Stoke Preview
Posted 22/04/06

Stoke head up to Glasgow for their first away meeting of the season smarting from a 44-49 home defeat this evening.

Potters were without Alan Mogridge for the meeting, Moggo having been scheduled to ride in the Championship of GB Qualifier and being banned from their meeting after withdrawing from it. He will however be back for the meeting at Ashfield, a track he enjoys riding and has done well at on recent visits, although his form so far this season has seen him slightly drop his average.

Fellow heat leader Mark Lemon also likes Ashfield and by contrast has been in excellent form. He should provide stiff competition for Bird and Parker.

They will be hoping for good back up from Robbie Kessler in the middle order. Kessler has made a confident start to the season and is another of those riders who seems to enjoy the track.

Joining him in the middle order are Paul Clews and Michael Coles. many were surprised at Coles returning this season after a turbulent year for him last year and so far this season he has struggled to get up to speed. Clews continues to be a consistent rider for the Potters.

Stoke went for an A and C grade reserve pairing with Barrie Evans and Luke Priest the riders getting the nod. Evans has had a very good start to the season, albeit as already mentioned all in home meetings, and his confidence will be high. His previous visits to Ashfield have not been particularly impressive however. Luke Priest has also failed to impress on his previous two visits at PL level-although he was unlucky in the Heathersfield Open in 2004-and is likely to find it tough for this meeting.

If everything goes to form, Glasgow should end up comfortable winners for this meeting but Stoke will be keen to make amends for their defeat at home this evening and that should not be underestimated.

 

 

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