PREVIEW: BIRMINGHAM v OXFORD (Cab Direct Champ)
BIRMINGHAM co-promoter Nigel Tolley has pledged the club’s problems will be “ironed out” – as they prepare to host Oxford in the Cab Direct Championship tonight (Wednesday).
The Brummies have yet to win in four home matches in 2023, and although they were victorious at Plymouth recently, they suffered their heaviest defeat in nine years at Glasgow last Friday.
Middle-order men James Wright and Stefan Nielsen are both out injured, with the hosts bringing in Connor Mountain to guest with rider replacement in operation for Wright.
Tolley said: “Glasgow last Friday turned into a bit of a disaster. We knew it was going to be tough up there, Glasgow are a very difficult team to beat on their own track – but I was not impressed with proceedings at all.
“Please bear with us, the problems that we have had over the last few weeks will be ironed out.
“On Wednesday we warmly welcome our ‘local’ rivals Oxford; let’s hope for some fantastic racing, a closely fought meeting with, of course, ourselves coming out winners.”
Oxford boss Peter Schroeck said: “It seems a while since we’ve taken to the track for Championship duties, but the boys are fired up and ready to get on with the league now. I’ve been really encouraged by what I’ve seen since our league opener against Redcar.
“As a unit we’re in a good place right now. Birmingham are going through a bit of a rough patch at the moment, but that counts for nothing.
“We approach this meeting as we do every other knowing we must be on our A-game. We had some decent travelling support in Poole last week so hopefully we’ll see more of the same in the Midlands tonight.”
BIRMINGHAM: Nick Morris, Alfie Bowtell, James Wright R/R, Connor Mountain, Justin Sedgmen, Joe Thompson, James Pearson.
OXFORD: Sam Masters, Cameron Heeps, Lewis Kerr, Jordan Jenkins, Scott Nicholls, Henry Atkins, Ryan Kinsley.
*LIVE STREAMING: https://www.brummies.tv/
