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KEY POINTS |
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The Stars lack that invincible aura of recent seasons. |
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Ryan Fisher will be looking to continue his rich vein of form in a season when he seems to just get better and better. |
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Monarchs have an excellent chance of progressing provided they don’t let the score run away from them on a track which is so often a graveyard for the hopes of visiting teams. |
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Kings Lynn Stars v Edinburgh Monarchs |
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Wednesday 28th July 2010
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Premier League Knockout Cup |
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Both sides will be looking to dig deep when Monarchs visit the Norfolk Arena in another unpredictable ‘battle of the giants’ on Wednesday night (7.30) for the first leg of their KO Cup quarter-final tie against the King’s Lynn Stars.
For once, weather permitting, King’s Lynn won’t enjoy the luxury of hosting the second leg of a cup tie against Edinburgh in front of their own fans, knowing that the tie will be decided on the night and knowing exactly what they need to score.
Injuries to key riders have given this fixture an unexpected slant. Home fans will be cheering the return of former Star, Chris Schramm, now with Workington, who guests at No1 for Kevin Doolan who broke his wrist in a crash at Sheffield last week.
Edinburgh also had a difficult job to find an adequate guest replacement for their star reserve, Kalle Katajisto, who has a badly bruised foot after a collision in the meaningless Premier Trophy fixture at Ashfield on Sunday and who will also miss Friday’s home fixture.
Ryan Fisher will be looking to continue his rich vein of form in a season when he seems to just get better and better. He would have been everybody’s favourite for the Scottish Open but was desperately unlucky to be sucked in by the fourth bend fence when leading the Semi-Final.
Andrew Tully achieved a podium place in a high class field, which should mean his confidence is high, and skipper Matthew ‘Stormy’ Wethers certainly had some storming races, particularly against Chris Slabon, showing the value of his Elite League call-ups.
Monarchs will be looking for a big contribution from their Europe-hopping German, Kevin Wolbert if his less experienced countryman Tobias Busch struggles on his first visit to Saddlebow Road. But Tobi has been showing flashes of brilliance, so you never know.
Cal McDade will be hoping to do well on his ‘home’ National League track, but has a tough task against his Young Stars team mate, Darren Mallett. And the key for Monarchs will be Carl Wilkinson or whoever else stands in for Kalle, their usual ace in the pack.
King’s Lynn have had lots of team problems this season, on top of their promotion being somewhat distracted with the re-launch of the local football club. So the Stars lack that invincible aura of recent seasons and are beginning to threaten further team changes.
Of course they still have the silky talent of Tomas Topinka and the emerging steadier style of the irrepressible Kozza Smith. But Joe Haines, Chris Mills (who replaced Linus Eklof) and Casper Wortmann all appear to rely heavily on confidence.
The Stars claim they will be happy with an eight or ten point lead to defend in view of having come to Armadale in May and won by eight points! But fortunes have shifted since then and Monarchs have an excellent chance of progressing provided they don’t let the score run away from them on a track which is so often a graveyard for the hopes of visiting teams.
Likely line-ups:
King’s Lynn ‘Roger Warnes Transport’ Stars: Chris Schramm (guest), Kozza Smith, Tomas Topinka, Casper Wortmann, Joe Haines, Darren Mallett, Chris Mills.
Edinburgh Monarchs: Ryan Fisher, Tobias Busch, Kevin Wolbert, Matthew Wethers (c), Andrew Tully, Cal McDade, Carl Wilkinson (guest). |
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