FOXES v SHEFFIELD, PREVIEW
NORTHAMPTON Foxes are back in home action as powerful Sheffield provide the opposition at the Shaleway on Thursday (7.30pm).
The Foxes’ last appearance at Northampton International Shaleway in mid-May saw them record a stunning 48-42 win over Leicester on an historic night as they tasted victory for the first time.
But the postponement of the subsequent clash with King’s Lynn means it’s four weeks since they have raced on their own circuit, and now the challenge is to build momentum with a busy period ahead.
The Foxes have performed well on their travels with narrow defeats at Ipswich and King’s Lynn offering opportunities for aggregate points when those reverse fixtures come up.
But first up is the visit of Sheffield, a team who Northampton are yet to face either home or away this season, and who have a big reputation in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.
The Tigers have finished top of the table in three of the last four seasons, winning the title in 2023, although they have struggled for consistency so far this year with just three wins in their opening nine fixtures in all competitions.
The meeting will see the visit of another of the sport’s superstars with World No.5 Jack Holder leading the Sheffield challenge, and his elder brother Chris was World Champion back in 2012.
The senior Holder is named as captain as the Tigers are without regular skipper Josh Pickering who has a Polish league commitment, and the visitors will operate the rider replacement facility.
This means Pickering’s programmed rides will be shared amongst his team-mates, with everyone eligible to take one of those outings.
Northampton are in the same position with Niels-Kristian Iversen, who is racing in the same meeting as Pickering, but the Foxes have taken the decision to bring in a guest rider, which will be the in-form Lewis Kerr who has already impressed in two previous appearances at the Shaleway.
There are no further changes to the teams and with Sheffield well known for their travelling support a tremendous atmosphere is anticipated.
Foxes manager Chris Adams said: “We’re certainly looking forward to being back at home. We won our last match at the Shaleway, and we’re hoping to build on that and make it two.
“Regarding Niels, Poland do take priority on this date which we knew when he signed his contract. There were actually two in the year, although luckily one of them was rained off here, so this is the last one now and he’ll be with us for the rest of the year.
“Lewi has been riding well and I’m sure he’ll be a good guest – we’re looking forward to seeing him again and it should be another excellent meeting.”
Advance tickets for the meeting are available from https://northampton-speedway.com/ticket-office , and cash and card admission will be available on the night. Supporters are asked to arrive as early as possible with another big crowd expected.
For those unable to attend, Foxes TV will be in operation once again with the meeting live streamed at https://www.northamptonfoxestv.com/ .
NORTHAMPTON: Jaimon Lidsey, Troy Batchelor, Jonas Jeppesen, Lewis Kerr, Nicolai Klindt, Kye Thomson, Luke Harrison.
SHEFFIELD: Jack Holder, Anders Rowe, Chris Holder, Leon Flint, Josh Pickering R/R, Jye Etheridge, Luke Killeen.