ACES UP FOR THE CUP

BELLE Vue boss Mark Lemon is desperate to see his side improve their recent record in the Premiership KO Cup.

The Aces have won the league title in two of the last three seasons but have rarely gone past the opening round in the Cup competition in recent years.

And they face a tough quarter-final to kick off their campaign against Ipswich next week, starting at the National Speedway Stadium on Monday.

Lemon said: “Our KO Cup record in recent years has been disappointing, in stark contrast to our constant success in the Premiership. 

“Sport can be like that, it throws up quirky stats and facts. I think we’ve been particularly unlucky in the KO Cup. There were dismal wet conditions at Wolves a couple of years ago and we just didn’t adapt at all. 

“Last season we got beaten in a Super Heat at Sheffield having been in control of the tie until the latter stages, that was a hard one to accept. 

“We’ve certainly been handed a very tough first meeting against the Witches.”