LEICESTER stage a massive meeting in their quest for silverware when Berwick visit the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena on Sunday (5.30pm).
The Watling JCB Lions have reached the Championship Shield semi-finals – the first time they have qualified for the closing knockout stages of a competition since they competed in the Premier League play-offs seven years ago.
A place in the Final against either Glasgow or Eastbourne awaits if they can overcome the Bandits over two legs, with the return fixture to take place at Shielfield Park on June 22.
Lions have won each of their official home matches so far, and on all but one occasion their margin of victory has stretched well into double figures.
But boss Stewart Dickson says this is no time to be setting targets, stressing that his team’s approach won’t change from that which has served them well so far.
He said: “Obviously the aim is to build a first leg lead, but one thing I won’t be doing is putting a figure on it.
“In many ways we’ll be treating it like a normal league match and hopefully race the way we can, although there might sometimes be an emphasis on protecting what we’ve got.
“We just need to keep doing what we’re doing. The boys all know the importance of the meeting, and they’ll also realise that when they turn up because there’s bound to be a different atmosphere with it being a semi-final.
“Berwick have done well to get this far, and they will see it as an opportunity themselves. They are set up in a similar way to us, and they will be a threat.”
Lions name a full-strength side with Josh Bates now having a meeting under his belt following a three-week lay-off, as he raced for Peterborough at Belle Vue on Thursday.
Berwick qualified for the semi-finals by virtue of being the best group runners-up – although their place in the last four was assured well before they were usurped at the top of the section by Glasgow.
The Bandits impressed by winning at Newcastle and taking a point at Edinburgh en route to reaching this stage.
Former Lions Aaron Summers and Kevin Doolan provide plenty of experience in heat-leader positions, and the in-form Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen made some stunning guest appearances in Leicester colours last season.
Supporters are reminded that season tickets are valid for the semi-final, with normal admission prices applying for non-season ticket holders, and accompanied under-16s go FREE as usual.
LEICESTER: Scott Nicholls, Ellis Perks, Josh Bates, Ryan Douglas, Richie Worrall, Jack Thomas, Connor Mountain.
BERWICK: Aaron Summers, Jye Etheridge, Kevin Doolan, Dany Gappmaier, Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen, Coty Garcia, Leon Flint.
