Plenty of Nothing

What Mars 3 Saw

This is the first image transmitted from the surface of Mars. It was sent by the Mars 3 lander on December 2, 1971, fifty years ago today. It may be a picture of the horizon or just noise. There was a sandstorm going on at the time. Source.

2021-22 Scottish Challenge Cup, Quarter-Finals

The Terregles Street End is Palmerston Park's answer to Cappielow's Wee Dublin End. Source.

It's the Scottish Challenge Cup, quarter-final round. Morton visit Queen of the South. This game is on BBC Alba.

The last time Morton made it to the Challenge Cup quarter-finals was 2014; Alloa won that day. The last time Morton were winners in a Challenge Cup quarter-final was 2008 when they beat these self-same Queens of the South.

Presently Morton and QoS occupy the ninth and tenth spots in the Championship. Both teams are awful.

Winner of today's game will meet Cove Rangers in the semi-final in March.

[QoS 2 - 1 Morton.]

The other quarter-final matches (all yesterday):

Hamilton Accies 2 - 3 Kilmarnock

These two had never met in the Challenge Cup before. They weren't even eligible last year.

Inverness CT 0 - 0 Raith Rovers    (Raith win on PK.)

These are the 2019-20 finalists who never got to play the final.

Cove Rangers 5 - 1 Rangers B

Elsewhere:

Concacaf League semi-finals, second leg:

Motagua [0 - 0] Forge    [Motagua win on away goals.]

Both clubs are busy. Forge have the Canadian Premier League final on Saturday, while Motagua have the first leg of the Honduran league apertura semi-finals.

League1 B.C. has been formed as the West Coast equivalent of League1 Ontario and the Première Ligue de ­soccer du Québec. The league winner will get a place in the Voyageurs Cup.

HFX Wanderers are holding a U23 camp this coming weekend and hope to attract some international colt teams for a tournament in the summer, like when Fortuna Dusseldorf sent their development squad in 2018.

Morton's 5 - 0 wins of the 21st Century:

2019/7/23      Annan 0 - 5 Morton                 League Cup group stage

2018/7/28      Morton 5 - 0 Albion Rovers     League Cup group stage

2017/7/29      Morton 5 - 0 Edinburgh City    League Cup group stage

2016/10/15    QoS 0 - 5 Morton                    league

2015/8/1        Morton 5 - 0 Elgin                   League Cup

2011/8/9        Forfar 0 - 5 Morton                  Challenge Cup

2009/11/14    Morton 5 - 0 Raith Rovers       league

2003/4/26      Morton 5 - 0 Gretna                league

Coldstream FC in the Qualifying Cup to 1938:

1910/9/3        R1    Selkirk 0 - 0 Coldstream

1910/9/10      R1    Coldstream 2 - 1 Selkirk

1910/9/17      R2    Berwick Rangers 0 - 0 Coldstream

1910/9/24      R2    Coldstream 1 - 0 Berwick Rangers

1910/10/1      R3    St Bernard's 3 - 2 Coldstream

1911/9/2        R1    Coldstream 2 - 2 Peebles Rovers

1911/9/9        R1    Peebles Rovers 5 - 0 Coldstream

1912/9/7        R1    Coldstream 1 - 2 Gala Fairydean

1913/9/6        R1    Gala Fairydean 1 - 3 Coldstream

1913/9/20      R1    Leith 7 - 0 Coldstream

1914/9/5        R1    Coldstrem scr/wo Vale of Leithen

1919/9/6        R1    Coldstream 2 - 0 Berwick Rangers

1919/9/20      R2    Coldstream 1 - 6 Vale of Leithen

1920/9/4        R1    Coldstream 1 - 2 Gala Fairydean

1921/9/3        R1    Coldstream 0 - 1 Gala Fairydean

1922/9/2        R1    Selkirk 1 - 1 Coldstream

1922/9/9        R1    Coldstream 2 - 0 Selkirk

1922/9/16      R2    Vale of Leithen 0 - 0 Coldstream

1922/9/23      R2    Coldstream 0 - 2 Vale of Leithen

1923/9/22      R2    Berwick Rangers 0 - 1 Coldstream

1923/9/29      R3    Coldstream 6 - 1 Dunkeld and Birnam

1923/10/13    R4    Coldstream 1 - 1 Leith Athletic

1923/10/20    R4    Leith Athletic 2 - 1 Coldstream

1924/9/6        R1    Vale of Leithen 1 - 0 Coldstream

1925/9/5        R1    Coldstream 0 - 2 Berwick Rangers

1926/9/11      R1    Coldstream 3 - 2 Gala Fairydean

1926/9/18      R2    Peebles Rovers 6 - 2 Coldstream

1927/9/17      R2    Coldstream 0 - 1 Berwick Rangers

1928/9/1        R1    Berwick Rangers 6 - 0 Coldstream

1929/9/7        R1    Leith Amateurs 3 - 1 Coldstream

1930/9/13      R1    Coldstream 2 - 4 Bathgate

1931/9/12      R1    Berwick Rangers 5 - 2 Coldstream

1932/9/24      R2    Coldstream 1 - 3 Gala Fairydean

1933/9/9        R1    Coldstream 2 - 3 Gala Fairydean

1934/9/8        R1    Coldstream 2 - 2 Chirnside United

1934/9/15      R1    Chirnside United 2 - 1 Coldstream

1935/9/7        R1    Penicuik Athletic 9 - 1 Coldstream

1936/9/12      R1    Bo'ness 8 - 0 Coldstream

1937/9/25      R2    Vale of Leithen 5 - 1 Coldstream

1938/9/10      R1    Dunbar Town 4 - 3 Coldstream

(Source: The Beautiful Dribbling Game)

Herring Girl, Stornoway

Source.

Hilary Armstrong

Hilary Armstrong's reappraisal of the Neoplatonist Plotinus elevated that philosopher's status from minor to major. He spent much of his career at the University of Liverpool, but to give himself a break from the university politics there he took a post at Dalhousie University, commuting between England and Nova Scotia through the 1970s. Source.

Lighthouses of Louisbourg

Source.

2021-22 Scottish Cup, Round Three

McLeod's Fish and Chips, Inverness. "Fresh but bland." Source.

It's Round Three of the Scottish Cup, wherein the twenty teams from League One and the Championship join the twenty winners from Round Two. Morton travel to Inverness to meet Caley Thistle.

ICT is one of three Championship sides to be drawn against Morton in a cup game so far this season. The others are Kilmarnock (League Cup) and QoS (Challenge Cup).

On the day of the draw (October 24) ICT were the highest-ranked opponent available, having held first place in the Championship for the previous seven weeks. In Round Two of the 2020-21 Cup, Morton drew Dunfermline who were the second-highest ranked opponent available, but Morton beat them on penalty kicks.

ICT beat the Ton 2 - 0 in league play on October 16th.

Morton and ICT have met in the Scottish Cup twice before, both times in Inverness, and ICT won both times. But Morton did defeat ICT's ancestor Caledonian in the 1948-49 cup.

If Morton lose, it will be the first time since November 30th, 2013 that they have exited the Cup after only one game. The winner that day was Inverness CT.

[Inverness CT 1 - 1 Morton. Goal by Reilly. The teams go to a replay at Cappielow.]

The other matches involving Championship clubs:

Partick Thistle 1 - 0 Dunfermline (last night)

Arbroath [3 - 0] Forfar

A Forfarshire derby.

Ayr United [2 - 1] Albion Rovers

Auckinleck Talbot [1 - 0] Hamilton Academical    Upset

Queen's Park [0 - 1] Kilmarnock

Cove Rangers [2 - 2] Queen of the South

Falkirk [1 - 2] Raith Rovers

Falkirk have never lost to Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup, but Raith are the favourites today.

Also of interest:

Clydebank [2 - 0] Clyde    Upset

This is the first time any iteration of Clydebank has played Clyde in the Scottish Cup.

Banks O' Dee [2 - 1] East Fife    Upset

How Banks O' Dee got here:

2021/8/28      PR    Linlithgow Rose 1 - 2 Banks O' Dee

2021/9/18      R1    Banks O' Dee 1 - 0 Turriff United

2021/10/23    R2    Banks O' Dee 5 - 0 Nairn County

Currently Banks O' Dee are fifth in the SJFA North Region Super League, but with seven games in hand.

Other matches:

J2: Mito HollyHock [2 - 1] Ehime (tomorrow)

JFL: FC Kariya [0 - 1] Matsue City (tomorrow)

Incheon [0 - 0] Pohang Steelers (tomorrow)

Winterthur 2 - 5 Schaffhausen (yesterday)

Clachnacuddin [0 - 0] Inverurie Loco Works (See below.)

1.FC Saarbrücken [2 - 0] Viktoria Berlin

The Strongest 3 - 0 Aurora (yesterday)

FC Isle of Man vs New Mills [postponed]

Copa Libertadores final:

Palmeiras [2 - 1] Flamengo

Two Brazilian teams.

Concacaf League semi-final, first leg (November 24):

Forge 2 - 2 Motagua (Honduras)

Motagua have also played Toronto FC:

2010/7/27      CChL PR    Toronto FC 1 - 0 Motagua

2010/8/3        CChL PR    Motagua 2 - 2 Toronto FC

HFX Wanderers have released Riggi, Firth, Karajovanovic, Camara, Portal and Doner.

League of Ireland promotion/relegation playoff final (yesterday):

Waterford 1 - 2 UCD

The writing was on the wall when Waterford sacked their manager Tuesday. UCD are promoted and Waterford are relegated.

FAI Cup final (tomorrow):

Bohemians [1 - 1] St Patrick's [St Patrick's won on PK.]

First Division clubs Bray Wanderers and Cabinteely have announced that they will merge before next season.

AFC Champions League final (November 23):

Al-Hilal 2 - 0 Pohang Steelers

Al-Hilal advance to the FIFA Club World Cup.

Scottish Junior Cup, Round Four:

Gartcairn [1 - 4] Arthurlie

Johnstone Burgh [1 - 3] Kirkintilloch Rob Roy

Largs Thistle [1 - 0] Dundee North End

Muirkirk Juniors [0 - 1] Dyce

Petershill [2 - 1] Lochee United

Shotts Bon Accord vs Rossvale [postponed]

Craigmark Burntonians or Auchinleck Talbot vs Irvine Meadow XI [postponed]

Yoker 3 - 1 Ashfield (yesterday)

Europa League group stage, matchday 5 (November 25):

Rangers 2 - 0 Sparta Praha

Bayer Leverkusen 3 - 2 Celtic

It's the Japan Regional Champions League, final round. FC Tokushima, FC Ise-Shima, Ococias Kyoto and Criacao Shinjuku play a group stage to determine the pecking order for possible promotion to the JFL.

Match No. 19:    FC Tokushima 0 - 1 FC Ise-Shima (November 24)

Match No. 20:    Ococias Kyoto 0 - 1 Criacao Shinjuku (November 24)

Match No. 21:    FC Tokushima 0 - 2 Ococias Kyoto (yesterday)

Match No. 22:    FC Ise-Shima 0 - 0 Criacao Shinjuku (yesterday)

Match No. 23:    FC Tokushima [1 - 2] Criacao Shinjuku (tomorrow)

Match No. 24:    FC Ise-Shima [0 - 0] Ococias Kyoto (tomorrow)

[The pecking order is: Criacao Shinjuku, FC Ise-Shima, Ococias Kyoto, FC Tokushima.]

It's the 43rd Empress's Cup, Round One:

Match No. 1: Veertien Mie Ladies [0 - 1] University of Tsukuba (tomorrow)

Match No. 2: Yamato Sylphid [0 - 0] Tokuyama University [Tokuyama U won on PK.]

Match No. 3: Diavoloso Hiroshima [0 - 1] Fukuoka J. Anclas (tomorrow)

Match No. 4: Otemon Gakuin High School [3 - 6] Japan Soccer College Ladies

Match No. 5: Konomiya Speranza Osaka Takatsuki [3 - 1] Kanagawa University (tomorrow)

Match No. 6: Norddea Hokkaido [0 - 3] Fujieda Junshin High School

Match No. 7: Ehima FC Ladies [0 - 3] JFA Academy Fukushima

Match No. 8: Shizuoka SSU Asregina [2 - 2] FC Fujizakura Yamanashi [SSU won on PK.]

Match No. 9: Yokohama FC Seagulls [8 - 0] Hokaido Bunkyo University High School (tomorrow)

Match No. 10: Orca Kamogawa [4 - 0] Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences

Match No. 11: Waseda University [4 - 0] Kagawa Nishi High School, Shikoku Gakuin University

Match No. 12: Ange Violet Hiroshima [3 - 1] JEF United Ladies U-18 (tomorrow)

Match No. 13: Viamaterras Miyazaki [1 - 2] Diosa Izumo FC (tomorrow)

Match No. 14: Nippon Sport Science University Fields Yokohama [0 - 1] Seisa Osa Reia Shonan FC (tomorrow)

Match No. 15: Kibi International University Charme Okayama Takahashi [1 - 2] Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Menina (tomorrow)

Match No. 16: AS Harima Albion [5 - 0] Sendai University

Match No. 17: NGU Loveledge Nagoya [4 - 1] Fukuoka High School attached to Tokai University (tomorrow)

Inverurie Loco Works versus Clachnacuddin:

2021/7/24      Inverurie Loco Works 5 - 0 Clachnacuddin     league

2021/1/2        Clachnacuddin 2 - 4 Inverurie Loco Works     league

2019/11/9      Inverurie Loco Works 4 - 1 Clachnacuddin     league

2019/3/9        Inverurie Loco Works 2 - 2 Clachnacuddin        league

2018/10/31    Clachnacuddin 0 - 0 Inverurie Loco Works        league

2018/2/17      Inverurie Loco Works 3 - 0 Clachnacuddin     league

2017/10/21    Clachnacuddin 0 - 4 Inverurie Loco Works     league

2017/3/4        Inverurie Loco Works 4 - 1 Clachnacuddin     league

2016/10/15    Clachnacuddin 2 - 0 Inverurie Loco Works        league

2016/4/16      Inverurie Loco Works 2 - 3 Clachnacuddin        league

2015/11/7      Clachnacuddin 2 - 1 Inverurie Loco Works        league

2015/1/10      Inverurie Loco Works 2 - 0 Clachnacuddin     league

2014/9/20      Clachnacuddin 1 - 0 Inverurie Loco Works        league

2014/1/18      Inverurie Loco Works 1 - 2 Clachnacuddin        league

2013/9/7        Clachnacuddin 2 - 2 Inverurie Loco Works        league

2013/4/3        Inverurie Loco Works 1 - 3 Clachnacuddin        league

2012/8/11      Clachnacuddin 3 - 3 Inverurie Loco Works        league

2012/5/2        Inverurie Loco Works 4 - 1 Clachnacuddin     league

2011/10/29    Inverurie Loco Works 3 - 2 Clachnacuddin     Scottish Cup

2011/10/22    Clachnacuddin 1 - 1 Inverurie Loco Works        Scottish Cup

2011/9/17      Clachnacuddin 2 - 3 Inverurie Loco Works     league

2011/4/30      Inverurie Loco Works 4 - 0 Clachnacuddin     league

2010/9/18      Clachnacuddin 3 - 3 Inverurie Loco Works        league

2010/3/13      Clachnacuddin 2 - 2 Inverurie Loco Works        league

2009/11/7      Inverurie Loco Works 4 - 3 Clachnacuddin     league

2009/4/8        Inverurie Loco Works 2 - 1 Clachnacuddin     league

2008/11/8      Clachnacuddin 1 - 2 Inverurie Loco Works     league

2007/12/8      Clachnacuddin 1 - 3 Inverurie Loco Works     league

2007/11/10    Inverurie Loco Works 3 - 1 Clachnacuddin     league

2007/1/20      Clachnacuddin 2 - 3 Inverurie Loco Works     league

2006/11/18    Inverurie Loco Works 2 - 0 Clachnacuddin     league

2006/4/8        Inverurie Loco Works 1 - 0 Clachnacuddin     league cup

2006/2/11      Clachnacuddin 1 - 2 Inverurie Loco Works     league

2005/10/1      Inverurie Loco Works 4 - 0 Clachnacuddin     league

2005/4/30      Inverurie Loco Works 2 - 1 Clachnacuddin     league

2004/8/7        Clachnacuddin 0 - 3 Inverurie Loco Works     league

2003/12/13    Clachnacuddin 3 - 3 Inverurie Loco Works        league

2003/8/9        Inverurie Loco Works 1 - 1 Clachnacuddin        league

2003/3/29      Inverurie Loco Works 1 - 1 Clachnacuddin        league

2002/8/17      Clachnacuddin vs** Inverurie Loco Works         league

2002/1/12      Clachnacuddin 1 - 2 Inverurie Loco Works     league

2001/8/4        Inverurie Loco Works 0 - 0* Clachnacuddin       league

*This was Inverurie Loco Works' first Highland League match.

**Not found.

Clachnacuddin compete in the North of Scotland Cup while Inverurie play in the Aberdeenshire Cup, so there are few cup games between them.

(Sources: Highland Football League website; Wikipedia; Inverurie Loco Works website for 2001; soccerbase.com for 2002/1/12, 2003/3/29.)

1999-2000

November 27, 1999.    Morton played Ayr United to a scoreless draw at Cappielow. Clydebank visited Dunfermline and lost 2 - 1. Danny McKelvie scored for the Bankies.

FC Renton, 1892-93:

1893/5/29      Dumbarton 1 - 0 Renton         benefit

1893/5/20      Renton 0 - 4 Dumbarton          SFL

1893/4/15      Rangers 2 - 0 Renton              SFL

1893/4/8        Queen's Park 3 - 3 Renton     friendly

1893/4/1        Leith Athletic 6 - 2 Renton       SFL

1893/3/25      Renton 0 - 2 Celtic                   SFL

1893/3/18      Renton 1 - 1 Clyde                   SFL

1893/3/11      St Mirren 3 - 0 Renton              SFL

1893/3/4        Dumbarton 1 - 1 Renton          SFL

1893/2/18      Renton 2 - 1 Abercorn            SFL

1893/2/4        Renton 3 - 1 Third Lanark       SFL

1893/1/28      Thistle 1 - 1 Renton                friendly

1892/12/31    Hearts 2 - 0 Renton                friendly

1892/11/26    Abercorn 6 - 0 Renton            Scottish Cup R1

1892/11/19    Morton 6 - 0 Renton               friendly

1892/11/5      Renton 2 - 2 Rangers               SFL

1892/10/29    Dumbarton 2 - 1 Renton        friendly

1892/10/22    Third Lanark 6 - 2 Renton        SFL

1892/10/15    Abercorn 1 - 2 Renton             SFL

1892/10/8      Renton 2 - 3 Leith Athletic       SFL

1892/10/1      Renton 4 - 1 Hearts                 SFL

1892/9/24      Clyde 2 - 2 Renton                   SFL

1892/9/17      Renton 0 - 2 Dumbarton        friendly

1892/9/10      Hearts 2 - 2 Renton                 SFL

1892/9/3        Renton 3 - 2 St Mirren            SFL

1892/8/27      Renton 4 - 2 Morton              friendly

1892/8/20      Celtic 4 - 3 Renton                   SFL

(Sources: fitbastats; Wikipedia for the Scottish Cup, Dumbarton friendlies and benefit game; Glasgow Herald for Abercorn matches, Morton friendlies; SFHA for Greenock Charity Cup.)

    RENTON v. MORTON.--At Greenock. Renton arrived 40 minutes late, and two half-hours were played. The "Village" team had three second eleven men, and M'Call was partnered on the left by the ordinary goalkeeper Lindsay. An excellent beginning was made by both teams, the passing by the forward ---- being very pretty. The local men scored a goal within five minutes. Morison's gaining the ball though midfield play followed, and then as the result of a run on the right Burns scored the second. Elliot scored the third from a corner, Morison the fourth, and O------ the fifth. All this time the Renton were showing good play on the ----, but their shooting was poor. The Morton were ---- having greatly the best of the game, and were decidedly lucky in their scoring, while the goalkeeping was not of a brilliant order. In the second half play was of an equal character, and Morton scored again, but the ill luck of Renton stuck to them throughout, and they had to retire goalless.

Glasgow Herald, November 21, 1892, page 10. (A very blurry scan.)

Kelman's Bookstore

1079 Wellington Street in 1935 and 2020. Source. And Google Street View.

Saint Catherine in the Nuremberg Chronicle

Pasi Häkkinen

Goalkeeper Pasi Häkkinen played for both Lukko and Bolzano in his journeyman career. Source.

It's the Champions Hockey League Round of 16. Today is the second game of the two-game series between Lukko and Bolzano. Game One was played November 16: Bolzano 1 - 3 Lukko.

[Well, here's fine a howdy-do. Today's game between Bolzano and Lukko is cancelled due to Covid in the Lukko dressing room. As there is no window for a rematch the series win goes to the winner of the first game -- Lukko.]

The other games:

Red Bull München [3 - 2] Fribourg-Gottéron

    The first game went Fribourg-Gottéron 2 - 4 Red Bull München.

Tappara [4 - 2] Växjö Lakers

    The first game was a 2 - 2 tie.

    Olli Palola played for Tappara in 2011-12 and Växjö in 2016-17.

Red Bull Salzburg [3 - 1] Dragons de Rouen

    Rouen won the first game 3 - 0. Upset!

Rögle BK [3 - 1] ZSC Lions

    The first game went ZSC Lions 3 - 4 Rögle.

    Centre Mattias Sjögren played for ZSC Lions in 2016-17 and 2017-18 and is currently the captain of Rögle.

Sparta Praha [1 - 2] Skellefteå

    First game: Skellefteå 1 - 3 Sparta Praha.

    Slovakian defenceman Ivan Majeský played for Sparta in 2004-05 and for Skellefteå in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Frölunda [4 - 1] Adler Mannheim

    Game One: Adler Mannheim 1 - 10 Frölunda. Oof. Apparently Mannheim were undermanned.

    Adler and Frölunda currently hold first place in their respective leagues.

    Johan Gustafsson switched from Frölunda to Adler in 2019.

Leksands IF [8 - 1] EC KAC

    Game One: KAC 4 - 0 Leksand.

    Robert Burakowsky played for both these teams, and for the Ottawa Senators.

Merle Oberon

Merla Oberon, who played Anne Boleyn in The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933) and Cathy in Wuthering Heights (1939), was born in Mumbai to a British father and a Sri Lankan mother. Over her career a lot of effort was put into whitewashing her ancestry, but in this portrait photograph she confronts you as a South Asian movie star. Source.