Heathens set sights on top spot (From Dudley News)

Heathens set sights on top spot

8:44am Thursday 16th August 2012 in Sport

HEATHENS need to win their last three home league meetings and claim maximum points to finish top of the National League table and have first pick of opponents for the play-offs.

Will Pottinger’s side face title rivals Mildenhall — who are yet to lose away — at Monmore Green Tuesday, August 21, followed a week later with Rye House and Isle of Wight on September 4.

And Pottinger is backing his side to reach their target.

It promises to be a bumper end to the season for the former Cradley club with a place in the Knockout Cup Final already assured. Including next Tuesday, they could be looking at six more home meetings if they go all the way in the play-offs.

Pottinger said: “Our target is simple, three home wins by more than six points per meeting to claim all nine points then we finish top of the table.

“We go to Mildenhall on Sunday but because of the 4.30pm start time it prevents us from using Adam Roynon and Ashley Morris because they are riding for Workington at Leicester that evening.

“We were told it was going to be 3pm but it seems Mildenhall and Leicester have fallen out. We have booked Gary Irving to guest for Adam and we will use a rider replacement for Ash.

“In addition we are using young Connor Dwyer at reserve for Tom Perry who is riding in the European Grass Track Final.

“So our focus has to be on our home meetings and we can afford to take Sunday on the chin. If we win there, that’s great, but if not it’s not a disaster.

“The real big one is next Tuesday against Mildenhall at Monmore Green. “It could well be the decider to see who finishes top and if we achieve that it will mean we have finished top of the National League table twice in three seasons.

“But the real importance is the form we show mid-September when we have play-offs and the Knockout Cup final.

“There’s lots to look forward to for Heathens fans, it’s a very exciting time for us.”

Meanwhile, Perry rides in the World Under 21 final at Coventry on Friday as one of the wildcards with former Heathen Kyle Newman is the other.

Perry will remain at reserve for Tuesday’s clash with Mildenhall but will then go back into the team as he will have gained an actual 2012 average.

The club have also confirmed they will launch details of their end of season presentation night at the home meeting next Tuesday.

Fans are urged to buy their tickets quickly as this event has been a sellout for the past two seasons.