LAKESIDE Hammers visit the East of England Showground on Thursday for the second time this year in a match sponsored by FDG International.The Hammers won the ELA match at Alwalton in April and will again be looking to get what they can out of a match which again looks like another tough encounter against a formidable and potent side.

LAKESIDE Hammers visit the East of England Showground on Thursday for the second time this year in a match sponsored by FDG International.

The Hammers won the ELA match at Alwalton in April and will again be looking to get what they can out of a match which again looks like another tough encounter against a formidable and potent side.

The Panthers team has however changed a bit since the last time they visited and although Lakeside are now back up to full strength, they will undoubtedly find the team and track quite different to the A fixture.

The issue of recent Green Sheet Averages ensures changes to both teams riding orders, with Lee Richardson promoted to no 1 in place of Adam Shields as a result of putting nearly a point on his starting average.

Nevertheless the Hammers top 5 remains unchanged, although Phil Morris is nominated to partner Stuart Robson at reserve on this occasion, whereas Robert Mear rode in the A fixture.

For the Panthers captain Niels Kristian Iversen takes over the no 1 race jacket from Kenneth Bjerre and they effectively swap places for the next two home matches, Niels Kristian Iversen said: “I think this is a good chance for me, I don't think its any harder or easier riding at number one rather than number five and I have no problem with going out in the first heat at all, I will be trying my best and will hopefully do the same job as I am doing now”.

With regards to Lakeside Niels Kristian Iversen said: “They will give us a hard match and having won here earlier they will be trying to do that again but they are all there to be beaten and we will always try our best. It will be hard but there are no easy teams in the league this year and you cannot rule anyone out and everyone needs to focus. Of course we should win all our home meetings but sometimes it's difficult and the luck or the bit extra can often make the difference”.

Team Manager Trevor Swales said: It's going to be a very hard meeting, they have Joonas Kylmakorpi back and that makes them stronger and although their track is vastly different to ours both in size and with the amount of shale on it, they have shown they ride our track well.

In fact there are no easy matches these days and we just cannot afford to take anything for granted”.

Promoter Mick Bratley said: “I am certain that Lakeside will find us a tougher proposition on this visit to the Showground than last time when they ran out deserved winners earlier in the season. All of our team are dialled in to the Showground circuit now and I certainly expect them to dispose of Lakeside comfortably and maintain our top three position in the table”.

Owner Rick Frost said: “It is vitally important we win this meeting to maintain our position in the top three of the league. It is possible the play offs this year will change to only the top four clubs competing, as opposed to the top six, so the pressure is on to make sure we finish in the top four. I'm confident we can win but as always our gating has to be good or we may make hard work of it.”

Teams in alphabetical order (Green Sheet Averages in Brackets)

Peterborough Panthers

Henning BAGER (4.63), Kenneth BJERRE (7.93), Ales DRYML (4.53), Kenneth HANSEN (3.57), Niels Kristian IVERSEN (8.21) Captain, Mads KORNELIUSSEN (7.00) & Claus VISSING (4.47).

Team Managers Trevor & Wayne Swales

Lakeside Hammers

Jonas DAVIDSSON (7.75), Joonas KYLMAKORPI (5.96), Phil MORRIS ( 3.00), Kauko NIEMINEN (5.93), Lee RICHARDSON (8.70), Stuart ROBSON (3.94) & Adam SHIELDS (7.43)

Team Manager Jon Cook