The Observer from London, Greater London, England • 52

2 SCORESHEET May 1997 The Observer SAID AND DONE RICHARD ALAN Robson's choice is still Barcelona For Robson, managing Barcelona is the fulfilment of a dream. It's third time lucky; it still rankles that he twice before felt obliged to turn them down, on a matter of principle, not being one to walk out on another contract. He's hardly about to do that now. Besides, you'd have to be a goalkeeper short of a full team to contemplate leaving, as the only way is down fast. 'I'm not collecting Robson says.

'And I'm not being deflected in my duty and motivation to bring success to this He has fine mementos from his seven-year European tour (trophies won with PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon and Porto), but he is still hungry for mora A Spanish league, a Premier League and a Champions Cup remain on his wish list, and he still feels he is owed a shot at the World Cup final. At 64 years of age, you can't take the man out of the passion for football, and you can't take the passion for football out of the man. How does he do it? By retaining an amazing enthusiasm which makes you wonder if he will ever give it all up; by shrugging off stress and concentrating on coaching. Asked if two consecutive, critical games Real and PSG might change him, he replies calmly. 'I'll just be four days the match on which Barca managers are judged.

The club needed to win both for pride (having lost the season's previous league clash) and prospects (only all three points could keep their title hopes alive). Add to that the fact that Barcelona versus Real Madrid, seen through Robson's football-tinted eyes, is the game at the zenith of club football- Tve just returned from England Georgia at a full Wembley and there's 50,000 more here, so what's bigger than that? It brings together two clubs with over 100,000 supporters each Tell me anywhere else in the world where that happens? Barcelona football club as the army of Catalonia are playing Spain. Where else do you get that political aspect? There is no doubt this is the biggest club game in the world. It's a keg of dynamite, a Robson struggles to contain his own excitement Barcelona's colossal Nou Camp provides the perfect setting for such a drama. This footballing mecca is every bit as architecturally and spiritually imposing as the famous Gaudi cathedral -which dominates the heart of the city.

The sheer size of it leaves you breathless, not to mention giving you vertigOj three tiers soaring skywards almost as far as the eye Amy Lawrence reports from the Nou Camp stadium on an Englishman abroad with no plans to hurry home SITTING IN tKe inferno that is the Barcelona hot seat is an experience which frazzles all but the strongest of football managers. Bobby Robson braces himself and dives headlong into the heat, as he always has done. He knows no other way. That determined streak has endeared him to the Catalan public, people who are used to fighting, in oppressive circumstances, for their cause. An impish red-and-blue-clad fan, psyching himself up outside the Nou Camp before last night's game, was impressed.

Bobby Robson he grinned, emphasising his approval with a resounding thumbs-up. But Barcelona, being the irrepressible giants they are, start the pressure pot boiling anew no sooner has the final whistle blown. The match against bitter rivals Real Madrid, a "contest which is as intense as it is immense in stature, was a crucial one for Robson. It is QUOTES OF THE WEEK I'm not sure I want to say any more without my solicitor being present. Ally McCofst after revealing that, at 5.

30 on the morning after Rangers had secured their ninth successive championship, he and some 'accomplices' had satisfied the boozer's hunger with some bread rolls illicitly obtained from a delivery outside a Glasgow shop I saw a banner that read 'Lou 431,000 Celtic 0' and they were only out by a few grand. Lou Macarl after his last match in charge of Stoke. He now takes on the bigger, challenge of Celtic in court Fergus McCann has made a mistake and I am very unhappy that my gaffer Tommy Burns was not on the bench today. 1 don't know if I will be back in the summer. Celtic's Italian.

star Paolo dl Canio after the 3-1 victory over Hibs The club was in a great state when I took over from Kevin. Since I've taken them over, we've gone out of three cups. Newcastle manager Kenny DalgJish The fact is that we have played well all season, but so often have given away daft goals. If you keep doing that you'll end up in the river. But I'm a good swimmer.

Southampton manager Graeme Soilness, whose team are proving almost as good at swimming as himself. It would be insulting for anyone to suggest my feelings about Forest now are any different from the day I signed. Nottingham Forest's Dutch striker Pierre Van rlooljdonkpfeQmr; his future to the club despite relegation to Division One They are the flagship side that we've all got to try and 6eat. Good luck to Alex, no doubt he'll be voted Manager of the Year again, lucky bastard. Wimbledon manager doe Kinnear sending his congratulations to Alex Ferguson and Manchester United It's a delicate situation.

If I play a Frenchman rather than an Englishman I'm going to be accused of favouritism. But if it's a Brazilian I won't be accused of anything. Arsdne Wenger vowing to limit the number of fellow countrymen in his Arsenal squad to five There was talk of a testimonial or a stand named after me, but nothing not even a toilet. They could have had a Brian Clough 'bog, or something like that. Old Big 'Ead on having no memorial; after his 17 years at Nottingham Forest.

He's not bitter, is he? do my best for the next couple of years. If I can't crack it, I'll let some other brain surgeon come in and have a go. TU clear off. Tottenham chairman Man Sugar The kids we had on the line against Middlesbrough last week were so young they were giving jelly babies out between them. Tottenham boss Gerry Francis bemoans the injuries that have left his side below strength all season We used to honour Lenin, the party, the flag, the motherland.

Now we say Lenin's no good, our motherland's been more or less torn apart and we don't even have any words for the national anthem. Former national coach Oleg Romanstev bemoaning lack of pride and passion in the Russian team LANCASHIRE HOT-SHOTS The North-West has long dominated the elite end of English football; Liverpool, Everton and most recently Manchester United have all done their bit to keep a northern FIRST DIVISION PLAY-OFFS McGhee's men left with ground to make up as Blades lack cutting edge StocMwei can see. The massed choir produces a wall of noise. What a prelude to the European Cup-Winners' Cup final against Paris St Germain in three days' time. And there is the not inconsiderable matter of a Spanish Cup final against Real Betis next month.

It's an exhilarating climax to the season for an extraordinary club. 'I've worked a miracle here and they don't even know suggests Robson with a wry smile. The rumour that Ajax coach Louis Van Gaal will join the set-up in the summer persists. But with 120 goals in all competitions this season, the present incumbent doesn't feel he has been letting anyone down. He draws a comparison with his counterpart at the biggest club in Englan 'Alex Ferguson went through a sticky time when Manchester United lost to Newcastle, Southampton, Chelsea, Fener-bahce, yet he stayed on and won the League.

You wouldn't be allowed that here, you'd be on the plane. If you don't win you don't survive, simple as that It's a bigger job than I thought, but it's magical It's a phenomenal Everton, Celtic, and anyone else keen to approach the former England manager may as well forget it. Crystal Palace midfielder clears Photograph by Shaun BotterillAllsport and then, a minute from time, the substitute Freedrhan's left foot made contact with the ball 25 yards out and sent a screamer past Smith hit back within moments, slipping in at the post to capitalise bri Roberts's mis-hit volley. Instantly, Freedman struck again, chipping oyer the goalkeeper from what like an offside position. Mark McGhee, having infamously derided Bamsley's right to automatic promotion, has some task ahead of him convincing his players that Wolves are still a big enough club, a good enough team, to mix it with Shearer's Newcastle or, dare we say it, Danny Wilson's side.

Wolves need to score two arid concede none on Wednesday evening. It would be cruel to think that is a realistic possibility. At the end of the season, the league table does not he. anMf ace Wit' iMtti: Bblton Mancfiesfefi Rodger and out The determined under pressure from Curie. struggle even more.

The redoubtable Bull apart, they did not convince. "When he was substituted near the finish in favour of Foley, Wolverhampton dreamers hoped his replacement might do again what he had done against Swindon before Christmas, and grab a late goal. As it was, Smith pulled one back, giving the visitors a sliver of hope for the second leg at Mobheux. It was Palace who will celebrate with more conviction, however. Shipperley had threatened to break the vigilant Wolves defence a few, times in the first half and, capitalising on an air of desperation towards the end of the second session, the striker pumped a powerful header down and into the net after 67 minutes.

Williams's header skimmed the bar at the other end but Palace had the upper hand. Shipperley went with another header Robson: Tve worked a miracle' anteed the presence of at least one Spice Girl, whereas play-off hopefuls have to make do with Edwina Currie's daughter. Debbie Currie was out on the pitch yesterday performing her new single You Can Do Magic, the Seventies hit which the Bramall Lane faithful once used to croon at Tony (no relation) Currie. The retired Currie (Tony that is, not Edwina) was in evidence too. But, needless to say, there was precious little magic, although considering the monsoon conditions both sides did well to produce a contest of reasonable quality.

Ipswich should have taken the lead after 19 minutes when Gregory pounced on a Holdsworth mistake but rolled his shot a foot wide, before Fjortoft scored with the third of three clear chances in the space of 12 minutes. White got up well for a headed knockdown. Fjortoft did even bet: ter to stay on his feet, hold off Swailes and beat Wright from a narrow angle. Ipswich improved slightly when Gudmundsson came on but never really looked like scoring until Tiler and Kelly left a clearance to each other and Stockwell skipped in to find an empty net. Hutchison and Fjortoft had late chances to make amends, but from the reaction of the home fans United realise their chance may have gone.

Scottish Division Two HOME AWAY PWDLFAWDLF APts Ayr 36 12 3 3 32 16 11 5 2 29 17 77 Hamilton 36 11 5 2 47 17 11 -3 4 28 1174 UvJnglton 36 11 3 4 32 18 7 7 4 24 2084 Clyde 36 Queen Sth 36 Stenhsnu 36 Brechin 36 Sttanraer 36 8 6 21 18 7 27 27 8 19 23 6 18 22 7 17 18 6 6 21 2182 5 8 28 30 47 5 6 30 20 44 4 9 18 2741 4 11 12 3336 Dumbarton 36 2 -7 Berwick 36 4 4 Berwick (0)0 Att: 1,423 9 21 35 7 1 10 23 3135 10 15 36 0 7 11 17 39 23 Ayr (2)2 Scott 44 Horace 45 Referee Rowbotham (Kirkcaldy). Brechin (0)0 Dumbarton (2)3 ''Att: 620 Reilly 39 Referee I Elmslie (Aberdeen). Hamilton (0)0 Uvlngston (0)0 Att: 825 Referee A Freeland (Aberdeen). Queen Sth (0)0 Clyde Att: 1,819 Gibson 72 Referee Clyde (Bearsden). Stranraer (0)2 Stenhwnr (0)1 McGeachie71(og) Stewart 69 McCaffrey 78 Att: 356 Referee Orr (Kilbarchan).

Scottish Division Three HOME AWAY. PWOLFA'WOLF APts 36 13 3 2 37 19 10 4 4 33 18 76 36 10 5 3 35 19 9 5 4 39 26 67 Invemesse Forfar ROM 36 10 4 4 33 22 10 3 Alloa 36 9 4 5 24 21 7 3 Albion 36 8 4 6 27 22 5 6 Montrose 36 6 5 7 19 27 6 2 Cowdnbth 36 6 6 6 22 23 4 3 QueensPk 36 7 3 8 27 29 2 6 E.SMrilng 36 6 4 8 21 29 2 5 Arbroath 36 4 6 8 18 25 2 7 5 25 1967 6 26 2655 7 23 25 49 10 27 3543 11 16 2639 10 19 30 36 11 15 2933 9 13 2731 (0)0 Alloa Inverness. Referee Fleming (Glasgow). Cowdnbth (0)0 Albion Att: 183 Referee Brown (Edinburgh). E.Srllng.

(1)3 Arbroath Att: 258 Referee I Taylor(Edinburgh). Forfar (2)na QueensPk Att: 1,195 Referee Ross Co (0)3 Montrose (0)0 (0)0 (O)na (1)1 Att: 2,144 SCOTTISH TAV CARS TROPHY: Quarter-Finals: North End 0 St Joseph's Tayport 2 Arbroath SC 1. SCOTTISH INTERSPORT CUP: Quarter-Finals: Elmwood 4 Kirrie Thistle 4 AET: Montrose Roselea 3 Coupar Angus 1. Preedman coup gives the edge to Palace Kevin Mitchell atSelhiirstPark Crystal Palace. Sfippertsy 57, Freedman 89 90 Woverhampton Smith 90 Aft 21,053 'AT THE end of the as Alan Shearer said last week, 'the league table doesn't "Wei, it might be just about -to tell a sizeable porMe if either of these teams find themselves in the Premiership next season.

It was hardly lack of endeavour or flair that counted against either side, hut a frenzied ending three goals in almost as many minutes could not hide the deficiencies that will surely be exploited at the highest leveL Crystal Palace deserved the win, no question and nobody had more right to celebrate the result than the enterprising Shipperley, who has. been in outstanding form arid scored the first goal But, given the quality of the opposition, victory was an exercise in self-deception. The south Londoners, once so ambitious as the so-called team of the Eighties, are six players short of the required class, even though the once-huge potential of Dyer is beginning to resurface. Wolves, meanwhile, would Nationwide Division One HOWE AWAY A APS 45 18 4 1 60 2D 10 10 3 40 33 93 45 14 4 5 43 19 3 10 5333580 BoRoa Barnrir Worm 45 10 5 8 31 24 12 5 6 37 27 75 hssaicfa 45 13 7 3 44 23 7 7. 9 24 27 74 SbtfllW 46 13 5 54623 7 8 8 29 29 73 Ci-tiMM 45 10 7 6 39 22 9 7 7 39 2571 Purtuacofh Port Vale QPfl BirndDghaffl Trans? Stoks Homrich Kan City Chariton West Bran Oxford Utd 45 12 4 45 9 -9 45 10" 5 -7 32 24 5 35 23 8 33 25 11 27 8 22 31 9 22 11 21 13 17 13 35 12 25 15 15 3 31 15 20 15 21 15 15 12 20 14 13 29 63 27 67 35 66 30 65 29 65 35 54 50E3 3S51 33 59 33 57 42 57 43 57 44 54 41 54 40 43 45 11 45 ID 45 15 45 9 45 12 45 11 45 7 45 14 45 13 45 11 45 10 45 10 30 13 42 27 34 22 28 13 34 25 35 23 37 33 44 25 37 24 35 27 23 20 29 32 Swindon Haddersfied Bradford 5 Grmsby Oldham Southend 7 9 31 34 5 9 30 3 7 32 32 4 5 13 29 47 46 4 5 14 21 35 43 1 5 15 10 54 39 45 7 First division play-offs Semi-finals, first leg Cryitat Palace (0)3 WoirartaBtooW (0)1 BuDK Am 21.053 rree4Tari89.9D Sheffield Utd 01 rj-3ftOft-418 (0)1 Att 22,312 SOUTH EAST COUNTIES: Division One: Charlton AS Yth 3 Vtetiord Yth Southend Utd Yin 0 Norwich SOUTH EAST COUNTIES: Division Two: Bo-jme-rouSi Yth 4 3risio) City Yth 3.

MIDLAND YOUTH CUP FINAL: Stoke City 2 Aston ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE: Premier Division Brentwood 0 Burnham Ramblers East Ham United lltord 3. 4 Concord Rangers 2 REPRESENTATIVE MATCH; Mahland Lsajae 1 FA 5. COURAOE COMBINED COUNTIES: Premier Division: AsWsrd Town 4 Corinthian Casuals 0: Reading Town 2 3d1o.n! Sandhurst Town 1 Neinerne 2. KENT BUX3LL: Essex I Suffolk Borden Premier Division: Alresford 1 Mistley Utd Clacton Res 0 Wdrs Res 2: Felixstowe Res 1 West Berghol! Gas ReoreaSon 2 Haverhill Ties Utile Oakley 1 Halstead Res 2: Rowhedge 1 Harwich Res 2. Vauxhall Conference champions Macclesfield, techically in Cheshire but on Manchester's doorstep.

Has a single county been as dominant before, we wonder? Must be something they're putting in thehotpot. COMINGS Patrick Blondeau, Monaco to Sheffield Wednesday; Mick Jones, confirmed as manager of Plymouth; Tore Andre Flo, Brann. Bergen to Chelsea (from 1 Nov); Billy Bonds, to manage Millwall; Dave Bassett, to manage Nottingham Forest; Matthew Upson, Luton to Arsenal. GOINGS Manager John Docherty has left Millwall; Hearts defender Craig Leveln (32) has retired; manager Fred Davles, sacked by Shrewsbury; Ipswich's John Wark to retire; Director of Football Alan Mullery has left Barnet; Stuart Pearce, has stepped down as caretakermanager of Nottingham Forest; Jimmy Qulnn and Mick Gooding, sacked by Reading. HOOKER, LINE AND SINKER The sleaze factor, previously the domain of crept into Portuguese football.

FC Porto 'are; to sue, thSICchMner'dver a broadcast report that some of their players indulged in 'drug-crazed romps with five prostitutes' prior to Portugal's Euro 96 qualifier against Ireland in November 1995. A Brazilian hooker, named only as Paula, claims six of the squad including former Porto stars Victor Baia and Fernando Couto, both how with Barcelona, drank alcohol, smoked hashish and inhaled another drug during the liaison with the women. The little gathering only ended when defender Carlos Secretario, another ex-Porto player, lost his temper and struck one of the women. Porto coach Antonio Oliveira, in charge of the national side at the time, was hospitalised heart problems after watching the programme. The incident however, did not have an adverse effect on the team's on-field performance: Portugal beat Ireland 3:0.

INDEX UNK The Opta Index computer has assessed the current form'of the FA Cup final contestants, Chelsea and Middlesbrough, over six games from 24 March to 3 May. Neither side is in a hot streak of form at present, with Chelsea scoring five goals from 56 shots (shots to goals ratio, nine per cent) with Boro six from 35 (17 per cent). Ruud's boys certainly seem to move the ball around more, making 2,000 passes with a 75 per cent completion; Boro, playing for their lives and perhaps not wishing to elaborate, made 1,161 at 75 per cent. Playing the wing-back system, Chelsea put in more crosses, 79 at 32 per cent completion, while Boro, playing a solid 4-4-2 recently, managed 34 at 38 per cent. If Bryan Robson's side continue with that system, an interesting contrast in styles should be evident on the day.

The Optex Rlayer of the Week is Manchester United's Roy Keane for his performance against Middlesbrough. BRIGHTON ROCKERS Good news that Seagulls are no longer an endangered species, though sad that a nice little club like Hereford had to go. But pardon us if we don't go all the way with the popular acclaim that it was the Brighton fans wot done it. It was largely down to the remarkable transformation worked by Steve Gritt. The fans may have helped along the way, but basically some of them cannot escape response bility for getting Brighton into the mess at the foot of the table in the first place.

Hopefully next season, wherever the Seagulls may be landing, the more loutish element among their followers won't be wrecking the furniture or throwing bananas at black players. TRIVIA TEASER Who was the first Sweden-born player to appear in the FA Cup final? (Answer page 10) FINAL WHISTLE Shouldn't the new Sports Minister Tony Banks be having a cautionary word in the ear of his pals at Chelsea? Their hike in ticket prices is bad enough, but the price list for pre-FA Cup final interviews with the stars smacks of the sort of profiteering that would have made Mrs Thatcher's bosom heave with pride. We can assure readers that The Observer will not be paying 12,000 for a word from the Wise. stranglehold on the silverware. This with Merseyside once again, much to the glee of the boys from Salford, remaining a trophy-free sione, the county of Lantashire has achieved a clean sweep of divisional honours.

Topping the four divisions are Man Chester United, Bolton, Bury and Wigan, all within a 20-mile Red Rose radius. And then there's Division One Play-Offs: Soml-Final Second-Leg: Ipswich Shell Utd; Wolves Crystal Palace (at). Second Division Play-Offs: Seml-FInal Second-Leg: Brentlord Bristol City (art); Luton Crewe (at). Third Division Play-Offs: Seml-FInal Second-Leg: Northampton Cardiff; Swansea Chester (7.30 at). Thursday FA Youth Challenge Cup Final: Second Leg: Crystal Palace Leeds (7.30).

Saturday (3.0 unless stated) FA Cup Final sponsored by Liiilewoods Chelsea Middlesbrough At Wembley Sunday FA Umbro Trophy Final Dag Red Woking (3.0 Wembley) Bell's Scottish League Play-Ofh First-Leg: Hibs Airdrie Paul Wilson at Bramall Lane Sheffield United. RortofUO Ipswich Town StodWB))78 1 Aft 22,312 GOOD NEWS for Middlesbrough, at last. Jan Aage Iortoft might not be on his way back to the Premiership to join Bamsley's Boro old boys Hendrie and Wilkinson, so a potentially embarrassing hat-trick should Ravanelli and the rest of Bryan Robson's expensive replacements fail to avoid relegation this afternoon t- will probably be averted. The Norwegian striker's first-half goal appeared to have beaten Ipswich until the home defence handed Stockwell an equaliser 12 minutes from the end, Whether one goal would have beenenough at Poriinan Road is a matter for debate, but as Ipswich have been the Division One fom team since Easter, you have to fancy George Burley's side on level terms. All of which increases the pressure on Howard Kendall, dischuffed a couple of weeks ago to learn via a boardroom leak that he might be replaced if United do not achieve promotion this season.

You can see why everyone wants to be in the Premiership, though. Go to a Manchester United or Liverpool match these days and you are practically guar- Bell's Scottish Premier HOME AWAY PWDLFAWDLF APIs Rangers 36 13 2 3 44 16 12 3 3 41 17 80 CoWc 36 14 2 2 48 9 9 4 5 30 23 75 Dundee 36 10 4 4 21 10 7 5 6 25 2380 Hurts 36 8 6 4 27 20 6 4 8 .19 2352 DunfnnOne 36 8 4 6 32 30 4 5 9 20 3545 Aberdeen 36 6 8 4 25 19 4 6 8 20 35 44 KDmamh 36 8 4 6 28 26 3 2 13 13 3539 Motherwell 36 5 5 8 24 25 4 6 8 20 30 38 Hibernian 36 6 '4 8 18 25 3 7 8 20 3038 RaJth 36 3 5 10 18 39 3 2 13 11 3425 Celtic (1)3 Dundee I) (0)0 Cadetell Att: 46.758 Hay 85 Johnson 88 Celtic Marshall, Boyd, McKinlay, Kelly, MacKay, Grant, Donnelly, Hannah. Johnson, Thorn, Cadete. Subs: Gray, McLaughlin, Hay. Dundee United Dykstra, Mclnally, McKimmie, Pressley, Perry, Sinclair, Walker, McKinnon, Winters, Dolan, McLaren.

Subs: McSwegan, Duffy, Black. Referee Tait (East Kilbride). Hearts (0)3 Ranger (0)1 Cameron 80 Mclnnes 81 Robertson 82 (pen), 86 Att: 13.097 Hearts McKenzie. Locke, Pointon, Weir, McPherson, Murray, McCann. Frail, Robertson, Holmes, Cameron.

Subs: Hamilton. Murie, Fulton. Rangers Dibble, Sheilds, Albertz, Wright, Petric, Bjorklund, Ferguson, Gascoigne McCoist, Van Vossen, Durrant. Subs: Miller, Durie, Mclnnes. Referee McCluskey (Stewarton).

Kilmamk (0)1 Aberdeen (1)1 Holt 73 Dodds 34 Att: 10,027 Kilmarnock Lekovic. MacPherson, Kerr, Montgomerie, McGowne. Reilly. Bagan, Mitchell, Mclntyre. Holt.

Burke. Subs: Brown, Roberts, Findlay. Aberdeen Stillie. Anderson, Tzvetanov, Rowson, Inglis, Kombouare, Miller, Dodds Bernard, Windass, Woodthorpe. Subs: Shearer, BUchan, Young.

Referee Dougal (Bumside). Motherwell (1)2 Dunfrmline (1)2 Weir 32 French 38 Van Der Gaag 73 Bingham 59 Att: 9.676 Motherwell Howie, May, Ross, Van Der Gaag, Martin. McMillan. Weir, Valikarri. Coyne, McSkimming, Coyle.

Subs: McCulloch, Arnott, Philliben. Dunfermline Athletic Westwater. Curran, Fleming, Tod, Welsh, Young, French, Fraser, Smith, Britton, Bingham. Subs: Rice. Ireland, Lemajic.

Referee Young (Clarkston). Ralth (1)1 Hibernian (1)1 Duffield 7 McGinlay 26 Att: 6.274 Ralth Thomson, McCulloch. Kirkwood, Millen, Craig. Mitchell. Twaddle.

Duffield, Kirk, Lennon, Millar. Subs: Harvey, Dargo, Stein. Hibernian Leighton, Renwick, McQuilken, McLaughlin. Welsh, Dow. Tosh, Power, Elliot, Jackson, McGinlay.

Subs: Wright, Lavety, Hunter. Referee Dallas (Motherwell). Division Three HOME AWAY PWDLFAWDLF APts Wigan 46 17 3 3 53 21 9 6 8 31 30 87 Fulham 46 13 5 5 41 -20 12 7 4 31 18 87 CarSsto 46 16 3 4 41 21 8 9 6 26 23 84 Northampton 46 14 4 5 43 17 6 8 9 24 27 72 Swansea 46 13 5 5 37 20 8 3 12 25 38 71 Chester 46 11 8 4 30 16 7 8 8 25 27 70 Cardiff 46 11 4 8 30 23 9 5 9 26 31 69 Colchester 46 11 9 33623 6 8 9262868 Lincoln 46 10 8 5 35 25 8 4 11 35 44 66 Cambridge 46 11 5 7 30 27 7 6 10 23 32 65 Mansfield 46 9 6 6 21 17 7 8 8 26 28 64 Scarborough 46 9 9 5 36 31 7 6 10 29 37 63 Scunthorpe 46 11 3 9 36 33 7 6 10 23 29 63 Rochdale 46 10 6 7 34 24 4 10 9 24 34 58 Bamet 46 9 9 5 32 23 5 7 11 14 28 58 LeytonOrient 46 11 6 6 23 20 4 6 13 22 38 57 Hull 46 9 8 6 29 26 4 10 9 15 24 57 DarSngton 46 11 5 7 37 28 3 5 15 27 50 52 Doneaster 46 9 7 7 29 23 5 3 15 23 43 52 Hartlepool 45 8 6 9 33 32 6 3 14 20 34 51 Torquay 46 9 4 10 24 24 4 7 12 22 38 50 Exeter 46 6 9 6 25 30 6 3 14 23 43 48 tBrighton 46 12 6 5 41 27 1 4 18 12 43 47 Hereford 4S 6 8 9 26 25 5 6 12 24 40 47 Sngfiton deducted 2 points Scottish Division One HOME AWAY PWDLFAWDLF APIs StJotowtn 36 12 5 1 37 10 12 3 3 37 1380 AWrie 36 6 7 a 26 19 9 8 1 30 15 60 Dundee. 36 10 3 5 26 14 5 10 3 21 19 58 SlMrrefl 35 12 0 6 28 21 5 7 6 20 20 58 Falkirk. 36 8 7 3 28 20 7 2 9 14 19 54 Parllek 36 6 8 4 24 21 6 4 8 25 27 48 SttrflngA 36 8 3 7 27 25 4 7 7 27 36 48 Morton 36 6 7 5 20 19 6 2 10 22 22 45 Clydebank 36 6 4 8 19 24 1 3 14 12 3528 EastFHe 36 1 5 12 15 48 1 3' 14 13 44 14 Division Two HOME AYfAY PWDLFAWDLF APts Bory 45 13 5 0 39 7 6 7 10 23 31 84 Stockport 45 15 5 3 31 14 6 3 7282782 Lnton 46 13 7 3 38 14 8 733 31 78 Brentford 46 8 11 4 25 22 12 3 8 30 21 74 BristolCily 46 .14 4 5 43 18 7 6 10 26 33 73 Crewe 45 15 4 4 38 15 7 3 13 13 32 73 Blackpool 45 13 7 3 41 21 5 8 10 19 26 69 Wrexham 46 11 9 33728 6 9 8 17 2269 Burnley 45 14 3 64827 5 8 10 232868 Chesterfield 46 10 9 4 25 18 8 5 10 17 21 68 45 13 3 73725 6 7 10 233467 Wated 45 12 8 3 35 21 7 2 14 19 32 67 Watford 45 10 8 5 24 14 6 11 6 21 24 67 MShral 45 12 4 72722 4 9 10 233361 Preston 45 14 5 4 33 19 4 2 17 16 35 61 Booraemtfi 45 8 9 6 24 20 7 6 10 19 2565 BnstolR 45 13 4 63422 2 7 13 28 56 Wycombe 45 13 4 6 31 14 2 6 15 20 42 55 Plymouth 46 7 11 5 19 18 5 7 11 28 40 54 York 45 3 6 9 27 31 5 7 11 20 37 52 Peterboro 45 7 7 93834 4 7 12 17 39 47 Shrewsbury 45.

6 9 27 32 3 7 13 22 42 46 Botberham 45 4 7 12 17 29 3 7 13 22 41 35 NottsCounty 46 4 9 10 20 25 3 5 15 13 3135 FA Carlsberg Vase Final HorthFerribyUtd. 0)0 VtbttbyTown (1)3 Logan 26 Williams 61 Toman 75 Ait 11,098 North Ferriby Utd Stiarpe, Deacey. A. Smith. Brentano.

Walmstey. M. Smith, Harrison (Home 54), Phillips (Milner69J, France (Newman 75). Rounders. Tennison.

Whitby Town Campbell. Williams. Logan. Goodohfld. Pea-son, Cook.

Goodrick Borthwck 78). Hodgson. Robinson. TorrBn (Pyle 84). Pitman (Hall 86).

Referee Poll (Tring). Gilbert League of Wales Cup Final Fixtures Today FA Carting Premiership (ko 4pm): Aston Villa Southampton; Blackburn Leicester; Derby Arsenal; Everton Chelsea; Leeds Middlesbrough; Man Utd West Ham; Newcastle Nottm Forest; Shell Wed Liverpool; Tottenham Coventry; Wimbledon Sunderland. Division Two Play-Offs: Soml-Flnal First-Log: Bristol City Brenttord (1.0), Crewe Luton (3.0 at). Division Three Play-Offsi Semi-Final First-Leg: Car-ditt Northampton Town (12.0 at); Chester Swansea (3.0 at). Tuesday (7.45 unless slated) UEFA Under-18 Championship: Intermediary Round: Second Leg: Portugal U18 England U1B (5.0).

Friendly Matches: Arsenal Rangers (8.0); Sunderland Liverpool (8.0). Wednesday European Cup Winners Cup Final: Barcelona Paris St Germain (7 30) Airdrie H3L 1.977 Clydebank Att: 267 StJohnstn Colquhoun 52 EastFlfe Ronald 46 Allan 47 Dyer 87 Cusick 88 SUrDngA (0)1 (0)4 Dundee Annand 18 Raeside 28 0'Dnscoll68 Tan 86 (ogj FaDdrk (0)2 87 Bennett 75 (pen; Att: 2.089 (pen). (1(3 Morton (0)0 AU. 2.018 McGnllen 23 James 46 Fellner 79 StMirren (2(2 Partlck An 2.8O0 (0)0 Watson 11 25 Bangor City 2 Barry Town 2 Barry Town won 4-2 on penalties VAUX WEARSIDE LEAGUE: Annfield Plain 0 UarsKe Utd Jarrow 0 Windscaie Whnehavn Arns 3 RyhopeCW3. MINERVA SOUTH MIDLANDS: Premier Division: Arlesey 4 WeJwyn Garden City 2: Buckingham Am 2 RoystonTown2.

NORTH WEST COUNTIES LEAGUE: Division One: Eastwood Hanley 2 Kidsgrove Athletic Gtossop North End 1 Penrith Hblker Old Boys 1 Mosstey 3 Maine Road 4 Nantwich Town 1 Division Two: Garswood United 0 Nelson 1: Widdlewich Athletic 2 Tetley Walker 3: Oldham Town 0 Ramsboltom United 2 Stantonflale 2 Daisy Hill 1 DIVIDEND FORECAST Half-time: With six score draws and 12 no score draws the dividend forecast is good. Telephone claims invited for 22 points DIVIDEND FORECAST Full-time: With six score draws and four no score draws the dividend forecast is very good. Telephone claims invited for 22 points. I HJ.lMUM'Ji gIIIirOQQQIIQIIIIOQHIIIHIIKIiaQIIIIQ HALF TIME fcl HHrtHrtflNHnBNHHNHHHHrlrlMnHHHHHflrtrtHHHHHHHPINflHHHHHHHnH Iq Kjl I I I I OOOQQIQIXI IQXQIIQXIIIIDIIXQQII 11 I ITN rtrtNHHHnNNHNHrtHNHH(OrtHHrtHHHT(HNrtHHrtNHHflrtHflHH D) Pi I I cn lt n- oo O) cm ro st- in cd f- oo oi cn to r- cn ro in (D oo oi cn ro lo to r--co PUL TIME wwwwwcvwwwcvmnnnnnmmmnif)-.