CHAIRMAN Peter Barrett is hoping lightning doesn't strike twice as Accrington aim to rise from the foot of the table.

Last year the Thorneyholme Road side lost professional Nathan Astle to county side Nottinghamshire - and now Mr Barrett fears the same fate could happen to current star Ryan Campbell.

For the Australian 'A' team could be touring England this summer and that would mean a certain call-up for the hard-hitting Aussie.

Mr Barrett said: "After last year I don't even want to think what could happen. I've heard that the Australians could be touring but I just don't want to know.

"Ryan is on the verge of the A-side side and I am certain he will get a call-up if the tour goes ahead."

Perennial strugglers Accrington have already received one major blow this season when skipper Bill Rostron announced he had to stand down due to work commitments.

Steve Juiliff took over before Sunday's game at Bacup but couldn't save his side from their fourth defeat of the season.

Mr Barrett added: "Losing Bill was a big blow for us but despite our current position we are confident we can finish out of the bottom four."

The club has finished bottom of the Lancashire League four out of the last five seasons but last year finished fourth from bottom - something Mr Barrett is looking to build upon.

Accrington will be looking for only their second win of the season in Sunday's local derby against Enfield and the chairman is hoping it is the stage to get the best out of Campbell.

He added: "Ryan will admit himself that he has yet to get going but he is a superb batsman and once he starts to get into gear I am sure we can get back to our winning ways."

East Lancashire play Bacup in the second round of the Worsley Cup on Saturday. The two sides met on league duty last month when Bacup ran out winners.

Fixtures

Saturday: Worsley Cup, 2nd rnd: Colne v Nelson, Todmorden v Ramsbottom, East Lancs v Bacup, Lowerhouse v Haslingden.

Sunday: Accrington v Enfield, Bacup v Ramsbottom, Haslingden v Rawtenstall, Lowerhouse v Burnley, Nelson v Colne, Rishton v Church, Todmorden v East Lancs.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.