Interesting journey out to Penicuik tonight. Caught an X15 at Fontainbridge and thought I would in plenty of time. However we we got to Buckstone a woman came down the stairs and said she had been sick on the stairs. Driver then asked everyone on upper deck to come to to lower deck and be careful when coming downstairs. Everyone eventually came down but journey was delayed as whenever anyone got on bus driver had to tell them to stay downstairs. Arrived a Penicuik at 6.55 for 7.15 kickoff. Ex-Hearts player Ryan Stevenson was included in Bo'ness squad in programme but was not in final starting line-up. I wonder if he really wants to play football now after his recent trials. I later found out that this was a different Ryan Stevenson, although he had also played for Hearts. This Ryan had only played in the youth side and was not the ex-first team player I was thinking about. It was a lively start with the Penicuik I looking the most dangerous and and Murphy in the visitor

A first time at Kings Park Dalkeith. Long bus journey then met Alex in Dalkeith at the RBS branch. Walked along High Street to Kings Park and found out we had both worked at Dalkeith Eskbank branch on relief in the past. Branch building is now  funeral directors. Arrived at ground around 14.00 for a 14.30 kick off. Report on match is copied from Edinburgh Evening news site as I did not have notebook with me to record incidents in the game. We met Jim in the ground and took up a position on the sunny side of the park to watch the match. Preston Athletic suffered King Cup heartache as they lost 7-6 on penalties to East of Scotland League champions Kelty Hearts at King’s Park, Dalkeith. The Panners more than matched the Fife club for 120 minutes and had gone in front from a Greg Binnie spot-kick midway through the second half. Former Dunfermline Athletic midfielder Stephen Husband drew his side level – again from the penalty spot – six minutes later. Both sides had opportunities

Was not sure about going to this but after finishing lunch around 12.45 decided  I would go and get there in time for 14.30 kick-off at Olive Bank Musselburgh.  Walked down to Haymarket and caught a 26 bus to Musselburgh. Google maps said get off at the Ship Inn and walk up past Lidl and Aldi towards the ground which showed as being opposite the Musselburgh Rugby ground. It was but there was a little problem as entrance to the ground was at the opposite end of the ground. Had to walk through back streets before finally reaching entrance which is off Musselburgh High Street. If you ever go to Olive Bank park get off bus in High Street at Ship Inn cross road and then walk to Lochend Street where you will approach ground from right end for the entrance. I met Jim as I was looking to find way into ground. He had parked in Aldi carpark thinking he could get in near there but was caught in the same trap as me. £6 admission and £2 for a well produced programme. BSC claimed for an ear

Decided to go and watch Penicuik Athletic today. There was a wedding live on TV of some upper class nonentities taking place down south. Thankfully Penicuik had moved there kick-off forward to 1.00pm and I left the house to catch the 11.45 15 bus out to Penicuik and therefore missed the bulk of what some people classed as 'an event'. I had intended going to watch Penicuik on Wednesday but was late getting home and after having something to eat did not have time to get out there for kickoff. Penicuik have played last Saturday and Wednesday and another game today. In addition next week they are playing a local cuptie on Monday night, a league game on Thursday night and their final league game next Saturday. Depending on cup results they may have two cup finals the following week. Professional teams complain about fixture congestion when they play three game in a eight days but the Penicuik players are basically part-time with full time jobs and play for 'pin money'

Was not sure where to go today. I had thought about going to Cowdenbeath for the Pyramid Play-off Final but decided to head to Christie Gillies Park for Civil Service Strollers (CSS) v Vale of Leithen in the East of Scotland Challenge Cup semi-final. Walked to Tollcross and caught a 16 bus to Muirhouse and walked down Marine Drive to the ground. When I had been there previously I had to walk across a field and go in at a side gate to the ground. When I arrived there at 14.40 gate was locked and a number of fans were waiting to get in. Someone then came to the gate and said that entrance was now through the CSS clubroom at the Marine Drive entrance to the ground. Walked round and got in through the clubhouse. Entrance fee was a reasonable £6 but no programme or team sheets were available. I recognised some of the players from previous visits to see both CSS and Vale however. The game kicked off in glorious sunshine and Vale took the lead from an early penalty. Kyle Fe

Last home game of the season and a victory is essential to leave fans happy over the close season. Watched Reporting Scotland before leaving the house and saw an interview with ex-Hearts Manager Robbie Neilson. When asked what sort of game he expected Robbie replied "physical' and he was not far wrong. Walked down to Tynecastle and took my seat at 19.25. Hearts made a few changes from Saturday with Aaron Hughes, Harry Cochrane, Danny Amankwaa and David Milinkovic coming into the side replacing John Souttar (injured), Ross Callachan, Don Cowie and Lewis Moore. The latter three players moved to the bench. Hibs started well with Brandon Barker looking particularly threatening down the left. However his final ball was not the best and Jon McLaughlin in the Hearts goal had little difficulty in dealing with the balls into the box. McLaughlin was called into action after around fifteen minutes when he saved a Barker shot from around twenty yards. Hearts were coming mor

A beautiful sunny day and despite the game being live on BT Sport I walked down to Tynecastle and took my seat in the main stand around twenty minutes before kickoff. On the way to Tynecastle I met another ex-work colleague Martin who was going to the game in his capacity as refereeing supervisor. Celtic had been crowned champions last week after their win against Rangers but would be looking for revenge after their 4-0 defeat in the last game at Tynecastle which ended their sixty-nine game undefeated run against Scottish opposition. Hearts had a boost with the return of injured loanee Demitri Mitchell from Manchester United and he came straight back into the side. Ross Callachan and Jaoquim Adao also returned. Hearts started the game well and had the ball in the net from their first corner. Don Cowie floating the ball into the penalty box and John Souttar scrambled it over the line from close range. The referee however ruled the goal off for a foul on the keeper which I am not

With the Hearts game being played tomorrow I had to make a decision on which game to go to today. I discounted Tynecastle and Preston Athletic in the East of Scotland League which left a decision between Junior games at Bonnyrigg or Penicuik. Bonnyrigg have virtually clinched the East Super league so I decided to head for Penicuik where a local cuptie was to be played. I walked along to Lothian Road and caught a 47 bus, arriving at the ground around 14.15. After paying my £6 admission I went to get a programme. Programme seller was my old work colleague John and we had a chat while I got the programme.  I wandered round the ground and took up a position in the covered enclosure for the kick-off. Penicuik started well and top scorer Somerville had an early chance when he cut in from he left but his shot was blocked by keeper Grier. Shortly thereafter Somerville broke through the middle onto a long ball. He was stopped by a good tackle on the edge of the penalty box. The ball br

Second leg of the playoff final with winner playing Cowdenbeath, bottom club in SPFL League 2 to decide who will be in SPFL next season. A bit of a nothing game really as Spartans had been beaten 4-0 at Highland League Cove on Saturday. I had intended to go to Cove on the Spartans supporters bus but had to call off on the Saturday morning due to a stomach bug. I don't think bus driver would have appreciated stopping every 30 minutes on the journey for me ! Spartans made a number of changes from the first leg with Jamie Dishington (who had been suspended), Gary Cennerazzo, Guillermo Lamarca, Craig Stevenson and Willie Bremner coming into the side. In addition to Dishington and Atkinson both Blair Carswell and Adam Corbett had come through the Spartans youth system which is I think a tribute to the way Spartans operate. The big danger to Spartans would come from Cove strikers Mitch Megginson and Paul McManus. Meggison, who scored his fiftieth goal of the season in the first