Speedway: Cup semi-final berth looks in the bag but league points vital

Published on Thursday 19 August 2010 10:09

After "making a hash of things" in labouring to beat Berwick Bandits, Edinburgh Monarchs boss John Campbell is calling on his title-chasing troops to shine at home tonight against King's Lynn Stars in the second leg of their Premier League Knock-out Cup quarter-final second-leg tie.

With 22 points to spare from the first match in Norfolk, Campbell says: "There is no possibility of us losing that kind of lead but it would be nice to have a good home performance just so the riders know what they are capable of doing, and I'm keen that we win by as many points as possible."

Monarchs wobbled like jellies against Berwick and were only three points to the good with four races left before eventually running out 50-39 winners and Campbell, like captain Matthew Wethers, was less than impressed with certain aspects of Monarchs' display.

Campbell said: "I was always certain we would win the match, but obviously we were keen to win by more than six points, but that wasn't altogether certain as we approached the end of the match.

"And it wasn't because Berwick were any better than the normally are at Armadale, it was because we made a complete hash of things from the first heat onwards and threw away a large number of points."

But it was William Lawson's poor effort which caused Campbell some concern.

Lawson had blown his best engine at Berwick six days previously and was unable to find a competitive replacement and he simply toiled against his former club.

"I'm no mechanical expert," said Campbell, who added: "and there are many reasons why a bike may not run due to the performance of the engine. I was not best pleased that William made it a struggle for the whole team, he did not have his bike running properly and I made it plain to him and his father afterwards that William is very much part of the team and needs to perform like the rest of them.

"For William to come to a meeting against Berwick, who cannot ride our track, and not score a point on his own machinery, well, he simply wasn't up to the job."

King's Lynn have revamped their team since they defeated Monarchs in the league at Armadale - the only side to do so - but Campbell doesn't think the changes will cause them to pose a threat, insisting: "I don't think they are any stronger and I don't see them causing any problems at all."

Monarchs will probably have one eye on their important league trip to Workington Comets tomorrow.

Victory at Derwent Park would place the Capital side within touching distance of the championship crown. And Monarchs would appear to be going to Workington at an opportune time as the Comets have injury problems.

The most significant thing in Monarchs' favour is at reserve, where Comets handy scorer Richard Lawson is ruled out and has been replaced by National League guest Steven Worrall of Scunthorpe Saints.

And the Comets will also use the rider replacement facility for their missing Dane Peter Kildemund.

A Workington spokesman said: "We are in for a very tough night and, without being disrespectful to Steven, we are now looking a lot weaker at reserve.

"Edinburgh are not top of the league for nothing and we will require a mighty effort to turn them over."

Campbell commented: "Richard Lawson not riding has got to give us a better chance and I believe our top five will be good enough against their top four."

Newcastle Diamonds, Monarchs' only serious rivals, are at neighbours Berwick on the same evening and, should they lose, their challenge would surely be over which prompted Campbell to say: "This is perhaps Newcastle's last chance and it's a must win meeting for them, but our concerns are about winning our matches."