LAST HEAT DEFEAT AND "STOJ" INJURED ADDS UP TO DOUBLE BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY WOE!

The Wightlink Islanders hopes of an away victory at Reading on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon were cruelly shattered in the very last heat when Polish Star Krzysztof Stojanowski not only failed by inches to snatch the second place that would have snatched a well deserved draw, but crashed into the first bend air fence at the end of the race.
And that cruel misfortune would seem to signify that the popular Pole will be ruled out of action for at least a fortnight for it appears that he dislocated a shoulder in that fall and whilst it seemingly "popped back in" of its own accord, hospital tests last evening revealed that he'd damaged tendons and ligaments.
Throughout the match the Wightlink Islanders had looked the better side for most part, coming to terms with somewhat difficult track conditions seemingly better than the home riders and to come away from the Berkshire circuit with at least a point for the draw if not the win.

YESTERDAY'S MATCH RESULT / DETAILS:

Reading Racers 46 Wightlink Islanders 44
(Premier League)

WIGHTLINK ISLANDERS SCORERS (in riding order): Krzysztof Stojanowski 10+2, Cory Gathercole 6+1, Glen Phillips 9, Paul Fry 3, Jason Bunyan 7+1, Andrew Bargh 5 James Holder 4

LOOKING AHEAD...

As well as tonight's televised return against Reading, the Wightlink Islanders second leg of their Premier League KO Cup tie against Sheffield takes place at Smallbrook next Tuesday - May 13. The Premier League match against Mildenhall that was scheduled for that night will now take place later in the season on a date yet to be agreed. The club's management are grateful to both Sheffield and Mildenhall for their co-operation in this matter.
Prior to that cup match, the Wightlink Islanders are on their travels this weekend with away league matches at both Berwick and Glasgow and would in normal circumstances feel quite confident of picking up vital league points at both venues given the traumas both opposing sides have suffered of late,
But the now enforced absence of Stojanowski from the side that heads north on Saturday has left team manager David Croucher admitting that the task of return home with league points secured is now going to be much more difficult.
"Both Berwick and Glasgow will be hurting over recent misfortunes that have beset them," he said, "and that's bound to make them even more determined to try and Krzysztof being ruled out is a huge blow for us.
"But I know our remaining team members will do their utmost to compensate and I still remain hopeful that we can pick up at least one win at the weekend if not two." 

CUP TIE RE-ARRANGED FOR MAY 13

The Wightlink Islanders second leg of their Premier League KO Cup tie against Sheffield that has fallen victim to a waterlogged track today has been re-arranged and will now take place a fortnight today (Tuesday May 13). The Premier League match against Mildenhall that was scheduled for that night will now take place later in the season on a date yet to be agreed. The club's management are grateful to both Sheffield and Mildenhall for their co-operation in this matter.


14 POINTS TO MAKE UP ON RE-ARRANGED DATE

If they are to progress through to the next stages of the Premier League KO Cup, the Wightlink Islanders will have to pull back a 14 points deficit against the Sheffield Tigers when the two sides now clash at Smallbrook on May 13 following today's postponement in the second leg of their second round tie.
That's following a 52-38 defeat for skipper Jason Bunyan and his men at Owlerton Stadium in Sheffield last Thursday in the first leg which was a slightly disappointing final scoreline as far as the Wightlink Islanders were concerned.
Two thirds of the way through the match, after ten of the fifteen heats had been completed, the score stood at Sheffield 31 Isle of Wight 29 and it looked as if the Islanders might even go onto pull off a shock win.
Sadly it was not to be and whilst it is certainly not going to be easy for the Wightlink Islanders to pull back that 14 points deficit, co-promoter Dave Pavitt believes it is possible and is urging speedway fans on the Island to turn out in force to cheer their team on next Tuesday.
"Obviously I'd much it if we had scored more points last night and kept the scoreline closer," he said, "but I'm still confident that, with the second leg on our own circuit, we can make it through to the next round.
"The lads still believe they are in with a good chance as indeed I do and I'm hoping our fans turn out in force to cheer them on throughout the match and encourage them all the way."

TIM STONE

News has been received of the sudden death on Saturday evening of Newport Promoter Tim Stone. Many tributes are being paid to Tim by way of Press Releases from the BSPA, Club Associates and Riders. We would like to join in those tributes to our good mate Tim, who we shall miss very much. Tim was a great servant to the sport of Speedway Racing and one of Speedways characters. On behalf of all our Riders, past and present, our Track Staff and the Supporters who often visited Newport, our sincere condolences go to Tim's Family, his Riders and Staff, and his many friends. Our thoughts and best wishes are with all the Newport Supporters who will no doubt be concerned for their Club. Let's hope that Newport is up and running again soon, which we feel sure, is what Tim would have wanted.