Theo’s the hero as he finally hits goal trail
EVERTON ........ 0 NEWCASTLE...0
THEO WALCOTT bagged his first goal since January as Everton beat Newcastle to move up to eighth.
The deadlock was broken in 51 minutes when Yannick Bolasie’s cross fell to Walcott who picked his spot from close range.
Everton boss Sam Allardyce said: “We’re going in the right direction.” Everton 1, Newcastle 0. Bilbao 1, Levante 3. Genoa 3, Verona 1. Porto 5, Setubal 1. Cumnock 1, Hurlford 1; Clydebank 3, Rob Roy 1. Cumbernauld 4, Kilsyth 1; Glencairn 3, Cambuslang 1. Irvine Vics 9, Annbank 1; Muirkirk P v Ardeer P. Benburb 3, Yoker 1; Blantyre 3, Thorniewood 0; East Kilbride 1, Neilston 6; Forth 3, Lesmahagow 1, Port Glasgow 2, Perthshire 1; Shotts 1, Wishaw 0; St Roch’s 1, Greenock 0. Newmains 1, Irvine
English Prem – Spanish league – Italian league – Portuguese league – West Super Premier – Super Legue First Div – Ayrshire League – Central League First Div – Central Second Div – Ayrshire Cup 2nd rd –
Bellshill 3. Meadow 3, Ardrossan 0. (7.45 unless stated)
Champions League semi-final 1st leg
Liverpool v Roma. Livingston v Inverness. Berwick v Stenhousemuir. Derby v
Championship – League Two – English Championship –
Cardiff, Nottm Forest v Barnsley.
Bradford v MK Dons, Bristol Rovers v Wigan, Doncaster v Blackburn, Oldham v Southend, Rochdale v Plymouth, Shrewsbury v Peterborough.
Coventry v Lincoln, Morecambe v Cambridge, Newport v Accrington, Yeovil v Forest Green.
League One – League Two –
INVERNESS boss John Robertson admits Saturday’s late kick in the teeth from Dunfermline stirred painful memories of Hearts’ infamous title collapse in 1986.
But the day Albert Kidd’s double destroyed Tynecastle dreams is the very reason he’s not ready to give up on the Championship play-offs.
Robbo was part of the Jambos side that went 31 games unbeaten before conceding twice in the last seven minutes against Dundee to hand the title to Celtic.
Now, 32 years on, he’s old and wise enough to keep the agony of Nicky Clark’s stoppage-time leveller for the Pars in calm perspective.
Caley Thistle must win their final two games against Livingston and Morton then hope Dunfermline slip up at home to Dumbarton.
A play-off slot looks unlikely but Robertson knows from bitter experience there is often a late twist in the tale.
Reflecting on Saturday’s 95th-minute sickener, he said: “It was a blow – no doubt about that. It is the famous footballing gods, they giveth and taketh away.
“We got a late winner against Dumbarton in the Irn-Bru Cup Final and, cruelly, we lose a goal in a game we deserve to win. But if people think we’re giving up they have another thing coming. Yes, we need a favour but from a lad who lost the league title in 1986 with seven minutes to go, believe me, these miracles can happen.
“That’s what makes it such a great game.
“For most of Saturday I was hugely down but we’re not out of it yet. As a player, 1986 took a long time to get over because you don’t often get a chance to win the title with a club like Hearts.
“But you move on and toughen yourself up.”
Robertson has already started his planning for next term and has raided old club Hearts to sign midfielder Angus Beith on a three-year deal.
Livingston have their play-off spot booked and boss David Hopkin has told his players to use the games as a shop window for their talent.
He said: “If anybody wants to leave Livingston for a bigger and better club then they go with my blessing. But if you want to get a better club there’s no better opportunity than playing in front of the TV cameras in the play-offs.”