Forest blocks Cup bid

Press, 1 March 1989, Page 47

Forest blocks Cup bid

NZPA- -AFP Bristol, England

Gan y Parker smashed Bristol City’s brave bid for League Cup glory and kept Nottingl tarn Forest on course for a ti 'nique Wembley hattrick at Ashton Gate on Monday.

Forest’s manager, Brian Clough, st it poker-f aced in the stands a'S Park.er finally found a i vay pas it the goalkeeper ht :ro, Keith Waugh, after 114 r ninutes; to tie up a final clash against Luton or West Ham; The ui uemotional Mr Clough had. wa.tched Waugh take third d.ivis'ion City to the brink of ;a replay with a string of si iperb saves. But Mr Clough did not waste much time in appearing on the touchline after his side’s 2-1 a ggregate victory to drag the { England defender, Stuart Pea rce, away from a

.television interview.

In midweek Mr Clough’s men made it to Wembley in the Simod Cup — and they knew they were in for a fight on Monday having been gifted an own goal lifeline in the 1-1 first leg. • Gordon Strachan’s outstanding form for Manchester United will be recognised by Scotland today when Andy Roxburgh names his squad to tackle France next week.

Mr Roxburgh intends recalling Strachan in a bid to counter the traditional French flair when the sides meet in a vital World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park. Strachan, 32 earlier this month, has not played since earning his forty-first cap in the European Championship tie against Hungary in September, 1987. He was selected by Mr Roxburgh for last season’s

Rous Cup matches but was withdrawn by his club, while injuries forced him to pull out of the World Cup qualifiers against Norway and Yugoslavia last autumn. Mr Roxburgh said: "It’s been a good day for Gordon. “He watched his son reach a cup final this morning then had a talk with me about his inclusion in the squad. “He is in very good form for United and physically this is the best he’s been for a long time. He’s in Al condition, playing well and he is a player with charisma.” But the Everton striker, Graeme Sharp, whom Mr Roxburgh watched against Derby, will not be in after he injured his groin. “He scored a magnificent goal but it doesn’t look good for him,” said Mr Roxburgh. “He has been unlucky and is very upset.”