LEICESTER Lion Cubs’ National League title challenge ramps up on Wednesday as they face the away leg of their play-off semi-final against Cradley.
The Roger Webster Lion Cubs chose to face the Heathens in the last four having topped the regular table, and the meeting will take place at Birmingham’s Perry Barr Stadium due to a lack of available dates at their opponents’ regular venue of Wolverhampton.
That could be an excellent choice of location as far as the Cubs are concerned, as skipper Danyon Hume spent three years with Birmingham, Josh Embleton also had a spell with the Brummies, and Dan and Joe Thompson are former mascots at the Second City circuit.
But the Heathens themselves are fired up to go further after edging into the play-offs courtesy of a dramatic series of results in the closing stages of the regular campaign.
And with Max Clegg – who won his British Under-19 Championship at Perry Barr – former Brummies title-winner Jack Smith and the back-from-injury Danny Halsey, the ‘home’ side track a top three who all have No.1 capabilities.
Cradley are without second-string Luke Harris, who is racing for his Championship club Somerset, and they bring in the experienced Luke Priest to guest.
The aim for the Lion Cubs is to leave the tie in a winnable position ahead of Saturday’s second leg at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena, which gets underway at 5.30pm as part of a double-header with their KO Cup tie against Stoke.
Admission prices at Perry Barr are £10 for both adults and concessions.
CRADLEY: Max Clegg, Luke Priest, Tom Spencer, Jack Smith, Danny Halsey, Harry McGurk, James Chattin.
LEICESTER: Ellis Perks, Dan Thompson, Luke Ruddick, Joe Thompson, Danyon Hume, Josh Embleton, Ryan Terry-Daley.
