Tough start to the League Cup

PREVIEW Saturday 2nd April 2016, 7:09pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

So after the disappointment of the weather being the victor on Friday night it’s a trip along the M8 to our nearest and perhaps no longer dearest in the first competitive action of both teams season.

With the shortened format of the league cup this year any away points could be vital and Ashfield is of course a place the Monarchs have an excellent record in recent years. This year could be different though as the Tigers are hotly tipped to do well having topped all 3 polls in the recent Speedway Star preview addition as to the team expected to lift the Premier League come the end of the season.

There have been massive changes on and off the track since the takeover by the Facenna brothers before last season with the Ashfield venue undergoing a massive facelift. No one can argue with the work that has gone into making it one of the nicest venues in British Speedway.

On track it was a promising first season in charge for the aforementioned Facenna’s however it was one that was to come up short on the trophy front and no one from either side will need reminding of the Monarchs triumphs in both the League Cup and Playoff finals.

Despite the relative success of last season there have been wholesale changes to the Tigers line-up with only 2 men returning from last year’s septet.

One of the returning men slots in at number 1 Richard Lawson. ‘Son of God’ as he is known by the Tigers faithful has improved year on year and is a smooth and classy performer. Lawson put a point on his average last year finishing as one of the few men in the league with an average of over 9 points and is truly one of the top men in the premier league.

At number 2 is colourful Finnish youngster Nike Lunna. Lunna had a solid debut season in the UK last year with Scunthorpe and the Tigers obviously saw potential in him as they have snapped him up as a full asset. Lunna will be a key man for the Tigers this year and if he can kick on from last year then they truly will have a fearsome top five.

Number 3 in the Tigers line-up is Riche Worrall. Richie has by his own admission stagnated a little the last two seasons and has not kicked on to being the top number 1 many predicted he would. He has the calibre and still has time on his side to develop into this. A season in the engine room of the Ashfield line-up without the pressure of being the main man may be exactly what Richie needs to get back on an upward trajectory again and on a sub 7 point average he is a risk free signing for the Saracen Park outfit.

His partner in the middle order is Ben Barker. Barker is another who has perhaps not lived up to his billing the last couple of seasons however this appears to have been due to a list of injuries rather than anything else. A combative figure Barker is the kind of rider who will fire up the Ashfield faithful and again is seen as being on a bargain average as a former top man in the Premier League. If Barker can return to this form the Tigers will be delighted.

Completing the main body of the team is former Monarch Aaron Summers. Spud as he is affectionately known had probably his best season in the UK last year and as Tigers captain is the lifeblood of the team. Aaron of course crashed out of the playoff final in a horrific looking incident and we are all happy to see him back in the saddle this year.

Number 6 for the Tigers is Argentinean ‘Coty’ Garcia. Garcia made his bow on the British scene last year with Berwick and while his scores may not have been overly impressive everyone was taken aback by his determination, effort and good nature. ‘One of the nicest men I’ve ever met in speedway’ one of the Berwick promotion remarked. Garcia of course also guested for the Monarchs in both legs of the League Cup final and the Tigers will hope he can make a mockery of his starting 3 point average on reportedly improved machinery.

Completing the Tigers line-up is Danny Ayres. Another of the increasing list of moto-cross converts Danny is a showman who has already been adopted as one of their own by the Tiger’s fans after his battling 5 point performance against Coventry last week. A latecomer to speedway Danny is tipped to be one of the top performers at the number 7 berth in this year’s Premier League.

The Border Roofing Monarchs line-up with their programmed 1-7 and it will be the first time the Blue and Gold fans will get a chance to see Jye and Dan in competitive action. Sam, Kevin, Erik and Ryan have all had powerful performances at Ashfield in the past and they will all need to be at the top of their game if we are to contain the hotly tipped Glasgow men. While any Monarchs team go into every match looking to win I am sure secretly we would not be too disappointed if we came home with a point tomorrow afternoon.

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