IF YOU give top class strikers an inch...don't be surprised if they take a mile.

Hawks extended scoring invitations to one of ice hockey's most prolific marksmen last night and they might as well have put them in a pre-paid envelope.

You might say there were caught stationary...

Frank Morris, the Northern Premier League's top points gatherers this season, struck twice in as many minutes just when it looked like Hawks were setting themselves up for a crucial win.

It was always going to be tight against table topping Fife Flyers and a scoreless first period emphasised the fact.

Tense? You bet.

Chances were few and far between and this contest included two top netminders in Colin Downie and Martin McKay so the shortage of goals was no great surprise.

The fact that the home side surged ahead five minutes into period two was more of a genuine shock, but it was a good well-worked goal scored unassisted by Swedish import Patrik Ferlander. Hawks fans in a crowd of around 700 (no complimentary tickets issued) were on their feet - but the euphoria proved temporary.

The Flyers stormed back to score four times inside a frantic 10-minute spell in which the Hawks were guilty of defensive indiscipline.

Morris, ably supported by the brilliance of his Canadian player coach Mark Morrison, netted a quick brace and when Stephen Kind netted a short-handed goal - well, it really was a horror story!

Morrison made it 1-4 by the hooter and Hawks looked out for the count.

Not quite as it transpired and they put up a really spirited effort in the final period to take it 1-0 courtesy of a great team goal, netted by Johan Goransson after good approach play by Neil Able and Ferlander.

Period scores: 0-0, 1-4, 1-0.

Scoresheet: Patrik Ferlander 1+1, Johan Goransson 1+0, Neil Able 0+1.

Manager Mike Cockayne said: "When we look back on this game we will point to the fact that we gave quality players too much time and space in dangerous areas. "There are few better than Morrison and Morris at this level and when we let them in they made the most of it.

"On the positive side we showed that we were a match for the best team in the league for long spells and that was encouraging.

"But we are still struggling to put wins back to back. We must strive for consistency.

There was more joy for the Sparrowhawks (under 12s) who recorded a 5-4 win over Solihull on Saturday evening. The youngsters have won two of their opening three league matches.

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