LANCASHIRE Hawks have had a stuttering start to the season - but it's not nothing to do with top Hawks forward Adrian Lomonaco.

The Canadian powerhouse tops the National League of goalscorers after only five National League games. The 21-year-old front man already has 14 goals and five assists to give him 19 points in the National statistics, six points ahead of his nearest challenger, Telford's Todd Dutiarre.

And Lomonaco will be hoping to increase his lead this weekend as Hawks take on a double bill of National action. Hawks take their first trip to Slough today (face off 6.15pm) before letting fly at Kingston Hawks at the Arena tomorrow (6pm).

Hawks have only won one of their national league clashes this season - against Murrayfield Royals last month - and are sixth in the league with only two points. "The National League is tough, but the spirit in the changing room is good and we all enjoy playing the Southern teams," says Hawks boss Mike Cockayne.

"Against teams with more imports we are forced to play a hungrier game, and the lads all play with a lot of heart. It was like that last weekend at Peterborough, and it will be like that again this weekend. We've always been fighters, and we'll go out looking for a win every time."

Meanwhile, solid defenceman Neil Abel is out for at least FOUR weeks after sustaining a knock last weekend against Peterborough.

Abel has undergone extensive x-rays this week and his foot has been put in a cast to help speed up recovery.

"It's a great shame because Neil is one of our most consistent and most experienced players," says Mr Cockayne.

"It's a huge blow to us, but we will have to work around it. We still have several experienced and highly skilled players in Mika Pynonnen and Bobby Haig, and we'll come out fighting whatever the situation.

Craig Sharman is also on the treatment table - the young winger is still recovering from a broken ankle sustained early in the season, and has been advised to rest.

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