STRUGGLING reserve Ben Hopwood is hoping for a second chance with Poole Pirates – despite his first impression not going to plan.

The 23-year-old Rye House asset was drafted in on a month-long contract to replace Lee Smart under the fast track scheme three weeks ago.

Since securing four points as a guest against Belle Vue, however, Hopwood has struggled to with just four points from four subsequent meetings, three of which were at Wimborne Road.

Hopwood is due to appear in the final match of his initial stint against Wolverhampton next Wednesday and, although the Stoke Potters rider admits to showing erratic form, is urging Poole promoter Matt Ford to keep the faith.

On his future, Hopwood told the Daily Echo: “Hopefully I have shown enough promise to be given another shot.

“I’m not completely happy with my performances for Pirates but my first-choice engine is away being serviced. I have had to try new things every week.

“The timing of that wasn’t ideal and it was just a case of getting dialled in on my new engine. I’m still not completely sure what works for me round Poole because I haven’t had that many meetings here.

“I felt like I had some good speed against King’s Lynn but a few silly mistakes crept in and I didn’t get the starts on the night.

“I would love to have some more meetings for the Pirates, it’s a massive club and one I have always wanted to ride for. We will just have to see what Matt Ford and Neil Middleditch (team manager) think.

“There is plenty more to come from me yet, I get my engine back over the weekend and, if I am here next week, I want to show the fans what I am capable of.

“If they go down another avenue then I haven’t lost anything but it would be nice to stay in the side, show some progress and start getting more points because I did feel faster this week.

“Everything is up in the air. I’ve tried not to think about it because that was a problem in my first few meetings.

“I was really worried about having to perform and put too much pressure on myself. I had that mindset where I over-thought things.

“Hopefully I’ll get the call. If not, I’ll have to do better next time I get a chance.”