STOKE A.R. Richards Potters team manager Adam Isherwood is looking for his charges to gain a lead in the clubs National League KO Cup quarter-final first leg tie against the Plymouth Gladiators on Saturday night at Loomer Road, 7pm.
The Potters have gained two victories on the bounce as they have found some form around their home circuit and Isherwood is challenging the team to make it three wins on Saturday saying “We have had two very good victories over Mildenhall and Cradley and shown some good form and what we know we can do as a team. The lads have now got some rides under their belts and it’s showing in their performances. The team wants to win for the club and we are all looking to take a lead down to Plymouth in the second leg next week as we look to progress in this competition and I believe that we can do that.”
The Potters have been forced into a change for the meeting with Connor Coles absent due to being on Championship duty with Edinburgh who are racing at Eastbourne, so the Potters have booked Mildenhall’s Jason Edwards as a guest, while Shelby Rutherford swaps places with Joe Alcock with the introduction of the July averages.
The Gladiators have three former Potters in their side, although only two will take to the track with David Wallinger being ruled out with concussion after a fall on his debut last week the visitors using rider replacement to cover for his absence. Ben Wilson leads the way for the Gladiators with Adam Extance returning to Loomer Road having spent last season with the Chesterton based club. Skipper Richard Andrews has been having a solid season for the Devon side and Nathan Stoneman who has also been riding well and has just had a stint with Birmingham in the Championship. The Gladiators have Jamie Bursill and Adam Sheppard at reserve completing their line-up.
STOKE: Tom Perry (Captain), Shelby Rutherford, Joe Lawlor, Luke Priest, Jason Edwards, Corban Pavitt, Joe Alcock PLYMOUTH: Ben Wilson, Adam Extance, David Wallinger R/R, Richard Andrews, Nathan Stoneman, Jamie Bursill, Adam Sheppard
