Hammers v Colts reaction

Lakeside chief Jon Cook is under no illusions about the size of the task facing the Vortex Hammers in their play-off semi-final.

Table toppers Belle Vue visit the Arena-Essex Raceway on Friday (8pm) in the first leg after the Manchester outfit picked the Hammers.

And the return will take place at the National Stadium the following Friday, October 6 at 7.30.

Belle Vue include newly crowned National League Riders’ champion Dan Bewley and are a solid all-round team.

Said Cook: “It’s going to be tough and we will need the support of our fans to help us on Friday.

“They haven’t finished top by good fortune, they’ve done it over the course of the season and clearly they feel they will beat us.

“But we will be looking for a useful lead on Friday at the Raceway and we’ll need the fans to play their part.

Every Hammers fan needs to come along and get behind us, even those who haven’t been regulars for National League racing.”

An update on team news will be issued in due course with Zach Wajtknecht still sidelined for the Hammers and doubts over Jack Smith for Belle Vue.

Image: Paul Hurry & Alfie Bowtell – Credit Anti clockwise Photography