A WIN AGAINST STOKE IS ESSENTIAL

NEWS Tuesday 5th September 2006, 10:00am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs race Stoke on Friday at Armadale Stadium in a Premier League match.

Their intention is to move as far from the foot of the table as possible in the remaining matches, though it is now mathematically impossible to reach the Playoffs which this season decide the Premier League title. Monarchs are looking for their first victory since the end of July - though to be fair they have only had two home matches in the intervening period.

HENRIK WILL BE FIT

Henrik Moller suffered a foot injury when knocked off in his final ride in the World Under-21 Final in Italy last Saturday.

By the end of Sunday's match at Glasgow, having taken another knock, he could not get his boot on.

He has returned to Denmark for treatment this week and should be fit to race on Friday.

PLAYOFFS OUT OF REACH

With one away and three home league matches remaining, the maximum points total for the Monarchs this year is 26, one less than the team currently in eighth place (Workington).

So Monarchs cannot reach the Playoffs, something that has been in any case unlikely for some time ? though only some ill fortune prevented the team gaining more than a single point from the two matches with Glasgow last weekend.

They are currently 13th (out of 14) and will distance themselves from bottom club Newport if successful against Stoke this weekend.

STOKE ON SATURDAY

Monarchs' final away match in the Premier League this season is at Stoke on Saturday evening.

They haven't won an away league match this season, though they did win at both Stoke and Newcastle in the Premier Trophy.

Monarchs have a very good record at Stoke over a lengthy number of seaons.

SPONSOR ON FRIDAY

The sponsors of Friday's match are JC Welding and Fabrication of Livingston, in association with C.O.L.T.S. Fanzine of Livingston FC. Another West Lothian company, Planview Drywall Ltd will also be watching the match from the Armadale Hospitality Units.

TEAMS FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT ARMADALE ON FRIDAY 8th SEPTEMBER (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:

EDINBURGH SCOTWASTE MONARCHS: Theo Pijper (capt.), Daniele Tessari, Matthew Wethers, Henrik Moller, William Lawson, Sean Stoddart, Derek Sneddon.

STOKE EASY RIDER POTTERS: Paul Thorp, Trent Leverington, Paul Clews, Robbie Kessler, Mark Lemon, Barrie Evans, A N Other.

UNPREDICTABLE POTTERS: Stoke are unlikely to be one of the teams making the Playoffs, though it is not yet mathematically impossible.

Their problem has been their home form, because they have managed two away league victories - including possibly the result of the year - a win at Sheffield!

They signed Mark Lemon from Exeter at the start of the season and he has been a regular double figure scorer. A recent team change brought back Paul Thorp, who first came to prominence with Potters 20 years ago, and he has done well for them.

Robbie Kessler has also been in good form, but overall Stoke are an unpredictable side.

Potters have not yet named a no. 7 replacement for the injured Luke Priest.

LAST WEEK'S MEETING: Monarchs drew 45-45 with Glasgow in a Premier League match at Armadale. Theo Pijper was top scorer with 14 including a brilliant win in a thrilling last heat decider.

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING: The Scotwaste Monarchs meet Newcastle in a Premier League match at Armadale on Friday 15th September.