TELEVISION cameras and the media glare predictably focused on striker Roger Boli, a compatriot and friend of Gallic genius Eric Cantona, when Walsall visited Manchester United in the FA Cup.

But away from all the 'sacre bleu' ballyhoo, Boli scoring the Saddlers' goal in their fourth round 5-1 defeat, it must be remembered that the man who fired the Midlands side to Old Trafford was Yorkshire-born Andy Watson.

And the impish forward, who first burst into the local scene with a stint with Harrogate Town 10 years ago, constitutes a genuine menace to York City tomorrow.

While the unsettled and wantaway Boli leads the Division Two goal-scoring stakes with 21 goals, Watson is in the most profitable of form of the Walsall front two, his three goals in as many games, including a recent winner at Southend taking his haul to 15.

Now the 30-year-old striker is just seven goals adrift of a League century in a career that came close to seeing service in the line of fire for the Minstermen.

It was during his brief stint in the amber of Harrogate that a then 20-year-old Watson attracted the attention of former York boss John Bird. Watson spent a trial spell with City, but did not get taken on.

His Football League career finally got on track over at Halifax Town, where in two seasons he poached 15 goals leading to a £40,000 move to Swansea City in 1990.

Watson's Vetch Field reign lasted just over a season before he returned north to Carlisle United for £30,000. While he averaged a goal every three games for the Cumbrians it was only when he joined Blackpool in 1992-93 that Watson's wallop began to flourish.

Five seasons with the Tangerines engendered a juicy return of 43 League goals in 115 outings. Two seasons ago itchy feet took him to Walsall, where initially he struggled to click. But this season the magic is beginning to work again, and particularly in knockout style.

Eight of Watson's goals have been in cup competitions, his 'Johnny-on-the-spot' flair instrumental in the Saddlers' run to the fourth rounds of both the FA and Coca-Cola Cups, as well as to the southern section semi-final of the Auto Windscreens Shield.

City's defence will need to guard themselves tomorrow against the Watson knack of Walsall goal-poaching.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.