Plenty of Nothing

Journey Into Hell, Dogs Love Vims

Footballers (c. 1955) by Cecil Walter Hardy Beaton. Source.

Breaking: Hamilton Academical have been docked 15 points for failing to pay their players, not having a doctor on hand during matches, and other dodges. This drops them to tenth place and renders Morton are safe from relegation.

Morton visit Airdrieonians. Morton are sixth with 41 points. Airdrie are tenth ninth with 28. Morton have a win and two draws versus Airdrie so far this season.

Despite their relative positions Airdrie are the hot club, with only one loss in their last six starts, whereas Morton are on a three-game losing streak. Airdrie now have a faint hope of finishing eighth.

Morton have a faint hope of finishing fourth.

Raith have a good shot at finishing fourth, as Partick's final two games are against Falkirk and Livingston.

Dumbarton and Inverness CT have emerged from administration.

[Morton win 0 - 1 on a goal by Adeloye.]

The other Championship matches:

Livingston (2nd) 5 - 0 Ayr United (3rd) (yesterday)

Dunfermline (7th) [0 - 0] Partick Thistle (4th)

Hamilton (10th) [0 - 0] Queen's Park (8th)

Queen's Park have lost nine in a row, league and cup.

[Accies are relegated.]

Falkirk (1st) [1 - 3] Raith Rovers (5th)*

*This is a Plenty of Nothing Consolation Cup semi-final.

Scottish Cup semi-finals:

Hearts [1 - 2] Aberdeen

St Johnstone [0 - 5] Celtic (tomorrow)

These four clubs have never before made up the Scottish Cup semi-finalists. It's St Johnstone's 11th trip to the semi-finals, Hearts' 37th, Aberdeen's 41st and Celtic's 81st.

Other matches:

Meshakhte 1 - 2 Merani Martvili (April 16)

Auchinleck Talbot 1 - 1 Largs Thistle (April 16)

Cobh Ramblers 1 - 0 UCD (yesterday)

Broomhill vs Civil Service Strollers [postponed]

The Lowland League concludes.

Carluke Rovers [1 - 2] St Peters

Culter [5 - 2] Sunnybank

FC Isle of Man 0 - 2 West Didsbury & Chorlton

HFX Wanderers [3 - 1] Pacific FC

[HFX goals by Timoteo, Telfer and Bai.]

[Briobecca Urayasu 1 - 0 Grulla Morioka]

Tokushima Vortis [0 - 1] Mito HollyHock (tomorrow)

Sfida Setegaya [2 - 0] Ehime Ladies (tomorrow)

Odd Kvinner [2 - 5] Aalesund (tomorrow)

North Regional Cup, QF (April 15):

Dyce 4 - 3 Culter

J League Cup, R2 (April 16):

Mito HollyHock 0 - 1 Gamba Osaka

UEFA Europa League, QF, second leg (April 17):

Athletic Bilbao 2 - 0 Rangers

Rangers are out.

Highland League Cup final:

Brora Rangers [3 - 1] Fraserburgh

Scottish Junior Cup SF, leg one:

Johnstone Burgh [0 - 1] Largs Thistle

Icelandic Women's Cup, R1:

ÍA Arkanes [0 - 1] Grindavík/Njarðvík

Video: Scotland's Chernobyl, Clune Park.

Historical matches:

1902/4/19      Kilbarchan 0 - 2 Morton    RCup SF replay

1941/4/19      Albion Rovers 3 - 3 Morton

The Southern League ends. Morton finish 10th out of 16.

2003/4/19      East Fife 0 - 1 Morton

Goal by Hawke.

Gretna 2008 versus Gala Fairydean (Rovers):

2025/4/19      Gretna 2008 [0 - 2] Gala Fairydean Rovers    LL

2024/12/21    Gala Fairydean Rovers 0 - 2 Gretna 2008      LL

2024/4/6        Gretna 2008 0 - 0 Gala Fairydean Rovers      LL

2023/9/30      Gala Fairydean Rovers 4 - 1 Gretna 2008    LL

2023/4/8        Gala Fairydean Rovers 3 - 0 Gretna 2008    LL

2022/9/28      Gretna 2008 3 - 1 Gala Fairydean Rovers      LL

2021/10/6      Gretna 2008 0 - 3 Gala Fairydean Rovers    LL

2020/1/25      Gala Fairydean Rovers 4 - 1 Gretna 2008    LL

2019/11/9      Gretna 2008 3 - 3 Gala Fairydean Rovers      LL

2019/4/20      Gretna 2008 2 - 4 Gala Fairydean Rovers    LL

2018/10/2      Gala Fairydean Rovers 0 - 2 Gretna 2008      LL

2018/3/10      Gretna 2008 1 - 2 Gala Fairydean Rovers    LL

2017/8/2        Gala Fairydean Rovers 5 - 2 Gretna 2008    LL

2017/4/15      Gala Fairydean Rovers 1 - 0 Gretna 2008    LL

2016/10/4      Gretna 2008 1 - 1 Gala Fairydean Rovers      LL

2016/2/6        Gala Fairydean Rovers 0 - 2 Gretna 2008      LL

2016/1/23      Gretna 2008 2 - 5 Gala Fairydean Rovers    EoSQCup R3

2015/10/3      Gretna 2008 0 - 2 Gala Fairydean Rovers    LL

2015/5/2        Gala Fairydean Rovers 1 - 3 Gretna 2008      LLCup QF

2015/3/17      Gala Fairydean Rovers 0 - 4 Gretna 2008      LL

2015/1/17      Gretna 2008 3 - 1 Gala Fairydean Rovers      LL

2014/9/13      Gretna 2008 2 - 1 Gala Fairydean Rovers      ScCup R1

2014/4/12      Gretna 2008 1 - 2 Gala Fairydean Rovers    LL

2013/10/19    Gala Fairydean Rovers 2 - 6 Gretna 2008      LL

2010-11         Gala Fairydean 0 - 4 Gretna 2008                  EoSL1

2010/11/6?    Gretna 2008 5 - 2 Gala Fairydean                  EoSL1

2010/3/10      Gala Fairydean 1 - 2 Gretna 2008                  EoSL1

2009/8/11      Gretna 2008 3 - 0 Gala Fairydean                  EoSL1

2009/4/x        Gretna 2008 1 - 1 Gala Fairydean                  EoSL1

2008-09         Gala Fairydean 0 - 4 Gretna 2008                  EoSL1

(Sources: Vale of Leithen FC website for 2008-09; Non-League Matters forum for 2009-10; Scottish Football Historical Archive.)

Scottish Cup Final, April 10, 1875

    QUEEN'S PARK v. RENTON -- ASSOCIATION CUP TIE. - The final tie competition for possession of the Association Challenge Cup came off on Saturday afternoon, on Hampden Park South Side. Great interest attached to the event, and the attendance of spectators was consequently large. Many friends of the strangers were present, and gave evidence of their confidence in their men, a few of the more exuberant [......]s being at first disposed to lay odds on their chances. The ready response which such pretensions evoked, speedily induced more wary conduct, and ere much progress had been made with the match, the "Rentonians" were content to take odds in proof of the extent of their hopes. Fully 20 minutes beyond the advertised time had elapsed before the teams took up their respective positions, the Queen's Park having the western end with a strong wind against them, and the Renton men the eastern. Play began with the former kicking off the ball and carrying in into their opponents' territory, out of which, however, it was soon driven, partly by play and partly by the favourable wind. For the first half of time the leather was kept mainly to the Queen's Park end, but notwithstanding the goal may be said to have never been in danger. Two or three excellent chances were made on the Renton goal, under the leadership alternately of Weir, M'Neil and Hughes, but half time was called without anything effectual having been achieved. Ends being changed, it was not difficult to perceive how the match would be likely to terminate. After a brief interval, during which several of the strangers were "refreshed" by their admirers, the contest was resumed, and scarcely had the ball been properly set a-rolling than shot after shot at the Renton goal was made in quick succession. Kicks in from the corners were of more frequent occurrence than is the general rule in this district. Better players than those from Dumbartonshire must have succumbed before such persistent efforts, and it was not matter of astonishment when, off a corner kick by Weir, first honours were secured by the Queen's Park. Hughes shortly after sent the ball through for a second time, and W. Mackinnon followed that example a few minutes subsequently. Time was called before any more successes were recorded -- the match ending three goals to nothing in favour of the Queen's Park. Three times at the most only did the Renton players in the second half of time manage to break through the ranks of the Queen's Park men, their play being almost entirely defensive. The forenamed are, as a rule, excellent "trippers" and "hackers," but those are not requisite qualifications in Association football play. Weir, who, we suppose, is not used to that uncouth style, was partially di[....]ed early in the match, and the reprehensible conduct gave rise to strong expressions of disapprobation amongst the spectators, who repeatedly called for the expulsion of the offenders. It is not to be supposed that all the members of the team were alike guilty of infringing the rules of the game. There were one or two, and they were the [....], and at the same time good players, who acted honourably, and were rewarded at times with marked approbation of those who surrounded the ground. We would counsel the members of the Renton club to learn the art of dribbling. They seem to have little acquaintance with it at present, their style being more appropriate in Rugby than in Association play. As a consequence of the match, the Queen's Park retain the Association Cup for another year. The teams which played were, -- Queen's Park -- R.W. Neill, goal; J. Taylor (captain) and J. Phillips, backs; C. Campbell and J. Dixon, half-backs; H. M'Neill, T. Hughes, W. Mackinnon, A. Mackinnon, R. Lawrie and J. B?. Weir, forwards. Renton -- Goal-keeper, M. Turnbull; backs, J. Kennedy and A. M'Kay; half-backs, J. Scallion and P. M'Gregor; forwards J. Mitchell, J. M'Crae, M. Kennedy, J. Brown, A. Glen, and L. Brown.

Glasgow Herald, April 12, 1875, p. 5.

Hard Greenock

Greenock Police Office, 1877. Source.

Morton host Ayr United. Ayr are second in the Championship with 54 points, Morton seventh with 31. Morton have lost three in a row, as they did around the end of October 2024. Last season they lost four in a row twice and five in row once, and still they finished fifth.

The other Championship matches:

Queen's Park 2 - 3 Ayr United (March 4)

Airdrieonians 0 - 3 Falkirk (March 4)

Livingston 0 - 0 Raith Rovers (March 5)

Airdrieonians (10th) [2 - 1] Hamilton Academical (8th)

Falkirk (1st) [1 - 0] Dunfermline Athletic (9th)

[Morton win 2 - 1 on goals by Blues and Davies. Red card for Corr.]

It's the Scottish Cup quarter-finals:

Hearts 3 - 1 Dundee (yesterday)

Aberdeen [4 - 1] Queen's Park

Celtic [2 - 0] Hibs (tomorrow)

Hibs were bottom of the Premiership on December 13th. Today they're in third place. Hibs beat Celtic 2 - 1 on February 22nd.

Livingston [0 - 1] St Johnstone (Monday)

When did each of these quarter-finalists last appear in the Scottish Cup final?

2024    Celtic

2022    Hearts

2021    St Johnstone; Hibs

2017    Aberdeen

2003    Dundee

not yet    Livingston (founded 1943)

1900    Queen's Park

Other matches:

Cowdenbeath 2 - 2 Civil Service Strollers (March 4)

Brora Rangers 1 - 0 Nairn County (March 5)

UCD 1 - 1 Finn Harps (yesterday)

Elfen Saitama [4 - 0] Mynavi Sendai

Odd [3 - 3] Egersund (friendly)

Sandefjord [1 - 0] Odd Kvinner (friendly)

Nairn County [0 - 1] Inverurie Loco Works

Civil Service Strollers [0 - 0] East Stirlingshire

Shotts Bon Accord [2 - 4] Largs Thistle

Giffnock [1 - 4] Carluke Rovers

Stonehaven [0 - 2] Culter

FC Isle of Man [2 - 3] Squires Gate

MLS: Vancouver Whitecaps [2 - 0] CF Montréal

Oita Trinita [0 - 0] Mito HollyHock (tomorrow)

Veertien Mie [1 - 1] Iwate Grulla Morioka (tomorrow)

The 2025 Japan Football League begins. Let's follow Grulla Morioka, who are newly relegated from J3. When J3 was formed in 2014 Grulla were promoted directly into it from the Tohoku league, so this is Grulla's first time in the JFL.

East Fife [8 - 1] Morton Women (tomorrow)

Scottish Junior Cup, QF:

Johnstone Burgh [0 - 0] Irvine Meadow [Burgh win on PK]

UEFA Europa League, Round of 16, first leg:

Fenerbahçe 1 - 3 Rangers (March 6)

AFC Champions League Elite, Round of 16, first leg:

Shanghai Port 0 - 1 Yokohama F. Marinos (March 4)

Shanghai Shenhua 1 - 0 Kawasaki Frontale (March 5)

Vissel Kobe 2 - 0 Gwangju (March 5)

AFC Champions League Two, QF, first leg:

Sanfrecce Hiroshima 6 - 1 Lion City Sailors (March 5)

[Awarded to Lion City 3 - 0.]

Concacaf Champions Cup, Round of 16, first leg:

Vancouver Whitecaps 1 - 1 Monterrey (March 5)

Historical matches:

1902/3/8        Queen's Park 1 - 1 Morton

This concluded the 1901-02 Scottish League Division One season. Morton finished in last place.

1941/3/8        Albion Rovers 5 - 2 Morton

2003/3/8        Queen's Park 0 - 1 Morton

Goal by John Adam.

Soccer Tangent

Vale of Leven celebrate scoring four against Carluke Rovers, 2023/2/18. Source.

It's the Scottish Cup, Round 5. Morton are off. The games are:

Ayr United 0 - 1 Hibs (yesterday)

These two first met in the Scottish Cup in 1930.

Livi [3 - 0] Cove Rangers

This is their first meeting in the Scottish Cup.

St Johnstone [1 - 0] Hamilton Accies

These two first met in the Scottish Cup in 1935.

Dundee [4 - 0] Airdrieonians

These two first met in the Scottish Cup in 2006.

Celtic [5 - 0] Raith Rovers

These two first met in the Scottish Cup in 1908.

Aberdeen [3 - 0] Dunfermline Athletic (tomorrow)

These two first met in the Scottish Cup in 1906.

Rangers [0 - 1] Queen's Park (tomorrow)    Upset!

These two first met in the Scottish Cup in 1879. [Queen's Park last beat Rangers in this cup in 1882.]

St Mirren [1 - 1] Hearts (Monday) [Hearts win on PK.]

These two first met in the Scottish Cup in 1887.

Championship:

Falkirk (2nd) [5 - 2] Partick Thistle (4th)*

*This is a Plenty of Nothing Consolation Cup Round One match.

Mortonalia:

Kirk Broadfoot has left the team. Logan O'Boy has been loaned out to Tranent.

Scottish Challenge Cup, SF (February 5):

Dunfermline Athletic 0 - 2 Livingston

Scottish Junior Cup, R5:

Downfield [1 - 1] Drumchapel United [Drumchapel win on PK]

Lowland League Cup, R1:

Broomhill 3 - 1 Berwick Rangers (February 4)

Civil Service Strollers 2 - 0 East Stirlingshire (February 4)

Cumbernauld Colts 0 - 5 East Kilbride (February 4)

Gretna 2008 2 - 3 University of Stirling (February 5)

West of Scotland League Cup, R4:

Arthurlie [1 - 2] Darvel

Johnstone Burgh [2 - 3] Auchinleck Talbot

St Cadoc's [4 - 0] Troon

St Roch's [3 - 2] Shotts Bon Accord

[Kilbirnie Ladeside 1 - 4 Thornliewood United]

North Regional Cup, R1:

Culter [4 - 1] Fraserburgh United

Concacaf Cup, Round One, leg one:

Forge 0 - 2 Monterrey (February 5)

Cavalry 2 - 1 Pumas UNAM (February 6)

2025 Japan Super Cup:

Vissel Kobe [0 - 2] Sanfrecce Hiroshima

Other matches:

Pollok 1 - 1 Largs Thistle (February 5)

Vancouver Whitecaps 2 - 0 Brommapokarna (friendly) (February 6)

Keith vs Nairn County [postponed]

Civil Service Strollers [2 - 1] Tranent

BSC Glasgow [1 - 5] Carluke Rovers

Glossop North End [1 - 2] FC Isle of Man

Røa [4 - 0] Odd Kvinner (friendly)

Morton Women [0 - 2] Stenhousemuir (tomorrow)

HFX Wanderers have sold Massimo Ferrin to York United.

The last time each 2024-25 Championship club scored on Rangers:

2023/8/19      Morton

2023/2/12      Partick Thistle

2022/10/22    Livingston

2021/2/7        Hamilton Academical

2018/3/4        Falkirk

2018/2/11      Ayr United

2016/4/2        Raith Rovers

2014/8/26      Queen's Park

2014/5/3        Dunfermline Athletic

not yet           Airdrieonians

Which league has the most scoreless draws so far this season?

6    Premiership

8    Championship

9    League One

7    League Two

Historical Matches:

1941/2/8        Morton 2 - 6 Clyde

2003/2/8        Morton 1 - 1 East Fife

Goal for Stuart MacDonald.

Vale of Leven versus Carluke Rovers since 1968:

1968/8/19      Vale of Leven 1 - 5 Carluke Rovers     league

1968/9/21      Carluke Rovers 1 - 1 Vale of Leven       league

1969-70 (44)  Carluke Rovers 3 - 6 Vale of Leven      league       

1969-70 (47)  Vale of Leven 4 - 2 Carluke Rovers      league

1970-71 (24)  Vale of Leven 1 - 0 Carluke Rovers      league

1970-71 (45)  Carluke Rovers 1 - 1 Vale of Leven      league

1972-73 (16)  Vale of Leven 4 - 1 Carluke Rovers      league

1972-73 (36)  Carluke Rovers 2 - 0 Vale of Leven    league

1973/11/3      Carluke Rovers 3 - 1 Vale of Leven     league

1974/1/27      Vale of Leven 1 - 2 Carluke Rovers     league

1974/12/21    Vale of Leven 2 - 3 Carluke Rovers     WoSCup R2

1976/9/4        Vale of Leven 1 - 2 Carluke Rovers     league

1977/6/6        Carluke Rovers 3 - 3 Vale of Leven       league

1977/11/5      Vale of Leven 2 - 2 Carluke Rovers       Drybrough Cup R1

1977/11/12    Carluke Rovers 1 - 1 Vale of Leven       Drybrough Cup R1 replay

1978/1/7        Vale of Leven 0 - 2 Carluke Rovers     Drybrough Cup R1 2nd replay

1978/9/9        Vale of Leven 3 - 1 Carluke Rovers       league

1979/5/18      Carluke Rovers 0 - 1 Vale of Leven       league

1980/10/11    Vale of Leven 0 - 0 Carluke Rovers       Drybrough Cup R1

1980/11/8      Carluke Rovers 4 - 3 Vale of Leven     Drybrough Cup R1 replay

1980/12/13    Vale of Leven 2 - 0 Carluke Rovers       league

1981/4/25      Carluke Rovers 2 - 2 Vale of Leven       league

1981/9/19      Vale of Leven 2 - 2 Carluke Rovers       league

1982/4/24      Carluke Rovers 1 - 1 Vale of Leven       league

1982/9/18      Carluke Rovers 0 - 1 Vale of Leven       league

1982/10/30    Vale of Leven 4 - 0 Carluke Rovers       league

1998/11/28    Vale of Leven 1 - 1 Carluke Rovers       league

1999/3/6        Carluke Rovers 0 - 2 Vale of Leven       league

1999/11/27    Vale of Leven 3 - 2 Carluke Rovers       league

2000/5/13      Carluke Rovers 3 - 2 Vale of Leven     league

2001/1/27      Vale of Leven 3 - 2 Carluke Rovers       league

2001/3/24      Carluke Rovers 0 - 2 Vale of Leven       league

2001/10/1      Carluke Rovers 2 - 1 Vale of Leven     league

2002/1/12      Vale of Leven 1 - 1 Carluke Rovers       league

2004/12/11    Vale of Leven 3 - 2 Carluke Rovers       league

2005/4/9        Carluke Rovers 4 - 1 Vale of Leven     league

2007/3/31      Vale of Leven 1 - 5 Carluke Rovers     League Cup R1

2007/10/27    Carluke Rovers 3 - 1 Vale of Leven     league

2008/3/15      Vale of Leven 3 - 0 Carluke Rovers      league

2016/11/12    Carluke Rovers 3 - 2 Vale of Leven     league

2017/3/4        Vale of Leven 4 - 1 Carluke Rovers      league

2017/11/4      Carluke Rovers 3 - 2 Vale of Leven     league

2018/3/10      Vale of Leven 3 - 1 Carluke Rovers      league

2018/11/3      Carluke Rovers 4 - 1 Vale of Leven     league

2019/3/2        Vale of Leven 2 - 0 Carluke Rovers      league

2020/11/7      Carluke Rovers 6 - 0 Vale of Leven     league

2022/9/3        Carluke Rovers 1 - 3 Vale of Leven      league

2023/2/18      Vale of Leven 4 - 1 Carluke Rovers      league

2023/10/14    Vale of Leven 1 - 0 Carluke Rovers      ScJrCup R2

(Source: Vale of Leven website; WoSL website for 2022-23 and 2023-24.)

On the Ball

St Johnstone and Motherwell. Source.

Scottish Cup, Round Four. 12 Premiership teams join 8 from the Championship, 5 from League One, 2 from League Two, 2 from the Highland League, and 1 each from the Lowland League, West of Scotland Premier Division and East of Scotland Premier Division. There are three all-Premiership matches, one of them a Dundee Derby, an all-Championship match, and two matches between the Premiership and tier VI.

Morton are not in it, having been eliminated in Round Three.

In Morton news, Alex King has left the club.

The matches:

Brechin (HL) 1 - 4 Hearts (Pr) (yesterday)

These two met in the 1967-68 and 1984-85 Scottish Cups. Hearts won both times.

Broxburn Athletic (LL) [0 - 8] Ayr United (Ch)

Ayr played Broxburn United in the 1925-26 SFL Division Two.

Celtic (Pr) [2 - 1] Kilmarnock (Pr)

This is the seventeenth Scottish Cup meeting between these clubs. Killie have won five times.

Cove Rangers (L1) [2 - 0] Forfar (L2)

First meeting in the Scottish Cup.

Dumbarton (L1) [1 - 5] Airdrieonians (Ch)

Airdrie beat Dumbarton in 2018.

Dunfermline Athletic (Ch) [3 - 0] Stenhousemuir (L1)

Stenny beat Dunfermline three times out of five.

Elgin (L2) [0 - 3] Aberdeen (Pr)

These two met in the 1937-38 and 1970-71 Scottish Cups, and Aberdeen won both times.

Hamilton Academical (Ch) [3 - 1] Musselburgh Athletic (EP)

First meeting.

Hibs (Pr) [3 - 0] Clydebank (WP)

Hibs have played Clydebank (1914-32) and Clydebank (1965-2002) but never this Clydebank.

Queen of the South (L1) [1 - 3] St Mirren (Pr)

St Mirren knocked QoS out of the 2013-14 and 2023-24 cups.

Queen's Park (Ch) [3 - 2] Montrose (L1)

Queen's Park have won three of four Scottish Cup meetings with Montrose.

Ross County (Pr) [2 - 3] Livingston (Ch)    Upset

These two have met in the Scottish Cup twice before, in 1990-91 and 2021-22, and Livi won both times.

St Johnstone (Pr) [1 - 0] Motherwell (Pr)

An Off the Ball Derby.

Falkirk (Ch) [1 - 2] Raith Rovers (Ch) (tomorrow)

Falkirk beat Raith five out of six times.

Rangers (Pr) [5 - 0] Fraserburgh (HL) (tomorrow)

These two have met before, in Round 4 of the 2017-18 Scottish Cup. Rangers won.

Dundee (Pr) [1 - 0] Dundee United (Pr) (Monday)

The Dundee Derby. These two have been drawn together eleven times before in this cup. United have won 8 times to Dundee's 3.

The Championship:

Livingston 2 - 1 Airdrieonians (January 14)

Dunfermline Athletic 0 - 2 Ayr United (January 14)

Scottish Junior Cup, R4:

Bo'ness United vs Dundee Downfield [postponed]

Irvine Meadow XI [4 - 2] West Calder United

Scottish Junior Cup, R5:

Camelon [1 - 0] Kilbirnie Ladeside

Tranent [4 - 3] Glenafton

Troon [1 - 1] Armadale Thistle [Armadale win on PK]

West of Scotland League Cup, R3:

Arthurlie (W1) [3 - 2] Beith (WP)    Upset

Auchinleck Talbot (WP) [3 - 1] Forth Wanderers (W2)

Hurlford United (WP) [1 - 2] Johnstone Burgh (WP)

Shotts Bon Accord (WP) [3 - 0] Royal Albert (W4)

West of Scotland League Cup, R4:

Muirkirk (W2) [3 - 1] Maypole (W1)

John Reilly Trophy, R2:

Stonehaven [2 - 1] Culter

Other matches:

[Mito HollyHock 4 - 1 Okinawa SV (friendly)]

Nairn County [1 - 5] Forres Mechanics

East Stirlingshire [1 - 1] Civil Service Strollers

Drumchapel United [0 - 2] Largs Thistle

Saltcoats Victoria [1 - 3] Carluke Rovers

Padiham [2 - 1] FC Isle of Man

Morton Women [4 - 1] Westdyke (tomorrow)

46th Empress's Cup SF:

Match No. 45: Tokyo Beleza [1 - 1] Albirex Niigata Ladies [Albirex win on PK]

Match No. 46: Urawa Reds Ladies [4 - 1] INAC Kobe Leonessa

Beleza have won the cup 16 times, Leonessa 7 times, Urawa once, and Albirex never.

HFX Wanderers have signed midfielder Isaiah Johnston, formerly of Woodbridge Strikers, York9/United, Huntsville FC and Loudoun United.

Halifax Tides are beginning to get players signed. Three of them have played in Iceland, which was a place to go for a career before this Canadian league came about. Erin McLeod had two stints with Stjarnan; Saorla Miller was at Keflavik; and Christabel Oduro played for Grindavik and Vikingur. Grindavik is currently on hiatus due to volcanism. [That's wrong, so to make up for it I'll follow them this coming season.]

Kingston, Ontario is looking into building a soccer stadium to get a (presumably CanPL) pro team.

Plans are afoot to revive the Pacific Rim Cup in Honolulu.

Historical matches:

1902/1/18      Morton 2 - 3 Third Lanark    ScCup R1 replay

1941/1/18      Morton 3 - 3 Hamilton Academical

2003/1/13      Morton 4 - 3 Deveronvale    ScCup R2

Goals by David MacGregor, Alex Williams and Jani Uotinen, plus an own goal.

2003/1/18      Morton 2 - 1 Albion Rovers

Goals by David MacGregor and Alex Williams.

Linlithgow Rose versus Bonnyrigg Rose since 2016:

2021/7/3        Linlithgow Rose 1 - 1 Bonnyrigg Rose    friendly

2019/5/26      Linlithgow Rose 0 - 1 Bonnyrigg Rose    King Cup SF

2018/5/28      Bonnyrigg Rose 4 - 1 Linlithgow Rose    F&LCup

2018/3/24      Linlithgow Rose 1 - 4 Bonnyrigg Rose    league

2017/11/18    Bonnyrigg Rose 0 - 0 Linlithgow Rose    league

2016/12/17    Linlithgow Rose 0 - 1 Bonnyrigg Rose    league

(Source: Linlithgow Rose website.)

Meadow

Irvine Meadow XI, 1950-51. Source.

It's the Scottish Cup, Round Three. Morton visit Ayr United. It's an unlucky draw for Morton, considering that there were only six stronger sides in the hat, including Ayr, and thirty-three weaker ones.

The last time these two met in this cup, 2005, Ayr won 3 - 2. (See below.)

This round features the 10 Championship clubs, the 10 League One clubs, 6 from League Two, 5 from the Lowland League, 5 from the Highland League, and 1 each from the West of Scotland Premier Division, East of Scotland Premier Division, the Midlands League and the West of Scotland First Division. There are two all Championship matches, three all League One matches, one all League Two match, plus one Highland versus Lowland League match.

At the Morton forum they're talking about what would be the best day to make up last Saturday's postponed Partick Thistle match. The only empty Saturday coming up is potentially January 18th, but that depends on both clubs losing today, a 25% possibility. The most appealing suggestion to my mind is Wednesday, January 1st. According to Fitbastats Morton have played on New Year's Day 64 times, but January 1st, 2025 will be the 20th anniversary of the last time, when Morton beat Dumbarton 3 - 0. (I'm aware of three other New Year's Day matches and there could be more. See below.) A 3 p.m. New Year's Day match would be cool.

[Ayr United 2 - 0 Morton.]

Dumbarton (L1) 3 - 2 Alloa Athletic (L1) (last night)

Stranraer (L2) [1 - 2] Broxburn Athletic (LL)    Upset

Peterhead (L2) [2 - 3] Montrose (L1)

Linlithgow Rose (LL) [0 - 4] Raith Rovers (Ch)

Elgin (L2) [3 - 2] Kelty Hearts (L1)    Upset

Clydebank (WP) [2 - 0] Buckie Thistle (HL)    Upset

Musselburgh Athletic (EP) [3 - 1] Bo'ness United (LL)    Upset

Cowdenbeath (LL) [1 - 4] Brechin (HL)

Cove Rangers (L1) [2 - 0] Inverness CT (L1)

Queen's Park (Ch) [2 - 2] Partick Thistle (Ch) [QP win on PK]

Banks o' Dee (HL) [1 - 2] Hamilton Accies (Ch)

Irvine Meadow (W1) [0 - 5] Stenny (L1)

Arbroath (L1) [0 - 1] Queen of the South (L1)

Fraserburgh (HL) [2 - 0] Annan Athletic (L1)    Upset

Livingston (Ch) [2 - 0] Brora Rangers (HL)

Forfar (L2) [3 - 3] Stirling Albion (L2) [Forfar win on PK]

Edinburgh City (L2) [1 - 2] Dunfermline Athletic (Ch)

Dundee North End (ML) [0 - 1] Airdrieonians (Ch) (tomorrow)

East Kilbride (LL) [1 - 3] Falkirk (Ch) (Monday)

Scottish Junior Cup, R4:

Armadale Thistle [1 - 1] Hurlford United [Armadale won on PK]

Bathgate Thistle [0 - 3] Glenafton Athletic

Camelon Juniors [6 - 0] Letham

Tranent [3 - 0] West Park United

Drumchapel United [6 - 0] Burghead Thistle

Arthurlie [2 - 4] Darvel

East Craigie [0 - 7] Largs Thistle

Lugar Boswell Thistle [4 - 2] Larkhall Thistle

Montrose Roselea [1 - 3] Beith

Easterhouse [1 - 2] Kilbirnie Ladeside

Benburb [2 - 0] Hermes

Pollok [4 - 2] Cumbernauld United

Vale of Leven [0 - 4] Johnstone Burgh

Troon vs Lochee United (postponed)

Irvine Meadow vs West Calder United (postponed)

Bo'ness United vs Dundee Downfield (postponed)

South Challenge Cup, R3:

Newmains United [0 - 6] Greenock

South Challenge Cup, R4:

Shotts Bon Accord [3 - 2] Kilwinning Rangers

[East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, R3:

Civil Service Strollers 4 - 0 Harthill Royal]

Other matches:

St Peters [2 - 5] Carluke Rovers

Sunnybank [0 - 5] Culter

AFC Liverpool [2 - 1] FC Isle of Man

Minebea Mitsumi [1 - 0] Vonds Ichihara (tomorrow)

Elfen Saitama [1 - 1] Nagano Parceiro (tomorrow)

Hutchison Vale [0 - 8] Morton Women (tomorrow)

UEFA Champions League, league stage matchday five (November 27):

Celtic 1 - 1 Club Brugge

UEFA Europa League, league stage matchday five (November 28):

Nice 1 - 4 Rangers

UEFA Conference League, league stage matchday four (November 28):

Cercle Brugge 2 - 0 Hearts

The New Saints 0 - 1 Djurgården

Olimpija Ljubljana 1 - 0 Larne

Rapid Wein 1 - 1 Shamrock Rovers

AFC Champions League Elite league stage, matchday 5:

Vissel Kobe 3 - 2 Central Coast Mariners (November 26)

Buriram United 0 - 3 Kawasaki Frontale (November 26)

Yokohama F. Marinos 2 - 0 Pohang Steelers (November 27)

AFC Champions League Two group stage, matchday 5 (November 28):

Kaya-Iliolo 1 - 1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima

Copa Libertadores final:

Atlético Mineiro [1 - 3] Botafogo

Both clubs are Brazilian. The winner goes on to the Intercontinental Cup, which is a new name for the old FIFA Club World Cup. The new FIFA Club World Cup is supposed to happen in summer 2025 with an expanded format, but there's some resistance to it.

46th Empress's Cup R3:

Match No. 21: Viameterras Miyazaki (N1) [3 - 1] JFA Academy Fukushima (N2)

Match No. 22: Kanagawa University (Kanto) [0 - 2] Sfida Setagaya (N1)

Match No. 23: Asahi Intecc Loveledge Nagoya (N1) [2 - 0] Tokyo Verdy Menina (Kanto)

Match No. 24: Iga FC Kunoichi Mie (N1) [1 - 1] AS Harima Albion (N1) [Iga win on PK]

Match No. 25: Kibi International University Charme Okayama Takahashi (Chogoku) [0 - 2] Okayama Yunogo Belle (N2)

Match No. 26: Bunnys Gunma FC White Star (N1) [0 - 5] Ehime FC Ladies (N1)

Match No. 27: NHK Spring Yokohama FC Seagulls (N1) [0 - 1] Vonds Ichihara Ladies (Kanto)    Upset

Match No. 28: Shizuoka SSU Bonita (N1) [4 - 0] Nittaidai SMG Yokohama (N1)

All matches are on December 1, except Matches No. 23 and 25 today.

Historical matches:

1901/11/30    Morton 2 - 2 Queen's Park

1940/11/30    Celtic 2 - 0 Morton

2002/11/30    Morton 4 - 0 Elgin

Goals by John Maisano (2), Alex Williams and Jani Uotinen.

Morton's New Year's Day matches before 1908:

1903/1/1        Kilmarnock 0 - 1 Morton

1902/1/1        Morton 1 - 2 Port Glasgow Athletic

1885/1/1        Arbroath 2 - 3 Morton

Video: StuntPegg in the OC.

Morton versus divisional rivals in the Scottish Cup, 21st century:

2021/12/7      R3    Morton 1 - 1 Inverness CT (Morton won on PK.)

2021/11/27    R3    Inverness CT 1 - 1 Morton

2021/3/23      R3    Morton 0 - 0 Dunfermline (Morton won on PK.)

2018/1/20      R4    Dunfermline 1 - 2 Morton

2017/1/21      R4    Morton 2 - 0 Falkirk

2016/1/9        R4    Livingston 0 - 1 Morton

2014/11/11    R3    Airdrieonians 0 - 2 Morton

2014/11/1      R3    Morton 0 - 0 Airdrieonians

2012/1/7        R4    Raith Rovers 1 - 2 Morton

2008/2/2        R5    Morton 0 - 2 Queen of the South

2005/12/10    R2    Ayr United 3 - 2 Morton

2001/11/17    R1    Morton 1 - 2 Queen of the South

Irvine Meadow XI cup games 2024-25:

2024/8/30      Preston Athletic 2 - 3 Irvine Meadow XI    ScCup PR2

2024/9/14      Wigtown & Bladnoch 0 - 10 Irvine Meadow XI    SChCup R2

2024/9/21      Irvine Meadow XI 2 - 1 Glasgow Perthshire    SJrCup R2

2024/9/28      Burntisland Shipyard 1 - 4 Irvine Meadow XI    ScCup R1

2024/10/12    Gala Fairydean Rovers 0 - 1 Irvine Meadow XI    SChCup R3

2024/10/19    Irvine Meadow XI 4 - 0 Renfrew    SJrCup R3

2024/10/26    Irvine Meadow XI 3 - 0 Civil Service Strollers    ScCup R2

2024/11/2      Johnstone Burgh 2 - 0 Irvine Meadow XI    WoSLCup R2

2024/11/16    Civil Service Strollers 3 - 1 Irvine Meadow XI    SChCup R4

2014/11/30    Irvine Meadow [0 - 5] Stenhousemuir    ScCup R3

2024/when    Irvine Meadow XI vs West Calder United    SJrCup R4

Flag-Waving Hamilton

Crowds gather to welcome Greenock Morton to Hamilton, 1953. Source.

Morton visit Hamilton Academical. Morton are sixth in the Championship with 10 points, Hamilton seventh with 9 points. The first quarter of the season is done; Morton have 2 wins, 4 draws and 3 losses, which is about average for the club. (See below.)

These two teams played to a scoreless draw in their first league meeting back in August, and Morton won 0 - 1 in their Challenge Cup R4 match two weeks ago.

Morton are second-best in the Championship in terms of goals allowed, but only seventh in goals scored.

Morton did visit Hamilton once in 1953, on January 3rd in the old Division Two. Accies won 3 - 0.

Depending on how the other games pan out Morton can rise to fifth or fall to eighth.

Assistant manager Andy Millen has been suspended as a result of some unspecified incident at the Raith Rovers game October 5th.

Inverness CT have gone into administration and are docked 15 points, which is good news for Dumbarton, who are lifted out of tenth place.

[Morton have signed goalie Lewis Budinauckas from Rangers on a 7-day emergency loan. He starts today.]

[Hamilton 3 - 0 Morton on a hat-trick by Oli Shaw.]

Other Championship matches:

Airdrieonians (10th) [0 - 1] Ayr United (3rd)

Falkirk (1st) [2 - 1] Dunfermline (9th)

Livingston (2nd) [2 - 1] Raith Rovers (8th)

Queen's Park (4th) [0 - 1] Partick Thistle (5th)

It's the Scottish Cup, Round Two. There are 40 clubs in this round: 10 from League Two, 11 from the Highland League, 8 from the Lowland League, 2 from the West of Scotland League Premier Division, 4 from the East of Scotland League Premier Division, 2 from the Midlands League, and 1 each from the West of Scotland League First Division, East of Scotland League First Division and West of Scotland League Third Division.

There are three all Highland League matches, and one between Highland and Lowland League sides. This is the fourth match for Bo'ness Athletic, who have been in it since preliminary round one.

The matches:

Threave Rovers (W3) 2 - 3 Stranraer (L2) (last night)

Auchinleck Talbot (WP) [0 - 1] Broxburn Athletic (LL)

Brechin (HL) [3 - 2] Huntly (HL)

Brora Rangers (HL) [2 - 1] Formartine United (HL)

East Fife (L2) [0 - 1] Banks o' Dee (HL)    Upset

East Kilbride (LL) [3 - 1] Bonnyrigg Rose (L2)    Upset

Elgin (L2) [1 - 1] Clyde (L2) [Elgin win on PK]

Forfar (L2) [1 - 0] Berwick Rangers (LL)

Fraserburgh (HL) [3 - 1] Turriff United (HL)

Hill of Beath Hawthorn (EP) [0 - 2] Bo'ness United (LL)

Inverurie Loco Works (HL) [1 - 3] Dundee North End (ML)    Upset

Irvine Meadow (W1) [3 - 0] Civil Service Strollers (LL)    Upset

Jeanfield Swifts (EP) [1 - 1] Edinburgh City (L2) [EC win on PK]

Keith (HL) [0 - 3] Clydebank (WP)    Upset

Linlithgow Rose (LL) [3 - 0] Clachnacuddin (HL)

Musselburgh Athletic (EP) [2 - 1] Caledonian Braves (LL)    Upset

Peterhead (L2) [6 - 3] Lochee United (ML)

Sauchie Juniors (EP) [0 - 2] Buckie Thistle (HL)

Stirling Albion (L2) [6 - 0] Bo'ness Athletic (E1)

The Spartans (L2) [1 - 2] Cowdenbeath (LL)    Upset

Other matches:

Dyce 1 - 1 Culter (yesterday)

Iwaki FC [1 - 2] Mito HollyHock

Gartcairn [4 - 4] Largs Thistle

Carluke Rovers [0 - 5] Port Glasgow Juniors

Chadderton [1 - 2] FC Isle of Man

Falkirk [3 - 4] Morton Women (tomorrow)

Scottish Junior Cup, R3:

[Camelon 4 - 0 Hall Russell United]

Canadian Premier League playoffs:

York United (4th) 2 - 0 Pacific (5th) (October 23)

Atlético Ottawa (3rd) [1 - 1] York United (tomorrow) [Atlético win on PK]

Forge (1st) [0 - 1] Cavalry (2nd) (tomorrow)

League Of Ireland Premier Division playoff SF:

Bray Wanderers 2 - 0 UCD (October 24)

UCD [1 - 0] Bray Wanderers (October 28)

[Bray win on aggregate. UCD stay down.]

WE League Cup, group stage:

Elfen Saitama [1 - 1] Cerezo Osaka

UEFA Champions League, league stage matchday three (October 23):

Atalanta 0 - 0 Celtic

UEFA Europa League, league stage matchday three (October 24):

Rangers 4 - 0 FCSB

UEFA Conference League, league stage matchday two (October 24):

Hearts 2 - 0 Omonia

Larne 1 - 4 Shamrock Rovers

The New Saints 2 - 0 Astana

AFC Champions League Elite league stage, matchday 3:

Shandong Taishan 2 - 2 Yokohama F. Marinos (October 22)

Ulsan HD 0 - 2 Vissel Kobe (October 23)

Shanghai Shenhua 2 - 0 Kawasaki Frontale (October 23)

AFC Champions League Two group stage, matchday 3 (October 24):

Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2 - 1 Sydney FC

60th Shakaijin, later rounds:

Round 3 (October 21):

Match No. 25: FC Kariya 2 - 2 Veroskronos Tsuno (Kariya win on PK)

Match No. 26: Japan Soccer College 4 - 1 Blancdieu Hirosaki

Match No. 27: FC Tokushima 3 - 1 SRC Hiroshima

Match No. 28: Aries Tokyo 0 - 0 J-Lease (J-Lease win on PK)

Semifinals (October 22):

Match No. 29: FC Kariya 0 - 0 Japan Soccer College (JSC win on PK)

Match No. 30: FC Tokushima 1 - 0 J-Lease

Third-place game (October 23):

Match No. 31: FC Kariya 0 - 0 J-Lease (J-Lease win on PK)

Final (October 23):

Match No. 32: Japan Soccer College 1 - 0 FC Tokushima

Historical matches:

1901/10/26    Hibs 1 - 2 Morton

1940/10/26    Hearts 3 - 3 Morton

2002/10/26    Morton 2 - 2 Gretna

Goals by David Hopkin and Alex Williams.

Morton's first nine league results, the past decade:

2024-25    DDDLLWLWD      10 points    (Imrie)

2023-24    WLLLDLLDW        8 points    (Imrie)

2022-23    DWLDWLLLW     11 points    (Imrie)

2021-22    DWLLLLDDL         6 points    (McPherson)

2020-21    WLWLDLWWD    14 points    (Hopkin/McElhone)

2019-20    LWWLLWLDL      10 points    (Hopkin)

2018-19    DWWLDDLDW    13 points    (McKinnon/Johansson)

2017-18    DWDLWWLLW    14 points    (Duffy)

2016-17    DDDLLWLWW     12 points    (Duffy)

2015-16    DLDWWDDLL     10 points    (Duffy)

Present-day Clydebank FC in the Scottish Cup:

2021/9/18      R1    Clydebank 7 - 0 Dalkieth Thistle

2021/10/25    R2    Clydebank 1 - 1 Elgin

2021/10/30    R2    Elgin 1 - 2 Clydebank

2021/11/27    R3    Clydebank 2 - 0 Clyde

2022/1/22      R4    Clydebank 3 - 4 Annan Athletic

2022/8/27      PR    Clydebank 4 - 1 Bonnyton Thistle

2022/9/17      R1    Clydebank 1 - 3 The Spartans

2023/9/2        PR2    Fort William 1 - 10 Clydebank

2023/9/23      R1    Dalkeith Thistle 0 - 7 Clydebank

2023/10/28    R2    Formartine United 3 - 2 Clydebank

2024/8/31      PR2   Clydebank 7 - 0 St Andrews United

2024/9/28      R1    Clydebank 3 - 1 Girvan

2024/10/26    R2    Keith [0 - 3] Clydebank

Morton's first nine league results, the past decade:

2024-25    DDDLLWLWD      10 points    (Imrie)

2023-24    WLLLDLLDW        8 points    (Imrie)

2022-23    DWLDWLLLW     11 points    (Imrie)

2021-22    DWLLLLDDL         6 points    (McPherson)

2020-21    WLWLDLWWD    14 points    (Hopkin/McElhone)

2019-20    LWWLLWLDL      10 points    (Hopkin)

2018-19    DWWLDDLDW    13 points    (McKinnon/Johansson)

2017-18    DWDLWWLLW    14 points    (Duffy)

2016-17    DDDLLWLWW     12 points    (Duffy)

2015-16    DLDWWDDLL     10 points    (Duffy)

King George V Field

Ayr United toured Newfoundland in June and July 1973. (Results below.) Source.

Morton visit Ayr United. The Honest Men are first in the Championship with 15 points and a +10 goal difference. Morton are sixth with 6 points and a 0 goal difference.

Ayr are riding a streak of three straight draws in league play. Their only loss so far this season in any competition came against Dundee United in the League Cup group stage. Should they go on to win promotion they will get to the Premiership for the first time since 1977-78.

Video:  Ayr United's new North Stand.

Ayr's George Oakley famously played for Morton last season. Andy Murdoch played for Morton from 2016 to 2018, but he's out on loan to Clyde. Morton's Jack Baird played for Ayr from 2020 to 2022. Grant Gillespie was an Honest Man briefly in 2020.

Ayr's manager Scott Brown was a big star for Hibs, Celtic and Aberdeen. He has been in the job since January.

The last Morton player to score against Ayr was Kirk Broadfoot back in April.

Morton have signed 24-year-old striker Filip Stuparević on loan from Motherwell. He has played for Voždovac and Metalac Gornji Milanovac in Serbia, Příbram in Czechia, Al Orooba in the UAE, and Domžale of Slovenia. As a member of the Serbian U17 team he scored on Switzerland at Cappielow.

[Ayr United 1 - 0 Morton.]

The other Championship matches:

Dunfermline Athletic (8th) [1 - 2] Queen's Park (5th)

Hamilton Academical (7th) [1 - 0] Partick Thistle (4th)

Livingston (3rd) [2 - 1] Airdrieonians (10th)

Raith Rovers (9th) [1 - 0] Falkirk (2nd)

Scottish Cup Round One:

Highland and Lowland League clubs enter the fray. There are no South of Scotland League or North Caledonian League entrants left. This is the third match for Bo'ness Athletic who entered at PR1. This round's fixtures include four Highland League versus Lowland League matches and one East of Scotland Premier Division versus West of Scotland Premier Division match.

Tynecastle (EP) 2 - 3 Hill of Beath Hawthorn (EP) (yesterday)

Dalkeith Thistle (E2) 0 - 4 Broxburn Athletic (LL) (yesterday)

Albion Rovers (LL) [1 - 2] Auchinleck Talbot (WP)    Upset

Berwick Rangers (LL) [4 - 2] Cupar Hearts (KoF)

Brechin (HL) [1 - 0] Newtongrange Star (E1)

Broomhill (LL) [0 - 1] Turriff United (HL)

Brora Rangers (HL) [2 - 1] Cumnock (WP)

Buckie Thistle (HL) [2 - 1] Carluke Rovers (W4)

Burntisland Shipyard (E2) [1 - 4] Irvine Meadow (W1)

Clachnacuddin (HL) [3 - 1] Nairn County (HL)

Clydebank (WP) [3 - 1] Girvan (W3)

Cowdenbeath (LL) [3 - 2] Rutherglen Glencairn (W1)

Cumbernauld Colts (LL) [0 - 3] Civil Service Strollers (LL)

Deveronvale (HL) [2 - 4] Bo'ness United (LL)

Dunbar United (EP) [1 - 4] Bo'ness Athletic (E1)    Upset

Dundee North End (ML) [4 - 0] Tranent (LL)    Upset

Dundonald Bluebell (EP) [1 - 1] Inverurie Loco Works (HL) [Inverurie win on PK]

East Kilbride (LL) [2 - 0] Gretna 2008 (LL)

East Stirlingshire (LL) [2 - 3] Lochee United (ML)    Upset

Formartine United (HL) [2 - 0] Whitehill Welfare (E1)

Forres Mechanics (HL) [1 - 2] Jeanfield Swifts (EP)    Upset

Fraserburgh (HL) [8 - 0] Rothes (HL)

Gala Fairydean Rovers (LL) [0 - 1] Banks o' Dee (HL)

Huntly (HL) [2 - 2] Wick Academy (HL) [Huntly win on PK]

Keith (HL) [1 - 1] Camelon (E1) [Keith win on PK]

Linlithgow Rose (LL) [3 - 1] Lossiemouth (HL)

Musselburgh Athletic (EP) [1 - 0] Darvel (WP)

Strathspey Thistle (HL) [0 - 6] Sauchie (EP)    Upset

Threave Rovers (W3) [6 - 1] Vale of Leithen (E2)    Upset

University of Stirling (LL) [0 - 2] Caledonian Braves (LL)

Key: tier 5 =  HL  LL;  tier 6 =  WP  EP  ML;  tier 7 =  W1  E1;  tier 8 =  E2;  tier 9 =  W3;  tier 10 =  W4;  outwith the pyramid =  KoF

Other matches:

Abbey Hey 1 - 2 FC Isle of Man (September 24)

Wexford 2 - 0 UCD (yesterday)

Glenafton Athletic [1 - 2] Largs Thistle

Culter [2 - 2] Stonehaven

Carluke Rovers vs Royal Albert (postponed)

Barnoldswick Town [1 - 3] FC Isle of Man

Unity [0 - 2] Serbian White Eagles

Kagoshima United [3 - 0] Mito HollyHock

Speranza Osaka [2 - 1] Sfida Setagaya (tomorrow)

ReinMeer Aomori [0 - 2] Okinawa SV (tomorrow)

Sanfrecce Hiroshima [1 - 0] Elfen Saitama (tomorrow)

Þróttur [0 - 0] Þór/KA (tomorrow)

Atletico Ottawa [1 - 1] HFX Wanderers (tomorrow)

Canadian Championship final (September 25):

Vancouver Whitecaps 0 - 0 Toronto FC (Whitecaps win on PK)

WE League Cup, group stage (September 25):

Cerezo Osaka 0 - 2 Elfen Saitama

UEFA Europa League league stage matchday one (September 26):

Malmö 0 - 2 Rangers

Historical matches:

1901/9/28      Morton 1 - 3 St Mirren

1940/9/28      Morton 3 - 3 Airdrieonians

2002/9/28      Morton 2 - 1 East Fife

Goals by Jani Uotinen and Alex Williams.

Ayr United Newfoundland Tour, 1973:

1973/6/26      St. John's All Stars 1 - 5 Ayr United

1973/6/28      Burin Peninsula All Stars 2 - 5 Ayr United

1973/7/1        Newfoundland All Stars 1 - 9 Ayr United

1973/7/3        Nfld. Canada Games Team 2 - 8 Ayr United

Source.

Arthurlie FC 1890-91:

1891/6/8        Dykebar 4 - 1 Arthurlie    PChCup R1 2nd replay

1891/6/2        Dykebar 2 - 2 Arthurlie    PChCup R1 replay

1891/5/23      Dykebar 3 - 3 Arthurlie    PChCup    R1

1891/4/18      Leith Athletic 7 - 1 Arthurlie

1891/4/14      Morton 3 - 1 Arthurlie    G&DChCup SF

1891/3/21      Linthouse 5 - 1 Arthurlie 

1891/3/7        Arthurlie 3 - 2 Dykebar    G&DChCup R1

1891/2/28      Beith 5 - 2 Arthurlie

1891/2/14      Arthurlie 5 - 2 Clyde

1891/2/7        Northern 3 - 0 Arthurlie

1891/1/17      Arthurlie 1 - 3 St Mirren    RCup SF

1890/12/27    Dykebar 2 - 2 Arthurlie

1890/12/13    Arthurlie 6 - 0 Barrhead Corinthians    RCup R2 replay

1890/11/22    Arthurlie 7 - 0 Barrhead Corinthians (protested)    RCup R2

1890/11/1      Arthurlie 3 - 1 Lochwinnoch    RCup R1

1890/11/1      Partick Thistle Swifts 8 - 0 2nd Arthurlie

1890/10/25    2nd Airdrieonians 2 - 3 2nd Arthurlie

1890/10/25    Port Glasgow Athletic 6 - 4 Arthurlie

1890/10/11    Ayr FC 4 - 3 Arthurlie

1890/10/4      Methlan Park 3 - 1 Arthurlie

1890/9/13      Dykebar 1 - 3 Arthurlie

1890/9/6        Arthurlie 2 - 5 St Mirren    ScCup R1

1890/8/30      Morton Reserves 10 - 0 2nd Arthurlie

1890/8/30      Arthurlie 6 - 3 Morton

(Sources: The Beautiful Dribbling Game for the Scottish Cup; Scottish Football Historical Archive for the Renfrewshire Cup, Greenock and District Charity Cup, and Paisley Charity Cup; the Glasgow Herald for the rest.)

King George V Soccer Stadium seats 6,400 spectators, enough for a Canadian Premier League club. HFX Wanderers U21 and Ipswich Town U21 played here in July.

The Renfrew Bridge

A segment of the new Renfrew bridge is towed past Gourock. Source.

Falkirk visit Cappielow for the first time since 2019. The Bairns are currently second in the Championship with 9 points, while Morton are sixth with 3 points.

For a long while after the McKinnon Affair Falkirk were the most hated club in Greenock, but five years of separation have allowed the mantle of most obnoxious opponent to pass to Partick Thistle.

Falkirk went undefeated in League One last season and won that division by 24 points. They have not been defeated in a league match since April 18th, 2023, a run of 41 matches, which is the third-longest streak in Scottish League history. In the past calendar year they have posted only three losses, all of them cup games:

2024/1/20      Bonnyrigg Rose 2 - 1 Falkirk    ScCup R4

2024/2/3        Falkirk 0 - 1 The New Saints    ChCup SF

2024/7/16      Ayr United 1 - 0 Falkirk    LCup GS

They are the only Championship side left in the current League Cup.

Morton have played Falkirk only once since the Bairns' relegation. That was in the 2022-23 League Cup group stage; after a scoreless draw Falkirk won in the shootout. The last Morton player to score against Falkirk was Charlie Telfer, April 20th, 2019.

Morton have begun the league season with the three consecutive draws. The last time they did that was 2016-17. The time before that was 1975-76 and the time before that was 1960-61. They have never started a season with four draws in a row.

Falkirk's Ross MacIver played for Morton in 2020-21, as did Aiden Nesbitt in 2016-17 and from 2019 to 2021, and Gary Oliver from 2016 to 2019 and 2020 to 2022. Calvin Miller played for Morton in 2023. No one on the Morton squad has played for Falkirk.

Yesterday Morton signed 37-year old winger Niall McGinn, formerly of Dungannon Swifts, Derry City, Celtic, Brentford, Aberdeen, Gwangju, Dundee and Glentoran.

[Morton 2 - 3 Falkirk. Morton goals by Boyes and Baird.]

The other Championship matches:

Dunfermline (10th) [1 - 1] Ayr United (1st)

Hamilton (5th) [2 - 2] Airdrieonians (8th)

Partick Thistle (9th) [3 - 0] Queen's Park (4th)

Raith Rovers (7th) [0 - 1] Livingston (3rd)

Other matches:

Fylkir 2 - 2 Þór/KA (August 25)

Stockport Town 2 - 1 FC Isle of Man (August 26)

Nairn County 1 - 5 Brora Rangers (August 27)

Scrosoppi 1 - 0 Alliance United (August 28)

Kerry 0 - 1 UCD (yesterday)

Forres Mechanics [1 - 1] Nairn County

Banks o' Dee JFC vs Culter (postponed)

Civil Service Strollers [1 - 1] Broomhill

Largs Thistle [2 - 0] Shotts Bon Accord

Video: Dazza Visits a Chippy in Largs

Colne [1 - 1] FC Isle of Man

Mito HollyHock [3 - 1] Ehime FC

Scrosoppi [2 - 0] ProStars

Þór/KA 1 - 0 FH

ReinMeer Aomori [4 - 1] Yokohama Musashino (tomorrow)

Orca Kamogawa [1 - 1] Sfida Setagaya (tomorrow)

SWF Championship and League One Cup, R1 (tomorrow):

Glasgow Women [5 - 1] Morton Women

WE League Cup, group stage:

Elfen Saitama [1 - 3] JEF United Chiba

Canadian Championship semi-finals, second leg (August 27):

Vancouver Whitecaps 1 - 0 Pacific

Whitecaps advance.

Toronto FC 1 - 0 Forge

2 - 2 on aggregate. Toronto wins on the away goal rule, which you hardly ever hear of anymore.

A drone was observed over a Forge practice prior to the first leg of this tie, two weeks before the Summer Olympic drone scandal broke. Story.

UEFA Champions League, playoff round, second leg (August 27):

Sparta Prague 2 - 0 Malmö

Malmö drop down to the Europa League.

UEFA Europa League, playoff round, second leg (August 29):

Hearts 0 - 1 Viktoria Plzeň

Elfsborg 0 - 1 Molde

1 - 1 on aggregate. Elfsborg win on PK.

Shamrock Rovers 0 - 2 PAOK

Elfsborg advance. Hearts and Shamrock Rovers drop down to the Conference League.

UEFA Conference League, playoff round, second leg (mostly August 29):

Kilmarnock 1 - 1 Copenhagen

The New Saints 0 - 0 Panevėžys (Lithuania)

Başakşehir (Türkiye) 2 - 0 St Patrick's Athletic (August 28)

Larne 3 - 1 Lincoln Red Imps

Larne and The New Saints advance. Kilmarnock and St Patrick's are out.

Scottish Junior Cup, Round One:

Cruden vs Neilston [No, it's on September 21 and the winner will get a bye to Round 3.]

That's it. That's the only fixture in this round.

Scottish Cup, Preliminary Round 2:

Tynecastle (EP) 4 - 0 Glasgow University (W3) (yesterday)

Bo'ness Athletic (E1) 2 - 0 Kilwinning Rangers (W1) (yesterday)

Glenafton Athletic (WP) [2 - 4] Threave Rovers (W3)    Upset

Coldstream (E2) [0 - 6] Camelon Juniors (E1)

Bonnyton Thistle (W2) [0 - 1] Dunbar United (EP)

Jeanfield Swifts (EP) [3 - 0] Newton Stewart (SL)

Lochee United (ML) [4 - 0] Hawick Royal Albert (E3)

Golspie Sutherland (NCL) [0 - 2] Carluke Rovers (W4)    Upset

Pollok (WP) [1 - 3] Darvel (WP)

Coupar Hearts (KoF) [4 - 0] Wigtown & Bladnoch (SL)    Upset

Preston Athletic (E1) [2 - 3] Irvine Meadow (W1)

Tayport (ML) [1 - 3] Dundee North End (ML)

Culter (NP) [1 - 2] Sauchie Juniors (EP)

Dundonald Bluebell (EP) [3 - 1] Edinburgh University (EP)

Fort William (NCL) [0 - 8] Hill of Beath Hawthorn (EP)

Benburb (WP) [0 - 3] Vale of Leithen (E2)    Upset

Burntisland Shipyard (E2) [2 - 1] Dunipace (EP)    Upset

Haddington Athletic (EP) [1 - 4] Auchinleck Talbot (WP)

Creetown (SL) [1 - 3] Cumnock Juniors (WP)

Penicuik Athletic (EP) [0 - 1] Musselburgh Athletic (EP)

Girvan (W3) [9 - 0] St Cuthbert Wanderers (SL)    Upset

Dalkeith Thistle (E2) [1 - 0] Blackburn United (E1)    Upset

Dalbeattie Star (SL) [1 - 2] Whitehill Welfare (E1)    Upset

Rutherglen Glencairn (W1) [2 - 0] Hutchison Vale (EP)    Upset

Easthouses Lily (E2) [0 - 4] Newtongrange Star (E1)

Clydebank (WP) [7 - 0] St Andrews United (EP)

Key: tier 6 = WP EP SL NCL ML NP;  tier 7 = W1 E1; tier 8 = W2 E2; tier 9 = W3 E3; tier 10 = W4; KoF is outside the pyramid

Historical matches:

1901/8/31      Hearts 3 - 1 Morton

1940/8/31      Morton 1 - 1 Falkirk

2002/8/31      East Stirlingshire 1 - 1 Morton

Goal by Alex Williams.

Arthurlie FC 1925-26:

1926/9/14      St Mirren 3 - 0 Arthurlie    RCup F leg two

1926/8/31      St Mirren 3 - 1 Arthurlie    RCup F leg one

1926/8/25      Morton 2 - 3 Arthurlie    RCup R2

1926/4/24      Stenhousemuir 2 - 3 Arthurlie    SFL2

1926/4/17      Arthurlie 1 - 0 King's Park    SFL2

1926/4/13      Arthurlie 4 - 2 Paisley GSFP    RCup R1

1926/4/10      Bo'ness 1 - 0 Arthurlie    SFL2

1926/4/3        Arthurlie 3 - 1 Arbroath    SFL2

1926/3/27      Clyde 2 - 1 Arthurlie    SFL2

1926/3/20      Broxburn United 1 - 2 Arthurlie    SFL2

1926/3/13      Arthurlie 3 - 1 Alloa Athletic    SFL2

1926/3/6        Ayr United 1 - 0 Arthurlie    SFL2

1926/2/27      Albion Rovers 3 - 2 Arthurlie    SFL2

1926/2/20      East Fife 7 - 1 Arthurlie    SFL2

1926/2/17      East Stirlingshire 3 - 1 Arthurlie    SFL2

1926/2/13      Arthurlie 6 - 6 Nithsdale Wanderers    SFL2

1926/2/9        Clyde 1 - 0 Arthurlie    SCup R2 replay

1926/2/6        Arthurlie 2 - 2 Clyde    SCup R2

1926/1/30      Arthurlie 2 - 0 Queen of the South    SFL2

1926/1/23      Arthurlie 5 - 4 Armadale    SCup R1

1926/1/16      St Bernard's 5 - 3 Arthurlie    SFL2

1926/1/9        Arthurlie 2 - 6 Dunfermline Athletic    SFL2

1926/1/4        Bathgate 1 - 3 Arthurlie    SFL2

1926/1/2        Arthurlie 1 - 2 Dumbarton    SFL2

1926/1/1        Third Lanark 3 - 0 Arthurlie    SFL2

1925/12/26    Arthurlie 7 - 4 Armadale    SFL2

1925/12/19    Arthurlie 1 - 0 Clyde    SFL2

1925/12/12    Nithsdale Wanderers 3 - 1 Arthurlie    SFL2

1925/12/5      Arthurlie 2 - 2 Ayr United    SFL2

1925/11/28    Arthurlie 5 - 0 East Fife    SFL2

1925/11/21    Arbroath 4 - 3 Arthurlie    SFL2

1925/11/14    Arthurlie 3 - 0 Bo'ness    SFL2

1925/11/7      Arthurlie 2 - 3 St Bernard's    SFL2

1925/10/31    King's Park 1 - 3 Arthurlie    SFL2

1925/10/24    Arthurlie 1 - 2 Stenhousemuir    SFL2

1925/10/17    Arthurlie 2 - 1 Bathgate    SFL2

1925/10/10    Dunfermline Athletic 0 - 0 Arthurlie    SFL2

1925/10/3      Arthurlie 4 - 1 East Stirlingshire    SFL2

1925/9/26      Queen of the South 2 - 0 Arthurlie    SFL2

1925/9/19      Arthurlie 4 - 0 Broxburn United    SFL2

1925/9/12      Dumbarton 0 - 0 Arthurlie    SFL2

1925/9/5        Arthurlie 4 - 2 Albion Rovers    SFL2

1925/8/29      Alloa Athletic 1 - 2 Arthurlie    SFL2

1925/8/22      Arthurlie 1 - 2 Third Lanark    SFL2

1925/8/15      Armadale 2 - 2 Arthurlie    SFL2

(Sources: London Hearts for the SFL Division Two and the Scottish Cup; Scottish Football Historical Archive for the Renfrewshire Cup)

James Reid MP

James Reid was Greenock MP from 1900 to 1906, and part owner of the Fleming Reid Mill on Drumfrochar Road. Source.

Morton host Hamilton Academical. Morton are mid-table, thanks to last weekend's scoreless draw against Partick Thistle (see below). Hamilton are joint bottom.

The Hamiliton squad includes three former Morton players: Lee Kilday (Morton 2014-19), Reghan Tumilty (2018-2020) and Sean McGinty (2020-21). Ali Crawford and Grant Gillespie both played for Hamilton from 2009 to 2018, and backup goalkeeper Gary Woods was an Accie from 2016 to 2019.

Hamilton players staged a walkout last week over unpaid wages.

The last Morton player to score against the Accies was Alexander King, April 11th, 2023.

Kirk Broadfoot turned 40 on Thursday.

[Morton 0 - 0 Hamilton. When have Morton ever started the league with two scoreless draws before? Never.]

The other Championship matches:

Ayr United 5 - 0 Airdrieonians (yesterday)

Queen's Park 1 - 1 Livingston (yesterday)

Dunfermline Athletic [0 - 2] Falkirk

Raith Rovers [1 - 0] Partick Thistle

Raith Rovers have sacked their manager. They finished with 8 points in the League Cup group stage and lost their opening league match, neither of which really seem like sacking offences.

Scottish Cup, Preliminary Round 1:

Bo'ness Athletic (EoS2) 3 - 1 Beith Juniors (WoSP) (yesterday)

Culter (North Premier) [4 - 0] Invergordon (North Caledonian) (see below)

Other matches:

HFX Wanderers 3 - 2 Vancouver FC (August 5)

Goals by Coimbra, Rampersad and Nimick.

Civil Service Strollers 1 - 2 Berwick Rangers (August 6)

Culter 5 - 0 Westdyke (August 6)

This concludes the North Region League Cup group stage.

Clachnacuddin [0 - 2] Nairn County (August 7)

Bray Wanderers 0 - 1 UCD (yesterday)

Banks o' Dee [4 - 0] Nairn County

Culter vs Sunnybank (postponed)

Caledonian Braves [3 - 0] Civil Service Strollers

Campbeltown Pupils [2 - 4] Carluke Rovers

FC Isle of Man [0 - 1] Longridge Town

Cavalry [3 - 2] HFX Wanderers

[Wanderers goals by Coimbra and Nimick.]

Christian Volesky has departed HFX Wanderers.

Breidablik [4 - 2] Þór/KA

Mito HollyHock [0 - 1] Vegalta Sendai

Serbian White Eagles [3 - 1] Hamilton City 1 FC

Glasgow Women [3 - 2] Morton Women (tomorrow)

Woodbridge Strikers [1 - 2] Scrosoppi (tomorrow)

UEFA Champions League, 3QR, first leg (August 6):

Dynamo Kyiv 1 - 1 Rangers

Concacaf Leagues Cup, Round of 32 (August 7):

Vancouver Whitecaps 0 - 2 UNAM

UEFA Europa League, 3QR, first leg (August 8)

Petrocub Hîncești (Moldova) 1 - 0 The New Saints

Celje (Slovenia) 1 - 0 Shamrock Rovers

Rijeka (Croatia) 1 - 1 Elfsborg

UEFA Conference League, 3QR, first leg (August 8)

Kilmarnock 2 - 2 Tromsø (Norway)

This is Killie's second time against the Norwegians. They played Viking Stavanger in the first round of the 2001-02 UEFA Cup and lost 1 - 3 on aggregate.

St Mirren 1 - 1 Brann (Norway)

St Mirren played Tromsø in the first round of the 1987-88 Cup Winner's Cup and beat them 1 - 0 on aggregate.

Ballkani (Kosovo) 0 - 1 Larne

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

Sort the 2023-24 Championship clubs by points earned in the League Cup group stage:

  9        Queen's Park (+11 gd)

  9        Airdrieonians (+10)

  9        Falkirk (+9)

  9        Ayr United (+4)

  9        Livingston (+4)

  8        Partick Thistle (+6)

  8        Raith Rovers (+3)

  6        Morton (-3)

  5        Hamilton Academical (+2)

  3        Dunfermline Athletic (-1)

    bold = advanced to Round Two

Times that Morton opened the league season with a scoreless draw:

2024/8/3        Partick Thistle 0 - 0 Morton

2017/8/5        Dumbarton 0 - 0 Morton

2011/8/6        Ross County 0 - 0 Morton

2010/8/7        Morton 0 - 0 Stirling Albion

1982/9/4        Morton 0 - 0 Kilmarnock

1976/9/4        Montrose 0 - 0 Morton

1975/8/30      Morton 0 - 0 Partick Thistle

1948/8/14      Celtic 0 - 0 Morton

1921/8/17      Morton 0 - 0 Motherwell

Culter FC in the Scottish Cup:

2007/9/29      R1    Culter 7 - 0 Hawick Royal Albert

2007/10/27    R2    Culter 2 - 1 Vale of Leithen

2007/11/24    R3    Culter 1 - 3 Huntly

2011/9/24      R1    Culter 4 - 0 Burntisland Shipyard

2011/10/22    R2    Culter 0 - 2 Spartans (but Spartans were expelled)

2011/11/19    R3    Culter 1 - 1 Partick Thistle

2011/11/26    R3    Partick Thistle 4 - 0 Culter

2013/9/14      R1    Lossiemouth 0 - 0 Culter

2013/9/21      R1    Culter 3 - 1 Lossiemouth

2013/10/5      R2    Newton Stewart 0 - 6 Culter

2013/11/2      R3    Culter 1 - 1 Berwick Rangers

2013/11/9      R3    Berwick Rangers 3 - 1 Culter

2014/9/13      R1    Culter 4 - 2 Strathspey Thistle

2014/10/4      R2    Bo'ness United 7 - 1 Culter

2023/9/2      PR2    Culter 3 - 2 Blackburn United

2023/9/23      R1    Culter 3 - 4 Deveronvale

2024/8/10    PR1    Culter [4 - 0] Invergordon

Morton Women 2023-24 results:

2023/8/20      Morton 1 - 4 Inverness CT

2023/8/27      Westdyke 6 - 3 Morton

2023/9/3        Morton 8 - 0 Hutchison Vale

2023/9/10      Edinburgh City 2 - 2 Morton (expunged)

2023/9/24      Westdyke 6 - 2 Morton    League Cup R2

2023/10/1      Ayr United 2 - 1 Morton

2023/10/8      Morton 0 - 6 Rossvale

2023/10/15    Dryburgh 5 - 1 Morton

2023/10/29    Morton 0 - 5 Renfrew

2023/11/5      Westdyke 5 - 3    Scottish Cup R2

2023/11/12    East Fife 5 - 1 Morton

2023/11/19    Inverness CT 9 - 0 Morton

2024/1/28      Hutchison Vale 1 - 2 Morton

2024/2/11      Morton vs Edinburgh City (cancelled)

2024/2/18      Morton 1 - 5 Ayr United

2024/2/25      Rossvale 5 - 1 Morton

2024/3/10      Morton 0 - 0 Dryburgh

2024/3/17      Renfrew 2 - 1 Morton

2024/3/24      Morton 0 - 6 East Fife

2024/3/31      Morton 0 - 5 Westdyke

2024/4/14      Westdyke 3 - 0 Morton (awarded)   relegation round

2024/4/28      Morton 4 - 2 Renfrew    relegation round

2024/5/3        Dryburgh 3 - 0 Morton    relegation round

2024/5/12      Morton 3 - 0 Hutchison Vale    relegation round

Historical matches:

1901/8/7        Third Lanark 3 - 1 Morton

Glasgow Exhibition Cup, Round One.

1940/8/10      Third Lanark 2 - 2 Morton

The Southern League begins.

2002/8/5        Morton 3 - 2 Stirling Albion

This was Round One of the Challenge Cup. Morton goals by Alex Williams (2) and Warren Hawke.

2002/8/10      Morton 5 - 1 Stirling Albion

Goals by Alex Williams (2), Warren Hawke, Jani Uotinen and Paul Gaughan.