TEAM boss Neil Middleditch believes the weight of expectation will heap added pressure on Pirates as they look to complete a memorable treble tonight.

The Dorset outfit will be hot favourites to overturn a narrow two-point deficit when they host Belle Vue Aces in the second leg of the Elite League Knockout Cup final.

With reserve sensation Kevin Wolbert eclipsing big guns Chris Holder and Darcy Ward, Poole mounted a spirited fight-back to go down 47-45 at Kirky Lane.

But with Belle Vue boasting Wimborne Road track specialist Chris Harris and the Aces the only team to lower Poole’s colours at the venue this season, Middleditch knows Pirates will need to pull out all the stops to add the cup to their Elite League crown and Best Pairs title won by Holder and Ward.

He told the Daily Echo: “It is only half-time and there is still everything to play for. We proved we could claw back a deficit against Eastbourne to win the Elite League and need to do it again.

“All the pressure will be on us because we will be expected to win. But Belle Vue are a very capable team and have already beaten us at home this season.”

Middleditch, who believes the class of 2011 are up with the greatest teams he has managed, also says the Wimborne Road faithful will have a part to play.

“Our supporters played such a huge part in the Elite League grand final,” added Middleditch. “I know it takes the boys’ breath away when they see so many people there. They are our eighth man and play a major role in us winning meetings.”

Middleditch added: “This is a nice trophy to have and we are desperate to win it. Although the Elite League was the one we really wanted, the boys are professional and there will be no question of them letting up.”

After failing to muster a win, Pirates slipped 17-7 behind after the opening four heats before a tactical ride paid dividends in heat five when Holder, who was on double points, followed home Dennis Andersson as they reduced the deficit to 18-14.

Rory Schlein’s breathtaking fourth-to-second ride in heat six saw the newly-crowned Elite League Riders’ champion marshal a 5-1 to the Aces before the hosts maintained their eight-point lead after Harris and Ricky Kling ruined Poole’s chances of narrowing the gap as Wolbert took the chequered flag in heat seven.

However, Pirates hit back to restore parity in stunning fashion with Andersson and Wolbert both registering their second heat wins as the visitors claimed back-to-back 5-1s. And they forged into the lead for the first time when skipper Davey Watt made all the running to take heat 10.

Wolbert completed a hat-trick of wins thanks to a stunning passing manoeuvre in heat 12, although the points were shared as Watt trailed in last due to mechanical problems.

However, the contest continued to ebb and flow as the Aces drew level thanks to a 4-2 in an absorbing heat 13 tussle, Schlein keeping at bay Ward with Harris winning his personal duel with Holder for third.

The meeting took another twist as the hosts regained the initiative with a 4-2 in the penultimate heat, Gjedde holding off the determined challenge of Pirates’ rider of the night Wolbert, before honours finished even in the finale to leave the clash delicately poised.