Sunday Mercury (Birmingham, England) back issues from September 2009:
KEANE KEEPS IRISH IN HUNT; Republic's Cup dream alive after victory: FROM DAMIAN SPELLMAN AT NICOSIA.
Sep 06, 2009 ... ROBBIE Keane was the Republic of Ireland's hero once again as he snatched victory in Cyprus to keep the nation's World Cup dream very much alive. The striker glanced home Damien Duff's 83rd-minute cross to claim his 40th senior international goal and three precious points, just ...
Late strike in Poland denies N.I.
Sep 06, 2009 ... POLAND 1 NORTHERN IRELAND 1 RANGERS striker Kyle Lafferty had Northern Ireland daring to dream of a famous victory at the Slaski Stadium, but instead they had to settle for a point after Mariusz Lewandowski equalised with 10 minutes remaining. However South Africa remains a possibility ...
Lamp lights up England again; ENGLAND 2 SLOVENIA 1.
Sep 06, 2009 ... ENGLAND coach Fabio Capello was unhappy with his team's lack of concentration and focus as they almost allowed Slovenia to snatch a draw in their friendly at Wembley. England were 2-0 up and cruising to an easy win when Zlatan Ljubijankic reduced the arrears six minutes from ...
Croat pain will spur us on - Gerrard.
Sep 06, 2009 ... Byline: MAT KENDRICK STEVEN STEVEN Gerrard has challenged England to use the pain of their crushing Croatian nightmare to motivate them to World Cup qualification at Wembley on Wednesday night. Gerrard believes yesterday's 2-1 friendly victory over Slovenia was ...
ENGLISH SLO BUT STEADY; Defoe-inspired win sets Lions up for Croatia.
Sep 06, 2009 ... Byline: MAT KENDRICK WEMBLEY warmed up for England's imminent World Cup qualifi-cation with a win - but they will have to raise their game against Croatia after letting their standards slip against Slovenia. Wayne Rooney plunged himself into the recent controversy ...
Russia's Roman on spot; ROUND-UP.
Sep 06, 2009 ... ROMAN Pavlyuchenko scored two penalties in six minutes as Russia beat Liechtenstein 3-0 in rain-soaked St Petersburg to stay in touch with World Cup Qualifying Group Four leaders Germany. Centre-back Vasili Berezutsky scored with a shot from ten yards in the 17th minute before ...
James brings joy for George.
Sep 06, 2009 ... UNDER-PRESSURE Scotland manager George Burley praised the team and fans for playing their part in a win which kept them in with a shout of World Cup qualification. Scott Brown and Birmingham City's James McFadden scored in a win at Hampden where the atmosphere became ...
Six of the best for Addicks.
Sep 06, 2009 ... CHARLTON and Leeds maintained their 100 per cent starts in Coca-Cola League One by securing their sixth victories of the season this afternoon. The Addicks remained top on goal difference as goals from Deon Burton and Lloyd Sam secured a 2-0 victory at The Valley that ended ...
WALSALL HIT WALL AGAIN; Scoreless run extends to four matches.
Sep 06, 2009 ... Byline: LISA SMITH WALSALL manager Chris Hutchings has said his team need to learn to win games the "George Graham way" by nicking the odd 1-0 win. While his youngsters fulfilled the defensive part of that equation there is still a glaring omission to the Saddlers' ...
BREWERS HOLD NOTTS TO DRAW.
Sep 06, 2009 ... NOTTS COUNTY 1 BURTON ALBION 1 BATTLING Burton put a dent in County's immaculate home record with a deserved point. County looked to be heading for their third win in as many games at Meadow Lane after Karl Hawley gave them the lead in the 56th minute. But summer ...
Robins are rewarded.
Sep 06, 2009 ... CHELTENHAM 1 DAGENHAM 1 AFTER the disappointment of a mid-week Johnstone's Paint defeat to Torquay, Cheltenham manager Martin Allen turned to experience in the shape of 36-year-old target man Julian Alsop and former Fulham veteran Barry Hayles. He was rewarded with a typically ...
VALE FIRE FAB FOUR TO BEAT MARINERS.
Sep 06, 2009 ... PORT VALE 4 GRIMSBY 0 VALE boss Micky Adams warned his players not to get ahead of themselves after they proved much too strong for a weakened Grimsby. But Adams was delighted his hardworking team have finally given the club's long suffering supporters something to shout about ....
SHREWSBURY PAY DEARLY FOR TAKING FOOT OFF THE PEDAL.
Sep 06, 2009 ... SHREWSBURY 1 BRADFORD 2 SHREWSBURY started and finished in style but in between took their foot off the pedal to slump to their first home defeat of the season to Bradford. The Shrews had City on the rack in the opening 10 minutes but couldn't find a way through and were then ...
TWO-GOAL LEAD LOST BY BULLS.
Sep 06, 2009 ... ALDERSHOT 2 HEREFORD 2 HEREFORD cast away a two-goal lead inside the final five minutes to gain only a single point from their trip to Aldershot when three had seemed certain. The Bulls appeared to be cruising to victory with a brace from Tristan Plummer until the home side's ...
Lions roar in defeat.
Sep 06, 2009 ... HARROGATE 27 RUGBY LIONS 21 RUGBY Lions began their new season in National Two North with a defeat but their second-half performance will have given them a good deal of cause for optimism. Lions took an early lead when Lloyd Warner kicked a penalty with a stiff breeze behind ...
Nuns prove second best.
Sep 06, 2009 ... WHARFEDALE 20 NUNEATON 6 TWO penalties from Huw Thomas were scant consolation for a Nuneaton side well beaten at Wharfedale. The Yorkshire side dominated long periods of a scrappy game but were prevented from building a substantial score by determined Nuneaton defence. ...
O'REILLY SEES RED AS BEES MAKE LOSING START.
Sep 06, 2009 ... PLYMOUTH ALBION 33 B'HAM & SOLIHULL 10 BIRMINGHAM & Solihull tasted defeat in their first game in the new 12 team Championship when they went down by four tries to one against Plymouth Albion at Brick-fields. Bees, who on this showing are in for a difficult season, suffered a ...
CHIEFS IN COMMAND AT MOSE; Seven-try thumping for Billesley boys.
Sep 06, 2009 ... Byline: BRIAN DICK IAN Smith insists Moseley must take the positives from a heavy defeat in their first Championship game. The Billesley Boys leaked seven tries in all and trailed 50-6 before mounting a come back in the last ten minutes. Nathan Bressington ...
Hughes leading the way.
Sep 06, 2009 ... STOURBRIDGE 29 BLACKHEATH 10 A BRACE of tries from lock and captain Ben Hughes powered Stourbridge to a bonus point victory over Blackheath. The home backs were always a threat with centres Adam Billig and Ben Barkley prominent throughout, while debutant Craig Richards showed ...
Failure still haunts Mac.
Sep 06, 2009 ... STEVE McClaren has admitted his tenure as England manager was a "big failure" and that he thinks about the experience every day. McClaren lost his job in charge of the national team following their failure to qualify for Euro 2008 almost two years ago. The former ...
United owe it all to Matt - Solskjaer.
Sep 06, 2009 ... OLE Gunnar Solskjaer has no doubt Manchester United would not be the global phenomenon they are today without Sir Matt Busby. Solskjaer takes a United side north to the place Busby called home today when a Red Devils reserve team tackle Motherwell at Fir Park in a match to ...
HOW COLLINS GOT PHYSICAL FOR FOOTBALL.
Sep 06, 2009 ... Byline: LISA SMITH heir Villa VILLA new-boy James Collins is convinced he is tough enough to cope with the demands of life as a top-flight defender - after all he grew up playing an altogether more physical sport - rugby. The 27-year-old centre-half, snapped up by ...
DUNE IS ON RED ALERT AT VILLA; EXCLUSIVE: 100% COMMITMENT: ISM MY GAME SAYS NEW MAN.
Sep 06, 2009 ... Byline: LISA SMITH VILLA'S "Six Million Dollar Man" Richard Dunne has promised fans of his new club he will try and clean up his act when it comes to his disciplinary record - but not too much! He reckons the tough-tackling edge to his game is the reason he has had ...
GARDER ANXIOUS TO STAKE A CLAIM.
Sep 06, 2009 ... Byline: JOHN CURTIS CRAIG Gardner has vowed to battle for a midfield spot at Villa after being linked with moves to Wolves and Birmingham before the transfer window closed on Tuesday. The England Under-21 midfielder would appear to be down the pecking order with ...
STAR BURN OUT AFTER OPENER; MIDLAND COMBINATION.
Sep 06, 2009 ... LEADERS Continental Star were pegged back in their trip to Heather St John where they lost 4-1 despite Aaron Moses giving the visitors an early lead. Moses took advantage of a sloppy back-pass to put Star into the lead after 26 minutes. Star's advantage proved ...
ADAM MAKES IT WINNING DEBUT; WEST MIDLANDS LEAGUE.
Sep 06, 2009 ... KEEPER Adam Marausak had a debut to remember as he helped Tividale secure a 2-1 victory over visitors Bustleholme. With regular goal-minder James Trevalen on his stag weekend, Marausak took over between the sticks and marked the occasion with a dramatic last-gasp save from former Tividale ...
RANGERS HIT BY A 7-GOAL HAMMERING; Stafford outclassed in trip up north.
Sep 06, 2009 ... Droylsden ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 Stafford Rangers ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .... 1 PROMOTION-CHASING Droylsden put Stafford Rangers to the sword with a seven-goal thrashing at the Butcher's Arms. Droylsden took the lead after 13 minutes when Tony Gray cut inside Andre ...
Awesome four-some for City; BLUE SQUARE SOUTH.
Sep 06, 2009 ... Worcester City ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .... 4 Dorchester ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 MATT Dinsmore scored twice as Worcester despatched Dorchester to record their first win of the season. Worcester scored all four goals in a stunning first-half with Alfie Carter and Rob ...
HARRIERS BATTERED BY BOROUGH.
Sep 06, 2009 ... KIDDERMINSTER 0 EASTBOURNE 2 From NICK PULLEN at Aggborough IMPRESSIVE Borough bagged the points after pulling off a perfect smash and grab raid to leave Harriers contemplating their second defeat in the space of six days. Harriers had bossed first half exchanges up until the ...
Lambs lose advantage.
Sep 06, 2009 ... TAMWORTH 2 AFC WIMBLEDON 2 AT the end of the first half Tamworth found themselves moving into the heady heights of the playoff places as two first-half strikes put them in the driving seat against fourth placed Wimbledon. Jake Sheridan opened The Lambs' account with seven ...
Ace Kelly has eye for goals; MIDLAND ALLIANCE.
Sep 06, 2009 ... VETERAN hot-shot Leon Kelly struck a goal in each half to steer Stratford Town to a 2-0 victory at Loughborough University. The former Hinckley United frontman marked his debut in style with a 28th-minute opener, neatly pushing the ball past the advancing keeper following good ...
Robins swoop despite delays; PREMIER DIVISION.
Sep 06, 2009 ... Clevedon Town ... ... ... ... ... ... ..... 1 Evesham United ... ... ... ... ... ... ....4 THE visitors arrived five minutes after the scheduled start after delays on the motorway but they were quickest out of the blocks as they went 2-0 ahead after 20 minutes. It was one-way traffic towards ...
CHASETOWN produced a dom.
Sep 06, 2009 ... Spalding United ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 Chasetown ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .... 7 CHASETOWN produced a dominant performance on a blustery Lincolnshire afternoon to crush Spalding United 7-1. The Scholars took just nine minutes to hit the front through Craig Milligan before Danny Smith doubled the ...
Adders leave it late in thriller; MIDLAND DIVISION.
Sep 06, 2009 ... Aylesbury United ... ... ... ... ... .... 3 Atherstone Town ... ... ... ... ... ....4 LUKE Edwards popped up with the winner once again as Atherstone edged a seven-goal thriller away to Aylesbury. The Adders were in front on six minutes, Matty Lewis finishing off Luke Keen's pass and Ross ...
Davies double settles new boys; JUNIOR RUGBY ROUND-UP.
Sep 06, 2009 ... BROMSGROVE began their National Three Midlands Division campaign with a 25-17 win over Peterborough yesterday. The team showed an ability to compete at a higher level after promotion last year. Winger Luke Davies settled any nerves Bromsgrove may have had with two tries in the ...
ADIL TUTORED BY AUSSIE ACE; Rashid credits Warne's advice as 'crucial'.
Sep 06, 2009 ... Byline: RICHARD GIBSON ENGLAND newcomer Adil Rashid has followed Shane Warne on to the international stage and even uses the Australian's mentor for advice. Leg-spinner Rashid made a good first impression against Australia at The Oval on Friday, having been inspired ...
Joanna's feline just fabulous.
Sep 06, 2009 ... New face for top TV sleuth - PAGE 2 Sam's back in the ...
BANKING ON IT.
Sep 06, 2009 ... THIS drama, based on the real events of last year when the investment bank Lehman Brothers collapsed, is a lot more gripping than you might imagine, thanks ...
FRYING TONIGHT.
Sep 06, 2009 ... TWENTY years ago, Douglas Adams and zoologist Mark Carwardine wrote a book about soon-to-be extinct species. Now in a beautifully-shot series, Adams' friend ...
CLEVER TREVOR.
Sep 06, 2009 ... TREVOR Eve gets to act with his wife Sharon Maughan as the new series of the crime drama returns. Be warned - she first appears stark naked, as a ...
PICK OF THE FLICKS; 7 TO WATCH.
Sep 06, 2009 ... w SUNDAY: United 93 (ITV1, 10.15pm). A gripping mustsee film, following United Airlines flight 93, the fourth plane to the hijacked on 9/11 and the only one not to reach its target, thanks to the bravery of the passengers. Powerful and emotional stuff in the week of the eighth anniversary ....
Hat's the way to do it julia; heaven 7 treat of the week.
Sep 06, 2009 ... IT takes a brave woman to step into the comfy shoes and tweed cardies of one of Britain's most iconic characters. After Geraldine McEwan's departure, the latest actress to take on the role of Miss Jane Marple is Julia McKenzie. She's actually the seventh actress to ...
It's murder for Caroline.
Sep 06, 2009 ... THIS is one detective drama which really works, not so much for the police stories, which are watchable enough, but because of the characters. As played by Caroline Quentin, we really warm to DCI Janine Lewis as she tries to juggle her hectic home life - she's the single mum to ...
FOOD 7 TO WATCH.
Sep 06, 2009 ... NIGEL SLATER'S SIMPLE SUPPERS, BBC1, Wednesday, 7.30pm: If you're anything like me, you're put off recipes if they come with a long list of ingredients and complicated instructions. Step forward Nigel, who has come to our rescue with a week's worth of easy-to-make recipes we don't need to ...
WATCH 7 TO SPORT.
Sep 06, 2009 ... w SUNDAY: Live International Cricket (Sky Sports 1, 10am). England and Australia cross paths again as they meet in the second onedayer of the seven-game series, held at Lord's. The hosts defeated the Aussies here two months ago in the Second Ashes Test. w MONDAY: Live US Open ...
Cool for cats; you never knew about...
Sep 06, 2009 ... Byline: JOANNA LUMLEY JOANNA Lumley doesn't seem to do much acting any more - she doesn't have time, in between all her factual TV presenting, campaigning for the Gurkhas and being a national treasure. Her latest TV venture is to turn pet detective for a two-part ...
GOING WILD.
Sep 06, 2009 ... FOLLOWING in the footsteps of Ray Mears and Bear Grylls is adventurer Ed Wardle, who is dropped into Canada's Yukon wilderness with just basic provisions ....
FOOLED AGAIN.
Sep 06, 2009 ... A STRANGE one, this. Enigmatic Derren Brown won't tell us what his latest project of four live stunts are, except that they are "potential career breakers" ...
ANNE'S BACK.
Sep 06, 2009 ... WHEN Strictly Come Dancing sacked Arlene Phillips, and when Fern Britton was replaced by a much-younger Holly Willoughy, there were plenty of cries of how ageist TV can ...
CORONATION STREET.
Sep 06, 2009 ... JASON wins a major award this week - no, not dumbest builder of the year, but Mr Gay Weatherfield. It started when Sean lied to Leon about Jason being gay. When he comes clean, Leon thinks he's just trying to protect Jason who is still in the closet - so outs him by entering him ...
neighbours; this week.
Sep 06, 2009 ... w STEPH decides to tell Lucas about her feelings for him, and finds him holding a high-stakes poker game. She tries to stop him but he loses everything and has to do a runner. The adrenaline high ...
hollyoaks; this week.
Sep 06, 2009 ... w ASH finally leaves Hollyoaks this week, after even his disappointed family turn against him. They're not exactly happy with him for putting Ravi in a coma, but what they can't forgive him for is telling Anita a shocking family secret as she's keeping a vigil by her brother's bedside. ...
home & away; this week.
Sep 06, 2009 ... w BELLE is dying of stomach cancer and the tumour begins to take its toll when she collapses. Nicole rushes her to hospital and tells Aden the truth about her condition. Belle worries that he won't turn up to the wedding, but he arrives in the nick of time and makes a heartfelt ...
Falling in lover again; eastenders the one to watch.
Sep 06, 2009 ... HANG on a mo, aren't you supposed to be on the run from the police? Smug Sam Mitchell doesn't look like a woman keeping a low profile, or the one who fled to Brazil to escape charges over her role in Dirty Den's murder. Instead she looks rather pleased with herself for hooking her ...
EMMERDALE.
Sep 06, 2009 ... CARL tries to persuade Chas to break up with Paddy, but when she dithers, not wanting to break his heart, he tells the devastated vet that they slept together. Paddy smashes up the surgery, then takes Chas's things to the pub in bin bags before sacking her. She begs his ...
RICKY BARES UP.
Sep 06, 2009 ... FEMALE fans of Ricky Whittle should prepare themselves for plenty more of this, as he promises to show off his chest and admirable six-pack to get votes on ...
STEVE IN THE SWIM.
Sep 06, 2009 ... IF you think Phil Mitchell's been looking rather more toned and less thuggish of late, that's because actor Steve McFadden has lost two stone ... by swimming ....
SWEET ON GIRLS.
Sep 06, 2009 ... CORRIE'S Chris Bisson moves over the Pennines when he joins Emmerdale this week - and gets set to ruffle some feathers! He plays businessman Jai, who opens a sweet factory in the village and ...
WHAT an extraordinary edition of [...].
Sep 06, 2009 ... WHAT an extraordinary edition of Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire this week! I thought the strange pairing of newsreader John Suchet and Footballers' Wives star Zoe Lucker were going to walk away with only a few grand, thanks to their sorry ignorance of Midland leisure ...
Vic and Bob's show still bonkers but brilliant; telly talk with roz laws.
Sep 06, 2009 ... Byline: roz laws THERE are plenty of shows which are well past their sell-by date and should be humanely put down, like Last of the Summer Wine. And there are others which should remain firmly in the past. The remake of Reggie Perrin was OK with Martin ...
Good lord, it's Nat! nathaniel parker the big interview.
Sep 06, 2009 ... NATHANIEL Parker has made his living playing posh, aristocratic types, often in period dramas. His latest role is just that - he's Lord Lawrence Hoxley in the new BBC1 wartime drama Land Girls, filmed in the Midlands. But stay tuned for his next two projects, which ...
historical novel REMARKABLE CREATURES.
Sep 06, 2009 ... historical novel REMARKABLE CREATURES Tracy Chevalier (HarperCollins, pounds 15.99) HHHHH THE author of Girl with a Pearl Earring returns with another historical tale, this time taking us to the 1800s. Set in Lyme Regis, the novel focuses on two women - working class Mary ...
fiction NOAH'S COMPASS.
Sep 06, 2009 ... fiction NOAH'S COMPASS Anne Tyler (Chatto & Windus, pounds 17.99) HHHH READERS familiar with Anne Tyler will lap up her 18th novel Noah's Compass. Those new to the Pulitzer Prize-winning author will find it a good introduction to her quirky style. The 67-year-old American has come bang up ...
fiction SUMMERTIME JM.
Sep 06, 2009 ... fiction SUMMERTIME JM Coetzee (Harvill Secker, pounds 17.99) HHH SUMMERTIME is the third instalment of JM Coetzee's "fictionalised" memoirs and concentrates on the period when he was trying to establish himself as a novelist. After a period in the US, he is back in his native ...
fiction THE DEATH OF BUNNY MUNRO.
Sep 06, 2009 ... fiction THE DEATH OF BUNNY MUNRO Nick Cave (Canongate, pounds 16.99) HHHH NICK Cave's first novel, And The Ass Saw The Angel, was narrated by a mute outcast as he slowly drowned in a swamp somewhere in the more gothic stretches of the American Deep South. The protagonist of this ...