Football Analyst

Orient’s first home league opener for 6 years ended in defeat by a confident Chesterfield side. Goals from Romauld Boco and Eoin Doyle put the Spirates on the way with Darius Henderson getting the consolation for the O’s. 

Orient one of the promotion favorites after falling at the last hurdle last year started poorly with Chesterfield taking control. With a defensive mix up last week in the Orient defense, confidence was not high and Eoin Doyle, the lone striker for the visitors was causing the back line problems. Chesterfield adopting a 4-4-1-1 formation had Gary Roberts dropping into midfield for the away side creating a man advantage in the middle of midfield. The visitors took a deserved lead on 7 mins after a shot was blocked by Matthieu Baudry, the rebound looped up on the edge of the area with the O’s defense watching. Romauld Boco took the chance beautifully, volleying low and hard in the far post past Adam Legizins. The home side were being outplayed by last season league 2 champions failing to keep possession of the ball.

Gary Roberts was continuing to find space for the visitors, creating chances going close himself with a rasping drive going narrowly wide. On 17 mins, Doyle rolled Omusuzi and was running towards the O’s goal, he went past Clarke with ease but saw his delightful dink come back of post. Doyle was causing Orient’s back line all sorts of problems and was real outlet for the away side. Orient began to grow slightly into the match and should have leveled on two separate occasions through Kevin Lisbie. The first came after Lloyd James played a reverse ball in to Cox on the edge of the box, Cox saw his shot saved by Tommy Lee. The rebound hit Kevin Lisbie with the open goal gaping and went safely into the keeper’s arms. A similar incident happened 14 minutes later after a Nathan Clarke’s cross was fumbled by Lee, after pressure from Baudry, Lee dropped the ball onto Lisbie foot and one yard out he hit the keeper to keep Chesterfield leading.

Orient playing 4-4-2 and were being outdone by Chesterfield’s 4-4-1-1 formation. Orient’s midfield was very narrow throughout with Cox and Pritchard playing inside too much. With the man advantage for the away side, Chesterfield’s full backs were allowed to come forward with the space allowed to them by Orient. Plenty of chances for the visitors but they went into the break with the advantage.

The second half started much like the first, long ball was being played up to Lisbie and Mooney but with the failed control the ball was coming straight back. After 53 mins Chesterfield should have been 2-0 up, Roberts robbed Clarke after the O’s captain was labored on the ball. He approached the O’s area and squared to the unmarked Doyle who saw his shot well saved by Legizins. That was enough for Russell Slade, who introduced Jobi McAnuff and Jay SImpson for their home league debuts followed shortly by Darius Henderson. Henderson’s introduction provided much needed power and strength in the O’s forward line. However, the home side still looked vulnerable at the back and on 79 mins Chesterfield took their chance. Another mistake at the back saw Doyle clean through, he again elegantly lobbed the onrushing Legizins to double Chesterfield’s lead. It was more than deserved for Doyle who played as a brilliant lone striker but was helped by the poor Orient defense. 

Orient responded 4 minutes later after a Dean Cox free kick was parried straight into Henderson’s path to give the former Forest striker a debut goal. Chesterfield were full credit for the win with Orient well off the pace in their first league match of the season. Slade’s Orient will need to improve if they want to replicate last season’s form. 

Chesterfield boss Lee Richardson was happy with their performance ” we thoroughly deserved the 3 points, from 1-11 we were outstanding but we won’t get carried away knowing how tough this league is but pleased with the performance”. Orient boss was disappointed like “the fans, players and staff, there wasn’t much in the game, we had chances but they got the all important opening goal. The goals were uncharacteristic but we have to improve, only when we made the changes we look threatening.

Orient go to Plymouth in the Carling Cup on tuesday before a away trip to Oldham on Saturday, Chesterfield host Huddersfield on Tuesday before Rochdale at home on Saturday. 

Smederna produced a brilliant home performance beating league leaders Rospiggarna 48-42 this evening. Led again by young Polish sensation Pawel Przedpelski who scored 13 on the night saw Smederna return to winning ways after four consecutive defeats putting them back in to the top 6. The defeat for Rospiggarna is only their third of the season and sees them drop to second after Vetlanda won 58-32 at home to Vargarna which in turn saw Smederna move to sixth.

Smederna led from heat 3 and were never behind in the meeting but Rosspiggarna would also find ways to claw points back. Przedpelski led from the front alongside Gregorz Zengota who scored 11; Mikkel Michelsen and Magnus Zetterstrom rode well at reserve picking up 18 between them which in the end was enough to win the meeting. Davey Watt continued his poor form for the home side with 0 from 2 rides and Peter Karlsson only scored 2 from 3 rides also continuing his poor form after only scoring 2 for Wolves last night.

Rospiggarna showed character through the meeting to keep themselves in touch with Smederna with Andreas Jonsson scoring 13 from 6 and Nilsson 10 from 5 including 3 race wins. Chris Harris and Andzejs Lebedevs put a shift in at reserve with 13 between them but Jonas Davidsson 2 and Timo Lahti 0 failed to score for the visitors. Mads Korneliussen 4 from 4 found it hard to get to grip with the track throughout the meeting but his second place in heat 14 took the meeting to a last heat decider. Zengota and Przedpelski took the 5-1 win in the last heat to clinch the three home points for the hosts.

With two rounds of the season remaining before the top 6 race off, Rosspiggarna are still in with a big chance of sealing a top 2 finish and can make almost certain if they beat third placed Piraterna next week. Smederna’s win puts them up to sixth but they need to maintain this form in order to stay in the all important league position.

Smederna 48: Przedpelski 13, Zengota 11, Michelsen 11, Zetterstrom 7, Berntsson 4, Karlsson 2, Watt 0

Rospiggarna 42: Jonsson 13, Nilsson 10, Harris 7, Ledbedevs 6, Korneliussen 4, Davidsson 2, Lahti 0

The Poole Pirates produced a stunning 59-36 win away from home at Wolverhampton last night The four away points moves the Pirates up to second to consolidate their position in the end of season play offs. The Wolves are struggling to make the top four with only 8 meetings left the push for the play offs could be too far.

Wolves had made two changes in the last week with Peter Karlsson and Lasse Bjerre coming into the side with Ty Proctor and Ricky Wells being replaced. Karlsson was making his return to Monmore Green after 3 years away with him being released from his contract with Lakeside. However these two never looked comfortable with Karlsson only scoring 2 from 4 rides and Bjerre 3 from 4 rides with the latter suffering a heavy fall in heat 4 after his chain snapped.

Piotr Pawlicki was the only bright spark for the hosts scoring 14 from a possible 18 including a double points heat 5 win but the Wolves struggled gating throughout the meeting. After Woffinden’s maximum for Wroclaw in Poland on Sunday, he continued his inconsistent form in England only scoring 4 from 5 rides stating ‘we all have off days, we need to go again”.

Poole on the other hand were gating like nothing else with 9 heat advantages out of the 15 heats with the Wolves only achieving two heat wins on the night. The Pirates captain Darcy Ward top scored alongside fast track reserve Kyle Newman with 13. Prezemyslaw Pawlicki 9, Josh Grajczonek 8, Vaclaw Milik 7, Maciej Janowski 7 all achieved heat wins on a dominant night for Poole. 

Poole sit second in the table looking comfortable for a top 4 finish but Ward stated that “when the playoffs approach there will be a different mindset”. With Ward riding nearly every day of the week, he needs to score as many points as possible with the end of all domestic speedway approaching. 

Wolves lie seventh, 7 points behind fourth placed Eastbourne but have completed 5 more meetings than their counterparts. Before the meeting Wolves captain stated “that they couldn’t afford to lose many more meeting if they wanted a shot at the play offs”.After this performance it will certainly be a massive effort if they do reach them.

Wolves 36: Piotr Pawlicki 14, Thorsell 7, Woffinden 4, Bjerre 3, Jacobs 3, Perry 3, Karlsson 2 

Poole 59: Ward 13, Newman 13, Prezemyslaw Pawlicki 9, Grajczonek 8, Milik 7, Janowski 7,Johnson 2

Last lap herios from Danish Captain Niels Kristian Iversen allowed Denmark to make it back to back world titles. With the scores level going into heat 20 it was a straight shoot out between Kolodziej and Iversen to achieve world cup glory; Kolodziej made the start and was leading for 3 and half laps. When Iversen rounded the Polish rider to cue heartbreak for the home crowd in Bydgoszcz. 

The Danish team were out to defend their world crown but had stiff competition from Poland, Australia and Great Britain. The Polish made a flyer of a start winning the first 4 heats of the meeting with every rider achieving a heat win setting down the gauntlet for the rest of the teams. Chris Holder competing in his second meeting after injury was put out as a joker in heat 6 and rode a beauty of a race to bring the Aussies closer to the rest of the field. Denmark had legend of the sport Nicki Pedersen riding at 1, with surprise inclusions Peter Kildermand and Mads Korneliussen at 2 and 3. Surprisingly Michel Jepsen Jensen was not included in the squad despite competing the Grand Prix this year reaching 2 semi final.

Nicki Pedersen showed his quality in heat 8 with a wonderful heat win followed up by a second place for Iversen in the following heat putting the scores at Poland 21, Denmark 15 and Aussie 14 with Great Britain trailing on 7. Denmark decided to use both their tactical switch and joker at the same time swapping Korneliussen for Pedersen. Great Britain followed suit with Woffinden in for Stead. Pedersen made another great start and passed Woffinden on bend 2 to achieve the heat win putting the Danes within 2 points. It was neck and neck between Poland and Denmark and for the first time in the meeting Denmark took the lead in heat 14 and kept the advantage until heat 17. 

Australia were still not out of the running with Jason Doyle continued his fine club form this season winning his last three consecutive heats keeping them within touching distance of the battling top two. After 16 heats it was time for the team managers then picks, of how their riders finish the meeting. With Poland second they had to put their big guns in heat 17 and 18 with Kasprzak and Hampel. The gap was closed with Kasprzak picking up 2 points while Mads Korneliussen coming last. Pedersen was out next for Denmark looking to continue is fine form in the meeting but Polish rival Jaroslaw Hampel showed all of his experience to keep Pedersen behind him to put Poland one point ahead with two heats left. The turning point for Poland was heat 19, with Doyle making a fine start, Protasiewicz looked for the dirt but ran out of room causing him to go down. With no option the referee had to exclude the Polish rider, not a happy decision with the home crowd.

Doyle won the re run with Woffinden in second and Kildermand third putting Denmark level on points  with Poland at 36 a piece. Iversen and Kolodziej lined up in heat 20 but the pole made the all important start. Iversen was quick behind and was deciding his options with Kolodziej riding erratic at times. Going into the last lap, Iversen was pressuring Kolodziej and the Danish captain was able to round the polish rider to send his Danish teammates in to ecstasy. 

Denmark had retained their World Cup crown by 1 point in no small terms to Nicki Pedersen who took 17 of Denmark’s 38 points on the night. Austraila only finished 2 behind the leaders after only scoring 3 points in the first 5 heats with Jason Doyle top scoring with 13. Great Britatin were disappointing but the meeting highlight the work that is continuing to happen to bring youngsters up to world cup level. The experience will help Simon Stead and Danny King continue with Woffinden picking up 12 and Harris with 4. Poland will feel unfortunate and the crown was there for the taking but the last two heats provided critical to the end result.

Denmark 38: Pedersen 17, Iversen 11, Kildermand 7, Korneliussen 3

Poland 37: Kasprzak 11, Hampel 11, Protasiewicz 9, Kolodziej 6

Australia 36: Doyle 13, Holder 11, Ward 10, Batchelor 2

Great Britain 16: Woffinden 12, Harris 4, King 0, Stead 0

A late Lloyd James penalty a minute from time saw Orient finish pre season unbeaten. The ex Southampton scholar slotted home calmly after Kevin Lisbie was upended in the penalty area after Balint Bajner opened the scoring after 10 minutes for the visitors.  

After recent new signings from Orient boss Russell Slade, the Orient manager started recent addition from Millwall, Shane Lowry at left back who looked comfortable throughout. Mooney and Dagnall started up front knowing that all of their performances were being assessed with strength in depth being key for the East London club  this season. The first chance of game was for the home side after Dagnall was upended on the edge of the box but James saw his curling free kick clip the top of the bar with Dean Gergen helpless in the Ipswich goal. Ipswich heard the warning and responded instantly, after a long ball down the left channel, there was a mix up between Omosuzi, Baudry and Clarke leaving Jay Tabb with a one-on-one. Orient keeper Adam Legizins saved the initial effort but Ipwich debutant Bajner was left to slot home into the empty net.

After conceding first in their last game against QPR, the O’s continued on the same foot making the running looking for the equalizer. Shane Lowry was looking a threat down the left hand side whipping in a cross which the on rushing Pritchard miss kicked out of play. The first real chance came after 30 minutes where Romain Vincelot received a knock down, delightfully stepped the Ipswich defender but saw his shot saved by Gergen. Cameron Stewart saw his free kick on half time go narrowly wide for the visitors.

Half time saw Bajner make way for David McGoldrick along with home side bringing on Lisbie and McAnuff for Dagnall and Batt. McAnuff the recent addition from Reading nearly made an instant impact linking up with Lisbie but unfortunately the chance went begging. Substitutions was the name of the game in the second half with both managers trying out fringe players seeing whether they can put their name on the team sheet for next week’s opening fixtures. Mooney had a half chance after 65 minutes when Lisbie played him in but the Irish forward dragged his shot wide. McGoldrick was the main danger for Ipswich and caused Legizins to pull off a double save to prevent the Championship side going 2-0 up. The game was filtering out until a minute from time where Lisbie picked the ball up on the right flank, a mazy run from the Orient forward saw him enter the box before being fouled. James stepped up and slotted home to keep the home side unbeaten during pre season.

Russell Slade has been happy with the pre season games with the opposition providing different tests for the losing play off finalists. Orient played their best 45 minutes in the first half against QPR with the attacking talent looking very good. The defence has looked solid throughout pre season with only the mistake for the first goal vs Ipswich being a worry. Adam Legizins looked a constant performer today being quick off his line and being a good shot stopper but still looks a bit unsure on crosses. Hopefully this will come with confidence playing with a consistent back four. James and Vincelot impressed again finding positions and creating chances with them sure to start the opener vs Chesterfield next week. Mooney failed to impress, slowing down the game too much allowing opposition to get back in shape. With Slade signing 2 new strikers, competition for positions is high with the two recent additions needing a week or two to get fit it will be interesting to see what the forward line looks like next week. Starting 11 for next week: Legizins, Omusuzi, Clarke, Baudry, Lowry, Pritchard, James, Vincelot, Cox, Lisbie, Dagnall. 

ORIENT: Legzdins; Omozusi, Baudry, Clarke (C), Lowry (Sawyer, 61); Pritchard (Cox, 66), James, Vincelot (Bartley, 66), Batt (McAnuff, HT); Dagnall (Lisbie, HT), Mooney (Simpson, 66)
GOALS: James (90)
BOOKINGS: None

IPSWICH: Gerken; Parr (Stewart, 39), Chambers (C), Berra, Mings; Hewitt, Hyam (Wordsworth, 73), Skuse (Bru, 81), Tabb (Henshall, 81); Bajner (McGoldrick, HT, Marriot, 87), Murphy (Nouble, 73)  
GOALS: Bajner (10)

The return of Chris Holder helped Australia seal their place in Saturday’s World Cup Final joining Poland, Great Britain and Denmark in the process. An 11 point haul from the Aussie captain including 3 race wins was enough on the night. In a very competitive meeting Sweden and Australia were neck and neck until the Australia quality proved too much for the Swedes. Sweden were leading after 12 heats but only 9 points in the last 8 heats was not enough compared to the Aussie 22 point haul..

Greg Hancock was in inspired once again riding a 6 ride maximum including a 6 point joker win in heat 11 but his team mates could not follow suit. Hancock picked up 21 out of USA 26 points on the night but Gino Manzares , Max Ruml and Ricky Wells could only scores 5 points between them. The Czechs proved key spoilers throughout the meetings taking key points off all the teams. Led by Ales Dryml who only scored 5 on the night, a young team rode well but were let down by too many third places. Vaclav Milik and Eduard Krcmar impressed scoring 9 and 8 on the night but experience in the field proved pivotal in key races.

The turning point of the meeting for the Swedes came in heat 15 were Eduard Krcmar was riding for double points for Czech Republic. Troy Batchelor made a beauty of a start off gate 3 and was away at the front but the battle was between Krcmar and Kim Nilsson who were battling for second. Nilsson rode a very wide line out of bend 4 pushing Krcmar up and into the air fence, luckily the Czech rider managed to stay on the bike. It wasn’t until the end of the race were the referee decided to make a decision on Nilsson’s move. With the referee outcome excluding Nilsson it meant the Sweden team went from being one point behind the Aussie to 3 with the momentum already changing in favor of the Australians.

The Swedish team were led by Grand Prix rider Andreas Jonsson who scored 9 on the night with Thomas H. Jonasson top scoring with 11. Oliver Berntzon rode very well on the night but could only score 8 with Kim Nilsson only managing 4. The missing Fredik Lindgren proved pivotal in the race off where his experience could have helped the Swedes to challenge the Australians until the end. 

The Australian team were back to full strength with Holder joining Ward, Batchelor and Doyle where they all showed quality throughout and not one rider pulling away in the points. Ward, Bathcelor and Holder all scored on 11 with Doyle just one point behind on 10. The Australian victory sees them join Great Britain who won Semi Final 1, Denmark who won Semi Final 2 and Poland who are the hosts. Troy Batchelor who rides for Swindon Robins in the Elite League has called for more of the same from his teammates, with experience of the track behind them and a full fit Chris Holder they have a chance. Great Britain team manager Alun Rossiter suggested that Poland will have the advantage with track knowledge and preparation of the track to their advantage. No matter what we all think before all the teams have a chance of winning and have experienced riders to help the younger riders through. Prediction: Poland, Australia, Denmark, Great Britain with Poland only winning by 3 or 4 points.

Results:

Australia 43: Ward 11, Batchelor 11, Holder 11, Doyle 11

Sweden 32: Jonasson 11, Jonsson 9, Berntzon 8, Nilsson 4

USA 26: Hancock 21 (Maximum), Wells 4, Ruml 1, Manzares 0

Czech Republic 24: Milik 9, Krcmar 8, Dryml 5, Franc 2 

A late Dean Cox goal secured a pre season draw for Leyton Orient against London neighbors Queen Park Rangers. In truth it was more than they deserved on the night after a confident display against the Premier League new boys.  

In a lively start, both teams were out to impress with Harry Redknapp including new signing Steven Caulker in a strong line up from the visitors. Orient playing their first home pre season game were passing the ball around nicely with Cox moving around the pitch to receive the ball. The deadlock was broken after 10 minutes when Cox received the ball in the right channel. He looked up and whipped in a delicious in-swinging cross which found an unmarked Romain Vincelot who nodded home past the helpless Rob Green.

Orient began to grow in confidence with Cox’s impact on the game increasing as the half went on. QPR were adopting a 3-4-2-1 formation allowing them to have numbers in the middle and an outlet on either flank. With experienced duo Karl Henry and Joey Barton in center midfield, they began to come in the match more and they equalised 9 minutes later. Nice interchange in the middle saw a threaded through ball finding Junior Hoillett in space behind the Orient midfield about 20 yards out, 2 touches and he unleashed a low shot finding the bottom corner. With the equaliser QPR began to find space behind the O’s midfield with Holliett and Wright-Phillips causing problems along with Traore and SImpson on either flank. The home side were not helped with Scott Cuthbert injury which saw new signing Bradley Pritchard making the change to right back where he did well in an unorthodox position for him

Both sides had chances to take the lead with Joey Barton going close with a dipping shot but it was deflected wide and Traore’s teasing cross but only half chances for the visitors. Orient continued to find spaces in QPR’s half going close on several occasions through Cox, James and Lisbie but the home side could not show their first half dominance.

2 minutes after the restart, Orient gave away a cheap free kick about 25 yards from goal where Joey Barton stepped up to delightfully to curl the ball home to put the away side 2-1 up. Chances were at a premium for the next 15 minutes with only Austin going close with Orient keeper Gary Woods comfortably saving his effort. The home side were still passing well but not finding spaces in attacking areas as they did in the first period. Lisbie was replaced by Chris Dagnall after 67 minutes providing an outlet with his willing runs in the channels and continued pressing of the back three for QPR. Several half chances were created but nothing clear cut until 5 minutes from time. A nicely worked free kick saw the ball fed into Chris Dagnall who laid the ball off to cross on the edge of the area. Dragging the ball onto his left foot, creating just enough space for him to shoot and find the bottom corner to level the scores on the night.

Orient looked sharper than they have in their prior pre season matches and their passing was crisp throughout the first half. All of the attacking players were looking for the ball with Cox being at the heart of it just like last season’s campaign. With new signing Jobi McAnuff in the stands must have enjoyed his team mates first half performance. The visitors were comfortable but nothing special, Redknapp revealed after that they are still looking to develop the squad before they kick off at home to Hull on August 16th. With only 10 days until the O’s kick off they are building well to start the season on the up.

ORIENT: Woods, Cuthbert (Batt, 23), Baudry (Okuson, 46), Clarke (C), Omozusi, Pritchard, James, Vincelot, Cox, Mooney (Kashkett, 81), Lisbie (Dagnall, 67)
GOALS: Vincelot (10) , Cox (85)

QPR: Green, Simpson, Dunne, Caulker (Harriman, 62), Ehmer, Traore, Wright-Phillips, Barton, Henry, Hoilett (Sutherland, 62), Austin
SUBS: Lumley, Doughty, Kpekawa, Comley GOALS: Hoilett (19), Barton (47)

The Somerset Rebels drew level on points with Ipswich and Scunthorpe after a hard fought 51-39 victory away at Sheffield Tigers. The 4 point win puts the rebels right in the hunt at the top of the Premier League table with meetings in hand.

Young Australian Brady Kurtz led from the front for the rebels only dropping 2 points on his route to 13 on the night. Nick Morris 9, Olly Allen 9, Chris Wright 6 + 2 all helped Somerset to the maximum away win after they have struggled on the road this season.

The Tigers riding with their injury struck side relied heavily on their very own young Australian, Taylor Poole. The Aussie who returned to England in 2014 after a one year absence scored 16 + 1 on the night whilst Leigh Lanham 2 + 1, Ty Proctor 2 and Josh Bates 1 were not 100%; with Lanham inclusion a surprise after a heavy crash at Edinburgh last week. Their injury problems got even worse in heat 14 with the home side on a potential 4-2 closing the gap to just 4 points. Andre Compton was leading on the very last bend of the race but his bike malfunctioned caused the home rider to plow straight in the air fence needing medical assistance. Exactly what the home team didn’t need with the return meeting at Somerset tonight. In truth the Sheffield injuries proved too much to overcome with the rebels taking full advantage to take the maximum 4 away points. Sheffield stay 12th on 11 points, 4 behind Plymouth.

Scores:

Sheffield Tigers: Poole 16+1, Lawson 8+1, Compton 8, WIlson 3, Lanham 2+1, Proctor 2, Bates 0

Somerset Rebels: B. Kurtz 13, Morris 9+1, Allen 9, Wright 6+2, Starke 6+1, Aspgren 5+1, T Kurtz 3+1

An inspired performance from the Great Britain speedway team saw them seal a place in next Saturday’s World Cup final in Bydgoszcz. Team Manager Alan Rossiter led his side into battle against a competitive line up overcoming Italy, Australia and USA with later having a second chance to make the final with the race off on Thursday night in Bydgoszcz. A packed house at the Norfolk Arena waited eagerly to see the top three riders in the world with current GP leader Tai Woffinden captaining the GB team. 2nd place Greg Hancock captaining USA with 3rd place Darcy Ward captaining the Australians.

Rossiter recalled Simon Stead to the British team in his first world cup meeting in charge which surprised a few people but paid off with Stead winning his opening two riders, Woffinden got off to a slow start after his 10 day break from domestic action but won his second ride. Danny King was 5 from 6 and Harris was 4 from 6 after heat 8. Hancock was in fine form for the Americans as always along with Jason Doyle for the Aussies but Darcy Ward was struggling with his machinery but managed a win in his second ride.

Heat 9 saw the Italians use their joker bringing in Nichols Covatti to hopefully move closer to the other three nations. A joker can be used when a team is 6 points behind another team. Covatti made a beautiful start off gate 2 but Cameron Woodward was put under pressure by Stead going into the second lap and went down. The race was stopped with Italians fuming with Woodward being excluded, as it usually goes Covatti only managed a third place in the rerun. Hancock continued his form winning heat 10 with Ward be left at the start in heat 11 with an issue of fuel. The Brits led by 7 points after each rider had three rides lying on 27 with Aussies and Americans neck and neck on 20 behind.

Chris “Bomber” Harris was inspired around Kings Lynn with the home crowd pushing him on seeing him win heat 13. USA used their joker in heat 14 with who else but 44 year old Greg Hancock who responded earning 6 points for his team. The Aussies responded in the following heat with Jason Doyle going for the double and continuing his season form cut the Brits lead to 5. Heat 16 was a showdown between the top 3 riders of the world, experience prevailed just as it did in Cardiff two weeks ago in the GP. After 4 rides a piece, Team GB led on 35, USA second with 31 and Aussies on 29. The Italians were no where near the standard of the rest of the riders with only Nicholas Covatti showing quality looking for an English club to ride for after Birmingham went under last month.

The last four heats saw the team managers pick which heats their riders will ride in, with GB leading Rossiter decided to put experience in heat 17 with Woffinden and 18 with Harris, looking to get the points early. Australia used their tactical substitution bringing in Batchelor for Woodward but current world champ Woffinden had too much putting GB 7 clear with 3 races left. Heat 18 saw confusion, Harris made another glorious start getting the better of Ward, but as exiting bend 4, Ward slowed down. The race was stopped, Ward had seen a red light thinking the race was stopped but with no red lights on the referee has no option but to exclude the Aussie. Harris did exactly what he did in the original start going on to win the heat putting GB in the final next Saturday. Hancock and Doyle won heat 19 and 20 respectively. Final Scores: GB 44, USA 37, AUS 36 and Italy 10. With GB missing from the World Final in the past years it was a brilliant achievement to overcome both Australia and USA. Both of these teams will have a second chance when they ride in the race off on Thursday night where the Australians could call on Chris Holder who could be race fit by then. Next Saturday’s final so far sees GB face Poland and the winner of the second semi final on Tuesday and race off on Thursday.

TEAM GREAT BRITAIN 44: 1 Tai Woffinden 12, 2 Danny King 11, 3 Chris Harris 11, 4 Simon Stead 10.

USA 37: 1 Greg Hancock 19, 2 Gino Manzares 9, 3 Max Ruml 4, 4 Ricky Wells 5.

AUSTRALIA 36: 1 Darcy Ward 6, 2 Jason Doyle 15, 3 Troy Batchelor 14, 4 Cameron Woodward 1.

ITALY 10: 1 Mattia Carpanese 1, 2 Nicolas Vicentin 0, 3 Michele Paco Castagna 2, 4 Nicolas Covatti 7.

A second half goal from summer signing Bradley Pritchard was enough to see off Northampton in Orient’s 3rd pre season game. New signings Adam Legizins and Bradley Pricthard started in a traditional 4-4-2 formation for the O’s with Cuthbert, Baudry, Clarke and Sawyer at the back, Pritchard, Bartley, Vincelot and Cox with Mooney and Dagnall up front. In a slow game chances were at a premium , Cox volleyed over twice in the first half on both occasions should have done better. The O’s were never put under true pressure in the game with defence looking quite solid after a shaky start.

Pritchard’s first goal for the O’s came with a fast paced move down the right hand side, James playing at right back after Cuthbert was replaced at half time played the ball down the channel finding Lisbie who laid off to Cox. Cox played a delicate ball in the channel finding Dagnall who reversed the ball to Pritchard who curled a left footed shot in the far post. After the goal, the game opened up more with Orient looking to exploit the space with Cox, Dagnall and Pritchard all having chances but failing to convert. Dagnall tireless running nearly created a chance at the back pressurizing Duke but the ball fell kindly to the Cobbler’s keeper.

Sawyer got caught out of positions on several occasions with Clarke and Baudry both having to cover but apart from that Orient were rarely troubled. Going forward, Dagnall was always looking for the ball in the channels, but the O’s lacked creativity in the final third with no-one really able to find that killer pass. Pritchard looked more comfortable in a central role when Batt came on, having more of an influence. Typical Lisbie held the ball up and showed quality touches and experience which Mooney was lacking throughout. McAnuff will add experience and the ability to find the killer ball when he comes in. The center midfielders seems to work that you either play Bartley or Vincelot and James or Pritchard. Bartley and Vincelot are ball winners but on yesterday’s performance lack the cutting edge to create a chance for the strikers. I think we will see more against QPR on tuesday and Ipswich on Saturday of what Slade’s first 11 will be in the opening fixture of the season on 9th August vs Chesterfield. The most important thing is the players getting minutes, experience of playing together and match fitness to be raring to go for the season.