The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 20

MnAnvfk THE GUARDIAN 20 SPORTS NEWS Thursday May 20 1993 Soccer FA CUP FINAL REPLAY: David Lacey hopes Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday will show more adventure than last Saturday and so avoid a penalty shoot-out in tonight's game Wembley's thin plot looks for a happy ending Failing that. Hirst will again be Wednesday's most likely scorer, although Harkes came off on Saturday looking fresher than many despite covering more ground than most. If this evening's replay turns out to bo a survival of the fittest Arsenal may yet be doodled by a Yankee. But for the moment one has to fancy Graham's greys. Areanah Seaman.

Dixon. Winterburn, Linighan, Adams. Campbell, Wright, Merson. Parlour. Oavis.

Jensen Sheffield Wednesday (Irom). Woods. Pressman. Nilsson. Worthmgton.

Palmer. Anderson. Shirtlifl. Waddle. Warhurst.

Bright. Bart-Willlams. Sheridan. Hirst. Jemson.

Jones, Harkes. Wilson Heferaei Barratt (Coventry) lowed it rather than Saturday's peripheral figure. Wright's ninth goal of the FA Cup has revived Arsenal's expectation that he will eventually bring the trophy to Highbury for the sixth time but Merson's form is still a crucial factor. One free-kick from Waddle could take the Cup to Hillsborough for the first time since 1935 but Warhurst looks a better bet to decide things in open play. If both Anderson and Shirtliff were fit, Francis could use him as a striker, a role Warhurst has already filled prolifically.

have given another reminder that modern football is less about territorial advantage than sound defending, quick breaks and taking chances. Graham will again be looking to his goalkeeper and central defenders to create a solid platform for counter-attacks. The attacking speed of Dixon and Winterburn will once more be fundamental to this policy, along with Jensen's steady patrolling of the midfleld. However, Graham needs the Merson of the semi-final against Tottenham and the Coca-Cola triumph that fol ONE hope will surely unite the supporters of Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday this evening as they trudge to Wembley for the fourth time in 6'. weeks.

It is that, whatever the outcome, the 1993 FA Cup final will not have to be settled by the artificial means of a penalty shoot-out. Yet, after watching the exhausted players of the two clubs striving in vain to break last Saturday's deadlock, it is hard to avoid the feeling that the time may now be ripe for the penalty lottery. and did nothing for Waddle, who was closely marked by Jensen. The restoration of Waddle to the right wing after half-time checked the penetrating runs of Winterburn but Sheffield Wednesday's centres and final passes will need to achieve more accuracy and imagination this evening if the command of Adams and Linighan at the heart of Arsenal's defence is to be seriously disturbed. Had Woods not pushed Wright's hooked volley over the Wednesday bar as extra-time approached.

Arsenal would Had the weekend's 1-1 draw been the product of cautious tactics and a defensive stalemate it would be easier to be optimistic about the sort of spectacle Wembley Is likely to witness tonight. At least the teams might have had something more positive in reserve. The problem on Saturday was that Wednesday's natural attacking Inclinations and Arsenal's strength as counter-punchers faded into mediocrity because neither side had the stamina to sustain the plot. Fresh legs rather than fresh ideas will be crucial tonight. If anything, Arsenal will be even more confident of adding the FA Cup to the League Cup.

Starting with Smith remains an important option but George Graham can re-employ Saturday's team and tactics comforted by the knowledge that Arsenal survived some early pressure, took the lead, withstood more pressure after the equaliser and then came close to winning in the closing minutes of normal time. Trevor Francis, on the other hand, faces problems of strategy which, in part, will be determined by the fitness of his central defenders but will also depend on the risks he is prepared to take to achieve the swift breakthrough he has sought in both Wembley finals. In the Coca-Cola Cup, with better finishing, this approach might have swung the game Wednesday's way by half-time. On Saturday Francis, worried about Merson's pace and power on Arsenal's left wing, began the game with Palmer playing on the right and Waddle roaming through the middle. This tactic proved less than satisfactory because it deprived Wednesday of important width Ml'.

VMh Play-off semi-finals, second leg First Division: Tranmere 3, Swindon 2 (agg: 4-5) Robins hold off Rovers Stephen Bierley LIVERPOOL and Everton will not. after all, need to dig into their dwindling coffers to find the fees for the Birkenhead tunnel next season. Tranmere gallantly failed in their attempt to join their Merseyside rivals in the Premier League. Swindon, however, may yet join the elite after completing a somewhat nerve-racking aggregate victory at Prenton Park last night. A goal on the half-hour by Moncur had seemed decisive but, when Proctor and Nevin put Tranmere 2-1 up on the night, the Swindon nerves pealed in jangling unison.

As in the first leg. Swindon exerted considerable early pressure and forced four successive corners. At the other end. with the visitors stringing five men across the back, it was far from easy for Tranmere to find width or space. A fluid build-up involving Bo-din.

Ling and White ended with Moncur shooting against Nixon's legs as Swindon attempted quickly to deflate Tranmere by stretching the aggregate lead to three goals. Tranmere's escape was only temporary. A loose pass inside Swindon's half allowed Ling to make a long, decisive run deep towards Nixon's goal. Rovers failed to get in a decent challenge and Ling was able to delay his pass before allowing Moncur a clear run at goal. Spur of the moment Tottenham's Ricky Villa leaves Manchester City's Caton and Gow in Are Cup finals lovelier the second time around? Ki extra-time at Old Trafford, writes David Lacey.

Since than it has become harder to find a winner first time. In 13 seasons four finals Tottenham 1 (Hoddle pen), Queens Park Bangers O. AW 90,000. (First game: 1-1). KEITH BurkLnshaw took Tottenham to another final but in contrasting circumstances.

Because of the Falklands conflict Ardiles had already made a diplomatic withdrawal, and Villa was left out of the team. QPR were then in the Second Division but, being managed by Terry Venables, combined sound organisation with inventiveness at set pieces. But the first game remained goalless until the last 10 minutes of extra-time. Then Hoddle put Tottenham ahead with a low long shot, only for Fenwick to head the equaliser. For the replay QPR were weakened by the loss of Clive Allen as well as the absence of their suspended captain, the shrewd Glenn Roeder.

Again Tottenham took an early lead, only this time one goal proved to be enough. Roberts set off on a long run, meeting feeble challenges on the way, and after he had reached the penalty area he was brought down by Cur-rie's desperate lunge. Hoddle sent Hucker the wrong way with his kick and Spurs spent most of what remained of the game on defence. Portsmouth 2, Leicester City 2 (agg: 2-3) Thompson boost for Little men Venables court bid to buy out Sugar Frank Kan City Editor TERRY VENABLES, the Spurs chief executive, is seeking a High Court order to force his rival on the Tottenham board, the computer tycoon Alan Sugar, to sell his 43 per cent stake in the holding company that controls the club. The legal claim, which effectively turns the tables on Sugar who has also offered to buy Venables's 22 per cent holding, was made public yesterday in the full judgment of Mrs Justice Arden in last week's High Court hearing that re-instated Venables after he had been dismissed by a vote of the Spurs board.

The judge noted: "Edennote Venables's companyl claims an order that Amshold Sugar's company which also holds his controlling stake in Amstrad may be ordered to sell its shares to the petitioner Venables), at such price as the court may determine." At yesterday's stock-market price of lOlp, down 2p, Sugar's shares are worth just short of 7 million. Friends of Venables were adamant yesterday that he had the backing to fund that amount, despite the financial difficulties he has experienced as a result of borrowing money for the purchase ot his original 22 per cent stake. But any deal would be complicated. According to Stock Ex change regulations, if a potential purchaser wants to acquire more than 29.9 per cent of a company, it has to make a general offer to shareholders for the whole of the company at the same price. These regulations would mean Venables having to raise more than 16 million, unless he got a dispensation from the Stock Exchange and other takeover authorities.

Venables would use section 459 of the Companies Act, which allows forced purchases where a minority shareholder can demonstrate to the courts that the majority holder has not acted in the best interests of the company. Venables is likely to argue that Sugar has put the interests of his computer com pany Amstrad above those of Spurs in negotiations aDout television satellite deals. He will also argue that Sugar's re-routing of Spurs computer system through Am-strad's Essex headquarters was against the interest of the club. The judge noted evidence to the effect that Venables "is a very distinguished football club manager it nas Deen saia that he is an institution in this field of The court is due to hear fur ther detailed evidence on May 25. Scotland labour against Estonia SCOTLAND began rebuilding after the collapse of their World Cup hopes with a laboured 3-0 Group One victory over Estonia in Tallinn.

Kevin Gallacher scored a debut international goal from six yards out two minutes before half-time and John Collins and the substitute Scott Booth made the scoreline respectable. The striker Marek Lesniak scored two second-half goals as Poland kept the pressure on England with a 3-0 win over the Group Two whipping-boys San Marino. Poland now play England on May 29. Ray Wilkins yesterday signed a one-year deal to carry on playing for Queens Park Rangers, ruling out the possibility of taking over as manager of Chelsea or Crystal Palace. West Ham are favourites to sign David O'Leary but the Arsenal defender will not consider any approaches until after the FA Cup final replay.

Juventus lifted the Uefa Cup for the third time in Turin last night, two goals by Dino Baggio giving them a 3-0 second-leg win over Borussia Dortmund to complete a crushing 6-1 aggregate victory. his wake on his glorious, solo run out, but there is a precedent. The 1982 replay between Spurs and QPR offered fans the rare chance to turn up on the night and buy tickets, albeit for the ing Stevens made it 2-2 with four minutes of normal time remaining. Brighton returned to Wembley suspecting that their best chance had already gone. So it proved.

Robson and Whiteside scored twice in four minutes midway through the first half, and shortly before the interval Robson made it 3-0 from Muh-ren's free-kick. Muhren's second-half penalty, the third in three successive Cup final replays, completed the scoring and Brighton, who had originally arrived at Wembley by helicopter, were back to earth with a bump. Joy boy McQueen acclaims Robson's second goal UNTIL 1981 only one FA Cup final at Wembley had gone to a replay. Chelsea drawing 2-2 with Leeds in 1970 before winning 2-1 in Tottenham 3 (Villa 2, Crooks), Manchester City 2 (MacKenzie, Reeves pen). Att: 92,000.

(First game: 1-1). THE original Wembley replay remains the best of its kind to date. It, too, followed a drab 1-1 draw, Manchester City's Tommy Hutchison having scored for both sides. The teams were unchanged. although it had been thought Tottenham might drop Villa, who looked badly off form and had been taken off in tears.

Within eight minutes, however. the big Argentinian had followed up a blocked shot from Archibald to put Spurs in front. The early goal released mucn of the tension and the game became a classic. Three minutes later MacKenzie volleyed the scores level with a spectacular shot and four minutes into the second half City were ahead. Miller brought down Bennett and Reeves scored with the penalty.

Crooks scored a second tor Tottenham with 20 minutes to go and then, in the 76th minute, Villa collected the ball near the left-hand touchline and from an apparently innocuous situation combined power and close con trol to sway, swerve, oamooozie and bluff his way through the defence before tapping the winning goal past the advancing Corrigan. It was a fitting climax to a wonderful match. Moncur, who had returned to the Swindon side for the playoffs after a three-month ab sence, beat Nixon. There was still an hour left but his second goal of the season at this point seemed enough to ensure Swindon a play-off final place. Tranmere are nothing if not lighters ana just before halt- time Nevin cut the ball back from the left for Proctor to vol ley in.

Early in the second half Nevin missed horribly from close range but, when Digby dropped a cross, the Scotland winger atoned by turning the loose ball into the net. Vickers then lost the ball to Mitchell and. although Nixon saved Maskell's first shot, the Swindon substitute followed up to equalise. Even then Tranmere were not finished. Hoddle brought down Morrissey and Irons scored from the penalty.

Swindon fans' fingernails disappeared at an alarming rate but their team clung on for a Wembley meeting against Leicester City on May 31. Tranmere Rovere: Nixon. Higgins. Brannan. Irons.

Proctor. Vickers. Morrissey. Aldndge. Malkin.

Nevin. Nolan (Coyne. 8tmin) Swindon Town: Digby. Summerbee. Bodin.

Hoddle Calderwood. Taylor. Moncur. MacLaren. Mitchell, Ling.

White (Maskell. h-lt Refereei Ourkln (Portland). Glenn Hoddle, the Swindon manager, said his team were returning to Wembley to put right the "injustice of three seasons The club then won promotion under Ossie Ardiles, only to be deprived of their place in the top flight because of financial irregularities. was largely forced to rely on sporadic support from a six-man midfield until Lawrence pushed forward alongside him in the second half. But the ploy of utilising the winger, making his first Portsmouth start after 13 substitute appearances, brought no change of fortune.

The uplift of McLoughlin's Slst-minute opener, the midfielder sweeping home Lawrence's header, lasted only 120 seconds. Leicester's retort was tinged by a double slice of fortune, Agnew's cross being half cleared before Oldtield's shot was conveniently diverted for Ormondroyd to apply the finishing touch. Joachim's clever, incisive running brought reward after 69 minutes when Portsmouth's preoccupation with the 18-year-old enabled Thompson to advance and send a precise shot from the edge of the area low past Knight's right hand. Kris-tensen's reply three minutes later was even more emphatic as he swerved an 18-yard shot into the far corner. But Leicester.

Poole and Walsh in particular, were not for turning. The 2-million rated Whittingham. now deprived of Premier League opportunity, must consider a future elsewhere. Smith has to ponder his third play off failure he previously managed Newcastle and coached Middlesbrough tanta-lisingly close to the top flight. Little enjoyed a double celebration.

"My brother (Alan) has won again with York, so tonight's even better. Portsmouth Knight. Awlord. Butters, Mcloughlin. Symons.

Daniel. Nelll (Powell. 7Qmin. Price (Hall. h-l).

Lawrence. Whittingham. Knstensen Leicester city Poole: Mills. Whitlow. Smith.

Walsh. Hill. Oldtield. Thompson. Joachim Ormondroyd.

Agnew (Gibson. 78) Referea Millord (Bristol) right on track from Preston last summer, headed home powerfully in the 59th minute to ensure that York go to Wembley for the first time. It is the third time in the last four years that Bury have lost in the play-offs. "The pill doesn't get any sweeter," said their manager Mike Walsh. for goal in the 1981 replay most expensive seats, at the turnstiles, The attendance turned out to be 2,000 below the then midweek capacity of 92,000.

Manchester United 1 (Mar tin), Crystal Palace ft Att 80,000. (First game: 3-3). THE MOST recent Cup final I replay was the worst to date because Crystal palace decided to adopt an over- physical approach while Manchester United were more than half-inclined to respond in like fashion. O'Reilly had given Palace the lead alter is minutes only for Robson to head the scores level 10 minutes before half-time. When Hughes put United ahead just past the hour the final seemed to be heading towards a predictable conclusion but with 20 minutes to go Wright, confined to the Palace bench following two leg fractures, came on to score with his first touch before volleying his side in front two minutes into extra-time.

Hughes duly scored again to force an eagerly awaited replay but from the first fierce challenge it was evident that the mood had gone sour. In the 59th minute a long ball from Webb evaded the Palace defence and found Lee Martin sprinting into the penalty area. United's 22-vear-old left-back sent a firm shot past Martyn and Palace finished up with less sympa thy as losers than they might have had. until the final whistle when they surged on to the pitch singing and dancing and carrying a banner of the manager John Rudge. His picture bore an uncanny resemblance to Lenin, but the thought was all that mattered.

It had seemed at the start that Vale would need to hang on to the precious away goal gained in the 1-1 draw at Edgeley Park on Sunday, as it became apparent these two knew each other's foibles too well. What Vale produced with the class that saw them second in the Division until overtaken on the last day of the season Stockport, trailing them by 17 points, matched in commitment. But, as each cancelled out the other, the game became one of two players, with Edwards producing a series of stunning saves in last-ditch defence against the guiles of the skilful Slaven. Port Valai Musselwhlte: Aspln, Kent. Porter.

Billing. Glover. Slaven. Van Der Laan. Foyle.

Kerr. Taylor StocNporti Edwards: Todd. Wallace. Flynn. Miller.

8 Williams. Gannon. Ward. Williams. Beaumont.

Ryan jtafaroat Elleray (Harrow) have been decided in extra-time. Tonight's replay is the fifth at Wembley, the previous four being settled in 90 minutes. The match may not be a sell Manchester United 4 (Robson 2, Whiteside, Muhren pen), Brighton ft Att: 92,000. (First game: 2-2). FACED with a Brighton side on its way out of the First Division, Manchester United won the replay as convincingly as most people had expected them to win the original game.

But United would not have been back at Wembley at all had Brighton's Gordon Smith not failed to score in the last minute of extra-time with only the goalkeeper to beat. The replay was a straightforward affair which never recaptured the heady mood of its predecessor. Although Brighton had knocked out Liverpool on the way to Wembley they were given Uttle chance against Ron Atkinson's United side. Again one of the captains was suspended, Brighton even going to the High Court in a vain attempt to get Steve Foster cleared for the final. In the event Foster's return for the replay did little to strengthen a defence weakened by the loss of Ramsey at right-back, the result of a tackle from Whiteside.

In the first game Brighton had taken the lead through Smith, fallen behind to goals from Stapleton and Wilkins, but had then recovered to force extra-time when the outstand scoring goals, also helped create Albion's second. Freestone saved his shot at full stretch and, from Donovan's short corner, Hamilton's acute angled drive fooled the goalkeeper after passing through the legs of Legg. Albion, matched for patience by Swansea in their build-up, looked most vulnerable when they were reduced to nine men by Mellon's second bookable offence and Raven's head wound that required stitches. Lange fumbled a header from McFarlane but, within 18 minutes of Mellon's dismissal, West was sent off for stamping on Hamilton. The former Albion player had been on only seven minutes as substitute but with his departure went Swansea's best chance of saving the tic.

Waat Bromwich AIMont Lange: McNally. Lilwall, Bradley. Raven. Stroddor. Hunt.

Hamilton. Taylor. Mollon. Oonovan. Swansea Crtyi Freestone.

Lyme, Jenkins. Walker. Harris. Hayes (West. 64mln).

Cullen, Coughlin. McFarlane. Corntorth (Ford. 82). Logg.

uunn lauasoxj. Second Division: West Bromwich 2, Swansea 0 (agg 3-2) Port Vale 1, Stockport 0 (agg: 2-1) A perfect Foyle Ardiles back at Wembley Russell Thomas Rl AN LITTLE'S resolute I Leicester men advanced Won Wembley tor the second year running after convincingly denying Portsmouth the right to confront Swindon on May 31 for the prize of Premier League status. Leicester's smothering operation, based on their familiar three centre-back formation, was assisted by Jim Smith's gamble in fielding Guy Whittingham as a lone striker. Forty-seven goals or not, the land's leading scorer wore a forlorn look at Fratton Park last night. The critical constructive Leicester moments were produced, improbably in the first instance, by Ian Ormondroyd brought back for the first time in four months and Steve Thompson, the latter's 69th-minute goal embellishing a fine performance in midfield.

Leicester's overall triumph confounds not only their 12-point final table inferiority to their rivals and the logic of recent form Portsmouth, on the back of their sequence embracing 12 wins and one draw, had after all been touted as automatic promotion favourites. But Little can point to four unbeaten games against Smith's side this season. "Our determination shone through tonight," said Little. "It has probably been our hallmark recently. And one advantage we might have had over Portsmouth is that our mentality has probably been geared for two or three months on getting into the play-offs." Without the suspended Walsh to partner him, Whittingham Crewe and York CREWE won through to the Third Division play-off final, beating Walsall 9 3 on aggregate, a Tony Naylor hat-trick giving them a 4-2 away win last night.

Crewe will meet York City in the final. Gary Swann's first goal for York gave his club a 1-0 victory over Bury. The 31-year-old midfielder, signed on a free transfer wipe out the arrears from Sunday's first leg and to go ahead on aggregate. If justice was being done, this was it. Swansea scored 16 fewer goals in the regular season and finished 12 points behind Albion.

They were meeting a side whipped up by a raucous crowd and far more committed than it was at the Vetch Field. Mellon's commitment soon boiled over. He had his name taken for a rough tackle on Coughlin. By the time Swansea's Walker had followed him into the book for lunging in on Lilwall, the Welsh club were two goals down on the night. The first came after eight minutes when Donovan found Taylor lurking on the left wing.

He sent in a low cross and Hunt, on loan from Newcastle, touched in his 10th goal In 12 games. It was not a bad way to celebrate his imminent 100,000 move from the First Division champions. Taylor, more noted for Cynthia Bateman VEN the dapple grey police horse tap-danced its way around the pitch as the Vale Park fans raced to celebrate an historic win for Vale, who now go to Wembley for the first time in their 117-year history twice in the next 10 days. A priceless goal six minutes from time put Saturday's Au-toglass finalists through to the play-off finals eight days later. They meet West Bromwich Albion whom they have beaten twice this season.

Slaven, whose spectacular duel of skills with the impish Stockport goalkeeper Edwards had kept the match at knife-edge, crossed from the right with time running out. The Vale centre-forward Foyle was ideally positioned just inside the penalty area directly in front of goal to fire a right-foot volley past the previously invincible Edwards. The home supporters lost their voices but not their heads Christian Bright WHEN Ossie Ardiles returns to Wembley for the play-off final with West Bromwich Albion on May 30 it will evoke bittersweet memories of his time in charge at Swindon. They won the play-off final in 1991, only to be deprived of promotion by the illegal payments scandal which had its roots in Lou Macari's managerial reign with the Wiltshire club. Although Ardiles is a preacher of sophisticated football, his team qualified for the final against Port Vale in a game that will be remembered for its crunch ing challenges rather than its subtlety.

Both teams had a man sent off but that did not prevent Albion celebrating west Bromwich's first visit to Wembley since they lost in the League Cup final to Manchester City in 1970. Albion took 20 minutes to.