can hear the cheers as they line-up at the starting tapes.

“Our target for the BetGoodwin Oxford Spires remains to reach the play-offs. To do that, we don’t have to finish top, anywhere in the top four will do. It’s still not out of reach by any means, but we do need to start winning our home meetings.”

Tickets are already on sale on the Oxford Speedway website at https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/

Admission is available at the early bird price of £23 for all adults, which increases to £25 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 if they are planning to park in the Unipart car park.

Teams:

BetGoodwin Oxford Spires: Rohan Tungate, Erik Riss, Charles Wright (C), Peter Kildemand, Tom Brennan (G), Francis Gusts, Luke Killeen (RS).

Watling JCB Leicester Lions: Max Fricke (C), Luke Becker, Ryan Douglas, Kyle Howarth, Sam Masters, Drew Kemp, Sam Hagon (RS).

PHOTO: Oxford Spires’ action from the starting tapes (pic: Ian Wagstaff)