Martin Dugard has called on Eastbourne Eagles to build on a dream opening night – by winning away.

Eagles beat Kent Kings 53-40 in front of a big crowd at Arlington in their first meeting in the third tier on Friday.

They go to Sittingbourne for the return today (3pm) encouraged by an all-round team effort in their National Trophy opener.

Eagles might also hope for some travelling support after a crowd which exceeded expectations on a drizzly Friday night.

Although no official attendance figure is given in speedway, club chairman Dugard said: “It was better than our first meeting last year.

“We were over 900, just under 1,000. We took a lot of phone calls asking if it would be on.

“Every indication was that it would on. But people did really well to turn out.

“We were very pleased and quite exhausted. But it is just the start of it.”

Eagles track an unchanged team today with Dan Greenwood again replacing unwell David Mason, the former Kent star whose knowledge of the Sittingbourne track will be missed.

Bradley Wilson-Dean and Kelsey Dugard have recovered from a bout of food poisoning hours after their impressive displays on Friday.

Wilson-Dean, denied a five-ride paid maximum by ignition problems on the last lap of heat 15, said: “I was pretty happy with how I did but really disappointed with that last race.

“I had the race wrapped up. My goal for the night was to score ten points and beat Ben Morley because he is quite a highly-rated racer.

“I beat him in one and had him beat in the last one until my ignition went so it was basically mission accomplished.

“I had a big grin on my face going into the last lap and then that happened!”

The silver living is that Eagles have discovered the problem on their young star’s bike without it costing dear.

Martin Dugard said: “The ignition problem was nothing anybody could have known about so that has now been highlighted.

“Georgie Wood had never ridden a speedway bike, then he comes into his first meeting and scores points. I’m very happy with him.

“I thought Kelsey would be good but I didn’t think he’d ride as hard as he did. He did well with three wins.

“Danny (Warwick) was a little disappointed but he is the experienced one so we aren’t too worried about him.

“And Richard Andrews fell in his first one but he picked up points all the way through.

“Marc Owen is Mr Steady so we were really pleased with everybody.

“We want to keep the momentum rolling. It would be nice to go to Kent and turn them over.”

Dan Greenwood of Coventry again guests for Mason while Morley is likely to be the main threat from Kent.