Inquisitor 1379

[Ripper]

Please could someone help me with: 16 across: Top footballer Messi chasing ball at Cowdenbeath (4) ?ALE. Also I'm stuck on the thematic answers in third collumn (downwards) ?I?PSON - there is an obvious name that fits, but I'm not sure it's correct. and bottom row on right ?A?TON again an obvious answer but why?
Thanks in advance

[roslyn251254]

BALE ba - scottish ball + le(O) O being the extra
N F SIMPSON - simpson fits the thematic clue 8 - simps = foolish americans + on (working)

The writer that fits in the bottom right doesn't have 2 initails before his name - instead you need to look at the initials of the 8 - each one needs to appear twice (preamble) so there should be 4 left over. Put these after ?A?TON and bob's your uncle... (I used Universal Crossword Solver)

There is also a good thread on the Crossword Forum if you want to have a look in there.

[Ripper]

Thank you roslyn251254 I wouldn't have finished this without your help!