UFO Info Week-End

Bayview Park though is hardly the place to inspire the beautiful game

Bayview Park, though, is hardly the place to inspire the beautiful game. Maybe it was for that reason that the Kilmarnock manager, Bobby Williamson, left new signing Pat Nevin on the bench for 85 minutes. The artistry of the former Chelsea and Everton winger would have been out of place in this tough tie in which seven were booked and one sent off. The Kilmarnock captain Ray Montgomerie experienced the joy of lifting silverware less than three months ago, but here the only colour on his horizon was red, receiving his marching orders after 78 minutes.
At least goals from Billy Findlay and Jerome Vareille ensured Montgomerie would not suffer the further ignomy of becoming a giant-killing victim too.The home side made a spirited and physical challenge but East Fife have known better days – they won this very competition, the League Cup, three times between 1947 and 1953 as well as the Scottish Cup, ironically defeating Kilmarnock in the final, in 1938.There was never any chance of a repeat after Findlay’s header in first- half injury time, from a cross by Gus McPherson, put Kilmarnock ahead. The contrast, though, with last season’s Scottish Cup final success could hardly have been greater. Then, a 50,000 crowd packed out Ibrox to witness a glorious footnote in the club’s history. He should also be heartened by the form of 19-year-old Andy Williams, a, former Welsh Under-18 international.

The left winger gave Bolton’s Neil Cox an uncomfortable time and repeatedly got to the byline. Had his final ball been better, Southampton might have escaped with something from this match.. The magic of the cup remains something that captures Kilmarnock’s attention, as they set out on the road to, they hope, another day in the sun. “And it shouldn’t happen at this level – it shouldn’t happen at any level.”But Blake and John McGinlay, who scored 52 goals between them last season, look to have the pace and experience to trouble better defences than Southampton’s.

Blake would have had a hat-trick but for the commitment of Saints’ goalkeeper, Paul Jones, who came with his manager from Stockport County.Dave Jones’ demeanour may be brightened by the return from injury of Claus Lundekvam, Alan Neilson and Matt Le Tissier, effectively the spine of his team. Bolton’s midfield too has a business-like confidence to it. Scott Sellars and Alan Thompson both worked tirelessly and creatively while Per Frandsen tidied up diligently in front of the back four. The Bolton manager, Colin Todd, professed himself very happy with his team’s performance, saying: “We worked hard in very hot conditions and I thought we deserved our win. The longer the game went on the more we gained in composure and we held our shape well. There is room for improvement but it was pleasing to restrict them to very few chances.”
By contrast, Southampton’s manager, Dave Jones, had a fraught first afternoon in the Premiership. “We were doing OK,” he said, “until a stupid mistake at the back.” He was also concerned at the ease with which Blake latched on to long balls and exploited Southampton’s leaden-footed defence “The long ball through the middle killed us,” he commented.

The big Scot finally got the ball in the net with a header with five minutes to go, but it was too little too late and Everton were off to the worst possible start.The Palace boss Steve Coppell, delighted with Lombardo, said: “I gave him the freedom to go where he wanted and to do what he liked It seemed to work.”. A solitary Nathan Blake goal just before half-time was enough to put a winning, new-term smile on Bolton faces. This is a far different Bolton outfit to the one who leaked so many goals and shot straight out of the Premiership two seasons ago. Here their defence, with Gerry Taggart and Gudni Bergsson at its heart, was uncompromisingly solid and easily shrugged off a progressively lacklustre Southampton attack. Lombardo got in behind Stuart and when Stuart managed to get back and tackle all he could do was fell the Italian in the box for a penalty that Bruce Dyer drove home.Kendall threw on Nicky Barmby, but Everton rarely troubled Kevin Miller, although he did have to be strong in the air to combat Ferguson. Then after 34 minutes, Lombardo snapped up a Paul Warhurst pass to slip the ball clinically under Neville Southall.Thomas did not come out after the break, forcing Stuart into defence at right-back and Michael Branch on up front Stuart was then promptly booked for a foul on Lombardo The left flank proved Everton’s Achilles heel.

The 31-year-old import from Juventus seemed to be feeling the pace for the first 20 minutes but, when he finally got into the match, his grace and style caused Everton all sorts of problems. Duncan Ferguson pulled one back at the death, but Palace deserved to win. They defended in depth and with calmness and managed to hit everything on the break far too often for Kendall’s peace of mind.
Kendall’s side relied too much on the height of Ferguson, and his headed goal five minutes from time from Stuart’s cross was the only serious attempt on goal Everton managed.Palace started with great energy, but it was Everton who appeared to be taking control in the first half, even though they created little to justify any thoughts of a comfortable victory. Lombardo scored the first and caused the stand-in defender Graham Stuart to concede the penalty which finally sunk Everton. St James’, Shearer included, could only sit back and applaud.. Attilio Lombardo raised Crystal Palace’s hopes by ruining Howard Kendall’s league homecoming at Goodison Park.