look to

hot-shot

for liftb STRUGGLING Lancashire Hawks are looking for their star turn, sharpshooter Adrian Lomonaco, to give them a boost ahead of a double ice hockey header this weekend.

Hawks confront arch rivals Fife Fliers (away tonight and at the Arena tomorrow, face-off 6pm) hoping that the Canadian hot-shot will have recovered from the hip injury that sidelined him last weekend.

As well as a fitness doubt over the 32-goal ace, fellow import Jeff Daniels has been under treatment this week for a persistent back strain.

And bad news always comes in threes - player-coach Jim Pennycock is also doubtful with a back problem picked up at Paisley last Saturday - which resulted in an emergency dash to hospital.

All three will face late fitness tests, but Pennycook is adamant that they will do whatever needs to be done to get a result.

"We already have a small squad, so it's especially damaging to have so many injuries to so many of our key players," he says.

"But all the players are determined to play and they're all taking responsibility for what happens out on the ice. There's nothing more frustrating than being on the sidelines watching games when you're desperate to be part of the action.

"Adrian has responded well to treatment, and we're hopeful that he'll be OK, and Jeff and I will both fight through the pain barrier if necessary. It's essential that we get some points from this weekend because time is running out for us in both league set-ups."

Hawks now languish second from bottom in both the National and the Northern Leagues, and are on their worst run of the season....they haven't won for their last 11 games. This weekend's "double scotch" against old enemies Fife is crucial to Hawks, who need to turn their season around....before their loyal fans turn on them.

"Our supporters have been superb, and we couldn't ask for a more loyal crowd at home and away. But it's time we put something back and gave them something to shout about. And I'm positive we will," says Pennycook.

"We've shown much more commitment to the cause over the last few weeks, and I'm positive that if we can continue to show the same bite then our luck will change."

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