The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 14

THE GUARDIAN Tuesday May 29 1990 Soccer Second Division play-off final: Sunderland 0, Swindon 1 FOTtiMDD smroaOes Dlfi) ftotfDDDGQdDDD 14 SPORTS NEWS White, after Norman had made Cynthia Bateman at WmMy The goal came after 25 minutes when Foley's cross from the right fell to McLoughlin. His shot from just outside the penalty area hit Bennett's boot, which changed its pace and trajectory and sent it hurtling past Norman. It was a victory Swindon deserved, for after soaking up Sunderland's initial five-minute burst they controlled play and had little difficulty containing the Sunderland strikers. Gab-biadini, until he twisted an ankle early in the second half, had looked as though he was on form, but his service was easily cut out by the alertness and panache of Swindon's central defenders, Gittens and Calderwood. They fed the two full-backs, whose initiative down the flanks combined with McLoughlin's inspiration in midfield to give the Swindon strikers so many chances that they seemed not to appreciate their value.

Both White and Shearer showed an extravagance with shots that could have cost Swindon dear. White made up for fluffing a chance at an open goal in the first ten minutes with a shot five minutes later that brought a brilliant save from Norman, and Bennett, so unfortunate earlier, twice cleared off his line. Swindon had seemed certain to score after 20 minutes when DN THE end, after a long, hard season, it was down to luck: ill luck for the Sunderland captain Gary Bennett, whose boot deflected past his own goalkeeper the shot that put Swindon into the First Division for the first time in their history. Whether they stay there after the FA concludes its inquiry into alleged financial irregularities at the club remains to be seen. Swindon's Alan McLoughlin had double reason to celebrate.

Apart from scoring that all-important goal, he also received the news that Jack Charlton is likely to summon him to the Republic of Ireland's World Cup camp in Malta as a standby for the injured Ray Houghton. Ossie Ardiles, the Swindon manager, said it would be "an absolute tragedy" if the club were not allowed to play in the First Division. "I hope that somehow the League look at us from a sympathetic point of view. Right now we are in the First Division. This is a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life." Swindon won the promotion play-off at Wembley with the flukiest of goals, despite dominating the match with skills that bore the hallmark of their Argentinian manager.

4 I ft I Actively acclimatising Bryan Robson takes a shot as the England party limber up. McMahon, Wright and Barnes wait their torn photograph: frank baron Tall stories are not the Wright thighs World Cup warm-up: Malta 1, Scotland 2 McflnaflDy cOoubDe eases Scotland's anjiieftoes David Lacey in Cagliari finds England's Bobby Robson reacting with commendable restraint to the latest instances of fevered journalism IN WORLD CUP, as in world wars, truth is the first casualty, and yesterday a severe case of mendacity limped into the England camp in Sardinia saying that Bobby Robson had been jeered when he attended an Italian Second Div ision match in Cagliari on Sunday to show the locals a bit of goodwill. Nothing of the kind hap pened, (is Glen Kirton, the FA's spokesman, said: "The crowd of 40,000 were not that interested in England. They were celebrating CagUari's promotion to the Patrick Agiww in Valletta HE Bayern Munich striker Alan Mclnally ended Scotland's alarming recent run in World Cup warm-up games when he scored both goals in their win over Malta here last night. Scotland, though, were less than impressive in an untidy match in which their players understandably seemed more concerned with avoiding injury than winning.

The pattern of the match was further disrupted by the number of substitutions five in all made by Andy Roxburgh. The Scotland coach revealed after the game that the Hearts defender Dave McPherson had got the final touch to Michael Degiorgio's 42nd minute free kick which put Malta level the fifth time this season that an own goal had given Scotland serious problems. "I'm very upset about the own goal," said Roxburgh. "At the highest level days the man was admirably restrained. Indeed an Italian reporter thought he seemed quite happy.

There are now more than three times as many reporters at the resort of Santa Margher-ita di Pula as there are England footballers, and with the opening game against the Republic of Ireland in Cagliari still a fortnight away there is not a lot to write about once you have exhausted the drama of Mark Wright's thigh injury. Small wonder, then, that some imaginations have gone wreck 15 buses More than 3,000 police, equipped with riot gear, helicopters and dogs, are to be drafted on to the island to prepare for English and Dutch supporters, both highly rated for hooligan potential and involved in the same World Cup group. Rugby Union Sardinia 's own soccer hooligans an error, had only to tap in to put them ahead. Instead the ball rolled along the goal-line before hitting the post and bouncing out. And so it went on, making nonsense of the statistic that put Swindon two places ahead of Sunderland in the final League table on a plus-20 goal dinerence.

Sunderland had set off like an avalanche and, had Gates been able to improve on the angle of a shot that hit the side netting, they might have had the early Thereafter the few shots that got through were comfortably collected by Swindon's England Under-21 goalkeeper Digby, and Denis Smith, the Sunderland manager, admitted: "We gave them too much room. After the first five minutes we had a job getting the ball off them." Sunderland's remote chances dwindled still further when Gabbiadini was slowed by in jury, and Hauser, who replaced the 34-year-old Gates, and Atkinson failed to rejuvenate the Wearsiders. Their effort ran out as Swindon's wing-play triangles pivot ed on the excellent McLoughlin. Bundariandi Norman; Kay, Agboola, Bennett. McPhall.

Owers. Bracswell. Armstrong, Gates (Hauser, 71mln), Gabbiadini, Pascoe (Atkinson, 69). Swlndoni Dlgby; Kerslake, Bodln, McLough lin, vaiaerwooa, aniens, jones, snoarer, White, McLaren, Foley. Martin (Alton).

After struggling for long peri ods in an undistinguished second half, the Scottish domination finally reaped its reward when Mclnally hammered home another left-wing cross from Malpas in the 82nd minute. One of the most interesting news items to emerge yesterday concerned the intriguing possibility that Scotland might continue their World Cup preparation with a behind-closed-doors training game against Jack Charlton's Irish side. Both managers feel such a game would be beneficial. Ireland are also, finalising their World Cup preparations here in Malta, and they are scheduled to play a Maltese national side on Saturday. SCOTLAND! Qoram (Lalghton, () Aitken, dough, McStay (CoMne, eOmki), Malpaa, Johnston (MeCoM.

68), Belt (MMMetar, M), uweepia (uvaM, 41), Mclnally, MeCaB, MeMieraon. ALTAi CM, Veto, Carabott, (Mm, Let aria (CamMari, h-t), BuWgriae, Zenrfa sown, 7TJ, vmw, oragory (zam, mh Degfofttfo, UoarL Longhl (Italy). Marooned Fleck keeps Scots waiting ANDY ROXBURGH, the Scotland coach, saw his World Cup plans thrown into disarray yesterday when Robert Fleck, the 24-year-old Norwich striker, found himself marooned in Yugoslavia instead of joining the squad in Malta. Fleck, called in on Sunday to replace the injured Davie Cooper, was on holiday in Du-brovnik when he received Roxburgh's emergency call. Attempts by Scottish FA officials to fly the striker to Malta yesterday morning fell through because of a breakdown in communications at the Yugoslavian end, and the next flight from Dubrovnik to London providing a connection to Malta is not until today the deadline Roxburgh has imposed for Fleck's arrival in the island to join in warm-weather training.

"Unless Robert arrives by tomorrow lunchtime it won't be worth his while coming at all," said Roxburgh. "If that is the case he will train alone in Dubrovnik, where he is booked to stay until Friday. "The only redeeming feature is that he can train in the heat, although it would be better if he was with us here. The whole thing is ludicrous, as our own people did everything right in fixing his travel arrangements. "The details were entered into the computer and a telex sent as confirmation.

However, being a Sunday in Dubrovnik, it seems that no one bothered to read the messages and there was no ticket ready." Roxburgh wants an early look at Fleck, whom he plans to field in Scotland's second World Cup match against Sweden on June 16. Fleck caused Glen Hy-sen, the Swedish defender, numerous problems when Norwich played Liverpool during the domestic season. Richard Gough is likely to finish his career with Rangers. He has accepted a six-year contract that is expected to earn him upwards of 1,000,000, and at its completion he will be 34. The news, announced by the Rangers manager Graeme Sou-' ness, kills speculation that the Scotland defender would rejoin Spurs, who sold him for 1.5 million three years ago.

SARDINIA, bracing itself for the much-hyped influx of imported hooliganism, yesterday found itself having to deal with the local variety instead. Youths smashed up 15 buses as celebrations got out of hand after Cagliari's victory over Triestina, a Cycling Ireland call up a 23rd man Walker stirred as Wy llie's problems mouiniii as Sclhusfter defects Barnes's excellent goal at -Wen or I( imbley a week ago has more or less confirmed him as Lin- eker's partner, and although he missed training yesterday with a minor strain this pairing will be the attacking combination in Tunis on Saturday. Bryan Robson, resting his sore heel, and Terry Butcher, who is running a slight temperature, also missed training and Chris Waddle is due in from Marseilles tomorrow after their unexpected elimination in the French Cup semi-finals. One or two points for future reference could emerge from this afternoon's exercise. Piatt will be playing just behind Bull and Beardsley, Parker will appear for the first time at centre-back, bis more natural position, and Wright's thigh will be tested for part of the match.

England's No. 2 goalkeeper, Woods, plays today; Seaman gets his turn against Torres, an Italian Third Division side, in a week's time; and Shilton will return against Tunisia. BHOLAND (v Cagliari): Wood (Rangers); Stevena (Rangers), WaBter (Nottingham F). Faiftar (OPR), Dorftjo (Chelsaa); Stewart (Rangers), Webb (Manchester Utd), McMahon (Liverpool), Han (Aston Villa). Bserdslay (Liverpool), Bui (Wolves).

make changes to the side," Wyllie said. "If only one player had left or been injured we could have replaced him by someone who knew the pattern, but this time we have to put someone in from the cold." He added that he thought Scotland, more than any other European side, were capable of beating the All Blacks. "I watched them on video and I am convinced the one thing that will develop on the tour of New Zealand is their back-line play. "Their forwards are more mobile than any of the other sides in Europe and once again they are bringing to New Zealand a very good front row." The All Blacks last lost a Test in November 1986 against France at Nantes; since then they have played 14 matches without being beaten. Their last home defeat was earlier in 1986 against Australia when bans on top players for touring.

South Africa had seriously weakened them. Northern at centre and the Sale lock John Howe who, at 6ft Sin, will test the young Scotland lock Doddie Weir and ought to secure at least a fair share of line-out possession for the combined side. Scotland want to win well, in terms of points and quality of rugby. "A win is important to us at the start of the tour. What I'm looking for is a full team performance," said McGeechan.

SCOTLAND XVi Doda (Gala); A Mow (Edinburgh Academicals). Redpath (Melrose), Uneen (Boroughmulr). Porta (Malone); Cnaknara (Melrose), a OHvar (Hawick); Bote (Edinburgh Academicals, cspl), MBjm (Harlot's), I MUrw (Harlot's). Cray (Nottingham), Wak- (Melrose), TumbuB (Hawick), a Marsha (Selkirk), 9 CaMar (Stewart's-Melvllle). POVERTY BAV-BA8T COASTi Owe (eaptftO DavMB, ChBde, FlUslmuw, 4 WaBsi Turss, CrabyjLOrawiMniai hsWVtai tlAACy at HWMb.bbV astray and doubtless will cork tinue to do so.

About this time next week we shall probably be reading of kidnapping threats. The Wright saga, incidentally, reached a happy denouement yesterday when the Derby County centre-back was declared fit enough to stay with the party. This afternoon England's reserves play Cagliari at Pula and if there are any jeers they will emanate from police or press. The public are being kept out because the local authorities do not consider the partly rebuilt ground, which is where England train, to be safe for a crowd of any size. Of those expected to start the World Cup only Stevens and Walker will be on view today.

The main aim of the exercise is to unstiffen the stiffs, and while Webb and Beardsley may be less than flattered to find themselves so categorised, at least they know where they stand. Beardsley came off the bench late in last Tuesday's game against Uruguay but it will be the first time he has started a match since Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace on April 8. play rugby league for Manly in Sydney. In addition Murray Pierce, the very experienced lock forward, has decided to retire. The All Blacks' selectors now find themselves in the unaccustomed position of having to make changes in a settled side.

Since they won the inaugural World Cup in 1987, beating France in the final at Eden Park, Auckland, they have managed to keep together more or less the same squad of players, and this has been one of the main reasons for their continued success. The most difficult job for the selectors will be to find a fullback who can approach the attacking and defensive skills of Gallagher and Ridge and at the same time fit in with the All Blacks' pattern of play. The stand-in for Schuster will likewise have to familiarise himself quickly with New Zealand's midfield moves. "There is pressure on us because we have been forced to usual sessions," he said. "But, because the players have not had a game for over a month, it was important to get them used to contact again and to working continuously.

But the best thing for them is to get a match under their belts." Asked if Scotland would play an expansive game, McGeechan replied that they had done so in the season before the one in which they won the Grand Slam when "we didn't win any of the major If the Scots can secure enough clean possession they will surely make full use of their backs, though this might not be a realistic preparation for their future matches. The Poverty Bay-East Coast side include two English play-era in Graham Childa from i Italian First Division. Bobby had rehearsed a couple of sentences in Italian, congratulating the team on their success, but shortly before he was to read it out over the PA system we were told that the microphone wasn't working. So he went on to the pitch and shook hands with the local players. There were no boos or jeers." Yesterday, with the sky suitably overcast, Robson aired his views on the matter to the British press in private.

Considering some of the things written about him over the past five result which clinched the island side's promotion into the Italian First Division. Two hours of festivities were used as an excuse for violence by local hooligans, who smashed bus doors, seats and windows and fled before police arrived. heats up feed, and when I caught him I was so annoyed that I attacked him on the next climb," Walker explained. "I had already waited for him once." The East German lost contact on a climb with 15 miles remaining. A crash near Liskeard after 88 miles saw five riders go down, the worst hurt being Jan Svorada, the Czechoslovak rider who won the recent East European Peace Race.

He trailed in 25 minutes down, effectively ending his challenge, as Walker was climbing the podium to take the stage prize and yellow jersey. Walker leads overall by 54 seconds from the prologue winner, CaynTheakston. Theakston, who rides for the other Belgian team in the field, Tulip Computers, came in at the rear of the main bunch. With him there were the two men he beat on Sunday, Joey McLoughlin (Ever Ready-Halfords) and Miros-lav Liptak of Czechoslovakia. Two riders were penalised for relieving themselves too visibly during yesterday's stage, the Dutch amateur Frank van Veenendaal and the Belgian professional Jim van de Laer each being docked three minutes.

Competitors are warned to be discreet if they must urinate in the saddle. Today: Plymouth to Weston-super-Mare, 119 miles. I YESTERDAY I LANDS END TRURO PLYMOUTH ST AUSTELL I MOm II il4 Lb I I I I I I I I I I 10 30 50 70 90 1101 iTODAYnaamiiesl WESTON- HAMPSTEAO A0 SUPER-MARE jjSfii 1405 Cf PLYMOUTH HILICUMBS 9.00 iJ SHUNTS they are fatal, and they are difficult for managers to legislate for. We have just got to keep chipping away and hope to eradicate the flaws." Mclnally's sharpness in front of goal should have pleased Roxburgh, though. Others to impress against the enthusiastic but limited Maltese were the lively Mo Johnston, the solid Roy Aitken and the industrious JimBett.

After only five minutes Mem-ally got on the end of an accurately struck long ball from Malpas down the Scottish left. Turning well, Mclnally broke free down the wing and cut inside to beat three defenders before hitting an accurate low shot past the 18-year-old Maltese goalkeeper Cini. Malta came back three minutes before half-time with an unlikely equaliser. The Scottish defence appeared to misread completely a free kick from De-giorgio and allowed a shot that seemed intended as a cross to curl into the net. Cup international, against the Maltese on Saturday.

Aged 23, he spent his early career with Manchester United but never made the first team. Even at Swindon it was some time before he won a regular place; during his four seasons there he has had two spells on loan at Torquay. Although Charlton is reluctant to blood a player with no previous full-international experience, McLoughlin impressed in the team's 4-1 defeat of England in Cork in March. He could bring something fresh to the Republic after their mind-numbing 0-0 draw with Turkey in Izmir's Ataturk stadium on Sunday. "It was an exercise in how to play in the heat," said Charlton, "to go slowly, then go quickly." It was rather an exercise in how not to play in the heat; to go slowly, then more slowly still.

The quickly was forgotten. The Republic acted against their natural gung-ho instincts and the result was even less pretty than usual. "I'm not clear what the Irish wanted," said Sepp Piontek, who has taken over the Turkish team after 11 years as Denmark's manager. "They seemed frightened to take risks." Though the Turks put up feeble opposition on the hottest May day 38C (100F) in Izmir for 52 years, Charlton said that the Republic got from the game what they wanted: the cooker without the pressure. The Turks may yet impede England and Ireland in qualifying for the next European Championship finals.

that they were inadequately insured. Ohana and Tikva received four-year bans from international soccer and Rosenthal was banned for two and a half years. In addition all three were fined 4,700 and they will not be allowed to play for their clubs until the fines are paid. David Froat OHN SCHUSTER, the cen-JJtre three-quarter, yester-VaVday became the third member of the All Blacks squad in three weeks to switch codes to rugby league, leaving the coach Alex Wyllie with a further problem of selection before New Zealand meet Scotland in the first Test on June 16 at Dunedin. Schuster said he was going to play in Australia for Newcastle Knights.

"It was a very difficult decision for me to make," he said. "It basically came down to two factors: money and the attraction of the game." Schuster, born in Western Samoa, would not say how much he will be paid on turning professional. John Gallagher, the All Blacks' leading full-back, signed for Leeds last week, and only a few days earlier Matthew Ridge, the No. 2 full-back, announced that he was going to Ian Ridley in Izmir LAN MCLOUGHLIN, UV who has yet to win an aV-international cap, will join the Republic of Ireland's World Cup squad today. The Swindon midfielder could replace Gary Waddock, whose rehabilitation after a career-threatening injury has not been the joyful success that his selection heralded.

Maurice Setters, Ireland's assistant manager, finally contacted McLoughlin at his hotel in London on Sunday night before yesterday's Second Division play-off, in which he struck Swindon's winning goal. "He told me to bring more than a clean pair of underpants," said McLoughlin, "because I'd be away from home for at least a month." The Irish need cover, especially in midfield. Ray Houghton (back), Ronnie Whe-lan (ankle) and Kevin Moran (Achilles tendon) are also struggling to be fit for the opening game against England in Cagliari on June 11. "I had hoped that everyone would be fully fit and raring to go at this stage," Jack Charlton, the Republic's manager, said yesterday. "But that's not the case at all." He has to decide on his final squad today, Fifa's deadline.

McLoughlin was due to take part in the under-21 international against Malta tomorrow. It is likely, though, that he will be withdrawn from that game and made a substitute for the full Irish team's last pre-World Milk Race OrahamSnowdon In Plymouth aNHRIS WALKER scored I -his seventh success of Vtte season four city- centre and three stage wins as the Milk Race started in earnest yesterday with British professional riders tak ing the top three places in the opening road stage. waiiter, 25, from Sheffield, crossed the line a full minute clear at the end of the 114 miles from Land's End to Plymouth, but he had to shake off a challenge from the East German amateur Hardy Groeger to do so. After Groeger been swal lowed by the chasing bunch Harry Lodge who comes from Salisbury but rides for the Belgian team La William-Saltos attacked as the field crossed the Tamar Bridge into Plymouth, closely marked by Walker's Banana-Falcon team-mate Dave Rayner. Once Sayner and Lodge opened up a gap they worked weu toeetner, out tne na- nana-Falcon rider sat on his rival for the last kilometre and then easily won the sprint for second place to give his team a one-two.

Norbert Arnold of West Germany led the main field home nine seconds further back, ahead of Uwe Preissler of East Germany and Lodge's Belgian, team-mate Jan Bogaert, They say hungry men make tie best fighters, and Walker's anger at missing his allocation at the official feeding station near St Aus tell after 68 miles triggered ms determination to win. Groeger had broken an unwritten rule of cycling by putting in an attack at that point, leaving Walker to chase before he had a chance to take on board his mussette of food. "When he attacked I was nteasing about trying to get a Return to Poverty Rosenthal punished by Israel Alan Bain at Olsbom OLD acquaintance will be renewed when Scotland play the first game of their eight-match tour of New Zealand here tomorrow against the combined Poverty Bay-East Coast side. Poverty Bay were the traditional pipe-opener for touring teams before the advent of shorter itineraries. The last tourists to meet them were England in 1985, and before that the 1977 Lions when Scotland's coach Ian McGeechan scored two tries and Poverty Bay's coach Grant Allan also played.

McGeechan put the Scottish players through a tough two-hour training session yesterday. "It was longer than our QONNY ROSENTHAL of I Liverpool, with two other Israeli internationals, Eli Ohana and Shalom Tikva, has been banned and fined by an Israeli Football Association 'disciplinary commission for their refusal to play for their country in a friendly against the Soviet Union on May 18. They complained.