The Journal from Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England • 59

October 3, 1992 I Rugft lasen Neill out of Saints line-up UNBEATEN first division leaders St Helens are without Jonathan Neill, who suffered a kidney injury in the midweek defeat of Widnes, for the visit to Wakefield tomorrow. Former Oldham forward Chris Joynt will be at prop and substitute Paul Groves is set for his first appearance of the season. Wakefield will check on a number of injury doubts before naming a squad who will be looking for their first league win of the season. Bottom-of-table Leigh give debuts to 22-year-old former Mayfield winger Gareth Pratt and Australian forward John Elias as they face a daunting prospect at home to champions Wigan. Wigan lack full-back Steve Hampson (groin) and Martin Offiah (knee).

Joe Lydon and Sam Panapa fill the gaps, with Andy Plan back at prop and internationals Neil Cowie and Martin Dermott set for their first appearances of the season from the bench. Sheffield Eagles expect to be unchanged as they look for a first-ever win over Castleford, and it's same again for Bradford Northern at home to Salford, with Roy Powell continuing at prop and Jon Hamer on the bench. Salford make wholesale changes to the side hammered at St Helens last week. David Cruickshank is at full-back, Martin Birkett at centre and Wayne Reid at stand-off, with Tex Evans starting his first game of the season on the wing. Jason Critchley moves from wing to loose forward, but skipper lan Blease is ruled out with an ankle injury.

Widnes, who entertain Hull KR, move David Hulme back to stand-off FIXTURES (3.00 unless ststed) STONES CHAMPIOIM Halifax (3.15), Ugh Sheffield Castieioni (lis), St Helens (3.30), Widnes HuS KR Division Two: Bromley London Crus (3.30), Carlisle Rochdale, Huddersfield Swinton (3.30). Division rwee (3.15),r0w (2. Blackpool Bar Choney (3.15), Hunelet Dewsbury (3. I. 'r dale-York.

Whilenaven Doncaster (3 301 been sent off in their midweek s' Cup game in Cyprus. not in the Ryder Cup points I don't want to go over to ay in it. I'd rather play my first in America, with the fans be- Big-hitting John Only after his B.C. Open in New York at lown south don't think much re because we win a lot of iestically but don't seem able king in Europe" Stuart tangers' extra motivation for ieir poor recent record in Eupetition. 5-2 win- Whitby in the FA veek, return to 2onference footafternoon when -y's fifth place ted provide the at the Intermdium.

'ynesiders will regain their own top-five piecing if they the beat opshire outfit, who cutrently hold a one-point adVantage having played tee games more than Gateshead. The Lilywhites have October 3, 1992 solo NOM Pears on the bench for glamour tie with Reds the bench is the only change as Boro bid to end United's eight-match unbeaten run in the Premier League. John Hendrie and Willie Falconer both failed fitness tests yesterday and so Lawrence has named an unchanged side. United manager Alex Ferguson has called up a full squad, including the returning Paul Parker. INDOLESIfiIOUGH: Ironsde, Moms, Pthetps, Kernagban, Whyte.

Peaks, Sloven. Po look, Wilkinson, Mustoe, Wright Subs: Proctor, Galena Pears. MANCHESTER UNITED (from): Scrwrirechel, Irvin, Parker, Bleckrnore, Bruce, Paster, Webb, Robson, McClair, Hughes, Ferguson, Gigge. Rancholas, Walsh, Phelan The game will be a near sellout of around 26,000 and should be Boro's biggest gate for several years. Boro have a good record against Manchester United at Ayresome Park in recent years and will be hoping to catch the visitors on the rebound after Tuesday's shattering UEFA Cup defeat in Moscow.

But Lawrence warned: "United are a good side with a good squad. If you start believing that they wont be firing on all cylinders, you are dead. "They are a very good counter-attacking side who don't let in many at the hack. "If they've got a problem it's that they are not scoring goals from all areas. But Paul Ince is a vastly improved player this season and is making all the difference.

"We've got to keep careful tabs on him and cope with quick breaking players like Ryan Giggs." 4:1 races an Ider the relevar athhetoc body rules CAMMAI 'X' which tout you .01 to Berwick set for changes BERWICK Rangers manager Jimmy Crease is considering making two changes for today's match against Arbroath at Shielfield. But he will make no final decision until he has had fitness reports on David Scott and Craig Cunningham, who both suffered knocks in the midweek cup-tie. Crease said he is considering changing the line-up in a bid to put more punch in the squad. DURHAM City manager Billy Cruddas believes his side have a realistic chance of reaching Wembley in the FA Vase. City start their campaign with a trip to Prudhoe East End into today's preliminary round.

"In my previous spell as manager of Durham, we reached the quarter finals, and there is no reason while we can't go all the way," said Cruddas. "This could be our last chance in the Vase, as next season we will probably have to move on to the FA Trophy, a much tougher competition." In squad: Boro's Steven Pears will be on the bench at Ayresome Park today. Just for the taste of it $OOOll, By JACK PICKERING STEVEN Pears returns to duty against his former club Manchester United today as replacement goalkeeper. The Brandon-bom player comes straight into the Middlesbrough squad despite missing a midweek warm-up when the reserve game against Burnley was postponed. It's still a risk if lan Ironside suffers an early injury but manager Lennie Lawrence said: "It was disappointing that Pears missed a runout for the reserves.

"But he has had a lot of rigorous training sessions and he is fit all he lacks is match fitness and there's only one way to get that." The return of Pears to Bay's chance for revenge WHITLEY Bay have an early chance to reverse last Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Hyde United with the return visit of the Cheshire side to Hiliheads in the HES Loans League premier division this afternoon. That was Bay's first defeat in six league outings, and Bobby Graham's men quickly returned to winning ways with Tuesday's 2-1 victory away to Droylesden. That victory was expensive in terms of injuries, and Kevin Caizley, Chris Hutchinson, Bobby Hulse and Matthew Sykes come in to bolster Whitley's depleted squad. Bishop Auckland have signed midfield player Jon Cullen from Doncaster Rovers on loan, and he makes his debut at home to Winsford United in the HFS premier division today. "The loan system is one I've used before, and it is mutually beneficial to both clubs," said Auckland manager Harry Dunn.

"We get a class player on reasonable terms, while his original club have a reduction in their wage bill and the player keeps match fit." Kevin Todd, ineligible last Saturday when Bishops beat Newcastle Blue Star 1-0 in the FA Cup, returns to the side, along with George Adams and John Gamble, who are back from holiday and suspension respectively. In-form Gretna should complete a league double at home to Congleton Town in the HFS first division after winning 1-0 in Cheshire last Saturday. Spennymoor United, with nine wins on the trot since the start of the season, entertain lowly Harrogate Railway in the Northern Counties East League premier division. Despite their success. Moors have had team problems with assistant manager Dave Barton again drafted into service for the 6-0 midweek victory away to Pontefract Collieries.

Tester for NEWCASTLE Blue Star must beat visitors Guisborough Town at the Wheatsheaf this afternoon to show their championship potential in the Northern League first division. Guisborough are third in the table, nine places above Blue Star who have, however, played only six league games so far. "If we are to challenge for the title, we need to beat the likes of Guisborough at home," said manager Rob Carney. Blue Star bounced back from last Saturday's narrow 1-0 FA Cup defeat against Bishop Auckland to win 3-1 at home to Chorley in their FA Trophy first qualifying round replay on Monday evening, earning a trip to Workington in the next round. Blyth Spartans, who beat Workington Blue Star 6-0 in the FA Cup last Saturday, travel to Murton in a league game that is a repeat of the pre-season Cleator Cup encounter which Spartans won 4-1.

Consett have a rearranged game at home to South Bank. The Steelmen are without midfielder Dave Robson, on holiday, and there are injury doubts about Steve Brown and Paul Staff, both hurt in Wednesday's incident packed 4-3 defeat at home to Netherfield in their FA Cup second qualifying round tie. "We were unlucky, having most of the play but with the Netherfield goal leading a charmed life, but we can take heart from our performance," said Consett manager Colin Carr. Chester-le-Street will go above visitors Seaham Red Star if they win this afternoon's encounter at Chester Moor Park. Beardsley could be back PETER Beardsley and Paul Rideout could a fortnight ago, hopes to pass a fitness test.

be back for Everton's visit to Oldham on Rideout, scorer of two goals in a midweek Sunday, reserve game, has recovered from a shoul- der injury. Ex-Newcastle United star Beardsley, who roam morn Soothes; Harper Hinchckfto, Ebbrea. Watson. strained a hamstring against Crystal Palace Alston. War 'a, Home anew Keario ttoe.

Prokf. Johnston. RI 'X' if FEMALE I I IF MEMBER OF REGISTERED CLUB 12 'w 1 MAKING ADDRESS OUTSIDE UK 3 iE SEU PROPELLED WHEEL( ENTRANT 14 if you HAVE MEDKAL COND ORGANKERS NEED TO KNOW ABI IS 'X if YOUR PARTKIPATION STOW WOULD BE Of INTEREST TO READER. 16 TELEPHONE 19A61 SPMI 1111 1 1 1 1 SPORT WILL ATTRACT BIGGEST GATE FOR YEARS 445 140 01.111% wi 0 .1.0...6.1 vol 1111ECIUMI I 1 I 1 woo r.reo gpcn e. I WIDOW 1114 9 MST MI INS 051491(t I SICS all I kais SC 9 Ylt Silt 19' I ENTRY FEE PAYABLE TO RELEVANT RUN SEE BELOW FOR ENTRY FEE A VAMPED.

ADDRESSED ENVELOPE MINIMUM 9'. 6' 3 COMPUTED ENTRY FORM in co nvdm abon al polo accaporva was the undeng-mot s'9 bOt Ma" Wand to mryra Nan emulcas IN adn.nValo s. and Nnt, an! dam be clarnagn may hare tM 9arvseng Aollonen ma any and al Wows and Ma. reprewntatnes ant amqns to in, and I. NJ, 1.1% tnw .11 o.o.,nrenn or own on Inn epd the 1101,11 0 ro Jo, more oroirooarnai.

or hoom done to. hare Ow 44111410 WOO" WWI hOlner. Offoly, room Roomn so adroolorn9 101401.01 kw worn n.annialve/n, (Corearnes 1nt01.101‘1.41. tM 1.0.nt Or 10 Or roloOra novo, Orolore Owl Inn abort Onlort Jot (OW and OOINCI no, Mad SK.NOTUrPE KM. 'WV rtd worn on ommookn me Vt.

Inter City Travel offer to diet Coke Great London Run Entrants The diet Coke Great London Run is the last event in this years prestigious diet Coke Great Run series. Taking place in Southwark on the 18th of October, the route takes in some of the more spectacular of London's tourist attractions, and crosses over Tower Bridge. Entrants from the North East can travel in style to the race courtesy of Inter City. Included in your race pack will be details of the "two for the price of one" Inter City promotion, on any class of ticket. So why don't you make a weekend of it at the diet Coke Great London Run on Sunday, 18th October.

Please fill in the entry form above and post by October 9th to the address below. Southwark Leisure Recreation Dept. Promotions Unit. PO Box 71 London SE 17 ILU Hotline 071 231 2311. ntry Fees.

Athletics Club Members 8 00 Non Athletics Club Members (8 50 Overseas (11 50 4NISSAN INTERCITY 57 I looks fo top-five placing GATESHEAD, 5-2 ners over Whitby in the I Cup last week, return Vauxhall Conference fa ball this afternoon wh Gerry Daley's fifth pia Telford United provide opposition at the Inti national Stadium. The Tynesiders disappointed in recent games, with Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at struggling Runcorn their third game without victory. Despite an impressive goal-scoring record, their defensive frailities had seen them concede 23 goals in ten outings the worst record in the Conference Meanwhile Gateshead's striker Alan Lainb is looking to consolidate his place at the top of the Conference's goal scoring chart. The Tynesiders' player of the month, with 11 goals in ten games, again partners Simon Guthrie in attack with John Cooke playing just behind the front two. Tony Lowery and David Corner, however, are definitely ruled out and captain Shaun Elliott remains doubtful with a calve strain.

Midfield man Billy Askew, dropped last week, faces a late fitness test on an injured calf while former Hartlepool schemer Craig Farnahy has been suffering from flu. "I won't be able to name side until just before kick off," said manager mmy Cassidy. 'With Runcorn and nnymoor to come next we have the chance to the momentum going. vital we maintain our dards and establish Ives as a top six side." (from): Smrth. Higgins, Chttton.

Wnghtson, 80, Halliday, Johnson, Cooke, Lamb, Askew, Fameby, A 1 sr i A 0 4 a 4 Goals hunt: Alan Lamb OU kV 191111 t. lil 'or 44 i4 ni rig aZetll-450 1 1111 AIL GREAT LONDON RUN PART OF BRITAIN'S BIGGEST RUNNING, EVENT.