It's as you were going into Saturday's (29/9) semi-final second leg of the National Knock-Out Cup [NKOC] at Eastbourne Speedway - with both protagonists as level as they began the first leg!
The 45-45 draw at Central Park stadium on Monday means there's literally nothing between the two rivals, aiming for a place in the NKOC Final in October against treble-chasing Mildenhall.
It effectively reduces a two legged affair into a one off shoot out between Chris Hunt's charges who are currently a place above the Sussex side in the Travel Plus Tours National League [TPTNL] table (Kent in second; Eastbourne, third) and the Eagles who have won this cup competition the past three seasons.
Of course an advantage from a home leg is a more expected norm in such circumstances but Kent do have on their racing CV the statistic that they and they alone have journeyed to the Eagles famous eyre in Arlington in the past two seasons and come away with a win - in the TPTNL last year.
Bolstering the chances of that happening again is a tantalising selection as 'Guest' to cover for the still missing through injury, Paul Hurry. Getting the pick for this vital fixture is the 16-year-old current teen sensation of British speedway, Drew Kemp. Kemp's first indelible mark on the sport just weeks after his 15th. birthday last year came in this same competition at Arlington when he top scored for his club side Mildenhall in the Final - a repeat of that paid 12 points return would be a nice boost for the Kings' chances.
Best performer around Arlington for the SLYDE-sponsored Kings in their last several visits has been captain and record appearance holder Jack Thomas and the teenager will have much on his shoulders to try and inspire performances from his team mates to turn the tables on the Eagles. Both Thomas and team mate Nathan Stoneman will be in the middle of four meetings in as many days as they will be carrying the Kent colours in the National League Riders' Championship [NLRC] up at Leicester less than 16 hours after matters conclude at Eastbourne!
For the Eagles, they welcome back their own captain, Mark Baseby - who is also at the NLRC on Sunday. As is Georgie Wood who quickly resumes hostilities as Eastbourne number one a day after being recruited as as 'Guest' to help his home county side the Kings' cause in the first leg of the TPTNL Play Off semi at Mildenhall.
The Eagles (who've maintained a more consistent look to their side this term) are unchanged other than Baseby's return, from the first leg team.
Kent make a second change - with Jamie Couzins replacing shoulder-injury victim, William O'Keefe.
So it's Up For The Cup on Saturday 29th. September, 7.30pm start time at Eastbourne Speedway, Arlington Stadium, Arlington Rd West, Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 3RE