Plenty of Nothing

William Young

William Young was born in Falkirk in 1799 and served as Premier of Nova Scotia from 1854 to 1860. He is not the only Bairn to become premier of a Canadian province: Tommy Douglas, Premier of Saskatchewan from 1944 to 1961, also started out in Falkirk.

Morton visit the Falkirk Stadium. This is a must-win game for both sides, as neither can expect many points in the last two weeks of the season: Morton have Dunfermline and Dundee United; Falkirk have Dundee United and Ross County.

If Morton beat Falkirk, and Partick beat Alloa, Morton will move up to sixth place.

If Falkirk beat Morton, and Partick and QoS both win, Morton will drop to tenth place.

Morton have not lost to Falkirk yet this season.

Falkirk have lost their appeal and have 28 days to fork over £40,000 to the SPFL as a result of the McKinnon affair. Story.

This is matchday 34 and fifth-place Dunfermline can still finish the season tenth. The relegation fight at the bottom of League One is nearly as close. [Ha ha. As soon as I say that Brechin and Stenny get locked into the relegation zone.]

Current winless streaks (league + cup):

7        Morton

5        Dunfermline

4        Queen of the South

2        Inverness CT

2        Partick Thistle

1        Ross County

1        Ayr United

0        Dundee United

0        Alloa

0        Falkirk

Other Championship matches:

Ayr United 1 - 3 Ross County (last night)

ICT [0 - 2] Dundee United

If the Tangerines fail to earn all available points from here on or if Ross County earn any more points then Ross County win the title.

Partick [2 - 1] Alloa

QoS [2 - 1] Dunfermline

If the Pars fail to earn all available points they are out of the Premiership playoffs.

[Morton win 0 - 2. Goals by Kiltie and Telfer. Ayr and Inverness make the Premiership playoffs. The bottom six clubs can all still be relegated, but Morton are in a good position at sixth with 40 points.]

How have Morton performed against Falkirk in league play this century?

2018-19        1 win, 2 draws so far.

2017-18        1 win, 3 losses; 4 gf, 5 ga; 3 points.

2016-17        1 win, 3 draws; 5 gf, 4 ga; 6 points.

2015-16        1 draw, 3 losses; 1 gf, 4 ga; 1 point.

2013-14        2 draws, 2 losses; 3 gf, 7 ga; 2 points.

2012-13        2 wins, 2 losses; 5 gf, 6 ga; 6 points.

2011-12        2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss; 5 gf, 3 ga; 7 points.

2010-11        2 draws, 2 losses; 3 gf, 5 ga; 2 points.

2000-01        2 wins, 2 losses; 5 gf, 7 ga; 6 points.

Most draws in a 36-game season, Morton (updated):

14            2001-02

13            2016-17 + 2018-19 after 33 games

12            3 times

11            4 times

10            5 times

  9            once

Most clean sheets, Morton:

25        1966-67        (38 league + 11 cup games)

22        1963-64        (36 league + 20 cup games)

20        2005-06        (36 league + 7 cup + 2 playoff games)

18        1995-96        (36 league + 4 cup games)

18        1988-89        (39 league + 7 cup games)

Fewest clean sheets, Morton:

  0        1902-03        (22 league + 1 cup game)

  0        1895-96        (18 league + 1 cup game)

  1        1937-38        (38 league + 4 cup games)

  1        1893-94        (18 league + 1 cup game)

  2        seven times

So far this season Morton have 11 clean sheets.

Stranraer's reserve team have won the South of Scotland League, but are ineligible for promotion to the Lowland League.

1928-29: On April 16th Morton travelled to Love Street to meet St Mirren in the second leg of their Renfrewshire Cup final. St Mirren won 6 - 1 and took the cup.

On April 20th Morton hosted Leith Athletic and won 4 - 1.

Cowlairs versus Kilmarnock. These two played in the 1892-93 Scottish Alliance. Cowlairs won 3 - 1 at home on October 1, 1892. They played to a 3 - 3 draw in Kilmarnock on April 29, 1893. They never met in the Scottish League or the Scottish Cup.

Celtic FC games on Easter Sunday in the 21st Century:

2018/4/21      Hibs vs Celtic

2017/4/16      Ross County 2 - 2 Celtic

2013/3/31      St Mirren 1 - 1 Celtic

2011/4/24      Rangers 0 - 0 Celtic

2010/4/4        Hibs 0 - 1 Celtic

2008/3/23      Gretna 0 - 3 Celtic

2006/4/16      Livingston 0 - 2 Celtic

2004/4/11      Livingston 1 - 3 Celtic

2001/4/15      Dundee United 1 - 3 Celtic

Celtic play on Easter Sunday, but always away.

SWFL2 W/SW: Morton Women vs Gleniffer Thistle (tomorrow)

Danish 1st Division: Fredericia vs Koge (April 22nd)

Swiss Challenge League: Winterthur [2 - 3] Servette

Regionalliga Südwest: 1. FC Saarbrücken [0 - 0] Astoria Walldorf

72nd Aomori Prefecture Football Championship semi-final:

Match No. 8: ReinMeer Aomori [0 - 1] Blancdieu Hirosaki

24th Fukushima Prefecture Football Championship:

Match No. 13: FC Primeiro vs Soma SC

Match No. 14: Nihon University Faculty of Eng'g AC SC vs FFC Matsushita

Match No. 15: Aizu Olympus vs Eastern Japan Int'l University SC

69th Iwate Prefecture Football Championship semi-final:

The first three rounds of this tournament were played late last year. Bracket.

Iwate University [0 - 4] Ganju Iwate

The winner will meet Grulla Morioka in the final.

This weekend Iwaki FC play training matches against Japan Soccer College (today) and a Tochigi SC XI (tomorrow). [Iwaki 1 - 0 Japan Soccer College.] [Iwaki 2 - 2 Tochigi.]

Old 56028

Engine No. 56028 of the Caledonian Railway at the Greenock Ladyburn Shed. Source.

Morton host Inverness Caledonian Thistle in a match postponed from April 13th due to ICT's involvement in the Scottish Cup semi-finals. Morton are seventh in the division, but only two points up on last place Partick. A win will restore them to sixth place. Inverness are fourth with 49 points and can guarantee themselves a place in the Premiership playoffs with a win.

You could divide the five clubs at the bottom of the Championship into two groups: those that are looking up (Alloa), and those that are looking down (Morton, QoS, Falkirk, Partick). Or those with four games left (Morton and Partick) and those with three (Alloa, QoS and Falkirk). Combine these factors and you get QoS and Falkirk getting demoted.

However, Morton have not won a game since Feb 26th, have not scored more than one goal in any game since Dec 29th, 2018, and have not beaten ICT since Feb 24th, 2018.

If Morton can cling to seventh place through to the end of the schedule it'll be a godsend, but Jonatan Johansson must be aware that finishing seventh was what got Jim Duffy fired last May.

[2 - 2. Morton goals scored by Lyon and Kiltie.]

How have Morton fared against ICT in league play over the years?

2018-19        1 draw, 2 losses so far.

2017-18        2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss; 4 gf, 4 ga; 7 points.

2009-10        4 losses; 1 gf, 10 ga; 0 points.

2000-01        1 win, 3 losses; 4 gf, 11 ga; 3 points.

1999-00        1 win, 1 draw, 2 losses; 8 gf, 10 ga; 4 points.

Matches at Cappielow April 2019:

April 1        Morton reserves 2 - 0 Dundee reserves

April 8        Morton reserves 0 - 0 Partick reserves

April 9        Morton 1 - 2 Alloa

April 16      Morton [2 - 2] Inverness CT

April 22      Morton reserves vs Aberdeen reserves

When did each 2018-19 Premiership club most recently enter the top tier?

2018    Livingston

2018    St Mirren

2017    Hibs

2016    Rangers

2015    Hearts

2014    Dundee

2014    Hamilton 

2009    St Johnstone

1993    Kilmarnock

1985    Motherwell

1919    Aberdeen

1890    Celtic

What clubs are in the Lowland League, when did they join and from where?

2013    Dalbeattie Star                South of Scotland League

2013    East Kilbride                    new club

2013    Gretna 2008                    East of Scotland League

2013    Gala Fairydean Rovers   East of Scotland League

2013    Spartans                         East of Scotland League

2013    Stirling University            East of Scotland League

2013    Vale of Leithen                East of Scotland League

2013    Whitehill Welfare             East of Scotland League

2014    Edinburgh University       East of Scotland League

2014    BSC Glasgow                 new club   

2015    Cumbernauld Colts        Caledonian Amateur League

2016    East Stirlingshire            SPFL League Two

2016    Civil Service Strollers     East of Scotland League

2017    Edusport Academy         South of Scotland League

2018    Kelty Hearts                    East of Scotland League

In effect the whole East of Scotland Premier Division went off to form the Lowland League in 2013. The East of Scotland League was forced to downsize to a single division. But they were able to pass the pain on last summer by absorbing 25 clubs from the junior ranks.

Which Lowland League clubs use their own park and which ones groundshare?

Use their own park:

Civil Service Strollers -- Christie Gillies Park, Edinburgh (1,569)

Dalbeattie Star -- Islecroft Stadium, Dalbeattie (4,000)

East Kilbride -- K-Park, East Kilbride (660)

Edinburgh University -- East Peffermill, Edinburgh (1,100)

Gala Fairydean Rovers -- Netherdale, Galashiels (5,500)

Gretna 2008 -- Raydale Park, Gretna (3,000)

Kelty Hearts -- New Central Park, Kelty (3,000)

Selkirk -- Yarrow Park, Selkirk (1,000)

Spartans -- Ainslie Park, Edinburgh (though Edinburgh City groundshare it) (3,000)

Vale of Leithen -- Victoria Park, Innerleithen (1,500)

Whitehill Welfare -- Ferguson Park, Rosewell (4,000)

Groundshare:

BSC Glasgow -- Recreation Park (Alloa Athletic)

Cumbernauld Colts -- Broadview (Clyde FC)

East Stirlingshire -- Falkirk Stadium (Falkirk FC)

Edusport Academy -- Galabank (Annan Athletic)

Stirling University -- Forthbank (Stirling Albion)

CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield final:

Robinhood [1 - 0] Club Franciscain

HFX Wanderers ultimately did get in their friendly against FC Edmonton in the Dominican Republic and won 1 - 0, Akeem Garcia scoring.

J2 watch: After 9 games, Mito HollyHock are at the top of the table with 5 wins and 4 draws for 19 points, with 11 goals for and only 4 against.

About Helensburgh FC

Helensburgh from Bank Street, Greenock. Source.

It's the Scottish Cup semi-finals, so Morton's game against Inverness CT has been rescheduled to Tuesday.

Hearts vs Inverness CT (today)

These two met in Round Four of the 2001-02 cup. Hearts won.

Inverness CT have won the Scottish Cup once, in 2014-15, beating Falkirk in the final. They made the semi-finals in 2002-03, losing to Dundee, and 2003-04, losing to Dunfermline. Hearts have won the cup 8 times. [Hearts 3 - 0 ICT.]

Aberdeen vs Celtic (tomorrow)

Celtic have won the Scottish Cup 38 times to Aberdeen's 7.

Which teams have Celtic beaten in the finals? Queen's Park (twice), Rangers (seven times), Hearts, St Mirren, Hamilton, Clyde, Hibs (five times), Dundee, East Fife, Motherwell (five times), Aberdeen (four times), Dunfermline (three times), Dundee United (four times), Airdrieonians (twice). [Aberdeen 0 - 3 Celtic.]

Which teams have Aberdeen beaten in the finals? Hibs, Celtic (three times), Rangers (twice), Hearts.

Have the four 2019 semi-finalists appeared together in the Scottish Cup semi-finals before? No.

Have the same four teams made the semi-finals of both the League Cup and Scottish Cup in the same year? No.

Have Morton made the semi-finals of the League Cup and Scottish Cup in the same year? Yes, in 1967-68.

Would an Aberdeen/Inverness cup final be awesome? Yes it would. Though Aberdeen/Hearts would also be good because it would chip away at Queen's Park's 19th-Century hold on third place in the all-time standings.

Championship matches:

Dundee United 2 - 1 Ayr United (yesterday)

Ross County cannot win the division today. But Ayr United cannot win it this year.

Alloa [1 - 0] Queen of the South

Both of these clubs enter today's game with 35 points, one behind Morton. Normally you want your rivals to play to a draw: that destroys the third point and is better for you in the long run. But it's the last month of the season, there is no long run.

If these two play to a draw today, they both leap over Morton. (QoS have a much better goal difference than Morton. Alloa have the same goal difference as Morton, but more goals for.)

Is it better to fall to eighth place and be even in points with Alloa and QoS, or fall to seventh and be behind one and ahead of the other? I think we want QoS to win.

Dunfermline [0 - 1] Falkirk

Ross County [0 - 0] Partick Thistle

Concerning the End Times. Morton are amongst a five-team pack all trying to avoid positions nine and ten in the divisional table. The Greenockians will be hoping for wins by the top-half teams today.

Morton must finish ninth and go to both the playoff semi-finals and finals to get to 48 matches on the season. Doing well in the Challenge Cup would have been a better way.

If Falkirk and Morton are both relegated it will simultaneously demonstrate Ray McKinnon's value and uselessness as a manager. And it should set up a killer hatefest between the two clubs for 2019-20, though probably neither McKinnon nor Johansson will be around to participate in it.

If Falkirk are relegated it will be their first visit to the third tier in forty years.

If Alloa stay up they will have been in the Championship for half this decade and can no longer be characterized as a seaside league club.

If Partick Thistle go down they will have suffered consecutive relegations, joining Dunfermline in the exclusive society of clubs that have done that twice.

If Morton and/or Queen of the South go down it will be their second trip to tier III in this decade.

Arbroath are sure to be promoted to the 2019-20 Championship, probably today. Morton have not played them since 2005, but if the Ton are relegated that estrangement will drag on, barring a cup tie.

1928-29: Morton and St Mirren played to a 1 - 1 draw in front of 10,000 at Cappielow in the first leg of the Renfrewshire Cup final.

1951-52: On April 12th, 1952 Morton lost to Motherwell 0 - 2 at Cappielow. This ends the 1951-52 SFL season. Morton finished 15th out of 16 with 9 wins, 6 draws and 15 losses, 49 goals for and 56 against, for a total of 24 points. They and Stirling Albion were relegated from Division A. Hibs won the league.

Cowlairs versus Morton. They played together in Division Two in 1893-94 and 1894-95. Morton won three games, Cowlairs one.

Angus: Brechin [1 - 1] Arbroath

[Cove Rangers have won the Highland League and will meet East Kilbride in the pyramid playoffs.]

SWFL2 W/SW: Morton Women vs Mid Annandale Ladies (tomorrow) [postponed]

West of Scotland Premiership: Largs [0 - 0] Beith

CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield:

Quarter-finals (April 11):

Moulien 0 - 3 Jong Holland

Santiago de Cuba 0 - 2 Weymouth Wales

Club Franciscain 1 - 0 Hoppers

Village Superstars 1 - 1 Robinhood (Robinhood win on PK.)

Semi-finals (today):

Weymouth Wales [0 - 3] Robinhood

Jong Holland [2 - 4] Club Franciscain

AFC Champions League group stage, matchday 3:

Group E: Gyeongnam FC 2 - 3 Kashima Antlers

Group F: Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2 - 0 Daegu FC

Group G: Urawa Red Diamonds 0 - 1 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Group H: Ulsan Hyundai 1 - 0 Kawasaki Frontale

All four matches featured a Japanese club versus a South Korean club. Halfway through the group stage Kashima and Urawa are in the top half of their groups.

Danish 1st Division: Helsingor [0 - 0] Fredericia (tomorrow)

Swiss Challenge League: Aarau 2 - 2 Winterthur (yesterday)

Regionalliga Südwest: Elversberg (4 - 3) 1. FC Saarbrücken

Tōhoku Soccer League: Iwaki FC [1 - 0] Cobaltore Onagawa (tomorrow)

The new season begins. Cobaltore are from Onagawa in Miyagi Prefecture. They are newly relegated from the JFL, so their messaging this year is all about getting back to it. They wear blue, and their name is compounded from the Spanish words for cobalt and forest. Both Iwaki and Onagawa were inundated by the 2013 tsunami, and both these clubs are seen as part of the post-2013 reconstruction of Tohoku. As they only meet twice, I think this game will show which one is going to get promoted first.

72nd Aomori Prefecture Football Championship:

Match No. 7: Hachinohe Gakuin University SC [3 - 5] Blancdieu Hirosaki

24th Fukushima Prefecture Football Championship:

Match No. 7: FC Primeiro [2 - 1] Kawahigashi FC

Match No. 8: Kureha SC [0 - 2] Soma SC

Match No. 9: Nihon University Faculty of Eng'g AC SC [2 - 0] Violets 信夫 Dream

Match No. 10: FFC Matsushita [4 - 0] Glorys Fukushima

Match No. 11: Aizu Olympus [14 - 2] Adaro FC

Match No. 12: FC Sfidante [0 - 2] Eastern Japan Int'l University SC

Following this new Canadian Premier League online can be a little frustrating because there are few independent news sources following it. What news you do get is heavy on the self-promotion and often out of chronological order.

Tuesday HFX Wanderers signed striker Tomasz Skublak. Valour beat HFX Wanderers 1 - 0 in a 60-minute scrimmage. So far as the weather goes, training in the Dominican Republic was a good idea. There was still snow on the Wanderers Ground yesterday.

Inter RD beat Valour 1 - 0 on Wednesday. I'm still trying to work out what the deal is with Inter RD. They were members of the Dominican Serie A, but were kicked out for some breach, officially failure to submit paperwork, but probably failure to pay their players. During this training camp they seem to be acting in the role of Los Establos' house team. The player who scored on Valour, Jhon Edy Mena Perez, is a Colombian who was with Llaneros in Colombia last season, and has trained with York 9. So it looks like the CanPL teams have assigned their trialists to Inter RD for the duration of this camp.

[Yesterday: Inter RD 0 - 1 Wanderers. Goal by Vincent Lamy.]

About Helensburgh FC:

There have been several clubs named Helensburgh FC, but the one we're concerned about today is the one that existed from 1896 to 1928. They played at Ardencaple Park, and wore red jerseys and blue shorts and socks, and for three seasons they were in the Scottish Football League.

Read a history of Helensburgh FC here.

Helensburgh FC in the West of Scotland League, Scottish League Division Three, and the Scottish Alliance:

1922-23    West of Scotland League

1923-24    30      5    7    18    46    72    17   15th, SFL Div 3

1924-25    30    12    7    11    68    60    31    7th, SFL Div 3

1925-26    30    16    6      8    66    47    38    1st, SFL Div 3

1926-27    29    16    5      8    79    53    37    5th, Scottish Alliance, South

Helensburgh FC in the Scottish Cup:

1921-22    R1    Bathgate 3 - 2 Helensburgh

1924-25    R1    Bo'ness 1 - 1 Helensburgh

                          Helensburgh 0 - 0 Bo'ness

                          Bo'ness 2 - 0 Helensburgh

1926-17    R1    Aberdeen 4 - 2 Helensburgh

Helensburgh FC won the Dumbartonshire Cup in 1924-25, 1925-26 and 1926-27.

Helensburgh vs Queen of the South. These two were both members of Division Three in 1923-24 and 1924-25. QoS won three games, and there was a draw.

Helensburgh vs Montrose. These two played six league matches in Division Three from 1923 to 1926. Helensburgh won five, Montose one. Helensburgh were greater than Montrose.

Helensburgh vs Brechin City. These two played six league matches in Division Three. Helensburgh won three, Brechin one, with two draws. Helensburgh were greater than Brechin.

Helensburgh vs Forfar. They played two league matches in 1925-26. Each won once, Forfar scoring 4 to Helensburgh's 3.

Helensburgh vs Aberdeen. Aberdeen knocked Helensburgh out of the first round of the 1926-27 Scottish Cup.

Helensburgh vs Dumbarton:

1922/4/1          Dumbarton 4 - 2 Helensburgh        Dumbartonshire Cup

1923/2/10        Dumbarton 3 - 1 Helensburgh        friendly

1923/4/14        Helensburgh 0 - 3 Dumbarton        Dumbartonshire Cup

1924/5/3          Helensburgh 3 - 1 Dumbarton      friendly

1925/4/29        Dumbarton 0 - 1 Helensburgh      Dumbartonshire Cup 

1925/5/9          Dumbarton 1 - 0 Helensburgh        Dumbartonshire Charity Cup

1926/4/28        Helensburgh 3 - 1 Dumbarton      Dumbartonshire Cup

1926/5/9          Helensburgh 0 - 1 Dumbarton        Dumbartonshire Charity Cup

1927/4/28        Helensburgh 6 - 0 Dumbarton      Dumbartonshire Cup

(There's a wealth of Dumbarton data available on Wikipedia.)

I wrote 1600 words and the Morton men aren't even playing.

Gary the Gull's Greenock

This map records some of the foraging expeditions of a tagged seagull named Gary who was operating from a nest on the roof of the Greenock police station in 2018. Visit this site to follow Gary's journeys, including a holiday in Portugal.

Alloa visit Cappielow to make up the game postponed by bad weather on March 16th.

This match is crucial ... for Falkirk. If Alloa win or draw it will drop Falkirk into tenth place. On the other hand if Morton win it give the Ton 39 points, more or less lifting them out of the relegation battle. And if Queen of the South win they too will be very nearly clear of relegation. The combinations and permutations are narrowing down toward Falkirk getting relegated.

Alloa beat Falkirk Saturday, while Morton played to a draw against QoS.

Also tonight:

Ayr United [1 - 0] Queen of the South

Ross County [1 - 0] Dunfermline

[Morton 1 - 2 Alloa. Goal by Kiltie. Morton cannot earn promotion.]

Most draws in a 36-game season, Morton (updated):

14            2001-02

13            2016-17

12            3 times + 2018-19 after 31 games

11            4 times

10            5 times

  9            once

Wins and opponents. Have Morton ever played a season in which the number of their league wins was equal to the number of their divisional opponents? Yes, lots of times: 2007-08 (9 wins: 9 divisional opponents); 2000-01 (9:9); 1981-82 (9:9); 1956-57 (18:18); 1953-54 (15:15); 1952-53 (15:15); 1934-35 (17:17); 1897-98 (9:9); 1894-95 (9:9).

In any of those years did Morton earn exactly one win against each opponent?

No.

Has any team ever had such a season?

Yes, Ayr FC did in 1900-01. They played an 18-game season in the ten-team Second Division, and beat Hamilton, Port Glasgow, Airdrieonians, St Bernard's, Motherwell, Clyde, Leith, East Stirlingshire and Abercorn once each, and were beaten once by each of them, for a final total of nine wins and nine losses, good for sixth place.

Teams without a loss in Scottish League play:

Celtic            1897-98 Division 1        18-15-3-0

Rangers        1898-99 Division 1        18-18-0-0

Kilmarnock    1898-99 Division 2        18-14-4-0

Rangers        2013-14 League One    36-33-3-0

Celtic            2016-17 Premiership     38-34-4-0

The club with seniority in the First Division/Championship, beginning 1994:

1994-95    10-way tie

1995-96    7-way tie

1996-97    5-way tie

1997-98    3-way tie

1998-99    2-way tie

1999-00    2-way tie

2000-01    Airdrieonians

2001-02    Airdrieonians

2002-03    Falkirk

2003-04    Falkirk

2004-05    Falkirk

2005-06    2-way tie

2006-07    2-way tie

2007-08    Clyde

2008-09    Clyde

2009-10    Queen of the South

2010-11    Queen of the South

2011-12    Queen of the South

2012-13    Partick Thistle

2013-14    Morton

2014-15    Raith Rovers

2015-16    Raith Rovers

2016-17    Raith Rovers

2017-18    Falkirk

2018-19    Falkirk

If Falkirk stay up they will continue as senior side, otherwise the title goes to Queen of the South, unless they both go down in which case it falls to Morton.

CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield group stage:

April 7:

Santiago de Cuba 0 - 0 Scholars International

April 9:

Hoppers [5 - 2] Platinum FC

Santiago de Cuba [4 - 0] Fruta Conquerors

[Both Hoppers and Santiago de Cuba advance.]

The Canadian Premier League squads are in the Dominican Republic, and there are friendlies going on. Those involving the Haligonians are:

HFX Wanderers vs FC Edmonton

HFX Wanderers vs Inter RD

Inter RD are originally from Bayaguana, a cattle ranching town in the center of the country. They must have a large roster, or else the CanPL is treating them like third world resort workers, because they played two matches on Sunday, losing 4 - 0 to Calgary and 5 - 1 to York 9.

Coincidentally, the topic of last Wednesday's The Knowledge was "Has a football team ever had to play more than one game in a day?"

They were admitted to the LDF Serie A for the 2018 season, and finished 11th out of 12. This year they're out, though the team that was 12th are still in, and the LDF is reduced to 11 teams.

According to this document the Federacion Dominicana de Futbol refused Inter RD a license to play in Serie A this season. I don't know exactly what brought that on, but from the tenor of some of the remarks on Twitter, which include charges of human rights abuse, I'd guess they had stopped paying their players.

Their shirt sponsor is Dominican Sporting and Events (DSE), the company that's running this training camp.

Inter RD. Do they have a players' union? Source.

Queen of the Castle

Mary, Queen of Scots (2018) was not filmed at Morton Castle, but Samantha Morton (who is not shown) once played the part of the Scottish monarch in another movie.

It's Queen of the South versus Greenock Morton at Palmerston Park. Victory in this the second league match of the season at Palmerston between QoS and Morton carries with it ownership of Morton Castle in Nithsdale, a fact totally made up by me, so if you're reading this now two people know about it. In the event of a draw the incumbent retains ownership. Since 2012 Queen of the South have never relinquished the castle.

The situation: Morton are sixth with 35 points, QoS seventh with 34. Falkirk and Partick each have 32, and Alloa have 29. Morton are 11 points out of the Premiership playoffs so we can just forget about that.

The Ton lead the season series with two wins and a draw against QoS.

Morton have played 30 games, five-sixths of the way through the schedule. 8 wins, 11 draws, 11 loses. They should finish with 42 points. Crucially, they have a game in hand over Falkirk.

Other Championship matches:

Ross County 1 - 1 Dundee United (last night)

A goal by Jamie Lindsay in the 4th minute of extra time probably saved Ross County's season.

Ayr United [0 - 1] Inverness CT

Falkirk [1 - 2] Alloa

This game is pivotal. PIVOTAL.

Partick [2 - 2] Dunfermline

[It's Queen of the South 1 - 1 Morton. Telfer scores for the Ton. Morton hang on to sixth place, but QoS retain the castle.]

The Battle for Morton Castle so far:

Jan 28, 2012        QoS 2 - 1 Morton

Mar 29, 2014       QoS 3 - 0 Morton

Oct 10, 2015        QoS 1 - 0 Morton

Feb 4, 2017         QoS 3 - 0 Morton

Feb 17, 2018       QoS 1 - 1 Morton

How have Morton performed against QoS in league play this century?

2018-19        2 wins, 1 draw so far.

2017-18        1 win, 1 draw, 2 losses; 4 gf, 5 ga; 4 points.

2016-17        3 wins, 1 loss; 7 gf, 3 ga; 9 points.

2015-16        2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss; 7 gf, 5 ga; 7 points.

2013-14        1 draw, 3 losses; 1 gf, 8 ga; 1 point.

2011-12        2 draws, 2 losses; 6 gf, 10 ga; 2 points.

2010-11        2 wins, 2 losses; 6 gf, 7 ga; 6 points.

2009-10        2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss; 9 gf, 8 ga; 7 points.

2008-09        1 win, 3 draws; 7 gf, 4 ga; 6 points.

2007-08        1 win, 1 draw, 2 losses; 3 gf, 5 ga; 4 points.

2001-02        1 draw, 3 losses; 7 gf, 15 ga; 1 point.

Most draws in a 36-game season, Morton (updated):

14            2001-02

13            2016-17

12            3 times

11            4 times + 2018-19 after 30 games

10            5 times

  9            once

1928-29: Morton hosted St Bernard's and won 4 - 1.

1951-52: On April 2nd, 1952 Morton visited Dundee and played to a 2 - 2 draw.

The Premiership has sorted itself into its above-the-split and below-the-split groups. Above are Celtic, Rangers, Killie, Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs. Below are St. Johnstone, Motherwell, Livi, Hamilton, St. Mirren and Dundee.

Cowlairs versus Queen's Park. They met in the Scottish Cup three times. In the second round of the 1881-82 cup they played to a 2 - 2 draw. Then the Spiders got serious and won the replay 9 - 0. In Round Three of the 1883-84 cup Queen's Park won 5 - 0. In the 1892-93 cup Queen's Park beat Cowlairs 2 - 5, but then a rematch was called for, and Queen's Park won 1 - 4.

They met in the semi-final of the 1893-94 Glasgow Cup and Cowlairs won 0 - 2.

It's the semi-finals of the Scottish Junior Cup, second leg:

Auchinleck Talbot [2 - 0] Lochee United

Hurlford United [1 - 2] Largs Thistle

[Auchinleck Talbot and Largs Thistle advance to the final.]

Angus: Arbroath [1 - 0] Montrose

SWFL2 Cup quarter-finals: Morton Women [2 - 1] United Glasgow (tomorrow)

It's the final of the Highland League Cup: Cove Rangers vs Formartine at Inverurie. Formartine won it for the first time last year. Cove Rangers won it for the fifth time the year before last. [Cove Rangers 2 - 0 Formartine.]

Danish 1st Division: Fredericia [0 - 3] Lyngby (tomorrow)

Swiss Challenge League:

Schaffhausen 1 - 3 Winterthur (April 2)

Winterthur 0 - 0 Kriens (April 5)

Regionalliga Südwest: 1. FC Saarbrücken [3 - 0] FC 08 Homburg

Iwaki FC play a training match against Fuji University tomorrow. [Iwaki 5 - 1 Fuji.]

The Tōhoku Soccer League begins next weekend. Gone from Division One are Merry, Bandits Iwaki, and Iwaki Furukawa, all relegated. In are Cobaltore Onagawa, relegated from the JFL, and Iwaki FC and Saruta Kogyo, promoted from Division 2. Iwaki FC have been the de facto top club in Iwaki for a year or two, but now it's de jure.

So the ten Division One clubs are: Cobaltore Onagawa, Blancdieu Hirosaki, FC Ganju Iwate, Morioka Zebra, Fuji University SC (aka Fuji Club 2003), Nippon Steel Sumikin Kamaishi FC, FC Primeiro, Akita FC Cambiare, Iwaki FC and Saruta Kogyo. This assemblage includes as many as three future J League clubs.

Tōhoku is the northern part of the island of Honshu. It includes six prefectures: Aomori at the top, shaped like a coathanger; Akita and Yamagata on the Sea of Japan side; and Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima on the Pacific side. Hirosaki is a city in Aomori Prefecture; Akita (home of Akita Cambiare and Saruta Kogyo) is in Akita Prefecture; Hachimantai (home of Ganju Iwate), Hanimaki (home of Fuji University), Kamaishi and Morioka are all in Iwate Prefecture; Onagawa is in Miyagi Prefecture; and Koriyama (home of FC Primeiro) and Iwaki are in Fukushima Prefecture. Yamagata Prefecture does not have a team in the division this year.

The Tōhoku League Division Two is made up of two sections, North and South, with ten teams each.

72nd Aomori Prefecture Football Championship:

March No. 5: Hachinohe Gakuin University SC [5 - 0] Gonohe SC

Match No. 6: Aomori University SC [0 - 2] Blancdieu Hirosaki

Meanwhile the 24th Fukushima Prefecture Football Championship is just getting started, even though there are more teams involved and they have to be finished by the same date.

Match No. 1: Kawahigashi FC [5 - 0] Kitakata FC

Match No. 2: NC Club [1 - 2] Kureha SC

Match No. 3: Kitashiba Electric [0 - 6] Violets 信夫 Dream

Match No. 4: Glorys Fukushima [2 - 0] Viancone Fukushima

Match No. 5: FC E-Star [2 - 6] Adaro FC

Match No. 6: FC Sfidante [w/o - scr] Shirakawa FC

Source.

The CONCACAF club tournaments leading toward the FIFA Club World Cup begin this week. First up is the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield, contested by the teeniest tiniest Caribbean nations with only amateur football clubs. 13 clubs play a group stage to get down to 8 who then play off until a champion is found on April 15th. Winner gets to enter a playoff for a spot in the next tournament, the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championship. A peculiarity of the Caribbean Shield is the presence of Cuba, which being Communist is by definition amateur. All the games are being played in Curaçao. Let's follow two clubs, Santiango de Cuba and Hoppers from Antigua.

Santiago de Cuba are in Group A with Jong Holland (Curaçao), Scholars International (Cayman Islands), and Fruta Conquerors (Guyana). Okay, that's another peculiarity. Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana are in CONCACAF instead of the South American confederation.

Hoppers are in Group C with Platinum FC (Saint Lucia) and Village Superstars (Saint Kitts and Nevis).

April 5:

Jong Holland 0 - 0 Santiago de Cuba

Hoppers 1 - 2 Village Superstars

HFX Wanderers have signed a couple of university draft picks, André Bona and Peter Schaale, and two other guys, Mohamed Kourouma and Abd-El-Aziz Yousef.  Valour FC have signed Calum Ferguson, formerly of Inverness CT, Montrose, Albion Rovers and Elgin City.

An interview with team owner Derek Martin suggests that HFX Wanderers is Halifax's first pro sports team. So let's nip that in the bud right now. Halifax had AHL hockey from 1971 to 1993, and the early Voyageurs were better than a few NHL teams. And there's a pro basketball team playing a home game at the Metro Centre tomorrow.

The Canadian Premier League unveiled its team uniforms Thursday. HFX Wanderers have a double blue thing going on. Easily the worst kit belongs to Pacific FC. There can't be a lot of people whose hearts leap at the sight of seafoam and purple.

Meanwhile the seven Canadian Premier League teams are winging into the Dominican Republic for a joint training camp at Los Establos near Cap Cana. I've seen start dates of April 4 and 5 for this, but today seems to be the actual travel day. [Or yesterday. There's a photo of the Calgary team at the resort on Twitter today.]

The Liga Dominicana de Futbol (LDF) began its season last weekend. There are eleven teams in the league, so theoretically there could be one club available for a friendly this weekend (San Cristobal is idle) and one next weekend (Cibao), and any of them for the midweek. The Haitian league is about halfway into its apertura, so perhaps we'll see a game against one of their teams. The Trinidad and Tobago Pro League doesn't start till August.

So who owns Los Establos, anyway? Hmm.

Last October FIFA issued a ten-year suspension to the president of the Dominican Republic FA, Osiris Guzmán, on various corruption charges. CONCACAF has excluded the Dominican Republic clubs from the 2019 Caribbean Club Championship for failing to file their paperwork on time.

The Nights in Ayr

Inside the Cinema Nightclub, Ayr. Source.

It's Ayr United versus Morton. This is the match postponed from March 23rd due to international call-ups.

Both teams need a win. Ayr are 9 points behind second-place Dundee United, but with three games in hand. Morton are in sixth place but only 5 points ahead of last-place Alloa.

If Morton lose today it will be their first three-game losing streak of 2018-19. They have been consistently inconsistent all season, as opposed to clubs that were bad in 2018 then good in 2019 (like Falkirk) or good in 2018 and bad in 2019 (like Ayr United). But they have only two wins so far in 2019. The last time Morton got through a year without a three-game losing streak was the second-place season of 2012-13.

Morton have scored 27 goals in 29 games, worst in the Championship. Ayr have scored 43 in 28, second best behind Ross County.

Staying out of the relegation zone involves consistently beating the teams at the bottom. Morton have two wins against Ross County, but Alloa have two wins against Morton.

Also tonight:

Queen of the South [1 - 1] Falkirk

This is a key match. If Morton lose, the winner of this one will move above them in the table.

Inverness CT [1 - 2] Ross County

Some of supporters have taken to smashing the seats at the other club's ground, prompting a joint statement.

[Ayr Utd 1 - 1 Morton. KiItie's goal may have saved Morton's season.]

League One: Dumbarton [3 - 3] Airdrieonians

Angus derby: Brechin [0 - 3] Montrose

How have Morton performed against Ayr United in league action in the 21st Century?

2018-19        2 draws, 1 loss so far.

2016-17        2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss; 8 gf, 5 ga; 7 points.

2014-15        1 win, 1 draw, 2 losses; 3 gf, 4 ga; 4 points.

2011-12        3 wins, 1 draw; 8 gf, 2 ga; 10 points.

2009-10        3 wins, 1 loss; 5 gf, 3 ga; 9 points.

2006-07        2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss; 5 gf, 3 ga; 7 points.

2005-06        2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss; 4 gf, 6 ga; 7 points.

2004-05        1 win, 3 losses; 3 gf, 6 ga; 3 points.

2000-01        2 draws, 2 losses; 2 gf, 11 ga; 2 points.

2018-19 Championship clubs sorted by longest winning streak (league + cup) so far this year:

5    Ross County

5    Ayr United

5    Dunfermline

5    Partick Thistle

4    Dundee United

4    Inverness CT

3    Queen of the South

3    Alloa

2    Morton

2    Falkirk

What years did Ayr United finish above Morton?

1922-23        Ayr United 10th (Div 1), Morton 14th (Div 1)

---

1927-28        Ayr United 1st (Div 2), Morton 18th (Div 2)

1928-29        Ayr United 16th (Div 1), Morton 2nd (Div 2)

1929-30        Ayr United 9th (Div 1), Morton 18th (Div 1)

---

1932-33        Ayr United 16th (Div 1), Morton 19th (Div 1)

1933-34        Ayr United 8th (Div 1), Morton 5th (Div 2)

1934-35        Ayr United 18th (Div 1), Morton 6th (Div 2)

1935-36        Ayr United 20th (Div 1), Morton 3rd (Div 2)

1936-37        Ayr United 1st (Div 2), Morton 2nd (Div 2)

1937-38        Ayr United 17th (Div 1), Morton 20th (Div 1)

1938-39        Ayr United 14th (Div 1), Morton 12th (Div 2)

1939-40        Ayr United 18th (Div 1), Morton 15th (Div 2)

---

1952-53        Ayr United 5th (Div B), Morton 6th (Div B)

---

1954-55        Ayr United 8th (Div B), Morton 9th (Div B)

1955-56        Ayr United 2nd (Div 2), Morton 9th (Div 2)

1956-57        Ayr United 18th (Div 1), Morton 4th (Div 2)

1957-58        Ayr United 5th (Div 2), Morton 13th (Div 2)

1958-59        Ayr United 1st (Div 2), Morton 11th (Div 2)

1959-60        Ayr United 8th (Div 1), Morton 14th (Div 2)

1960-61        Ayr United 18th (Div 1), Morton 19th (Div 2)

---

1966-67        Ayr United 18th (Div 1), Morton 1st (Div 2)

---

1971-72        Ayr United 12th (Div 1), Morton 13th (Div 1)

1972-73        Ayr United 6th (Div 1), Morton 12th (Div 1)

1973-74        Ayr United 7th (Div 1), Morton 14th (Div 1)

1974-75        Ayr United 7th (Div 1), Morton 17th (Div 1)

1975-76        Ayr United 6th (Prem), Morton 11th (Div 1)

1976-77        Ayr United 8th (Prem), Morton 4th (Div 1)

1977-78        Ayr United 9th (Prem), Morton 1st (Div 1)

---

1989-90        Ayr United 10th (Div 1), Morton 11th (Div 1)

---

1991-92        Ayr United 6th (Div 1), Morton 7th (Div 1)

---

1993-94        Ayr United 7th (Div 1), Morton 11th (Div 1)

1994-95        Ayr United 9th (1st Div), Morton 1st (2nd Div)

---

1998-99        Ayr United 3rd (1st Div), Morton 6th (2nd Div)

1999-00        Ayr United 7th (1st Div), Morton 8th (1st Div)

2000-01        Ayr United 2nd (1st Div), Morton 9th (1st Div)

2001-02        Ayr United 3rd (1st Div), Morton 10th (2nd Div)

2002-03        Ayr United 6th (1st Div), Morton 1st (3rd Div)

2003-04        Ayr United 9th (1st Div), Morton 4th (2nd Div)

Is Morton's promotion at the end of a season generally foreshadowed by a win in the first league match of the season?

1899/8/19      Morton 3 - 2 Abercorn

1928/8/11      Morton 3 - 2 Clydebank

1936/8/8        Morton 6 - 1 Cowdenbeath

1949/9/10      Morton 5 - 0 St Johnstone

1963/8/21      Stranraer 1 - 3 Morton

1966/8/24      Stenhousemuir 1 - 4 Morton

1983/8/20      Meadowbank 1 - 4 Morton

1986/8/9        Morton 3 - 0 Clyde

1994/8/13      Morton 1 - 1 Berwick

2002/8/3        Gretna 1 - 1 Morton

2006/8/5        Morton 2 - 0 Raith Rovers

2014/8/9        Ayr United 1 - 0 Morton

9W 2D 1L. Answer: Yes.

Is Morton's relegation at the end of a season generally foreshadowed by a loss in the first league match of the season?

1926/8/14      Morton 3 - 0 Dunfermline

1932/8/13      East Stirlingshire 0 - 3 Morton

1937/8/14      Morton 1 - 3 Third Lanark

1948/8/14      Celtic 0 - 0 Morton

1951/9/8        Morton 2 - 2 Queen of the South

1965/8/25      Morton 1 - 5 Hibs

1982/9/4        Morton 0 - 0 Kilmarnock

1984/8/11      Morton 2 - 1 Dumbarton

1987/8/8        Morton 0 - 4 Celtic

1993/8/7        Clyde 2 - 1 Morton

2000/8/5        Morton 0 - 2 Livingston

2001/8/4        Morton 4 - 1 Stenhousemuir

2013/8/10      Morton 2 - 0 Cowdenbeath

5W 3D 5L. Answer: No.

(Morton's first league match of 2018-19 was a 2 - 2 draw.)

Douglas Rae Road

The new access road running beside the Sugar Sheds to the Great Harbour has been named after former Morton chairman Douglas Rae. Conversely, Sinclair Street beside Cappielow is named after the onetime owner of the land where the harbour was dug. Source.

Partick Thistle visit Cappielow. The Jags are in search of a win and can rise as high as seventh place if they get one, or they could fall back into tenth place if they lose and Alloa beat Ross County.

Morton are in sixth place no matter what they do. The Ton have not played a competitive match since March 9th, but they beat a Celtic XI in a bounce match last week.

Photos from Partick vs Morton, December 29th, 2018.

How have Morton fared in league play against Partick this century?

2018-19        2 wins, 1 loss so far.

2012-13        2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss; 7 gf, 5 ga; 7 points.

2011-12        1 win, 1 draw, 2 losses; 2 gf, 7 ga; 4 points.

2010-11        2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss; 3 gf, 2 ga; 7 points.

2009-10        1 win, 3 losses; 1 gf, 8 ga; 3 points.

2008-09        1 win, 3 losses; 3 gf, 4 ga; 3 points.

2007-08        2 wins, 2 draws; 8 gf, 3 ga; 8 points.

2005-06        2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss; 4 gf, 4 ga; 7 points.

Other games:

Dunfermline 0 - 1 Dundee United (March 26)

ICT 3 - 2 Alloa (March 26)

Dunfermline 0 - 1 Ayr United (March 29)

Alloa [1 - 0] Ross County (today)

Dundee United [1 - 2] Queen of the South (today)

ICT [0 - 0] Falkirk (today)

[Morton 0 - 3 Partick. Ugh!]

Matches at Cappielow in March 2019:

March 2        Morton 1 - 1 Falkirk

March 11      Celtic reserves 3 - 2 Hearts reserves

March 16      Morton vs Alloa [postponed]

March 19      Morton reserves 2 - 5 Dunfermline reserves

March 23      Portugal 2 - 1 Poland, UEFA U-17s

March 25      Celtic reserves vs St Johnstone reserves [postponed]

March 26      Russia 1 - 2 Portugal, UEFA U-17s

March 30      Morton [0 - 3] Partick

1928-29: Morton visited East Stirlingshire and won 0 - 2.

Angus: Forfar [2 - 1] Arbroath

Arbroath can win the League 1 title today if they win this game and East Fife beat Raith.

East Kilbride won the Lowland League on Tuesday.

There's a good chance that Dundee and Dundee United will meet in the playoffs in May.

Since 1975, when the Scottish League was reorganized into three divisions, what clubs have suffered consecutive relegations?

1975, 1976        Dunfermline

1975, 1976        Clyde

1984, 1985        St Johnstone

1994, 1995        Brechin

1996, 1997        Dumbarton

1999, 2000        Hamilton

2001, 2002        Morton

2004, 2005        Partick

2006, 2007        Stranraer

2009, 2010        Clyde

2011, 2012        Stirling Albion

2012, 2013        Dunfermline

2015, 2016        Cowdenbeath

Which ones have enjoyed consecutive promotions?

1976, 1977        Clydebank

1986, 1987        Dunfermline

1999, 2000        Ross County

2001, 2002        Partick Thistle

2002, 2003        Brechin

2004, 2005        Stranraer

2005, 2006, 2007        Gretna

2009, 2010        Cowdenbeath

2010, 2011        Livingston

2012, 2013        Alloa

2013, 2014        Rangers

2017, 2018        Livingston

It's the semi-finals of the Scottish Junior Cup, first leg:

Largs Thistle [2 - 2] Hurlford United

Lochee United [1 - 4] Auchinleck Talbot

Auchinleck Talbot have won this cup twelve times, most recently last year. Hurlford and Largs have each won it once, Lochee never.

Lochee United come from Dundee. The other three clubs are from Ayrshire.

Cowlairs versus Partick Thistle.

In the 1887-88 Glasgow Cup these two played to a scoreless draw, then Cowlairs won the replay.

They were members of the 1892-93 Scottish Alliance. Cowlairs won 8 - 3 at their place on October 8, 1892, and 3 - 5 at Partick Thistle's place on March 25, 1893.

They were together in the SFL Division Two in 1893-94 and 1894-95. Partick Thistle took 3 wins, Cowlairs 1 win.

In the 1887-88 Glasgow Cup they played to a scoreless draw, then Cowlairs won the replay. Partick Thistle beat Cowlairs 6 - 1 in the 1895-96 Glasgow Cup.

They never met in the Scottish Cup.

When discussing 19th-Century Scottish football you must always say Partick Thistle, not just Partick, because there was also a Partick FC around at the time.

SWFL2 W/SW: Rutherglen [2 - 3] Morton Women (tomorrow)

Danish 1st Division: F. Amager [1 - 0] Fredericia (tomorrow)

Swiss Challenge League: Servette 5 - 2 Winterthur (yesterday)

Regionalliga Südwest: Wormatia Worms [0 - 0] 1. FC Saarbrücken (tomorrow)

72nd Aomori Prefecture Football Championship:

Match No. 3: Maritime Self-Defense Force Hachinohe SC [1 - 4] Gonohe SC

Match No. 4: Shichinohe SC [0 - 1] Aomori University SC

Tomorrow Iwaki FC play a training match against Joyful Honda Tsukuba. [Iwaki 4 - 1 Tsukuba.]

Here's a helpful article on the money behind the Canadian Premier League.

The CPL has been very quiet the past few weeks. Next week the warm weather training in the Dominican Republic begins, and hopefully there will be some scorelines to report. The teams will be staying at the Cap Cana resort at the extreme eastern tip of the country and training at a nearby site called Los Establos -- the Stables. I guess they'll be practicing on the polo fields there. A polo ground is about the size of six soccer pitches, and Los Establos has two of them, so there should be room for all seven squads. But what of the divots? What about the horse hockey?

Google Maps image of Los Establos:

2018-19 Scottish Challenge Cup Final

Nomads. Source.

Morton's game at Somerset Park has been moved to April 2nd due to call-ups for the Scotland U-21 squad who play a friendly against Mexico this weekend. Goalkeepers Robbie McCrorie (Morton) and Ross Doohan (Ayr) are both called up.

However, yesterday Morton visited Celtic for a closed door friendly and won 0 - 1.

Robbie McCrorie's clean sheets for Morton:

2019/1/26      Morton 0 - 0 Dunfermline

2019/2/16      Morton 0 - 0 Ayr

2019/2/26      Morton 1 - 0 Queen of the South

It's the final of the 2018-19 Scottish Challenge Cup. Ross County meet Connah's Quay Nomads at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium in Inverness.

Ross County have won this cup twice and been runners-up twice. To get to today's game they had to beat Heart of Midlothian colts, Raith Rovers, Montrose, Motherwell colts, and East Fife. The Staggies are currently top of the Scottish Championship.

Connah's Quay Nomads are the first non-Scottish club to make it to the final. They bested Falkirk, Coleraine, Queen's Park, and Edinburgh City in the earlier rounds. The Nomads are presently first or second in the Welsh Premier League, depending on how The New Saints did last night. The town of Connah's Quay is on the River Dee, which forms part of the northern boundary of Wales, and is not to be confused with the River Dee that runs through Aberdeen. It's a different Dee.

[Ross County win 3 - 1.]

Championship matches:

Dundee United 1 - 0 Ross County (March 19)

Partick Thistle 1 - 2 ICT (yesterday)

Dundee United [2 - 1] Alloa (today)

If the Tangerines win they cannot be relegated.

[Ayr United visited BSC Glasgow for a friendly and won 0 - 4.]

Today Cappielow is the site of a UEFA Under-17 match between Portugal and Poland. Another game, between Portugal and Russia, will be played on March 26th, also at Cappielow.

Morton and Falkirk announced Monday that they have reached an agreement in the McKinnon affair, but that the details are confidential.

Thursday was the 100th birthday of Queen of the South FC. The club was formed in a merger of the teams of the 5th Kings Own Scottish Borderers and the Arrol-Johnston car company.

1928-29: Morton visited Alloa and won 1 - 3.

1951-52: On March 22nd, 1952 Morton beat Aberdeen 3 - 2 at Cappielow.

Cowlairs versus Rangers. Fitbastats lists ten games between these two Glasgow clubs. I feel there must be more, but these ten will certainly do.

They met in Round Three of the 1886-87 English FA Cup. In those days clubs from all parts of the UK were admitted. Rangers beat Cowlairs 3 - 2 on Rangers' ground. (Whether this was Kinning or Cathkin Park I don't know.) I think this is the only instance of two Scottish clubs playing each other in the FA Cup.

They played five games in the 1887-88 Glasgow Cup semi-finals. The first two were scoreless draws, the third was a 2 - 2 draw, then Rangers won 2 - 1, and then for some reason they played again, and this time Rangers won 3 - 1.

They both played in the inaugural 1890-91 SFL season. Rangers won one, with one draw.

On November 25th, 1893 they met in Round One of the Scottish Cup and Rangers won 8 - 0. But then on December 9th, 1893 they met in the Glasgow Cup final, and Rangers won, but only by a score of 1 - 0.

SWFL2 Cup, Round Two: Morton Women [3 - 2] Murieston United (tomorrow)

West of Scotland Premiership: Largs Thistle vs Glenafton

Irvine Meadow 1 - 1 Largs Thistle

Danish 1st Division: Fredericia [2 - 1] Nykobing

Regionalliga Südwest: 1. FC Saarbrücken [1 - 1] Kickers Offenbach

Tomorrow Iwaki FC play a training match against Vonds Ichihara. [1 - 1.]

The 72nd Aomori Prefecture Football Championship begins tomorrow with the first of six rounds:

Match No. 1: Maritime Self-Defence Force Hachinohe SC [2 - 0] Aomori Chuo Gakuin University

Match No. 2: 筒木坂FC [1 - 1] Gonohe SC [Gonohe won on PK.]

I don't know who 筒木坂FC are or how to write their name in Latin letters, but they play in the Aomori League Division 1.

India of Inchinnan

Part of the purpose of this soccer coverage at Plenty of Nothing is to learn more about Scotland. Because no matter how much you think you know about the place, something like this is lurking just beyond your understanding.

India of Inchinnan is an art deco office building on the Greenock Road between Renfrew and Bishopton, stylistically a sibling of the celebrated Hoover Factory outside London. In its heyday it was headquarters of the India Tyre and Rubber Company, and its company football team competed in the Renfrewshire Cup. Source.

India of Inchinnan in the Renfrewshire Cup:

1951/5/11    Morton 6 - 0 India of Inchinnan

1959/4/1      St Mirren 10 - 0 India of Inchinnan

1960/4/11    St Mirren 8 - 0 India of Inchinnan

1964/3/23    St Mirren 6 - 2 India of Inchinnan

Source.

Alloa visit Cappielow. This is Morton's last match of the season against the Wasps and it might be their last meeting for some time. Alloa are in tenth place.

Despite this the Wasps are ahead in the season series against Morton (see below). They have also mostly had their way with Dundee United and Queen of the South. If they manage to stay up they will have spent half of this decade in tier II.

[Postponed. That makes two Morton fixtures waiting to be rescheduled now: this one, and next week's match against Ayr United, which has been called off because both teams' goalkeepers have been called up for international play.]

How have Morton fared against Alloa in league play this century?

2018-19        1 win, 2 losses so far.

2015-16        3 wins, 1 draw; 8 gf, 3 ga; 10 points.

2013-14        4 losses; 0 gf, 7 ga; 0 points.

2006-07        3 wins, 1 loss; 11 gf, 4 ga; 9 points.

2005-06        3 wins, 1 draw; 12 gf, 3 ga; 10 points.

2004-05        2 wins, 2 draws; 12 gf, 5 ga; 8 points.

2003-04        2 wins, 2 draws; 8 gf, 6 ga; 8 points.

2001-02        3 draws, 1 loss; 2 gf, 6 ga; 3 points.

2000-01        2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss; 7 gf, 3 ga; 7 points.

What years did Alloa finish above Morton?

1927-28        Alloa (15th, Div 2), Morton (18th, Div 2)

1938-39        Alloa (2nd, Div 2), Morton (12th, Div 2)

1939-40        Alloa (17th, Div 1), Morton (15th, Div 2)

1957-58        Alloa (8th, Div 2), Morton (13th, Div 2)

1959-60        Alloa (13th, Div 2), Morton (14th Div 2)

1960-61        Alloa (11th, Div 2), Morton (19th, Div 2)

2001-02        Alloa (2nd, Second Div), Morton (10th, Second Div)

2002-03        Alloa (9th, First Div), Morton (1st, Third Div)

2013-14        Alloa (8th, Championship), Morton (10th, Chmpionship)

2014-15        Alloa (9th, Championship), Morton (1st, League One)

Other Championship matches:

Ross County 2 - 1 Falkirk (March 12)

Ross County cannot be relegated.

Inverness CT vs Ross County (March 15) [postponed]

Highland Derby.

Ayr United vs Queen of the South (today) [postponed]

Both these clubs have been on the skids lately.

Dunfermline vs Dundee United (today) [postponed]

The Pars are ahead in this series.

Falkirk vs Partick (today)

Crucial to both. [Therefore they play to a 1 - 1 draw.]

Scottish Cup quarter-final replays (March 12):

Rangers 0 - 2 Aberdeen

Hearts 2 - 1 Partick Thistle

2018-19 Championship teams by last win against Hearts:

2017/7/29      Hearts 2 - 2 Dunfermline (Pars won on PK.)

2017/3/1        Hearts 0 - 1 Ross County

2017/2/25      Partick 2 - 0 Hearts

2016/2/20      Dundee United 2 - 1 Hearts

2015/9/11      Inverness CT 2 - 0 Hearts

2015/1/24      Hearts 2 - 3 Falkirk

1984/8/18      Hearts 1 - 2 Morton

1980/9/24      Ayr United 4 - 0 Hearts

1963/10/12    Hearts 0 - 1 Queen of the South

1946/4/20      Alloa 3 - 1 Hearts

1928-29: Morton hosted Albion Rovers and won 3 - 1.

1951-52: On March 15th, 1952 Morton were away to Ibrox where they lost 1 - 0 to Rangers.

Angus: Brechin vs Montrose [postponed]

Elsewhere in League One: Dumbarton vs Airdrieonians [postponed]

League Two: Clyde have been docked six points for fielding an ineligible player in two February matches. Albion Rovers and Queen's Park have each been rewarded three points.

Danish 1st Division: Silkeborg [2 - 1] Fredericia

FC Fredericia year by year:

                  G     W     D      L      F      A    GD     P    Position

2017-18    33    11      9    13    48    47     +1    42    6th, 1 Div

2016-17    33    11    10    12    36    43      -7    43    8th, 1 Div

2015-16    33    12    11    10    45    45       0    47    6th, 1 Div

2014-15    33      6    16    11    28    40    -12    34   10th, 1 Div

2013-14    33    12      7    14    47    45     +2    43    8th, 1 Div

2012-13    33     11    11    11    53    48     +5    44    5th, 1 Div

2011-12    26      9      8      9    33    30      +3    35    7th, 1 Div

2010-11    30    13      6     11   53    41     +11   45    6th, 1 Div

2009-10    30    18      5      7    56    22    +34    59   3rd, 1 Div

2008-09    30    13      8      9    58    43    +15    47   7th, 1 Div

2007-08    30    12      8    10    49    36    +13    44   5th, 1 Div

2006-07    30    16      5      9    50    37    +13    53   4th, 1 Div

2005-06    30    12      5    13    48    40      +8    41   7th, 1 Div

2004-05    30    10      8    12    48    50      -2     38    9th, 1 Div

2003-04    30      9      9    12    42    47      -5     36   10th, 1 Div

2002-03    30    14      9      7    50    29    +21    51    3rd, 1 Div

2001-02    30      7      9    14    45    46      -1     30   11th, 1 Div

2000-01    30    20      3      7    73    39    +34    63    2nd, 2 Div

1999-00    30      4      5    21    24    61     -37    17   15th, 1 Div

1998-99    30    14    10      6    63    41    +22    52    2nd, 2 Div

1997/98    30     11     8     11    54    50     +4     41    8th, 2 Div

1996-97    30      7      8    15    41    56     -15    29   13th, 1 Div

1995-96    30      9      8    13    51    59      -8     35   12th, 1 Div

1994-95    18      9      3      6    33    27     +6     24     4th, 2 Div Vest Grundspil

1994-95    14      7      1      6    28    25     +3     15     3rd, 2 Div Vest Slutspil

1993-94    18      6      4      8    28    25     +3     20     6th, 2 Div Vest Grundspil

1993-94    14      5      2      7    21    29      -8     12     6th, 2 Div Vest Slutspil

1992-93    18      8      5      5    30    25     +5     27     4th, 2 Div Vest Grundspil

1992-93    14      6      3      5    24    23     +1     15     5th, 2 Div Vest Slutspil

1991-92    14      6      3      5    23    19     +4     15     3rd, 2 Div Vest Slutspil

Sources: German Wikipedia, DanskFodbold.com

Cowlairs versus Hibs. These two were together in Division Two in 1893-94 and 1894-95. Hibs earned 3 wins to 1 win for Cowlairs.

SWFL2 W/SW: Morton Women vs Stewarton United Ladies (tomorrow) [postponed]

West of Scotland Premiership: Largs Thistle [2 - 1] Petershill

Swiss Challenge League: Winterthur [0 - 1] Aarau (tomorrow)

Regionalliga Südwest: 1. FC Saarbrücken 5 - 0 TSG Balingen (March 12)

FK Pirmasens vs 1. FC Saarbrücken (March 16) [postponed]

Read this appreciation of German football club names.

The JFL starts tomorrow. The league has two new clubs for 2019: Matsue City and Suzuka Unlimited. Three clubs are licensed for promotion to J3 if they can finish high enough: Nara Club, FC Imabari, and Tokyo Musashino City. Suzuka Unlimited is the first JFL club to have a female manager: Milagros MartÍnez DomÍnguez.

AFC Champions League group stage, matchday 2:

Group E: Shandong Luneng 2 - 2 Kashima Antlers

Group F: Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2 - 1 Melbourne Victory

Group G: Beijing Guoan 0 - 0 Urawa Red Diamonds

Group H: Kawasaki Frontale 1 - 0 Sydney FC

The Wanderers Ground on Thursday. [Not Cappielow.]

To Dingwall by Stagecoach

Dingwall in 1820 by John H. Clark. Source.

Morton travel to Dingwall for their final league match against Ross County for 2018-19. The Staggies cannot be dislodged from first place this weekend, and if the other results go their way they will sail clear of relegation. Morton are sixth and could jump as high as fourth if some wild scores occur.

Morton have completed 27 league matches, or three-quarters of the season. They have 34 points, which puts them on track for 44 or 45 at the finish. They are 3 points out of the promotion playoffs (except for goal difference), and 8 points out of the relegation playoffs.

Ross County have allowed 25 goals in 25 games -- best in the division.

Morton have scored 27 goals in 27 games -- worst in the division.

Ross County's top goalscorer Bill McKay is out for the rest of the season with a broken arm.

Chairman Crawford Rae has announced a regime of belt-tightening at Cappielow.

How have Morton fared against Ross County in league play over the years?

2018-19        2 wins, 1 loss so far.

2011-12        3 draws, 1 loss; 3 gf, 5 ga; 3 points.

2010-11        1 win, 2 draws, 1 loss; 4 gf, 5 ga; 5 points.

2009-10        1 draw, 3 losses; 3 gf, 7 ga; 1 point.

2008-09        1 win, 1 draw, 2 losses; 2 gf, 7 ga; 4 points.

2000-01        1 win, 3 losses; 3 gf, 7 ga; 3 points.

That 5 - 0 loss withstanding, this will be Morton's best year against Ross County.

Other Championship matches:

Falkirk 2 - 0 Ayr United (last night)

Now that BBC Scotland is on the air Friday night games are a regular thing.

Alloa [0 - 1] Dunfermline

Partick [2 - 1] Dundee United

Queen of the South 0 - 2 ICT

QoS have lost six in a row. [Now seven.]

[Ross County 2 - 0 Morton.]

1928-29: Morton hosted East Fife and won 3 - 2.

1951-52: On March 5th, 1952 Morton visited Celtic and played to a 2 - 2 draw. On Marth 8th they visited Stirling Albion played to a 1 - 1 draw.

How many games have Morton played against the other 2018-19 Championship clubs?

221        Partick Thistle

201        Falkirk

170        Ayr United

120        Dundee United

111        Dunfermline

108        Queen of the South

108        Alloa

  31        Ross County

  22        Inverness CT

Now make an ascii diagram in which each 2018-19 Championship club points to the other one they have played the most:

Partick Thistle are the linchpin of the 2018-19 Championship.

The Championship clubs sorted by worst losing streak of 2018-19 so far:

2        Ross County

2        Inverness CT

2        Morton

3        Dundee United

3        Ayr United

3        Dunfermline

5        Falkirk

5        Alloa

6 7     Queen of the South

7        Partick Thistle

Morton's worst end-of-season losing streaks:

9        1937-38

7        1965-66

6        1909-10, 1982-83

5        1896-97, 1960-61

4        1987-88, 2003-04, 2008-09, 2010-11

3        1904-05, 1931-32, 1991-92, 2017-18

Try as they might Morton cannot beat their 1937-38 record this year. [No, wait. If they lose all their remaining league games, finish ninth, and lose both legs of the relegation semi-final, they can do it.]

How many years removed from the Championship are its former members?

  1    St Mirren, Livingston, Dumbarton, Brechin

  2    Hibs, Raith Rovers

  3    Rangers

  4    Hearts, Cowdenbeath

  5    Dundee, Hamilton

  6    Airdrieonians

  8    Stirling Albion

10    St Johnstone, Clyde

13    Stranraer

16    Arbroath

22    East Fife

(By 'Championship' I mean the ten-team tier-two division that started in 1994.)

Cowlairs versus St Mirren. These two met in Round Five of the 1880-81 Scottish Cup. St Mirren won 1 - 0. They were both founding members of the SFL and played together in it in the 1890-91 season. Each took one win from the other.

Angus: Brechin [2 - 2] Forfar

West of Scotland Premiership: Largs Thistle [3 - 3] Pollok

SWFL2 W/SW: East Kilbride Thistle Ladies vs Morton Women [postponed]

The J3 schedule starts this weekend. The league has 18 teams this season, including the J.League's 55th club Vanraure Hachinohe, and three U-23 teams.

AFC Champions League group stage, matchday 1:

Group E: Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Johor Darul Ta'zim

Group F: Guangzhou Evergrande 2 - 0 Sanfrecce Hiroshima

Group G: Urawa Red Diamonds 3 - 0 Buriram United

Group H: Shanghai SIPG 1 - 0 Kawasaki Frontale

HFX Wanderers have started their training camp at the Mainland Commons in Clayton Park.

In April all seven CPL clubs will fly to the Dominican Republic and get in some friendlies against Caribbean clubs. Press release in Spanish. Where is the money for all this coming from? Not from here. Halifax sports teams travel by bus.

Average per game attendance of Halifax sports teams, and how they travel:

6,945        Mooseheads (major junior hockey)            bus

1,900        Hurricanes (minor league basketball)        bus

Source. Source.

The seed money for this league has to be coming from CONCACAF. How rich is CONCACAF? NYT story.

Danish 1st Division: Fredericia [1 - 0] Helsingor (tomorrow)

Swiss Challenge League: Wil [1 - 0] Winterthur

Regionalliga Südwest: Waldhof Mannheim (3 - 2) 1. FC Saarbrücken