FORD CALLS FOR WALL OF SOUND

With their place confirmed in the semi-final stages of the SGB Championship league play-offs and awaiting the outcome of the quarter finals before deciding their opponents, the Poole Pirates can now focus on reaching their first cup final since 2011, but to do so they have to overturn an eight point first leg deficit.

That is the mission for Wednesday (29th September) night when they host the visit of the in-form Leicester Lions with Rory Schlein admitting "we can now concentrate on getting to that final. I am glad to be back racing as it was a bit boring being stuck indoors, I must admit. But it is not going to be easy against Leicester as they are a good side."

Promoter Dan Ford endorsed those comments of Schlein, who will be making his final appearance of the season as the Pirates number one, with the averages determining that Steve Worrall takes over that mantle for the month of October. 
"Of course", said Ford, "we are all excited about having topped the league but we have won nothing yet this season and our goal is to add to our proud collection of trophies. We will have some tough meetings to come if we are to achieve that, starting with the visit of the Lions. For sure, we are going to need to be on our A game for that one and this is one meeting that our fans can certainly play their part and get right behind the boys, just as Poole fans are renowned for doing so. 
"Over the years we have witnessed the value of the wall of sound that can be generated here at Wimborne Road and if we can experience that again on Wednesday it will certainly be a great lift for the lads, who have work to do. It is not just a case of winning the meeting, we have to overthrow those eight points we lost by at their place last Saturday week."

With Stefan Nielsen still ruled out through injury the Pirates will be completed by guest Zach Cook, whilst the club are again hoping that Ben Basso will have sufficiently recovered from the rib injuries he sustained last Wednesday when he crashed during heat eight, to be able to take his place in the side.

Leicester will be operating rider replacement to cover for Dan Thompson who is ill but their arrival at Wimborne Road signals a return for former Pirates Kyle Howarth and Hans Andersen, both of whom were the Lions' top scorers when they made their league visit back in July, whilst Aussie trio Ryan Douglas, Nick Morris and Zaine Kennedy are all in good form right now, emphasising the strength in depth that the East Midlands side has.

Teams:
Poole 1  Rory Schlein; 2  Ben Basso; 3  Steve Worrall; 4  Ben Cook; 5  Danny King; 6  Zach Cook (Guest); 7  Danyon Hume - Team manager Neil Middleditch
Leicester 1  Nick Morris; 2  R/R; 3  Ryan Douglas; 4  Kyle Howarth; 5  Hans Andersen; 6  Joe Thompson; 7  Zaine Kennedy - Team manager Stewart Dickson