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Prolific new software house Tynesoft present another sports simulation (check their Winter Olympics, for example), written by Dave Crofts of Art Crew fame. Unfortunately, it is not up to the standard of some of their other releases, but offers instead a good, solid football simulation - reminiscent at times of Ocean's Match Day.

Good blocky graphics, not too bad attribute problems and a tendency for the computer to dribble better than I can mean that the game impresses the eye rather more than the soul at first. However, a touch of practice and I was really enjoying myself - even managed to score a few goals! In fact, the original version of the game was so vicious that only the programmer could play well! Now a kind-hearted software company allows you to play in either the First or the Second Division!

Control of the ball is by the nearest player thus requiring you to waste some time by running unsuitable players away from the ball, allowing the opposition to dribble up the field unopposed. However, once in possession it is very playable and fun. Annoying problems which are reminiscent of Match Day do occur though, such as wingers running off the field when a striker approaches the goal!

I'm not a football fan. I don't even like sports simulations much. I know that Dave Crofts is capable of much better than this. Yet, despite all this, the game insinuates itself into your affections. It doesn't promise the earth, it certainly doesn't deliver the earth but it is fun, loyal and will repay your interest.

Suffering a bit from a comparison with the other recent Tynesoft games (such as the wonderful Future Shock and the unsurprising Jet Set Willy II), this is still a good game. If I'm too hard on it, then I know that Tynesoft will forgive me. They're committed to the BBC and they know the market well - this game will appeal to a lot of Beeb gamers.

If I'm not one of them, then maybe that's my problem... not the game's.