LEICESTER have a clear target of a win on the night to lift the Premiership KO Cup for a second successive season when they take on Ipswich at the Hydroscand Arena on Thursday (7.30pm).
The Watling JCB Lions clinched top-flight silverware for the first time in this competition last July against King’s Lynn, and another huge atmosphere is expected as they look to repeat the feat.
The first half of the equation has already been satisfied as the Lions drew 45-45 at Ipswich on Monday, exactly matching their first leg result in Norfolk one year ago.
But they expect a strong response from Ipswich, who have plenty of Leicester track knowledge and expertise in their ranks, and who will be just as keen to clinch silverware in their first season under new ownership.
The league match between the sides at Beaumont Park earlier this month finished 55-35 to the Lions, but little should be read into that result because the Witches were without both skipper Danny King and Richard Lawson – both former Leicester riders – for that meeting.
This time they are set to track a full-strength side, whilst Leicester are expected to operate rider replacement for Kyle Howarth who has announced his decision to take time out of the sport.
No team has retained this item of silverware since Poole in 2013, so the Lions are close to a further slice of history – but manager Stewart Dickson has stressed there is still a serious job to be done.
He said: “People will have us down as favourites, I know that, because we got the draw at Ipswich on Monday, but the way I look at it we are going to have to ride a whole lot better than we did last Thursday against Belle Vue.
“We need to get the same total that we did in that meeting, which is 46, and that would win us the Cup, and that’s the ultimate target, but we cannot start the way did against Belle Vue. We simply cannot start that way and let Ipswich get momentum.
“With Lawson, King and (Scott) Nicholls, Ipswich have three ex-Leicester riders, plus Tom Brennan rode ever so well for us in this Final last year, and you can also throw in (Tobiasz) Musielak who loves our track, as he told me last time he was here.
“I expect a very tough meeting and that will be drummed into the riders on the track walk. There will be no complacency and we can’t afford to get too far ahead of ourselves.
“Having said that, I expect all of our supporters to be out in numbers and it should be a great occasion. Everybody wants to enjoy the Cup Final but we know the job we have to do to get to that stage.”
Supporters can pick up a free air horn, whistle or trumpet from Lenny the Lion as they come through the turnstiles, and help create an unforgettable atmosphere at the Hydroscand Arena.
Our official Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund collection will take place on August 27 (against Belle Vue) but buckets will be available on Thursday for supporters who may not be attending next month, as we look to back the Fund as much as possible.
A reminder that season tickets are not valid for this meeting.
LEICESTER: Ryan Douglas, Dan Thompson, Nick Morris, Kyle Howarth R/R, Sam Masters, Drew Kemp, Joe Thompson.
IPSWICH: Tom Brennan, Danny King, Richard Lawson, Scott Nicholls, Tobiasz Musielak, Kevin Juhl Pedersen, Jason Edwards.
