Locked together level on points in second place in the current Travel Plus National League [TPTNL] table; two home wins and two away defeats when they've met in the National Trophy [NT] & in the regular TPTNL season: there's little outwardly to choose between Kent SLYDE Kings and Eastbourne Eagles as they shape up against each other in the National Knock-Out Cup [NKOC] semi final.
The first leg sees the Sussex seasiders at Central Park Stadium on Monday (24/9), with memories fresh of a stormy TPTNL encounter between the two sides at the end of July - the homesters prevailing then by five points in a truncated match.
The change in the visitors' ranks since then is courtesy of a modern Speedway version of 'Anschluss' - with twice German Junior Champ, Ethan Spiller annexed from the country he's represented at U-21 international level to ride at reserve for the Cup holders. Three years ago Spiller's older sibling Daniel sailed into Central Park and scored a crunching paid 20 points - though the younger Spiller has so far made a considerably lesser impression in his fledgling UK racing career compared to his brother, they'll be great interest to see what will happen on Ethan's Central Park bow.
For the others, the circuit in Murston just outside Sittingbourne is far more familar territory. Maidstone-based Georgie Wood is a regular attendee as a spectator and has recorded the fastest time by a visiting rider this campaign and was unbeaten in the TPTNL match the month before last. Wood 'guested' for the Kings as recently as last week.
Also from the county but pointless in his previous visit is Orpington-born Charley Powell. The grasstracker has a considerable amount of making up to do in terms of his damaged reputation with the Central Park home crowd after what seemed to many blatant gamesmanship in that controversial TPTNL match. The third rider from the Garden of England in the Eagles' squad is former Sittingbourne Crudsader, Mark Baseby - but the skipper of the Sussex side is a doubt for Monday, in which case Rider Replacement would be utilised.
It's a quick fire return for two others of the Eastbourne team, Jason Edwards and European U-19 finalist, Tom Brennan who were members of the Lakeside Hammers side who prevailed over a weakened Kent side in the Tunnel Trophy last Monday.
Captaining that Hammers' Select septet was Ben Morley and it's little surprise that the 2015 National League Riders Champion is the pick as 'Guest' for Kent - coming in as cover at number one during the continued absense through injury of Paul Hurry for the hosts. Morley was a Kings' man from the opening meeting at Central Park in 2013 through to reaching that pinnacle as the division's top individual rider in '15 and on Guest appearances since (especially a purple patch standing in for Luke Bowen - also out hurt this term - last season) he has always excelled for his former employers.
For team boss Chris Hunt's side, Taylor Hampshire is back after sitting out the Tunnel Trophy challenge and Anders Rowe is fit despite picking up a knock late in that match.
The Eagles have swooped to a hat trick of NKOC wins in the three seasons they've spent to date at this level - for Kent then, the task is to end a 100% record of their neighbours and increasingly bitter local rivals.
The action gets underway at Kent Speedway, Central Park Stadium on Monday 24th. September - 6.30pm start time [gates at 5pm].