Aces v Hammers Preview

Lakeside skipper Richard Lawson insists they will not to go down without a fight ahead of the second leg of their Elite League play-off semi-final at Belle Vue on Monday (7.30).

The Vortex Hammers suffered a disappointing 49-41 defeat in the first leg at the Arena-Essex Raceway last Wednesday leaving them up against it.

Lawson knows it will require something special from his side to see them progress – but he wants to see them keep battling until the very end.

Lawson said: “The pressure is off for us really, so we’ll just give it our best and see what we can do on the night.

“We’re already behind so it will certainly be extremely tough, but we’ll definitely give it all we’ve got from start to finish.

“The first leg was tough but it’s a new meeting. There’s nothing we can do about it now so we’ll have to put that behind us.

“There’s no underestimating the task we have in front of us, but if we can get some points back early on and we all ride well then you never know.”

The Hammers have drafted in Robert Branford to take the place of Ben Morley at reserve, whilst Chris Harris now guests for injured skipper Andreas Jonsson at No.1.

Belle Vue will be at full strength, with Swedish Grand Prix finalist Matej Zagar leading their side.

BELLE VUE ACES

Matej Zagar, Steve Worrall, Max Fricke, Scott Nicholls, Craig Cook, Richie Worrall, Joe Jacobs.

LAKESIDE VORTEX HAMMERS:

Chris Harris, Lewis Bridger, Edward Kennett, Richard Lawson, Kim Nilsson, Lewis Kerr, Robert Branford.

Image: Chris Harris & Kim Nilsson in action. Credit: Anti-clockwise Photography