DANNY Ford has labelled Friday night’s crunch clash at Scunthorpe as Pirates’ “biggest task yet” if they are to continue their domination of the SGB Championship.
Since dropping down into the second tier, Poole have won every trophy on offer, including back-to-back league titles.
But their 2023 quest hangs in the balance, having been held to a draw at home by the Scorpions last time out.
That result means defeat at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday will most likely end any hopes they have of lifting the trophy this year.
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Scunthorpe have lost just once at home in the league all season, although that did come in a 47-43 reverse against Pirates last month.
Speaking to the Daily Echo before the 45-45 draw at Wimborne Road last week, Ford called on Pirates to “score heavily” and “put this two-legged affair beyond any doubt”, something Poole failed to achieve.
Looking ahead to the must-win clash against the Scorpions tomorrow, promoter Ford said: “We had hoped to have been going there with a lead to defend, but our result at Wimborne Road last week has changed all that.
“Effectively it is a winners-take-all match on Friday. Without being disrespectful in any way to Edinburgh, I do believe that whoever wins this meeting will go on to win the group.
“There is no question we have a very high mountain to climb, as we all know how well Scunthorpe go on their home track.
“We have won there this season in a thrilling match back in August and we will take the positives from that result and performance and effectively look at this week’s fixture as a final in itself.
“I just know the lads will have ‘Pirate Pride’ running through their veins, determined to pull off a terrific result and keep our play-off dreams alive.”
Poole will round-off their play-off group with two meetings against Edinburgh, after facing Scunthorpe.
Gary Havelock will take charge of a full strength Pirates septet at Eddie Wright Raceway (7.30pm).
Pirates: Lawson, Rowe, B Cook, Z Cook, Worrall (c), Newman, Thompson.
Scunthorpe: Douglas, Mountain, Lambert (c), Allen, Palm Toft, Kemp, Ablitt.
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