Bees gelling says boss

COVENTRY make the long trip to the Isle of Wight today (7pm start) looking to add away points to their National League total.

The Europress Bees have won their last three fixtures in all competitions and confidence is high following their 59-31 drubbing of Buxton in the National Trophy at Hi-Edge last weekend.

They now head south to face a Warriors team who may be on the rebound after losing at home by the same score last Thursday – in their case, at the hands of a Mildenhall team who have made waves with their early results.

The home side are led by one of the National League’s best riders, Ben Morley, a small-track specialist at this level who surprised many with his move to the large Smallbrook circuit.

But the Warriors do have an injury concern over second heat leader Ben Hopwood, who was hit on the knuckle by an object thrown up from the track last week and sat out their trip to Eastbourne on Saturday.

Should Hopwood be ruled out, the home side will only be able to use the riderreplacement facility, which would entitle all of their team members to an extra outing.

The Bees are at full strength and boss Martyn Macdonald has retained the same riding order as in last Sunday’s win at Buxton, with Connor Mountain returning at No.1.

He said: “It was a really good day for us on Sunday so now we move on to the Isle of Wight and hopefully it will be the same again.

“We’ll be getting on the ferry full of hope and team spirit, and I do have to say the atmosphere in the side is very good.

“It’s bonding into a really good team. It’s business, but you have to mix business with pleasure and if you’re more relaxed and having a laugh along with it, then it does go much better than if you’re tense and stressed.

“We’re all giving each other advice – the riders are even giving me advice! – and everyone is working together really well.”