Plenty of Nothing

Paraffin Young

James Young, who worked out a process for manufacturing paraffin wax, is buried in Inverkip. Source.

It's the League Cup, Round Two. Morton are off. Only three Championship clubs are still in the mix: Airdrie, Falkirk and Queen's Park.

The matches:

Dundee [6 - 1] Airdrieonians

Airdrie beat Dundee last year.

Falkirk [2 - 0] Hearts    Upset

The last time they met in the League Cup, in 2010, Falkirk won.

Aberdeen [1 - 0] Queen's Park

These two met in Round Two of the 2006-07 League Cup and played to a scoreless draw, after which Queen's Park won 5 - 3 on penalty kicks. They have not scored on Aberdeen in regulation time in 34 years. (See below.) 

Rangers [2 - 0] St Johnstone

St Johnstone won the last time in 2015.

The Spartans [1 - 0] Ross County    Upset!

This is The Spartans' first appearance in Round Two.

Celtic [3 - 1] Hibs (tomorrow)

The last time Hibs beat Celtic in this cup was in 2003.

Dundee United [1 - 0] St Mirren (tomorrow)

St Mirren have never beaten United in the League Cup.

Motherwell [1 - 0] Kilmarnock (tomorrow)

These two last met in the League Cup in 2006 and Kilmarnock won.

Championship:

Ayr United [3 - 2] Hamilton Accies

This has been brought forward from Tuesday, October 29th. Dunfermline and Livingston could have done the same thing with their October 29 match, but didn't. 

When was the last time each 2024-25 Championship club scored on Aberdeen?

2024/7/23        Airdrieonians

2024/5/15        Livingston

2022/10/19      Partick Thistle

2021/8/15        Raith Rovers

2020/11/25      Hamilton Academical

2016/8/10        Ayr United

2012/4/28        Dumfermline Athletic

2010/10/26      Falkirk

1996/9/3          Morton

1990/8/21        Queen's Park

Other matches:

Forge 2 - 0 HFX Wanderers (August 14)

Scrosoppi 4 - 0 Guelph United (August 14)

Þór/KA 2 - 2 Stjarnan (August 15)

Nairn County 2 - 3 Rothes (yesterday)

Roasso Kumamoto [0 - 1] Mito HollyHock

Culter [2 - 0] Buchanhaven Hearts

Beith Juniors [2 - 1] Largs Thistle

Carluke Rovers [1 - 1] Giffnock

Valour [2 - 1] HFX Wanderers

Unity FC vs Serbian White Eagles (postponed)

Scrosoppi vs Burlington (tomorrow) [postponed]

Morton Women [6 - 0] Hutchison Vale (tomorrow)

The Ottawa team in the Northern Super League will be called Ottawa Rapid FC. Looks like they'll play at Lansdowne Park. Story.

East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, R2:

Hawick Royal Albert [2 - 3] Civil Service Strollers

UEFA Europa League, 3QR, second leg (mostly August 15):

The New Saints 0 - 0 Petrocub Hîncești (Moldova) (August 13)

Shamrock Rovers 3 - 1 Celje (Slovenia)

Elfsborg 2 - 0 Rijeka (Croatia)

Elfsborg and Shamrock Rovers advance. The New Saints drop down to the Conference League.

UEFA Conference League, 3QR, second leg (August 15):

Sabah (Azerbaijan) 0 - 1 St Patrick's Athletic

Tromsø (Norway) 0 - 1 Kilmarnock

Brann (Norway) 3 - 1 St Mirren

Larne 0 - 1 Ballkani (Kosovo)   1 - 1 on aggregate. Larne win in the PK.

Kilmarnock, Larne and St Patrick's advance. St Mirren are out.

The South Challenge Cup begins. This cup is for clubs of the Lowland, West, South and East of Scotland Leagues. It was brought in to replace the venerable Scottish Qualifying Cup once SFA members were granted automatic entry into the Scottish Cup in 2007. Winning it brings no advantage apart from the glory. Let's follow everyone.

South Challenge Cup, R1:

Broomhill (LL) [0 - 1] Thornton Hibs (EoSL1)    Upset

Pumpherston (EoSL3) [0 - 5] Irvine Victoria (WoSL3)

St Andrew's (EoSLP) vs Gartcairn (WoSLP) Gartcairn withdrew. St Andrew's advance.

Creetown (SoSL) [2 - 1] Tynecastle (EoSLP)

Glasgow United (WoSL3) [5 - 3] University of Stirling (LL)    Upset

Kinnoull (EoSL1) [1 - 2] Newburgh (EoSL3)    Upset

Auchinleck Talbot (WoSLP) [1 - 0] Hutchison Vale (EoSLP)

Cambuslang Rangers (WoSL2) [2 - 3] Vale of Leven (WoSL3)    Upset

Edinburgh Community (EoSL3) [2 - 3] Newton Stewart (SoSL)

Maybole (WoSL1) [0 - 1] Caledonian Braves (LL)

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy (WoSL1) [2 - 0] Mid Annandale (SoSL)    Upset

Ardrossan Winton Rovers (WoSL1) [3 - 4] Broxburn Athletic (LL)

Luncarty (EoSLP) [2 - 5] Kilbirnie Ladeside (WoSL1)    Upset

Blantyre Victoria (WoSL1) [2 - 2] Lochgelly Albert (EoSL3) [Lochgelly win on PK]    Upset

Fauldhouse (EoSL3) [0 - 8] Albion Rovers (LL)

Caledonian Locomotives (WoSL2) [2 - 2] Lochmaben (SoSL) [Locos win on PK]

BSC Glasgow (WoSL4) [4 - 3] St Peter's (WoSL4)

Dalbeattie Star (SoSL) [1 - 2] Blackburn United (EoSL1)    Upset

Kilsyth Rangers (WoSL2) [1 - 2] Hurlford United (WoSLP)

Burntisland Shipyard (EoSL2) [1 - 6] Glenrothes (EoSLP)

Glasgow Perthshire (WoSL3) [2 - 3] Drumchapel United (WoSLP)

Lochar Thistle (SoSL) [3 - 4] East Stirlingshire (LL)

Whitehill Welfare (EoSL1) [2 - 0] Kennoway Star Hearts (EoSL2)

Ardeer Thistle (WoSL3) [0 - 4] Clydebank (WoSLP)

Petershill (WoSL1) [1 - 4] Darvel (WoSLP)

Greenock (WoSL3) [3 - 1] Glenvale (WoSL3)

Wishaw (WoSL3) [0 - 0] Oakley United (EoSL2) [Wishaw win on PK]    Upset

Vale of Clyde (WoSL1) [5 - 1] Stoneyburn (EoSL3)

Cumbernauld Colts (LL) [4 - 3] Linlithgow Rose (LL)

Edinburgh South (EoSL1) [2 - 3] Bellshill Athletic (WoSL2)    Upset

Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts (EoSL1) [2 - 3] Lesmahagow (WoSL2)    Upset

Benburb (WoSLP) [2 - 0] Yoker (WoSL2)

Dundonald Bluebell (EoSLP) [0 - 4] Troon (WoSLP)

Lanark United (WoSL2) [3 - 2] Whitburn Juniors (EoSLP)    Upset

Shotts Bon Accord (WoSLP) [2 - 1] Rutherglen Glencairn (WoSL1)

Historical matches:

1901/8/17      Morton vs Third Lanark (abandoned)

1940/8/17      Morton 2 - 0 Celtic

2002/8/13      Queen of the South 1 - 0 Morton

This was Round Two of the Challenge Cup.

2002/8/17      Peterhead 4 - 2 Morton

Morton goals by John Maisano and Jani Uotinen.

Arthurlie FC 1923-24:

1924/8/19      St Mirren 6 - 1 Arthurlie    RCup F replay

1924/5/30      Arthurlie 3 - 1 Peebles Rovers    WCup F leg 2

1924/4/29      St Mirren 1 - 0 Arthurlie    RCup F leg 2

1924/4/28      Arthurlie 1 - 0 St Mirren    RCup F leg 1

1924/4/26      Peebles Rovers 2 - 1 Arthurlie    WCup F leg 1

1924/4/21      Arthurlie 3 - 1 Johnstone    RCup SF

1924/4/14      Arthurlie 7 - 3 Paisley Academical    RCup R2

1924/4/12      Arthurlie 2 - 2 Dumbarton Harp    WCup R1

1924/4/5        Arthurlie 4 - 0 Paisley GSFP    RCup R1

1924/3/29      Montrose 1 - 1 Arthurlie    SFL3

1924/3/22      Galston 0 - 3 Arthurlie    SF3

1924/3/15      Dumbarton Harp 0 - 2 Arthurlie    SFL3

1924/3/8        Arthurlie 3 - 0 Dykehead    SFL3

1924/3/1        Mid-Annandale 2 - 2 Arthurlie    SFL3

1924/2/23      Dykehead 1 - 2 Arthurlie    SFL3

1924/2/16      Arthurlie 3 - 2 Galston    SFL3

1924/2/9        Arthurlie 0 - 1 Beith    SFL3

1924/2/2        Arthurlie 3 - 0 Montrose    SFL3

1924/1/26      Arthurlie 1 - 1 Peebles Rovers    SFL3

1924/1/19      Nithsdale Wanderers 0 - 1 Arthurlie    SFL3

1924/1/12      Arthurlie 3 - 0 Dumbarton Harp    SFL3

1924/1/5        Royal Albert 0 - 1 Arthurlie    SFL3

1924/1/2        Arthurlie 5 - 0 Helensburgh    SFL3

1924/1/1        East Stirlingshire 1 - 1 Arthurlie    SFL3

1923/12/22    Arthurlie 3 - 2 Queen of the South    SFL3

1923/12/15    Solway Star 2 - 0 Arthurlie    SFL3

1923/12/8      Arthurlie 2 - 1 Nithsdale Wanderers    SFL3

1923/12/1      Arthurlie 2 - 0 Clackmannan    SFL3

1923/11/24    Beith 0 - 1 Arthurlie    SFL3

1923/11/17    Brechin City 2 - 0 Arthurlie    SFL3

1923/11/10    Arthurlie 3 - 2 Mid-Annandale    SFL3

1923/11/3      Clackmannan 0 - 1 Arthurlie    SFL3

1923/10/27    St Mirren 1 - 3 Arthurlie    RVCup F leg 2

1923/10/20    Arthurlie 2 - 0 Royal Albert    SFL3

1923/10/13    Peebles 1 - 3 Arthurlie    SFL3

1923/10/6      Arthurlie 3 - 2 Solway Star    SFL3

1923/9/29      Arthurlie 2 - 1 St Mirren    RVCup F leg 1

1923/9/22      Arthurlie 4 - 0 Brechin City    SFL3

1923/9/19      Beith W - L Arthurlie    QCup R2 replay

1923/9/15      Arthurlie 0 - 0 Beith    QCup R2

1923/9/8        Queen of the South 0 - 0 Arthurlie    SFL3

1923/9/1        bye    QCup R1

1923/8/25      Arthurlie 2 - 3 East Stirlingshire    SFL3

1923/8/18      Helensburgh 0 - 2 Arthurlie    SFL3

(Sources: London Hearts for SFL Division Three; The Beautiful Dribbling Game for the Qualifying Cup; Scottish Football Historical Archive for the Renfrewshire Cup and the Renfrewshire Victoria Cup, and the Western Cup)

Miss Baker

Memorial to Miss Baker, who flew into space aboard Jupiter missile AM-18 on this date in 1959. She went on to live to the ripe old age of 27. Before Miss Baker's flight no monkey had survived a US space launch. Alan Shepherd's flight aboard Mercury-Redstone 3 occurred just two years after hers. Source.

A Knight's Grave, Skeabost

Source.

Jules Verne's Tomb

The tomb of Jules Verne, who died on this day in 1905, implies that he hasn't been dead all this time so much as exploring the centre of the earth. Source.

Grave of a Shield Maiden

Top: 1889 record of a Viking burial. Bottom: recreation by Neil Price. From the time of its discovery this skeleton was assumed to be male, but recent DNA analysis shows it was a women. Source.

Dürer's Grave

Albrecht Dürer died 490 years ago today on April 6th, 1528. His grave is in the Johannisfriedhof in Nuremberg. Source.

Murth Murphy

Camp Hill

The Resting Place of Highland Mary

Possibly the resting place of Highland Mary, Greenock Central Cemetery.

Forfar Athletic visit Cappielow. [Cappielow passes pitch inspection.]

It's the beginning of the final quarter of the League One season and Morton are in first place with 51 points and a +18 goal difference. At this rate they'll end the season with 68 points and a +24 GD. Declan McManus is back in front of the scoring race with 13 goals.

Forfar are in fourth place. In the three games between Morton and Forfar already this season Morton have two wins and Forfar one. Morton are strong at home, Forfar weak on the road.

Stranraer are visiting Stirling, where they will likely win, so Morton pretty well must beat Forfar to maintain first place. [Postponed.]

[Forfar win 0 - 2.]

It's the Scottish Cup quarterfinals. Yesterday: Queen of the South 0 - 1 Falkirk. Today: Inverness CT versus Raith Rovers [is postponed]. Tomorrow: Dundee United and Celtic meet to decide which one of them won't win the treble this year, and Hibs play Berwick. [Hibs win. Dundee United 1 - 1 Celtic.]

Scottish Amateur Cup, Seventh Round:

Greenock HSFP AFC (CSAFL) [2 - 3] Harestanes AFC (CSAFL)

Today is the first day of the J League schedule. This season I'll follow Montedio Yamagata, who are newly promoted to J1. They start the season with an away game, travelling to visit their Tohoku rivals Vegalta Sendai. This is Montedio's second stint in J1. The first time lasted from 2008 to 2011. J2 starts tomorrow, and J3 next week. [Sendai win 2 - 0.]

It's the beginning of the League of Ireland schedule. UCD suffered demotion at the end of last season. Can they rebound? They begin the campaign with a visit to Cobh Ramblers. [UCD win 0 - 3.]

On Monday UCD host Cabinteely in the First Round of the League of Ireland Cup. This cup involves 24 clubs, and all the games excluding the final are played on a Monday or a Tuesday. In addition to the 20 clubs of the League of Ireland the competition includes University College Cork, Crumlin United, Cockhill Celtic and Mayo League. [Cabinteely win.]

As we saw last week, Japan and Ireland each begin the football season with a super cup. If Scotland did the same, pitting Scottish Cup winner against league champion, how would that look? Let's pretend they started it in the year 2000:

2000 Rangers (SC) v Rangers (L)

2001 Celtic (SC) v Celtic (L)

2002 Rangers (SC) v Celtic (L)

2003 Rangers (SC) v Rangers (L)

2004 Celtic (SC) v Celtic (L)

2005 Celtic (SC) v Rangers (L)

2006 Hearts (SC) v Celtic (L)

2007 Celtic (SC) v Celtic (L)

2008 Rangers (SC) v Celtic (L)

2009 Rangers (SC) v Rangers (L)

2010 Dundee United (SC) v Rangers (L)

2011 Celtic (SC) v Rangers (L)

2012 Hearts (SC) v Celtic (L)

2013 Celtic (SC) v Celtic (L)

2014 St. Johnstone (SC) v Celtic (L)

Do you see the problem? Half the time you'd have to invite a runner-up. Which is not as super. If you brought in the Scottish Cup runner-up you'd have a replay of the cup final. If you brought in the league runner-up in most cases you'd have an Old Firm match.

But what if you started the season with a Runners-Up Cup?

2000 Aberdeen (SC) v Celtic (L)

2001 Hibs (SC) v Rangers (L)

2002 Celtic (SC) v Rangers (L)

2003 Dundee (SC) v Celtic (L)

2004 Dunfermline (SC) v Rangers (L)

2005 Dundee United (SC) v Celtic (L)

2006 Gretna (SC) v Hearts (L)

2007 Dunfermline (SC) v Rangers (L)

2008 Queen of the South (SC) v Rangers (L)

2009 Falkirk (SC) v Celtic (L)

2010 Ross County (SC) v Celtic (L)

2011 Motherwell (SC) v Celtic (L)

2012 Hibs (SC) v Rangers (L)

2013 Hibs (SC) v Motherwell (L)

2014 Dundee United (SC) v Motherwell (L)

Lots of variety there, and no duplication. How about it for the Runners-Up Cup?

Dartmouth Gothic