Aces make Wolves howl as they race into semis
BELLE Vue are comfortably through to the Premiership KOC semi-finals after completing a 103-77 aggregate defeat of Wolverhampton, while claiming a 44-46 second leg win at Monmore Green.
It was far from the start the Rentruck Aces were looking for, but nonetheless the start they expected from the Wolves boys, as their hosts took control of proceedings early doors.
But while the Black Country outfit appeared the stronger side, they only managed to recover six of the 24-point advantage held by the visiting Mancunians by the half-way stage of the meeting.
And after Heat 11 the Rentruck Aces’ pairing of Craig Cook and Jason Garrity drew the match at 33 points apiece with four races to go, and ensured Belle Vue could not be caught on aggregate.
The rest was history as the Parrys International Wolves fought for pride in the closing stages, only to have the Rentruck Aces breathing down their necks and snatching the win at the eleventh hour.
Team boss Mark Lemon said: “All the guys made valuable contributions to the result. I was particularly pleased for Damian [Dróżdż] because these smaller tracks are his kryptonite and he was extremely impressive.
“And though we knew we were safe after Heat 11, the boys continued to push on. They could sense the potential for the win and wanted to finish the job, and they delivered superbly.”
The Rentruck Aces next head south to Rye House on Wednesday, June 20, to resume their Premiership campaign while the Cool Running Colts journey to Birmingham the same night.
National League action then returns to Manchester on Friday, June 22 when the Brummies head to the NSS, with Poole next in line to face the Rentruck Aces at home on June 25.
Tickets for both home meetings are now available online at www.bellevueaces.co and at the stadium box office on race night. UNITED fans may yet get the marquee signing they desire this summer - but it is going to take a once unthinkable series of events to happen.
If Anthony Martial’s agent, Philippe Lamboley, gets his wish and his client leaves the club, the Reds will be in the market for a new forward.
As it stands, staying put is not an attractive option for Martial and it is hard to imagine him getting a run of starts in his favoured role on the left flank.
Memories of Alexis Sanchez’s ANOTHER day and another 5am call from an agent comes through on Ed Woodward’s phone.
The 46-year-old’s reputation within these circles has improved immensely in recent years after a tough start in his role as executive vice-chairman in 2013.
And the groundwork for United’s summer started a long time ago – struggles in that position are still fresh in the mind, but United are convinced a rare summer break, a full pre-season and a six-month settling in period will pay dividends next season.
That means Martial’s alternative route into the starting line-up is on the right wing, where he has struggled to convince following Sanchez’s arrival.
Both Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard performed well in that position at various points last season, but United still lack a natural option on the right flank.
Someone who can step up effortlessly when Sanchez has one of his off days. Someone who can bring balance to that front line and can even before Jose Mourinho submitted his transfer wishlist – and it is often right under fans’ noses.
Woodward regularly hosts agents in the directors’ box at Old Trafford and while most supporters know what Mino Raiola and Jorge Mendes look like, those lesser-known agents are not so easy to spot.
In theory, United is an easy sell to players’ representatives, but for too long now commercial opportunities track back and help an ageing full-back. Someone like Willian.
For the second successive summer, United are broadly targeting players under the age of 27, but you can bet Mourinho would make an exception for Willian.
The 29-year-old is the kind of player he would be willing to go back on his word for after previously insisting United would not sign any forwards in this window.
Few players have left such an impact on Mourinho in recent years and it is now a friendship rather than your typical coach/player bond.
Willian, for example, never forgot it was Mourinho who gave evidence at his work permit hearing in 2013 after snatching him from Spurs’ grasp.
Likewise, Willian was the only positive from the final months of Mourinho’s second spell at Chelsea and, tellingly, he is one of the few opposition players Mourinho still embraces as United manager.
But it is going to take something have been as important as winning trophies to prospective new signings.
The chance to multiply your social media following and earn even more money through endorsements by playing for the self-proclaimed world’s biggest club.
Indeed, for much of the postFerguson/Gill era, United’s transfer strategy has either been opportunistic, commercially influenced or, on a few occasions, sensational for Chelsea to let one of their prized assets join United for the second successive summer even if he only has two years left on his contract. Willian has had his issues with current boss Antonio Conte - editing him out of the club’s FA Cup celebration photo but it seems unthinkable the Italian will still be in the dugout come pre-season. Surely, Willian will have a new club boss by the time the World Cup finishes on July 15 and his new manager will want to keep hold of a forward who was directly involved in 25 goals last season. For Chelsea to even come to the table, you would imagine United would have to factor Martial into the deal - something they would loathe to do. Mourinho, too, has been burnt by talented youngsters such as Romelu Lukaku, Kevin de Bruyne and Mohamed Salah leaving on his watch in recent years. But the chance to reunite with Willian will certainly make him think. both, as club hero Patrice Evra touched upon.
“I’m really careful when I talk about United because to play for this club it’s not about your ability,” he said. “You need to be a character. Personality. I think to play for this club you need to die for this club. I think the expectation is really huge and I’m afraid now it needs people playing for the passion.
“If you say 20 years ago Patrice