This Sunday (17/9) the Kent SLYDE Kings travel to Buxton for the rearranged fixture that was postponed last week. The Kings now only need just 2 points to guarantee themselves a spot in the title deciding Play Offs.

It will be the second of three fixtures in three days for the Kings after being at Eastbourne the night before. This fixture forms part of a double header with Buxton taking on Lakeside at 3pm with the Kings match getting underway at approximately 4:45pm.

The team news as far as the Kings are concerned is that they will be without both Ben Hopwood and Bradley Andrews. Ben Hopwood has a clash with his SGB Championship side Newcastle whilst Bradley Andrews is still struggling with the finger injuries he sustained in the win at Birmingham on the 6th September.

The replacement for Ben Hopwood will be Belle Vue Colts’ up and coming young star Kyle Bickley. Whilst former Hitmen Carl Basford comes in to replace the injured Andrews at reserve.

The rest of the Kings will line up as normal, with captain Luke Bowen leading the side from the number one jacket and Kent’s other heat leader joining Bowen and Bickley is the ever improving Jack Thomas. For Jack Thomas this will be his last regular league appearance before he takes leave on a pre-arranged family commitment and misses the fixtures at Stoke and the NLRC at Leicester. Also missing the visit to Stoke on September 23rd will be Dan Greenwood who also has prior engagements that were known before he signed for the Sittingbourne based side.

The Hitmen will be going into this fixture once again without their number 1 Matt Williamson. Williamson also has a fixture clash with his SGB Championship side, in his instance Workington. One rider who will be lining up for Buxton is the current National League Riders Champion, Max Clegg. Clegg, came into the Buxton side after a difficult start to the season saw them lose Ellis Perks without him turning a wheel for the club.

Another rider who came into the Buxton line up after the start of the season is Ryan Kinsley. Ryan started the season with King’s Lynn Young Stars having risen through their ranks starting with the Midland Development League side. He was left without a club when the Young Stars and was snapped up by Buxton and has chipped in with some vital performances of late. Another rider who started the season with Buxton before a spell Cradley and has returned to Buxton recently is Shelby Rutherford.

Both sides will be looking for the points for different reasons, Kent need the points to secure their place in the end of season Play Offs. Buxton however need the points to get away from the bottom of the table.

Stadium Address:

BUXTON HITMEN SPEEDWAY

Hi-Edge Raceway

Dale Head Lane

Axe Edge

Nr. Buxton

Derbyshire