Berwick boss wants "Fortress Shielfield Park"

BERWICK boss Stewart Dickson wants it to be “Fortress Shielfield Park” as they bid for a first major trophy in 14 years. 

R.E.D Campers Bandits take on Plymouth in the much-awaited first leg of their MAXiCab KO Cup final clash tonight, live on BSN (6.30pm).

They last won a senior trophy at the Premier League Fours in 2012 and previously in 2002. 

The last team silverware secured was the old British League Gold Cup in 1991 during the Bandits’ short foray into the top flight. 

Before that came the KO Cup win over Poole at Berrington Lough in 1989.

Dickson is keen to re-write the history books for the loyal black and gold fans. 

But key man Jordan Jenkins will be missing with his partner due to give birth this weekend. 

He said: “It feels like it has been a long wait for this first leg and it has been. 

“It’s much longer than we would have liked. It’s frustrating not to have that continuity and momentum of racing on your home track, especially for Cup final first leg. 

“But the boys are ready for it. Our last two home wins have been by scoring 55 and 53. I’d take that again on Saturday night. 

“It’s down to us to make sure that Fortress Shielfield Park continues this season. That’s where we can do the big damage in our home leg.

“However Plymouth have a very good side with tons of experience, they will know how to turn up for the big occasion. They’ve got big occasion riders. 

“To be fair, so have we. We have the likes of Peter Kildemand and Nick Morris who have won Grand Prix rounds and appeared in World Cups. 

“We have shown in recent weeks that we have match-winners in every part of the team. Jye (Etheridge) and Reid (Battye) have been outstanding.

“Now it all comes down to doing that job when it really counts on Saturday night. 

“We know how much this means to the fans. We believe that Shielfield Park will be packed out and rocking. I’ve never known at atmosphere at the place when we beat Poole in the semi-final. It was sensational. 

“If we can get it the same on Saturday we are in for an incredible occasion. 

“The boys have just got to focus on their own tasks. We can make it a very tough night for Plymouth.”

The Gladiators won on aggregate in their Cab Direct Championship encounters. But Dickson dismisses those results. 

He added: “We lost PK at their place after two rides and we also didn’t have Nick Morris. 

“These are two new meetings. We are also a better side than the team which beat them 49-41 at Shielfield. 

“We start from zero on Saturday night. It’s only how we perform in the next two meetings that counts. It’s up to us to take control from the off. It’s going to be a special occasion, that’s for sure. We need do it for the fans.”

BERWICK: Peter Kildemand, Jye Etheridge, Victor Palovaara, Jordan Jenkins R/R, Nick Morris, Jack Smith, Reid Battye.

PLYMOUTH: Danny King, Joe Thompson, Daniel Klima, Ben Barker, Scott Nicholls, Anze Grmek, Ben Whalley.

Words by Phil Lanning.

Images by Taylor Lanning.