Pottinger calls on fans to help lift Heathens (From Halesowen News)

Pottinger calls on fans to help lift Heathens

5:45pm Monday 8th October 2012 in Sport

HEATHENS boss Will Pottinger says the club’s fans are the key to lifting his riders for the play-off crunch with Stoke at Monmore Green on Tuesday (7.30).

The former Cradley club face their local rivals over two legs for a place in the play-off final – and they’re looking for a lift after losing South African star Byron Bekker in a horrific smash at Mildenhall on Sunday.

Bekker, thankfully, hasn’t broken his leg as was suspected but is suffering from back and knee injuries.

Ashley Morris returns to the side for Tuesday with the return at Loomer Road the following night.

And Pottinger said: “I will be good to have Ash back and we really need the fans to turn out in massive numbers to push the lads because they were visibly upset by Byron’s crash.

“Thankfully the injuries aren’t as bad as first thought for Byron and I’m sure every Heathens fan will join me in wishing him all the best.

“We need to take a substantial lead up to Stoke on Wednesday for the return leg because they will see this as an opportunity now we have lost Byron.

“We need our fans to pack the terraces and get right behind us. Sunday was a blow, but we still have so much to race for and the league championship is on the line.”

Joe Haines makes his home debut for the Heathens as an injury replacement for Adam Roynon who could be on the verge of making his return shortly.

HEATHENS: Joe Haines, Byron Bekker R/R, Tom Perry, Dan Greenwood, Ashley Morris, Darryl Ritchings, James White Williams.

STOKE: Ashley Birks, Liam Carr, James Cockle, Ben Reade, Tony Atkin, Liam Rumsey, Lee Geary.