FOXES v BELLE VUE, PREVIEW
NORTHAMPTON Foxes welcome their two new signings to the Shaleway as they take on Premiership leaders Belle Vue this Thursday (7.30pm).
Great Britain international Adam Ellis made a spectacular debut in Foxes colours when he racked up a huge 20-point total at Ipswich last week, and now he races on his new home track for the first time.
That’s also the case for Aussie youngster Mitch McDiarmid, who has been present at the Shaleway for a couple of meetings earlier in the season but is yet to appear on track.
There is one change to the Foxes’ line-up on Thursday as Nicolai Klindt is absent due to a commitment in the Polish league which takes priority.
Jaimon Lidsey will take over as captain, whilst Klindt’s place is taken by experienced Australian Justin Sedgmen who currently races alongside Kye Thomson for Edinburgh in the Championship league.
Belle Vue are ten points clear at the top of the table after blitzing most visiting teams in Manchester this season, although they were held to a more narrow 48-42 win over King’s Lynn on Monday.
The Aces have enjoyed three away victories in the Premiership this season, including against the Foxes last month when they triumphed 47-42 in a typically close contest at the Shaleway.
The Polish fixture list also affects the visitors, who are without Jason Doyle and Zach Cook with the all-action Chris Harris coming in as a guest whilst rider replacement will be in operation for Doyle.
Tate Zischke is due back for the Aces after missing their last two matches due to concussion, whilst the visitors are also hopeful that Peter Kildemand will be fit to return from rib damage.
Northampton manager Chris Adams said: “Belle Vue top the Premiership table and have been in fine form, so it promises to be another exciting night of speedway.
“With Justin in as a guest it means three of our team on the night will be riding the Shaleway for the first time, and it will be interesting to see how they get on.
“Adam really hit the ground running at Ipswich where we battled well but unfortunately came away with nothing.
“Now we kick off our final run of four home meetings, and we need everyone to come together and get behind the guys, and see if we can win these last home matches.”
Tickets for the meeting are available from https://northampton-speedway.com/ticket-office , and supporters are reminded that there will be a double programme issued to cover the home matches against Belle Vue and then Leicester on Monday, with no increase to the price. Foxes TV is not in operation for Thursday’s meeting as it is being covered by BSN.
NORTHAMPTON: Niels-Kristian Iversen, Kye Thomson, Justin Sedgmen, Adam Ellis, Jaimon Lidsey, Mitch McDiarmid, Luke Harrison.
BELLE VUE: Brady Kurtz, Norick Blodorn, Peter Kildemand, Chris Harris, Jason Doyle R/R, Tate Zischke, Will Cairns.