STOKE make the long trek South for what is now the first leg of their National League KO Cup match against Kent Kings at Central Park on Monday evening, 6.30pm.

A.R. Richards Potters co-team manager Adam Isherwood said “Kent are an extremely difficult side to beat around their home track but we have had success down there in the past and they were recently run close by Plymouth and beaten by Mildenhall last month so it is possible to get a result there. They have some good riders in their side and we will need to be strong throughout the meeting and do our best to keep things as tight as possible for the second leg at Loomer Road on the 23rd June.”

Rob Shuttleworth returns to the side after injury while Josh Embleton comes in to replace William O’Keefe who has a shoulder injury.

Kent have a strong top three in Luke Bowen, Nathan Stoneman and Jack Thomas who also rides for Glasgow in the Championship and has been in impressive form this season. Taylor Hampshire and Anders Rowe who is another that has been performing well this season complete the top five with Alex Spooner taking one of the reserve berths and the Kings are yet to announce who will take the final slot in their side.

The Kings have been run close by Plymouth around their home circuit and Mildenhall recently beat the Kings 45-44 last month.

KENT: Luke Bowen (Captain), Anders Rowe, Jack Thomas, Taylor Hampshire, Nathan Stoneman, TBC, Alex Spooner
STOKE: Max Clegg, Paul Burnett, Tony Atkin (Captain), Adam Extance, Rob Shuttleworth, Joe Alcock, Josh Embleton