MIKE Martin says Flintshire Freeze can extend their lead at the top of ENIHL North Two with victory at home to border rivals Manchester Phoenix on Sunday (6.45pm) – but only if they keep their heads. The Freeze maintained their 100% winning start to the league season on Saturday when, led by five-goal captain Marc Lovell, they romped to a 14-1 success at Lancashire Raptors to take their goal tally up to 32 from three games. But they were brought back down to earth the following night when they were swept aside 7-1 by holders Sheffield Scimitars in their ENIHL Cup North group opener. MVP Lovell, assisted by Wes Barnett and Adam Fuller, scored the home side’s consolation in a match in which poor discipline, especially late on, cost them dear. Head coach Martin, although pleased with his men’s performance against the North One visitors, was unhappy with the amount of time they spent in the penalty box. And that is why he is calling on them to stay cool against a Phoenix team now coached by Mark Hobson, who has a host of fellow former Freeze players at his disposal. Martin said: “We’ve got to keep our heads as we can’t afford to lose too many penalties as they can kill you. We had 18 minutes of penalties in the third period on Sunday and you can’t win games that way. “I’m really pleased with the way the lads are gelling, though, and we can beat Manchester. They’re our local rivals and their coach Mark Hobson is a good friend of mine, but he knows we’re going to give them a physical and hard game, which is just what the fans want to see. “The league is the most important thing and the win at Lancashire keeps us on track. It was a shame to lose to Sheffield, but the important result was Saturday’s.” Joining Lovell on the scoresheet at the Raptors was David Sheffield (2), MVP Fuller (2), Scott Barnett (3), Peter Tapp and Adam Leaver. Tapp, Leaver, top points-scorer Fuller, netminder Dave Clancy, Steve Fellows, Chris Jones, Wes Barnett, new Czech Republic import Martin Barta, Andrew Sheffield and Lovell shared the assists. The Freeze would like to thank Vanessa at Safetyworks Ltd for providing club merchandise, which went down a storm on Sunday and will again be on sale this Sunday. | 
Flintshire Sport 
