King’s Lynn team manager Rob Lyon insists the Stars are still in Premiership Knockout Cup contention as tonight’s opponents Northampton Foxes make their racing debut.
The Brafield-based club faces the Stars in their first official fixture – a must-win match for King’s Lynn following their home and away losses against Ipswich on April 9 and 13 in the Southern Section.
Witches face Northampton at Foxhall on Thursday and victory there, coupled with an aggregate win, would guarantee them a place in the Knockout Cup Final against the Northern Section winners – Belle Vue, Sheffield or Leicester.
Both King’s Lynn and Northampton will be determined to stand in their way, and Stars boss Rob Lyon says his side is keen to bounce back from a tough start to 2026 against the Witches.
He said: “There were things to work on last week, and I just hope the boys can turn it around ready for the league, and I’m sure they will do that.
“The KO Cup is still up for grabs because both ourselves and Ipswich still have to go to Northampton, which will be something of an unknown for everyone. But we need to get a home win first on Monday and then hopefully we can kick on from that.”
Northampton stages its first home match at Brafield when Ipswich visits on April 30. The club has not even held its press and practice day while their track is prepared for their debut night.
Team manager Chris Adams hopes his new side can bond fast. He said: “It does feel strange not to have had the usual pre-season preparations, but I’ve spoken to every rider in the team individually, and they all know what my expectations of them are and what I expect from the first meeting.
“It’s going to be difficult because having the lads together for a press and practice, where you can all bond and practice together, is something that we’re missing, so that may play a tiny part as this is our first time together.
“But the lads are eager to get going. They know it’s an official meeting. They are all prepared for it, and we’ll have to see what tonight brings!”
KING’S LYNN STARS: 1. Max Fricke, 2. Paco Castagna, 3. Chris Harris, 4. Ben Cook, 5. Jan Kvech, 6. Cooper Rushen, 7. Jody Scott.
NORTHAMPTON FOXES: 1. Jaimon Lidsey, 2. Troy Batchelor, 3. Matej Zagar, 4. Niels-Kristian Iversen R/R, 5. Nicolai Klindt, 6. Kye Thomson, 7. Luke Harrison.