Hammers v Diamonds Meeting Preview

Lakeside are preparing for three meetings in three days in what could prove to be a pivotal weekend for their play-off hopes.

The Hammers host Newcastle at the Arena-Essex Raceway on Friday (8pm) before taking on the Diamonds at Brough Park on Sunday (7.30pm) – and there’s also a trip to Workington sandwiched in the middle (Saturday, 7pm).

The Purfleet outfit currently sit second in the Championship standings with as many as seven teams behind them still in with a shout of achieving a top four finish.

But heat-leader Nick Morris believes the Hammers have got what it takes to cement a place in the end-of-season play-offs.

“We went through a stage where we never seemed to have a full 1-7 with the Lakeside boys in it and there were one or two results which didn’t go to plan,” Morris said.

“But since we’ve had all the guys back, the team has picked up again, everyone has been doing pretty good and that’s why we’re up there pushing towards the top of the table.

“We’ll pick up what we can in the away meetings but I think as long as we win our last couple at home then we should get in pretty comfortably.”

The Hammers are set to be at full strength on Friday, despite both Richard Lawson and Adam Ellis crashing while on Premiership duty on Wednesday.

The annual collection for the  Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund will also take place.

Lakeside Hammers: 

Richard Lawson, Zach Wajtknecht, Adam Ellis, Kyle Newman, Nick Morris, Ben Morley, Alfie Bowtell.

Newcastle Diamonds:

Stuart Robson, Tero Aarnio, Matej Kus, Ashley Morris, Ludvig Lindgren, Carl Wilkinson, Matthew Wethers.

Admission details: Pay at the gate (cash and cards accepted)

Adults: £17

Concessions: £14* (concessions cover Male OAP’s 65 and over, female OAP’s 65 and over, Disabled, Unemployed, 17 and 18 year olds in full education and Students over 18)

Students 16yrs up £8

Kids (8-15) £1

7 years and under free

Programme:  £3

(*proof of entitlement may be requested.)

Image: Nick Morris Credit Rafal Wlosek