Bears boss: Tie could be a classic
REDCAR could rely heavily on their reserves when they attempt to build a winning lead in their KO Cup first round, first leg clash with Workington tonight, 7.30pm at the Ecco Arena.
Both sides are very familiar with each other and their opponents’ tracks as this evening will be the third time they have met in two weeks, after matches in their BSN Series qualifying group.
Unfortunately, the Agilia Bears came out on the wrong side of the score-sheet both times with the Comets recovering from an early ten-point deficit to snatch a last-gasp 46-44 victory at the South Tees Motorsports Park, then beating an injury-hit Bears 49-41 in Cumbria last Saturday.
The two-legged tie pits the 2018 and 2019 cup winners, with both harbouring hopes of making the latter stages of the competition again.
Both are at full strength, although Redcar come to the start tapes with leading scorers Charles Wright and Danny King nursing injuries sustained in spectacular crashes during the past week.
Wright had laser treatment in Oxford yesterday to help recuperate from a shoulder knock, after being thrown from his machine when a chain snapped during the recent defeat to Scunthorpe. King, who was inadvertently ‘wiped out’ by Workington teenager Sam McGurk in an expensive collision at the Comet’s Northside home, has also seen a physiotherapist to help severe bruising to the hip area. Both ride for the first time since the crash this evening. Bears boss Gavin Parr said: “Charles and Danny will be a bit stiff but fine I’m sure, but the main thing is that we get a win, which would give us something to defend when we go to Workington again on Saturday (May 4).
“There are no tactical substitutes allowed in the cup as it’s over two legs, so the only changes I can make is with the reserves and I think we might just have the advantage there.”
Jake Mulford (13) and Ben Trigger (9) scored well in a National Development League match for Middlesbrough last weekend.
“Jake was really good at Leicester and that will do his confidence so much good, which could get him four or five more points at Championship level,” added Parr.
“The results from a couple of weeks ago count for nothing as the sides start level again.
“Their ‘newbies’ have all been to our track before now, so that might make it even tougher but the same applies when our lads go there.
“Jonas (Knudsen) seems to have hit a bit of form and Jason (Edwards) and Connor (Bailey) also looked better recently, so we are hopeful of the win and it’s got the makings of a classic tie.”
The results from a couple of weeks ago count for nothing as the sides start level again. Gavin Parr