Monarchs silver quest continues with King’s Lynn visit

Aug 5 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

THE MONARCHS face a crucial weekend in their quest for silverware, starting with a Cup visit from King’s Lynn to Armadale Stadium tomorrow night.

The Stars won at Armadale earlier this season – the only league match Monarchs have lost either home or away – though on this occasion Monarchs are ahead going into the face-off by a staggering 22 points, following the first leg at the Norfolk Arena last week.

That victory was an exceptional performance by the Scotwaste-sponsored team, which bettered even their 20-point win at Rye House in the previous round.

It is possible King’s Lynn will make changes in time for the match on Friday, though they have not yet made any announcement.

If Monarchs knock them out it will be the first time they have beaten King’s Lynn in the competition, having lost to them in 2003 and in the final last season.

After the home meeting, Monarchs prepare themselves for two vital league matches over the weekend.

On Saturday night they race at Berwick, where the Bandits have been vulnerable this year, but with their new signing Marcin Rempala in place they will certainly not be an easy touch.

The next day they head for Newcastle to race against their biggest rivals for the league title.

To gain even a point on Tyneside (ie, for a defeat by six or less) would be an excellent result.

Monarchs await news from their Finnish rider Kalle Katajisto regarding his foot injury.

He injured it at Glasgow and has returned home, but if the injury has healed significantly he will return for what will be three matches in three days.

Last Friday’s match against Rye House provided some top entertainment, with Monarchs starting strongly, but in the end they would have been happy to hang on for the 49-43 win, which meant a dropped point. Ryan Fisher and guest Josef Franc scored 12 apiece but Linus Sundstrom and Jordan Frampton were brilliant for the Rockets.

Monarchs at the time of writing lead the Premier League by seven points but face a strong challenge from Newcastle.

German rider Tobias Busch didn’t ride for Monarchs last week because of the number of machine problems he has encountered, such as when he badly damaged his bike at King’s Lynn last week after another rider fell in front of him. Tobias has picked up a 28-day ban for missing last Friday’s clash, forcing Monarchs to use rider replacement, though they have since revealed they have signed ex-Monarch William Lawson.

Teams for Friday:

Scotwaste Monarchs – Ryan Fisher, rider replacement for Tobias Busch, Kevin Wolbert, Matthew Wethers, Kalle Katajisto, Arlo Bugeja, Andrew Tully.

Kings Lynn Stars – Guest replacement for Kevin Doolan, Kozza Smith, Tomas Topinka, Casper Wortmann, Joe Haines, Darren Mallett, Chris Mills.