After the Flood

It's a year to the day since a Biblical downpour drowned the Oak Mall. Read about it.

Today is Round One of the 2014-15 Scottish Challenge Cup, the trophy contested by the clubs of the Championship, and Leagues One and Two, plus a couple of nonleague teams to make an easily divisible number. Last year Morton were eliminated by Annan Athletic in this round. It was the first in a series of unforeseen disasters (four losses to Alloa; 10 - 2 drubbing by Hamilton) that culminated in the Ton's relegation to League One.

This time Morton have drawn Spartans FC, inaugural Lowland League champions. Spartans have to be the favourites to move up to League Two as soon as the SPFL is opened up to promotion from below. Wasn't that supposed to begin soon?

Spartans played in last year's Challenge Cup too, beating Threave Rovers in the preliminary round, before losing 4 - 0 to Queen of the South.

Sponsorhip of this competition has passed from the pawnbroker Ramsdens to the oil and gas industry supplier Petrofac, so for the next while the trophy will go by the name Petrofac Training Cup.

How have Greenock Morton done in the First Round of the Challenge Cup over the past decade?

2013-14. Lost to Annan Athletic.

2012-13. Beat Albion Rovers.

2011-12. Beat Stranraer.

2010-11. Beat Dumbarton.

2009-10. Beat Dumbarton.

2008-09. Bye.

2007-08. Beat Livingston.

2006-07. Beat Dumbarton.

2005-06. Beat Gretna.

2004-05. Beat Arbroath.

So a Morton win today is within reason.

2014-15 is probably the final opportunity for Rangers to win the Challenge (Petrofac Training) Cup. Hibs and Hearts won't have too many chances either. Hearts play Annan today. Rangers and Hibs face each other in about a week and a half.

[Morton win 1 - 0. Goal by Cameron O'Neil.]

UEFA Champions League this week: Celtic 4 - 0 KR. Celtic move on to the next round.

Europa League: Stjarnan 3 - 2 Motherwell; Groningen* 1 - 2 Aberdeen; St Johnstone 5 - 4 Luzern on penalty kicks. Aberdeen and St Johnstone advance; Motherwell are out.

*Groningen is the home of both the Stripmuseum and the Love Palace.

Rangers' World Tour Wednesday: Ottawa Fury 0 - 1 Rangers FC.

Tomorrow Grulla Morioka host YSCC. [1 - 1.]