Plenty of Nothing

Someone Lives on 3rd Floor

Inside Clune Park, Port Glasgow. Source.

44th Empress's Cup Final

Princess Hisako hands over the Empress's Cup in 2017. Source.

The final of the 44th Empress's Cup takes place today.

Beleza have won the Empress's Cup 15 times, most recently in 2020. NTV stands for Nippon Television.

Leonessa have won the Empress's Cup six times, most recently in 2016, and are the WE League's inaugural champions. INAC is short for International Athletic Club.

These two have met in the final twice before, in 2008 and 2018, and Beleza won both times. They played to a 2 - 2 draw in the WE League Cup group stage on September 10th.

Match No. 47: NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza [4 - 0] INAC Kobe Leonessa

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In the SPFL Championship, Arbroath visit Cappielow. Morton are fifth in the division with 30 points, Arbroath ninth with 18. But so far this season Arbroath have a win and a draw against Morton. Both teams were knocked out of the Scottish Cup last weekend, Morton by Celtic, Arbroath by Motherwell. Morton have not won a game since November 26th. Arbroath have won one game since then.

Morton have signed George Oakley, an English striker who previously played for Wimbledon, Kingstonian, Welling United, Maidstone United, ICT, Hamilton, Pirin Blagoevgrad (in Bulgaria), Kilmarnock, Woking, and ICT again.

Lewis Strapp is injured.

Jaze Kabia is on loan from Livingston to Queen of the South.

Lawrence Shankland (Morton 2017) has become the first Hearts player in 31 years to score 20 goals in all competitions.

Here's a trend. In 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 there were four non-Old Firm clubs with a positive goal difference in the Premiership. In 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 there were three. In 2020-21 and 2021-22 there was one, and there's only one right now.

[Morton 1 - 2 Arbroath. Goal by Oakley.]

The other Championship matches:

Cove Rangers (8th) 0 - 5 Ayr United (2nd) (last night)

Dundee (3rd) [3 - 0] Queen's Park (1st)

Partick Thistle (4th) [0 - 1] Hamilton Academical (10th)

Raith Rovers (7th) [2 - 2] Inverness CT (6th)

Scottish Cup, Round Four:

Linlithgow Rose 0 - 2 Raith Rovers (January 24)

Elgin 2 - 1 Drumchapel (January 24)

Challenge Cup QF:

Dundee 4 - 2 Dunfermline (January 24)

Other matches:

UCD 0 - 1 Bray Wanderers (friendly) (January 25)

PEC Zwolle 4 - 1 TOP Oss (yesterday)

PEC are top of their division.

Gala Fairydean Rovers [1 - 0] Cumbernauld Colts

Forres Mechanics [1 - 2] Turriff United

Auchinleck Talbot 3 - 0 Largs Thistle (January 25)

Cumnock Juniors [0 - 1] Largs Thistle

FC Isle of Man [1 - 4] Squires Gate

Young Boys vs Winterthur (tomorrow)

Renfrew vs Morton Women (tomorrow)

Canada

The first round of the Canadian Championship will be played the weekend of April 18th. As the Wanderers Ground is not considered playable that early in the year (same for Calgary and Winnipeg) HFX Wanderers will play away.

HFX Wanderers have signed 22-year old English midfielder Callum Watson from Creighton University in Nebraska.

Historical matches:

January 28, 1967    Morton 0 - 1 Clyde

During their winningest league season Morton were knocked out of the Scottish Cup in Round One.

Elfen Saitama in the Empress's Cup:

(as AS Elfen Sayama FC)

第19回    R2    Tasaki Perule 9 - 0 AS Elfen Sayama

第23回    R2    AS Elfen Sayama 0 - 3 Shimizu Daihachi Sports Club

第24回    R2    JEF United 3 - 1 AS Elfen Sayama

第25回    R1    Butchigiri 0 - 8 AS Elfen Sayama

               R2    YKK Tohoku Women's SC Flappers 4 - 0 AS Elfen Sayama

第26回    R1    Kanagawa University Women' SC 6 - 1 AS Elfen Sayama

第27回    R1    Iga FC Fraulein 0 - 3 AS Elfen Sayama

               R2    Urawa Red Diamonds 5 - 0 AS Elfen Sayama

第28回    R2    Kamimura Gakuen High School 0 - 2 AS Elfen Sayama

               R3    AS Elfen Sayama 1 - 2 Okayama Yunogo Belle

第29回    R2    Hooh High School 0 - 1 AS Elfen Sayama

               R3    AS Elfen Sayama 1 - 2 Ohara Gakuen JaSRA

第30回    R2    AS Elfen Sayama 2 - 3 Waseda University

第31回    R1    AS Elfen Sayama 11 - 0 Oita Trinita Ladies

               R2    NTV Menina 0 - 1 AS Elfen Sayama

               R3    Speranza FC Takatsuki 1 - 3 AS Elfen Sayama

               QF    AS Elfen Sayama 0 - 2 INAC Kobe Leonessa

第32回    R2    Fujieda Junshin High School 1 - 1 AS Elfen Sayama (Fujieda won on PK)

第33回    R2    Kanto Gakuen University 0 - 3 AS Elfen Sayama

               R3    AS Elfen Sayama 1 - 0 Fukuoka J. Anclas

               QF    INAC Kobe Leonessa 2 - 0 AS Elfen Sayama

第34回    R2    Japan Soccer College Ladies 0 - 1 AS Elfen Sayama

               R3    AS Elfen Sayama 2 - 1 Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki

               QF    INAC Kobe Leonessa 4 - 0 AS Elfen Sayama

第35回    R1    Nagano Parceiro 0 - 5 AS Elfen Sayama

               R2    AS Elfen Sayama 2 - 0 Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita

               R3    Okayama Yunogo Belle 4 - 3 AS Elfen Sayama

(as AS Elfen Saitama)

第36回    R3    Iga FC Kunichi 3 - 1 AS Elfen Saitama

第37回    R2    AS Elfen Saitama 2 - 0 FC Kibi International University Charme

               R3    Okayama Yunogo Belle 2 - 6 AS Elfen Saitama

               QF    AS Elfen Saitama 0 - 2 INAC Kobe Leonessa

(as Chifure AS Elfen Saitama)

第38回    R2    Chifure AS Elfen Saitama 3 - 1 Hinomoto Gakuen High School

               R3    Albirex Niigata 1 - 0 Chifure AS Elfen Saitama

第39回    R2    Chifure AS Elfen Saitama 1 - 0 Aichi Toho University

               R3    Nojima Stella 0 - 0 Chifure AS Elfen Saitama (Nojima Stella won on PK)

第40回    R1    JFA Academy Fukushima 1 - 0 Chifure AS Elfen Saitama

第41回    R2    Chifure AS Elfen Saitama 3 - 0 NGU Loveledge Nagoya

               R3    Albirex Niigata 2 - 2 Chifure AS Elfen Saitama (Elfen Saitama won on PK)

               QF    Chifure AS Elfen Saitama 3 - 2 Orca Kamogawa

               SF    NTV Beleza 2 - 1 Chifure AS Elfen Saitama

第42回    R2    Chifure AS Elfen Saitama 1 - 0 Nippon Sport Science University Fields Yokohama

               R3    Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies 3 - 0 Chifure AS Elfen Saitama

第43回    R4    Chifure AS Elfen Saitama 0 - 2 Albirex Niigata

第44回    R4    Chifure AS Elfen Saitama 2 - 1 Iga FC Kunoichi Mie

               QF    Nojima Stella 0 - 2 Chifure AS Elfen Saitama

               SF    INAC Kobe Leonessa 2 - 1 Chifure AS Elfen Saitama

Slovenian Seahorse Fossil

This little seahorse dates back 13 million years to the days of the Paratethys Sea. Source.

Heracles Brings Alcestis Back from the Underworld

By Johann Heinrich Tischbein the Elder (1722–1789). Source.

The Last Supper in M*A*S*H (1970)

M*A*S*H was released on this date in 1970. Source.

Alloa Pineapple Teapot

See a gallery of Alloa ceramics here.

Eldfell

It's fifty years since the Eldfell eruption on Heimaey. Source.

Garry Unger Beermat

Hockey ironman Garry Unger finished out his career playing for Peterborough Pirates of the British Hockey League. Source.

Yuki Kobayashi

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou continued to mine his J League connections in December by signing midfielder Yuki Kobayashi, formerly of Vissel Kobe, Machida Zelvia and Yokohama FC. Kobayashi scored in Vissel Kobe's 2021/6/16 Emperor's Cup match against Suzuka Point Getters. Source.

It's the Scottish Cup, Round Four, when the Premiership clubs join in. Together there are 32 teams: all twelve from the Premiership, all ten of the Championship clubs, three each from League One and League Two, and one each from the Lowland League, the East of Scotland League Premier Division, the West of Scotland League Premier Division, and the West of Scotland League First Division.

Linlithgow Rose, Darvel and Drumchapel United have been in it since the preliminary round, making this the fifth game for each of them.

The biggest fixture is the Edinburgh Derby, Hibs versus Hearts. The diddiest is Elgin City (tier IV) vs Drumchapel United (tier VII).

Morton visit Celtic. The game is an early start to accommodate BBC One. This will be Morton's first encounter with the Video Assistant Referee and the first Scottish Cup match to feature that technology.

Morton and Celtic have been drawn together 14 times before in the history of the Scottish Cup. Morton have won only once, in the semi-finals of the 1947-48 cup. Morton's last win of any kind against Celtic came in the third round of the 2013-14 League Cup. Imrie scored.

Morton have not had a win of any kind since November 26th, when they knocked Queen of the South out in the last round of this cup. Celtic have not had a loss since November 2nd when Real Madrid beat them in the Champions League, and they have not lost to a Scottish club since September 18th when St Mirren beat them in league play.

If Morton want to play in Europe this summer they have to win this match and go on to lift the Scottish Cup.

Celtic currently have six Japanese players in their roster. For their part Heart of Midlothian are loading up on Australians and now have four.

Scott Fox, the emergency goalkeeper who saved Morton's bacon in the 2021 playoffs, has signed with Cove Rangers.

[Celtic 5 - 0 Morton.]

The other Scottish Cup matches:

St Johnstone [0 - 1] Rangers

These two have met 13 times before in the Scottish Cup. St Johnstone won the last time.

St Mirren [0 - 0] Dundee [St Mirren win on PK]

They've been drawn together 9 times before, and Dundee have won 6 times.

Hamilton Accies [0 - 0] Ross County [Accies win on PK]    Upset

This is only their second Scottish Cup match. Hamilton won the first one in 2009.

Arbroath [0 - 2] Motherwell

Motherwell have won all four previous meetings.

Kilmarnock [1 - 0] Dumbarton

Dumbarton are ahead historically, three games to two.

Stenny [1 - 3] Livi

They met once before, in 1979, and Livi (or rather Meadowbank Thistle) won.

Dundee United [3 - 0] University of Stirling

First meeting ever.

Inverness CT vs Queen's Park [postponed]

Just a Championship fixture.

Cove Rangers vs Ayr United [postponed]

Just another Championship fixture.

Partick Thistle [1 - 1] Dumfermline [Partick win on PK]

The met in this cup just last year.

Linlithgow Rose vs Raith Rovers [postponed]

They met in the 2014-15 Scottish Cup.

Alloa [1 - 2] Falkirk

Just a League One fixture.

Elgin vs Drumchapel United [postponed]

Drumchapel United have only been around since 2001 and are thus the youngest club in this round.

Hibs [0 - 3] Hearts (tomorrow)

These two have met 29 times before in the Scottish Cup. Hearts are ahead 17 to 12.

Darvel [1 - 0] Aberdeen (Monday)    UPSET

First meeting ever.

Other matches:

PEC Zwolle 2 - 0 VVV-Venlo (yesterday)

I think VVV-Venlo must have been the inspiration for V-Varen Nagasaki.

Keith vs Forres Mechanics [postponed]

Largs Thistle [1 - 3] Beith Juniors

FC Isle of Man [0 - 3] Vauxhall Motors

Winterthur vs Servette [postponed]

ICT vs Morton Women (tomorrow) [postponed]

Challenge Cup QF:

Dundee vs Dunfermline (January 17) (postponed again)

South Challenge Cup Round Two:

Lesmahagow 0 - 3 Whitletts Victoria (August 17)

Round Three:

Schotts Bon Accord vs Dundonald Blue Bell [postponed]

Luncarty vs Thornton Hibs [postponed]

Threave Rovers vs Whitletts Victoria [postponed]

The semi-finals of the 44th Empress's Cup (tomorrow):

Match No. 45: Beleza [3 - 1] Albirex Niigata

Match No. 46: INAC Kobe Leonessa [2 - 1] Elfen Saitama

Other Japan:

FC Kagura Shimane of the JFL is being sued by staff for non-payment of wages.

Canada:

Former HFX Wanderers attacker Alex Marshall is training with Harbour View FC of the Jamaican league. Wanderers have signed goalkeeper Yann Fillion from IFK Mariehamn in Finland. They've also signed defender Riley Ferrazzo, another player from Vaughan Azzurri.

Historical matches:

January 21, 1967    Raith Rovers 0 - 1 Morton

A) The last time Morton beat each 2022-23 Premiership club:

2022/7/20      Hibs 0 - 3 Morton    League Cup group stage

2019/5/4        Morton 1 - 0 Dundee United    Championship

2019/1/4        Morton 1 - 0 Ross County    Championship

2017/8/12      Morton 4 - 1 St Mirren    Championship

2016/7/23      Kilmarnock 0 - 2 Morton    League Cup group stage

2016/4/9        Morton 2 - 1 Livingston    Championship

2015/9/20      Morton 3 - 2 Motherwell    League Cup R3   

2013/9/24      Celtic 0 - 1 Morton    League Cup R3

2006/9/12      Morton 3 - 2 St Johnstone    Challenge Cup QF

1988/4/9        Morton 3 - 2 Rangers    Premier Division

1984/8/18      Hearts 1 - 2 Morton    Premier Division

1982/4/17      Morton 2 - 1 Aberdeen    Premier Division

B) Celtic versus lower-league clubs since 2013:

2022/2/13      Celtic 4 - 0 Raith Rovers    Scottish Cup R5

2022/1/22      Alloa 1 - 2 Celtic                 Scottish Cup R4

2021/9/23      Celtic 3 - 0 Raith Rovers    League Cup QF

2021/4/3        Celtic 3 - 0 Falkirk               Scottish Cup R3

2020/2/9        Clyde 0 - 3 Celtic                Scottish Cup R5

2020/1/18      Partick 1 - 2 Celtic              Scottish Cup R4

2019/9/25      Celtic 5 - 0 Partick              League Cup QF

2019/8/17      Celtic 2 - 1 Dunfermline      League Cup R2

2019/1/19      Celtic 3 - 0 Airdrieonians    Scottish Cup R4

2018/8/18      Partick 1 - 3 Celtic              League Cup R2

2018/3/3        Celtic 3 - 0 Morton             Scottish Cup QF

2018/1/20      Celtic 5 - 0 Brechin            Scottish Cup R4

2017/3/5        Celtic 4 - 1 St Mirren          Scottish Cup QF

2017/1/22      Albion Rovers 0 - 3 Celtic  Scottish Cup R4

2016/9/21      Celtic 2 - 0 Alloa                 League Cup QF

2016/4/17      Rangers 2 - 2 Celtic            Scottish Cup SF (Rangers won on PK)

2016/3/6        Celtic 3 - 0 Morton             Scottish Cup QF

2016/2/7        East Kilbride 0 - 2 Celtic    Scottish Cup R5

2016/1/10      Stranraer 0 - 3 Celtic          Scottish Cup R4

2015/9/23      Celtic 2 - 0 Raith Rovers    League Cup R3

2015/2/1        Celtic 2 - 0 Rangers           League Cup SF

2014/11/30    Hearts 0 - 4 Celtic              Scottish Cup R4

2014/9/24      Celtic 3 - 0 Hearts              League Cup R3

2013/9/24      Celtic 0 - 1 Morton              League Cup R4

C) Celtic's biggest wins against Morton:

1965/12/25    Celtic 8 - 1 Morton              league

1932/8/27      Celtic 7 - 1 Morton              league

1967/10/11    Celtic 7 - 1 Morton              League Cup SF

1985/3/23      Morton 2 - 7 Celtic              league

1945/1/6        Celtic 6 - 1 Morton              Southern League

1908/8/15      Morton 0 - 5 Celtic              league

1925/10/24    Morton 0 - 5 Celtic              league

1984/9/1        Celtic 5 - 0 Morton              league

[2023/1/23     Celtic 5 - 0 Morton              Scottish Cup R4]

D) Morton's biggest wins against Celtic:

1942/9/12      Morton 4 - 0 Celtic              Southern League

1948/1/17      Morton 4 - 0 Celtic              league

Benares, Mississauga

Benares, on Clarkson Road in Mississauga, was built in the 1835 by a retired British Army officer who had served in India, and was the model for Jalna in the series of novels written by Mazo de la Roche from 1927 to 1960.  Source.