Panthers v Eastbourne ELB 9/9/10

[Deleted]

1. Kenneth Bjerre
2. Krzysztof Buczkowski
3. Rory Schlein
4. Niels-Kristian Iversen
5. Troy Batchelor
6. Matthieu Tressarieu
7. Norbert Kosciuch



1. Matej Zagar
2. Tomasz Jedrzejak
3. Simon Gustafsson
4. Cameron Woodward
5. Joonas Kylmakorpi
6. Lukas Dryml
7. Ricky Kling

[zonkers]

PETERBOROUGH have had to put their play-off celebrations on ice.

And the Readypower Panthers now must end their appalling record against Eastbourne to be sure of a top four finish!

Trevor Swales’ men need at least a point from the Eagles visit to the East of England Showground on Thursday night (September 9, 7.30 pm).

And that’s something they’ve not managed in three previous matches against the Sussex side this season.

Team boss Swales said: “We are the only team in the league that hasn’t beaten Eastbourne this year – now’s the time to do it.

“We all thought we were in the play-offs for certain when it was officially announced that the cut-off would be based on 31 matches and not the full schedule of 32.

“That meant Lakeside’s trip to Swindon on Thursday wouldn’t count in the race for the top four but now that has been overruled.

“It does matter – and that means our match against Eastbourne has a big bearing on whether we get through or not.

“We have to avoid defeat to be certain of a play-off place because mathematically both Coventry (who take on top of the table Poole) and Lakeside can actually finish above us and push us down into fifth place.

“That would mean we are out of the play-offs. I know it means Coventry have to beat Poole comfortably and the Hammers have to win by seven points at Swindon but nothing is impossible.

“No-one thought we could go and beat Lakeside on their home track the way we did on Monday night!

“In some ways we are under most pressure because we thought we were safe in the top four and now we are not. We also have to do something we’ve not been able to do in three matches so far, get at least a point off the Eagles.

“But the good thing is that it is still in our own hands.”

Panthers go into the crucial match with 49 points, Lakeside have 48 and Coventry are on 46 and need only a draw to be certain of going into Monday’s night’s play-off semi finals.

But if Peterborough suffer a fourth successive defeat against Eastbourne they could be overtaken by their two rivals.

Any Lakeside victory at Blunsdon – and they won there earlier this year – would see them leapfrog Panthers.

And if Coventry beat Poole by seven or more they would be equal on match points and it would all go down to race points difference!

Peterborough currently hold the advantage but that could change if results do dramatically go the wrong way.

Swales added: “It’s important no-one takes it for granted – that includes both our riders and the fans. We want our supporters to get behind us because that can make all the difference.

“We only need a point but we will be going flat out for the win because we do have something to prove against Eastbourne and we do want to go into the play-offs on a high.”

Fans will be kept in touch regularly with what is happening at both Brandon and Blunsdon – but it’s what happens at the Showground that really matters.

PETERBOROUGH: Kenneth Bjerre, Krzysztof Buczkowski, Rory Schlein, Niels-Kristian Iversen, Troy Batchelor, Mathieu Tresarrieu, Norbert Kosciuch.

EASTBOURNE: Matej Zagar, Tomasz Jedrzejak, Simon Gustafsson, Cameron Woodward, Joonas Kylmåkorpi, Lukas Dryml, Ricky Kling.

THE POSITIONS THAT MATTER
3 Peterborough, 49 points (+14 race points).
4 Lakeside, 48 points (-49 race points).
5 Coventry 46 points (-19 race points).


RELEASE DATE: Wednesday 08 September 2010


(Panthers site)