Wolverhampton lose 2-year unbeaten run in KO Cup semi

Lindgren racked up 27 points in 10 rides in the double header

Wolverhampton's season came to a disappointing finish with the loss of their two-year unbeaten home record.

Eastbourne won the second leg of their Knockout Cup semi-final 46-44 at Monmore Green, to win 109-73 overall.

"I think the air's gone out of the balloon," said a disappointed Wolves manager Peter Adams.

Wolves did win the second meeting in a Monmore double-header, taking the outstanding Elite League fixture against Swindon 55-40.

Wolves had given themselves an enormous task by losing the first leg of the semi-final against Eastbourne 63-29 at Arlington on Sunday.

Adams said: "I think you saw with the quality of the performance Eastbourne came up with that they're a team bang in form at the moment.

I'm glad the end of the season's in sight so we can regroup and get ready for next year

Wolves manager Peter Adams

"We didn't get off to a good enough start, so when there's such a huge deficit to make up the belief soon goes out of the team, and once that happens you're on the slippery slope.

It's not all about the first race [which Wolves won 5-1], we needed 5-1s in four of the first six heats to give it some credence.

"To compound matters our two-year unbeaten home record's gone down the pan as well.

"I'm glad the end of the season's in sight so we can regroup and get ready for next year."

Wolves now only have the 'Kings of the Midlands' Challenge meeting at Coventry on Friday, and the individual Banks's Olympique at Monmore on 18 October to come.

Meanwhile Nicolai Klindt has returned to Denmark for surgery on a persistent shoulder injury and will miss both meetings.

Knockout Cup semi-final second leg:

Wolverhampton 44-46 Eastbourne (Eastbourne win 109-73 on aggregate)

Wolverhampton: Freddie Lindgren 14, Tai Woffinden 10, Ludvig Lindgren 8, Ty Proctor 4+2, Adam Skornicki 4, Nicolai Klindt 3+2, Matt Wethers 1+1.

Eastbourne: Matej Zagar 11+1, Joonas Kylmakorpi 10, Simon Gustafsson 8, Cameron Woodward 7+3, Lewis Bridger 7+1, Tomasz Jedrzejak 2+1, Ricky Kling 1.

Elite League

Wolverhampton 55 Swindon 40

Wolverhampton: Freddie Lindgren 13+1, Tai Woffinden 12, Adam Skornicki 10, Nicolai Klindt 6+1, Ludvig Lindgren 5+2, Ty Proctor 5, Matt Wethers 4+2.

Swindon: Scott Nicholls 15, Grzegorz Zengota 7, Simon Stead 6+1, Cory Gathercole 4+1, Mads Korneliussen 4+1, Maciej Janowski 3, Justin Sedgmen 1.