Plenty of Nothing

The Palace of St Michael and St George

The Palace of St Michael and St George, Corfu, c. 1830, by Joseph Schranz. From 1815 to 1864 some of the Greek islands formed a British protectorate grandly named the United States of the Ionian Islands, for whose government this palace was completed in 1824. Today it houses the Corfu Museum of Asian Art. Source. Also.

Chris Riddell

Chris Riddell's strength as a political cartoonist is that he's also a children's book illustrator. Source.

Sens Oilers

Risto Siltanen. Source.

The Oilers have pretty much had their way with Ottawa this season.

Sens vs Oilers so far this season:

2021/1/31      Oilers 8 - 5 Senators

2021/2/2        Oilers 4 - 2 Senators

2021/2/8        Senators 1 - 3 Oilers

2021/2/9        Senators 2 - 3 Oilers

2021/3/8        Oilers 3 - 2 Senators

2021/3/10      Oilers 7 - 1 Senators

2021/3/12      Oilers 6 - 2 Senators

2021/4/7        Senators [2 - 4] Oilers

2021/4/8        Senators [1 - 3] Oilers

(Home team first, like in Europe.)

Ottawa Nationals vs Alberta Oilers, WHA 1972-73:

1972/10/11    Nationals 4 - 7 Oilers

1972/11/5      Oilers 3 - 5 Nationals

1972/11/26    Nationals 1 - 2 Oilers

1972/12/15    Oilers 3 - 4 Nationals

1972/12/17    Oilers 3 - 1 Nationals

1973/2/25      Nationals 3 - 2 Oilers

(Source.)

Which Finns have played for Edmonton?

Markus Granlund    (34 games, 2019 - 20)

Mikko Koskinen    (111 games, 2018 - present)

Jussi Jokinen    (14 games, 2017 - 18)

Jesse Puljujarvi    (137 games, 2016 - 19)

Lauri Korpikoski    (71 games, 2015 - 16)

Iiro Pakarinen    (134 games, 2014 - 18)

Jesse Joensuu    (62 games, 2013 - 15)

Lennart Petrell    (95 games, 2011 - 13)

Teemu Hartikainen    (52 games, 2010 - 13)

Joni Pitkanen    (63 games, 2007 - 08)

Mikko Luoma    (3 games, 2003 - 04)

Tony Salmelainen    (13 games, 2003 - 04)

Kari Haakana    (13 games, 2002 - 03)

Jani Rita    (36 games, 2001 - 06)

Jussi Markkanen    (102 games, 2001 - 07)

Janne Niinimaa    (399 games, 1997 - 2003)

Marko Tuomainen    (4 games, 1994 - 95)

Kari Takko    (11 games, 1990 - 91)

Reijo Ruotsalainen    (26 games, 1986 - 90)

Risto Jalo    (3 games, 1985 - 86)

Esa Tikkanen    (522 games, 1984 - 93)

Raimo Summanen    (132 games, 1983 - 87)

Kari Jalonen    (3 games, 1983 - 84)

Matti Hagman    (147 games, 1980 - 82)

Jari Kurri    (754 games, 1980 - 90)

Kari Makkonen    (9 games, 1979 - 80)

Risto Siltanen    (226 games, 1978 - 82)

Hannu Kamppuri    (2 games, 1978 - 79)

To Cappielow by Tram

The Greenock and Port Glasgow Tramway was started in 1873, was electrified in 1901, and continued until 1929, connecting Gourock to Port Glasgow. Source.

Morton host Inverness Caledonian Thistle in a match bumped from April 3rd due to the Scottish Cup. ICT hold fifth place, Morton are eighth. By coincidence Morton and ICT are the only two Championship clubs left in the cup.

ICT have won five in a row, league and cup. Morton have three wins and two loses in their last five.

Morton have a win and a draw from their two earlier league matches against Inverness.

Also tonight: Ayr United (7th) [0 - 3] Dundee (3rd).

Morton finished 2019-20 with these numbers:

G     W     D     L      F      A    GD    P

28    10     6    12    45    52    -7    36

Coming into today's game they have:

22      6     7      9    19    27    -8    25

Their record at home is:

11      4     3      4    12    13    -1    15

To equal last season's point total Morton need 3 wins and 2 draws, a tall order. To equal their 2019-20 goals scored they must average 5.2 goals per game from here on. Morton have not scored more than 3 goals in any match this season.

After Saturday's loss to Arbroath Alloa seem destined for tenth place, leaving Ayr United, Morton and Arbroath in a three-way race to evade ninth.

Morton's opponents in their remaining league games are ICT (today), Dundee, Hearts, Alloa, Arbroath.

Ayr have Dundee (today), Dunfermline, Arbroath, QoS and Inverness CT.

Arbroath have Raith, Ayr, Dunfermline and Morton.

Alloa have Hearts, Raith, Morton and Dunfermline.

I was going to work out all the permutations and combinations, but they've already done a good job of it here. Just bear in mind that everyone in the forum expects their own team to lose.

[Morton 1 - 4 ICT. Morton's goal was by Muirhead.]

Elsewhere:

Clyde [1 - 1] Cove Rangers

Swiss Cup QF: Aarau [3 - 0] Winterthur

Pohang Steelers [1 - 3] Jeonbuk

Developments:

HFX Wanderers have released Daniel Kinumbe and Ibra Sinoh.

League matches in which Morton beat the top team in their division, 1990s:

1990/11/17    Morton 1 - 0 Airdrieonians    (Division One)

1991/9/6        Morton 3 - 0 Dundee    (Division One)

1991/10/12    Partick Thistle 3 - 4 Morton    (Division One)

1991/10/26    Dundee 0 - 1 Morton    (Division One)

1995/2/25      Morton 1 - 0 Stenhousemuir    (Second Division)

1995/9/23      Morton 2 - 0 Dunfermline    (First Division)

1995/11/25    Dunfermline 0 - 2 Morton    (First Division)

1997/11/22    Dundee 0 - 1 Morton    (First Division)

Most consecutive 1 - 0 results involving Morton:

Four:

1972/2/5        Morton 1 - 0 Cowdenbeath

1972/2/19      Aberdeen 1 - 0 Morton

1972/2/26      Aberdeen 1 - 0 Morton

1972/3/4        St Johnstone 1 - 0 Morton

Four:

1981/1/31      Morton 1 - 0 Kilmarnock

1981/2/7        Aberdeen 0 - 1 Morton

1981/2/14      Morton 1 - 0 Aberdeen

1981/2/21      Dundee United 1 - 0 Morton

Four:

1998/5/9        Morton 1 - 0 Stirling Albion

1998/8/4        Morton 0 - 1 Hibs

1998/8/8        Morton 0 - 1 Ross County

1998/8/15      Ayr United 1 - 0 Morton

Ursula K. Le Guin Stamp

Source.

Jamrach's Tiger

Read about it.

Eurydice

Eurydice was constructed at Robert Steele and Co. in Greenock in 1874, and sailed the world, as attested by the quantity of photos of her housed in Australian archives. A Norwegian company bought the ship in 1896 and changed her name to Maren. She was broken up in 1914. Source. Also.

Morton visit Methil for their Scottish Cup third round tie against East Fife. The last time these two clubs met was in round four of the 2018-19 Scottish Cup, and East Fife won. Winner today advances to the final 16.

Eight League One clubs have made it to this round, but only six Championship sides. The missing four have league matches today, so no one has nothing to do.

East Fife have had a busy week. They played league matches on Saturday (a draw), Tuesday (a loss) and Thursday (a win).

If East Fife finish fourth in League One and Morton finish ninth in the Championship they'll meet again in the playoffs.

[East Fife 1 - 2 Morton. Morton goals by McGinty and Muirhead.]

Developments:

The Lowland League admits that their season is over and have declared Kelty Hearts champion based on points per game. The Highland League won't restart either, and have designated Brora Rangers as their pyramid playoff representative. Brora only played three league matches, but did knock Heart of Midlothian out of the Scottish Cup.

Kelty Hearts in the Lowland League:

2020-21    13    12    0    1    40      4    +36    36    2.77    1st

2019-20    25    22    2    1    95    17    +78    68    2.72    1st

2018-19    28    16    6    6    61    32    +29    54               3rd

The South of Scotland League has declared its 2020-21 season null and void. The East of Scotland League will decide what to do next week. If they choose a league champion based on points per game then the title ought to go to second-place Jeanfield Swifts who have 23 points in 9 games (2.56 ppg) rather than first-place Tranent Juniors who have 28 in 12 (2.33 ppg).

The East Region clubs of the SJFA have endorsed the formation of a Midlands League to occupy tier six of the Scottish pyramid below the Highland League.

Queen's Park will play the rest of this season's home fixtures at Falkirk Stadium.

Edinburgh City will move into the newly refurbished Meadowbank Stadium next season. They have been sharing Ainslie Park with the Spartans.

Other Scottish Cup matches:

Ross County 1 - 3 Inverness CT (yesterday)

ICT also won both previous iterations of this Scottish Cup Highland derby.

Brora Rangers [1 - 3] Stranraer

These two met in 2017 and Brora won.

Dundee United [2 - 1] Partick Thistle

Partick have six wins, all of them 1960 or before. United have three wins, all of them 1980 or after.

Stenhousemuir [0 - 4] Kilmarnock

These two have been drawn together twice before, and Killie won both times.

Forfar Athletic [2 - 2] Edinburgh City [Forfar win on PK.]

They met in 2016 and City won.

Livingston [2 - 1] Raith Rovers

These two met last year and Livi won.

Celtic [3 - 0] Falkirk

Falkirk have won the last two times.

Dumbarton [0 - 1] Aberdeen

Dumbarton have not had a win against Aberdeen since 1920.

Hamilton Academical [0 - 3] St Mirren

Accies are ahead four wins to three.

Dundee [0 - 1] St Johnstone

St Johnstone have only ever knocked out Dundee once.

Ayr United [0 - 1] Clyde

Clyde are ahead four wins to two.

Formartine [0 - 5] Motherwell

If Formartine can beat Motherwell it will upset Brora's Hearts upset.

Fraserburgh [2 - 4] Montrose

Fraserburgh won the last time these two met in the Scottish Cup.

Rangers [4 - 0] Cove Rangers (tomorrow)

First meeting ever.

Queen of the South [1 - 3] Hibs (Monday)

These two have only met once before, and Hibs won.

Championship matches:

Raith Rovers 5 - 1 Dunfermline (March 30)

Teams that Raith have shown five fingers this season: QoS, Morton, Alloa and now the Pars.

Dunfermline [0 - 0] Heart of Midlothian

Hearts are winless in three. Dunfermline have lost four in a row.

Arbroath [2 - 1] Alloa

This is a huge game for both sides, and for eighth-place Morton too. A win for Alloa would bring tenth place within four points of Morton's position. A win for Arbroath could drop Morton into ninth place, depending on the score.

Ayr United vs Dundee (postponed)

Queen of the South vs Raith Rovers (postponed)

Morton vs Inverness CT (postponed)

Other matches:

Peterhead 0 - 2 Clyde (March 30)

East Fife 1 - 0 Clyde (April 1)

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

JFL: FC Kariya [0 - 1] Maruyasu Okazaki (tomorrow)

Cobh Ramblers [0 - 4] UCD

Luxembourg: Progrès Niederkorn 2 - 0 Racing (March 31)

Union Titus vs Progrès Niederkorn (Monday)

3.Liga: SV Wehen Wiesbaden  2 - 2  1.FC Saarbrücken

Swiss Challenge League: Winterthur 0 - 1 Chiasso

Pohang Steelers 0 - 0 Daegu (yesterday)

Bolivia: Independiente Petrolero [2 - 2] The Strongest (tomorrow)

The start of the Ykkönen has been put off till May 5th.

Other postponed matches:

SWF Championship South: Airdrie vs Morton

The South Challenge Cup Round Five would have been this weekend.

Aomori prefectural championship, round two (tomorrow):

Match No. 5: Dogizaka [0 - 3] Hachinohe Gakuin University

Match No. 6: Blancdieu Hirosaki [1 - 5] Aomori University

涙涙涙

Which current SPFL clubs have never had to think about making the split?

Alloa, Arbroath, Ayr United, Morton, Queen of the South, Raith Rovers.

Which other lower league clubs have Rangers played since they came up from the Championship? And who scored on them?

2020/11/29    Falkirk 0 - 4 Rangers                LCup R2

2020/1/17      Rangers 2 - 0 Stranraer           SCup R4

2019/8/18      East Fife 0 - 3 Rangers            LCup R2

2019/1/30      Cowdenbeath 1 - 3 Rangers    SCup R4    David Cox

2018/9/26      Rangers 4 - 0 Ayr United          LCup QF

2018/3/4        Rangers 4 - 1 Falkirk                SCup QF    Aaron Muirhead

2018/2/11      Ayr United 1 - 6 Rangers          SCup R5    Alan Forrest

2018/1/31      Fraserburgh 0 - 3 Rangers       SCup R4

2017/8/9        Rangers 6 - 0 Dunfermline       LCup R2

2017/2/12      Rangers 2 - 1 Morton               SCup R5    Michael Tidser

2016/9/20      Rangers 5 - 0 QoS                   LCup QF

2016/8/9        Rangers 5 - 0 Peterhead          LCup R2

2016/7/25      Rangers 3 - 0 Stranraer           LCup GS

2016/7/22      E. Stirlingshire 0 - 3 Rangers    LCup GS

2016/7/19      Rangers 2 - 0 Annan                LCup GS

Ten most recent Scottish Cup matches between Fife clubs:

2019/1/19      Raith Rovers 3 - 0 Dunfermline

2005/1/18      Dunfermline 3 - 1 East Fife

2005/1/8        East Fife 0 - 0 Dunfermline

1990/2/27      Dunfermline 2 - 1 Cowdenbeath

1985/12/7      Dunfermline 2 - 0 Raith Rovers

1983/1/29      East Fife 1 - 0 Raith Rovers

1972/2/5        Raith Rovers 2 - 0 Dunfermline

1970/1/24      East Fife 1 - 0 Raith Rovers

1969/1/25      Raith Rovers 0 - 2 Dunfermline

1963/3/11      Cowdenbeath 2 - 3 Dunfermline

Historical matches:

April 3, 1915. Morton visited Partick Thistle and beat them 1 - 5.

April 3, 1993. Morton were home to Ayr United and won 1 - 0 on a goal by Douglas Johnstone.

SFL Division Three results, April 4, 1925:

Brechin City 0 - 1 Lochgelly United

Clackmannan 0 - 1 Nithsdale Wanderers

Dykehead 0 - 1 Queen of the South

Helensburgh 3 - 2 Leith Athletic

Mid Annandale 0 - 2 Solway Star

Royal Albert 2 - 1 Montrose

Source: Glasgow Herald, April 6, p. 5.

Seasons of Lochgelly United:

1896-97      1      1    0      0      2      1      +1      2      6th, CL

1897-98      7      1    1      5      9    24     -15      2      6th, CL

1902-03    24    12    8      4    52    30    +22    32     2nd, NL

1903-04    22      6    6    10    51    54       -3    18     9th, NL

1904-05    22      8    2    12    46    46        0    18    11th, NL

1905-06    21      5    5    11    25    49     -24    15    11th, NL

1906-07    26    14    5      7    52    33    +19    33     3rd, NL

1907-08    23    13    3      7    59    43    +16    29     2nd, NL

1908-09    18      8    3      7    29    26      +3    19      6th, NL

1909-10    15      6    2      7    28    38     -10    14    10th, CL

1910-11    22      6    5    11    38    49      -11    17      9th, CL

1911-12    18      5    3    10    19    36     -17    13     12th, CL

1912-13      2      1    0      1      5      6       -1      2      7th, NL

1913-14    25      6    7    12    32    50     -18    19    14th, CL

1914-15    26      9    3    14    43    60     -17    21    10th, SFL2

1915-16    21      7    4    10    24    36     -12    18     9th, EL

1916-17    13      2    0    11    10    35     -25      4    10th, EL

1919-20    18      6    4      8    23    32       -9    16      7th, EL

1920-21    34    11    6    17    39    71     -32    26    15th, CL

1921-22    38    11    9    18    46    54       -8    31    18th, SFL2

1922-23    38    16    5    17    41    64     -23    37    11th, SFL2

1923-24    38      4    4    30    21    86     -65    12    20th, SFL2

1924-25    30    15    4    11    59    41    +18    34      5th, SFL3

1925-26    29      9    9    11    58    63       -5    27      9th, SFL3

1926-27    24      8    3    13    40    75     -35    19    11th, SAN

The 1913-14 and 1920-21 seasons (in bold) were pretty miserable for Lochgelly United and pose the question, "Why was this bad team twice elected to the SFL?"

CL = Central League

NL = Northern League

SFL2 = Scottish Football League, Division Two

CL = Central League

SFL3 = Scottish Football League, Division Three

SAN = Scottish Alliance, North Section

(Extracted from SFHA tables.)

Lochgelly United versus Lochee United in the Northern League:

1903/1/1        Lochee United 2 - 2 Lochgelly United

1903/4/11      Lochgelly United 1 - 0 Lochee United

1903/9/12      Lochee United 1 - 1 Lochgelly United

1904/1/2        Lochgelly United 7 - 0 Lochee United

1904/11/26    Lochgelly United 3 - 1 Lochee United

1905/3/18      Lochee United 2 - 1 Lochgelly United

1906/1/13      Lochee United 0 - 3 Lochgelly United

1906/4/7        Lochgelly United 2 - 0 Lochee United

1906/12/8      Lochee United 0 - 0 Lochgelly United

1907/3/30      Lochgelly United 1 - 0 Lochee United

1907/9/28      Lochgelly United 3 - 1 Lochee United*

1907/12/28    Lochee United 3 - 2 Lochgelly United*

*or the reverse

(Source: SFHA.)

Dubbie

The cover of Dubbie, the Double-Headed Eagle, a children's book by Eduard Habsburg-Lothringen, in which Dubbie journeys to Vienna in search of his kinfolk. I offer this as evidence the Habsburgs are playing the long game. Source.

Freshwater Brook, 1784

Source.

Jōmyō and Ichirai

Among the monks, there was a certain Ichirai, a man of great strength and agility, who served the holy teacher Keishū at the Jōenbō. Having followed Jōmyō and fought in his wake, this Ichirai now wished to pass him, but found the beam too narrow. "Your pardon, Jōmyō," he said. He put his hand on the flap of Jōmyō's helmet, made a brisk leap over his shoulder, and went on fighting.

The Tale of the Heike, chapter 4, part 11 (translation by Helen Craig McCullough.)

Source.