Hearts first home game in the new Scottish reserve league which replaces the previous U-20 league. Main difference is that there is no limit on the number of players aged over 20 in the sides. Caught a 34 bus out to the Oriam and met Malcolm on the bus as he got on at Longstone. Arrived at Oriam  at around 15.30 for a 16.00 kickoff and walked round to pitch. The game was being played on one of the outside pitches rather than indoors and was on a grass pitch. Hearts fielded a strong side with only two players in starting line-up who had not appeared in the first team while Dundee also had a number of players with first team experience. Hearts started the game well and an early cutback from Connor Smith lead to a shot from Rory Currie, currently on loan at East Fife, being blocked by the Dundee defence. Hearts took the lead after eight minutes when Arnaud Djoum was fouled on the edge of the penalty box. Oliver Bozanic took the free kick and curled the ball over the wall into the top

Was not sure where to go today as I could not work up enthusiasm to go to Kilmarnock to watch Hearts. Thought about going to Edinburgh Uni v Gala Fairydean in Lowland League but finally decided to go to Penicuik for their East of Scotland League clash against Coldstream. The Junior sides that have moved up to the EoS League have given good performances thus far and I was expecting a few goals. Caught a 47 bus in Lothian Road and arrived at ground around 14.00. £6 admission charge, although I was asked if I was a concession and could have got in for £3, and £1.50 for a very good programme by non-league standards. Penicuik centre forward Wayne McIntosh was out due to injury and he was replaced by Nico Salazar. Salazar was previously on books at West Ham and signed for Penicuik in the close season. He certainly looks a better player than the last ex-West Ham centre forward I saw, Paul McCallum who had a spell on loan at Hearts five or so years ago.  Penicuik started on the attack

I  missed Hearts victory last week against Celtic due to illness, albeit I watched the game at home on BT Sport so this was my first live game for a fortnight. Press had stated Hearts had sold almost 5000 tickets for this game and as I was travelling by train I went to Edinburgh Waverley to board rather than my usual boarding point at Haymarket. Caught the 12.18 train at Waverley and was in Dunfermline around thirty minutes later. East End Park, Dunfermline's home ground, is about ten minutes walk from the station so I wandered up to the ground where the turnstiles were not yet open. I decided to go for a stroll round Dunfermline for around an hour which considerably increased my step count for the day. Returning to the ground at around two o'clock I met Pete and his two lads outside and had a quick chat with them. They headed for the turnstiles at the Hearts end while I waited to buy a programme before heading into the ground. Inside I met Pete again along with Colin and w

Went to my first Hearts away game of the season today. Caught train at 12.15 to Glasgow then onto Hamilton via Glasgow Central. Only problem was train was full of Celtic fans although thankfully they got off before me. Arrived at Hamilton West around 14.10 and short walk to the ground.  Hearts had an unchanged team from last Sunday. Kyle Lafferty was on bench along with Liam Smith who has been told he can move on if he finds another team. Hearts did not start well and when Northern Ireland centre-half Hughes tried to shepherd the ball back to goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal he misjudged the ball and Hamilton centre forward Miller nipped in to score. Hearts hit back three minutes later after Christophe Berra had a header turned over the crossbar by Gary Woods, Steven Naismith set up Peter Haring to grab his third goal of the season with a fine header . The score remained tied at halftime. Shortly into the second half Naismith was fouled in the box when he looked likely to score. 

A big decision tonight as a number of games on in the EoS league Qualifying Cup. Choices included Penicuik v Crossgates, Newtongrange v Dundonald  or Whitehill v Kelty. However I decided to head to Heriot Watt University v Haddington Athletic at the Oriam. Left home at 18.30 and caught a 34 bus out to Riccarton. Arrived at the ground at 19.10 with no-one on the gate so walked in. Five minutes later a guy arrived at the gate with a table and programmes etc. My conscience got the better of me so I wandered back to the gate at paid my £5 admission charge and £1 for a programme. Game was on the pitch where Hearts play their reserve games. There is now a standing with seating for around 200 and I took a seat there. Ground is now called the "John Brydson Arena". I tried to find out why ground was named after John Brydson but could not find anything on internet. The game started with a bang when the Heriot Watt Keeper, Alex McMahon saved a shot in the first minute. As most