PREVIEW: SCUNTHORPE v OXFORD (CAB DIRECT CHAMP PO SF)

SCUNTHORPE and Oxford make a second attempt to kick off their Cab Direct Championship play-off semi-final at the Eddie Wright Raceway tonight (Friday).

With Wednesday’s clash at Cowley postponed the Scorpions now host the first leg and will be keen to build an advantage to take back down south next Wednesday.

The hosts are at full strength whilst Oxford are boosted by the return from injury of Cameron Heeps, and Dan Gilkes guests for Jordan Jenkins. Jody Scott once again steps in at reserve for the Cheetahs.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “The Oxford riders will be familiar with our track, having been here only a fortnight ago for the final Cab Direct Championship league fixture of the season when they gave us a very close match and pushed us all the way to a last heat decider.

“We know it’s not going to be easy against the Cheetahs – when is a semi-final of any competition ever easy?

“But the goalposts have moved since Wednesday’s postponement, in that the talk early in the week was all about us keeping it close at Oxford to set things up for this evening, whereas now it’s all about us building up a lead for when we go back there next week.

“Oxford scored 43 points here two weeks ago and I’m sure they will be aiming for something similar and will be delighted if they can get it. For our part, we want to make sure we win firstly, and secondly, build up as big a lead as we can.”

SCUNTHORPE: Michael Palm Toft, Connor Mountain, Simon Lambert, Jake Allen, Kyle Howarth, Nathan Ablitt, Luke Harrison.
OXFORD: Sam Masters, Cameron Heeps, Ashton Boughen, Dan Gilkes, Scott Nicholls, Luke Killeen, Jody Scott.
SCB Referee: Paul Carrington

LIVE STREAMING: https://watch.britishspeedway.co.uk