OXFORD Cheetahs were denied top spot in the Championship, however the real prize remains very much alive as the play-offs begin this week.
Oxford did not get the choice of opponents and are therefore in the so-called ‘group of death’ against Glasgow Tigers and Redcar Bears.
Glasgow visit Sandy Lane tomorrow with Redcar visiting seven days later on September 20.
Both away legs follow the home meetings, with a trip to Redcar on September 22 and then just four days later, another long trip north to Glasgow on September 26. The final group match happens 24 hours later when Glasgow travel to Redcar.
On the face of it, Oxford seem to have been very unlucky with the scheduling as both home legs will have been run before any away matches, meaning that the key fixtures will be on the road when the Cheetahs will ideally need to get an away win and at least the aggregate bonus point at the other.
SEE ALSO: Oxford Cheetahs end with defeat as play-offs begin this week
Oxford have a very good track record although they did suffer defeats at both venues in the league campaign. Importantly though, the Cheetahs were the only team to gain every single aggregate bonus point in the league campaign.
There is good news as the Cheetahs will be at full strength despite a couple of injury worries from Friday’s fixture at Glasgow. Cameron Heeps withdrew from the meeting after aggravating an old shoulder injury, however he is okay and will be lining up at number two.
Ashton Boughen was battered and bruised following his fall and felt very ‘second hand’ on Saturday, however the youngster has also confirmed that he will be lining up at number six as usual.
Read what @OxCityFC head coach Ross Jenkins had to say about an inspired double change and tactical tweak which helped the Hoops come from 2-1 down to thrash Hartlepool United 5-2https://t.co/dFEu02ZiZS
— Liam Rice (@OxMailLiamRice) September 11, 2023
The scheduled final home fixture for the Chargers against Edinburgh, originally scheduled for September 20, will be rearranged but time is running out as the deadline for the completion of the National League fixtures is currently September 30.
As always, the support for the Oxford team will be vital and team manager Peter Schroeck remains positive as ever.
“We’ve finished a fine second place in the regular table and pushed Poole all the way in the battle at the top,” he said.
“Every other team is going to be more worried than us heading into the play-offs, because we’ve taken a bonus point off them all. There are some huge meetings ahead and I can’t wait for us to get stuck in.”
Only the weather gods can spoil the party and the rest of this month is going to be breathtaking for all speedway fans.
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