OXFORD host Redcar in the second leg of their MAXiCab KO Cup semi-final at Cowley today (Sunday, 5pm) with just six points between the sides at the halfway stage of the tie.
The Cheetahs mounted a strong comeback at the ECCO Arena on Friday to pull back from 14 points down and give themselves a real chance heading back to their home circuit.
Kye Thomson steps in as a guest for the injured Jordan Jenkins whilst the Bears, who won at Oxford in the league last month and are chasing a team trophy treble, have elected to operate rider replacement for Erik Riss.
Cheetahs manager Peter Schroeck said: “We’ve put ourselves in a great position and we don’t want our season to finish on Sunday. I hope our fans turn up in numbers to cheer on the boys.
“We want to reach that final against Poole. The boys could have rolled over at 14 points down (on Friday). They didn’t and they fought back.
“They showed passion for the club and with that same passion from our fans on Sunday, we can complete the job and make sure our season continues into October with the Cup Final.”
Bears star Jake Mulford said: “We are slightly disappointed that it’s only a six point lead but at the end of the day, we are going to Oxford with a six point advantage.
“A few of the boys go well at Oxford and it’s obviously Charles’ (Wright) home track so we should have the belief to do well there and qualify.”
OXFORD: Sam Masters, Kye Thomson, Luke Killeen, Mitch McDiarmid, Francis Gusts, Jonas Knudsen, Cameron Heeps.
REDCAR: Charles Wright, Jake Mulford, Jason Edwards, Erik Riss r/r, Danny King, Jody Scott, Ace Pijper.
SCB Referee: Simon Humphrey-Kennett
*LIVE STREAMING: https://livestream.oxfordspeedway.club/