MANCHESTER Storm had conflicting fortunes at the weekend, winning at Sheffield Steelers in the Challenge Cup before going down 4-2 at home to Glasgow Clan on Sunday.

The first home win of the season still eludes Ryan Finnerty’s team but the head coach is not worried, “We have the youngest team in the league and with nine new signings its taking a bit of time for the new boys to settle in, but it will come,” he said.

“Winning at Sheffield again was massive for us and we play them in the return match in Altrincham on Saturday evening.

"If we win, we advance to the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup which would give us all a huge lift. This time last season we were already out of the competition.”

The injury list is shortening by the day but Storm are still without talisman Mike Hammond and his goalscoring talents have been sorely missed.

Finnerty said: “Defensively we are sound but just need to put some of the chances we are creating in the back of the net.

"From netminder right the way through the team, I am confident that when the team clicks we will be a match for anyone, especially at home, and we will also be competitive on the road.”

This weekend sees Storm play their first Saturday night home game of the new season and Finnerty is keen for the Storm faithful to turn up in numbers.

He added: “ Storm v Steelers games are the biggest derby in the Elite League and the players and supporters love to get one over on their opponents.

"Sheffield are a proud club and their supporters travel in big numbers.

"Our supporters are a proud and loyal bunch, too, and it should be a great atmosphere for the game."