WEYMOUTH Weyline Wildcats will aim to banish memories of Tuesday’s nightmare on the Isle of Wight when they entertain the Islanders this evening (7.15pm).

The Cats were crushed 60-32 at the Smallbrook Stadium earlier this week after mechanical problems prior to the parade lap prompted a poor start from which they could not recover.

However, at their Wessex Raceway headquarters and backed by the support of the Weymouth faithful, the Wildcats should be a different proposition.

Chairman and caretaker-manager Phil Bartlett is tipping his charges to prove that Tuesday’s performance was a blip as they attempt to record back-to-back home victories.

He told Echosport: “I’m hoping we can produce a much better display than we did at the Isle of Wight. A lot of things went wrong over there with mechanical gremlins, and it was one of those nights.

“We should be okay on our home track. Home advantage is massive in speedway and I’m confident we can get the result we need. The guys know how to ride round our track.

“It’s quite clear that we need to be pushing on and this meeting against the Isle of Wight is a golden opportunity to get another win.

“There was a good turnout last weekend and all the promotion we are doing seems to be paying off. But the more successful we are on the track, the more people will watch us.”

Basement boys Weymouth currently trail the second-bottom Scunthorpe Saints by three points, while the Isle of Wight are one place and two points further ahead in the National League table.

Adam McKinna, a temporary replacement for Terry Day, has notched 7+1 for the Cats in each of his two outings since joining from the Newcastle Diamonds.

And Bartlett expects his new acquisition, who is on the comeback trail after sustaining a broken neck while riding for the Premier League outfit, to continue to thrill spectators.

He added: “Adam has come in and done what he’s been asked to do. I don’t know how long he will be here but anything can happen in speedway.

“I’m sure he’ll continue to be an important rider for us.”

Wildcats: 1 Bekker, 2 McKinna, 3 Brown, 4 Cottham, 5 Cockle, 6 Andrews, 7 Chessell.