THINGS are getting tough at the top of both leagues Oxford Speedway are competing in, with no room for mistakes.
The Cheetahs returned to the top of the table following their win at Edinburgh on Friday and although Poole had a home win over the weekend, and so are on equal meetings to Oxford, that all-important bonus point keeps the Cheetahs ahead by just one point.
Poole seem to have a slightly easier run to the end with two home matches and just one easy-looking away meeting at Edinburgh. They have looked very dominant at Wimborne Road so there is unlikely to be any upset there.
It means that Oxford have to be on top form in their final three meetings of the year, and the trip to Glasgow on September 8 could be the all-important decider for that top spot.
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Poole were beaten at Glasgow, so a win for Oxford would equal out the defeat that the Cheetahs suffered at Redcar, which the Pirates won.
It brings it all back to that bonus point the Oxford Cheetahs won at Wimborne Road earlier in August – oh so important!
Team manager Peter Schroeck is in no doubt over the importance of results in the last few meetings.
“I told the boys we need to step up and that result at Edinburgh was a statement result,” he said.
The Cheetahs have two home meetings to go, with Plymouth on Friday night followed by Scunthorpe on September 5.
Oxford already know they are in the play-offs which will see the top six teams compete in two mini leagues. The top side in each of those mini leagues will then meet in a two-legged final to determine the Championship winners.
The winning team pick the other two teams in their mini league, which is a huge advantage.
Chargers back to second
The National League position is similar, with Oxford and Leicester level on meetings and wins, but this time it is Leicester who have won an extra bonus point, putting them at the top.
Two big wins for the Chargers last week, at home against Workington and away at Kent, have provided a boost.
Another win tomorrow night against the Berwick Bullets will see the Chargers get their noses in front again.
That should make Saturday’s showdown away at Leicester incredibly important and dare I say it, a rehearsal for the final?
A new era for @OfficialOUWFC began with a 2-2 draw on the road #oufc #ouwfc https://t.co/ED0tCOJDG8
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) August 21, 2023
Mildenhall and Belle Vue will need an exceptional run-in, with slip-ups from the teams above them, to challenge the current top two.
Oxford look to have a relatively comfortable home run left, with Edinburgh and Kent still to visit Sandy Lane.
Just the top two teams from this league will go into a two-legged grand final.
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