International break and so Hearts not playing. Decided to head for local derby at Penicuik against their rivals Newtongrange Star. Both teams are unbeaten in the East of Scotland League Conference A so should be a good game. Caught a 47 bus at Lothian Road at 1.15 and arrived at the ground an hour later. Penicuik have appointed Kevin Milne as their new manager replacing Johnny Harvey who has moved to Berwick Rangers in the SPFL. However Andy Forbes, Craig Hume and Lewis Barr have elected to take advantage of release clauses in their contracts and followed Harvey to Berwick. They can only play as trialists until January when they will be be able sign after the transfer window opens. Penicuik have signed defender Greg Page and midfielder/striker Dean Crabbe from Tynecastle to bolster their squad and both were included in the squad today. Newtongrange manager Steve McLeish was the coach when I did my level 2 coaching badge while I was helping at Crammond Boys Club. I was knackered

This was a big game for Hearts following three games without a goal and dropping four points in addition to being knocked out of the Betfred Cup. I left the house at 14.00 after watching most of Cardiff v Brighton including seeing ex-Jambo Callum Paterson scored for the Bluebirds. Arrived at my seat around 14.20 and had a chat with Eric about events around Tynecastle recently. We both agreed that Neil Lennon, the Hibs manager, has a ‘chip on his shoulder’ and while it is impossible to condone throwing coins his actions did not help in what was a very partisan atmosphere. Hearts made four changes to the side that lost at Parkhead last week. Ben Garuccio replaced  Demi Mitchell while Olly Lee returned in place of Harry Cochrane. Callumn Morrison came in for Jake Mulraney, and Craig Wighton made his second start for the club, replacing Sean Clare. Hearts had an early penalty claim when Morrison was taken down in the box but referee Don Robertson waved play on. Kilmarnock then

I had thought about going to Parkhead for the Hearts game. However the thought of paying £28 for a restricted view and spending most of the game dodging items thrown by Celtic fans, which stewards and police ignore, put me of going. Instead decided to go and watch Penicuik. Caught a 47 bus at 13.20 and arrived at the ground around 14.15 with kickoff at 14.30. £6 admission charge and £1.50 for programme represented good value. Penicuik are currently top of the East of Scotland League Conference A. The winners of the three conferences A,B and C will play-off for the overall championship and a move up the SFA ladder into the Lowland League. The top five in each conference will form a EoS League 1 next season while the other teams will form League 2. I was a bit surprised that Penicuik started with second top goalscorer Aaron Somerville on the bench. Hawick are currently in seventh place in the table having been bottom in September but are now in a good run of form. Penicuik started

Looking forward to this game after the disappointment of Sunday. It's Harper's birthday today and Craig and Claire are taking him and Harmoni to the game as a birthday treat. They are having a meal in Cosmo beforehand and we met with them for the meal. Craig was going out in his taxi after the game so I got a lift to Tynecastle. Craig and family were in the Wheatfield stand and I was in main stand so we were not sitting together. Hearts were missing Steven Naismith, out for up to eight weeks with a knee injury and Steven MacLean, who has accepted a two match ban for violent conduct in the Celtic game in an incident now down as 'Bawsgate'. Callum Morrison came in up front while Sean Clare made his first start in midfield. When the teams lined-up Peter Haring was playing at centre-forward. I think Hearts were looking to use his arial strength for others to run on to his flicks on.  Hearts started well and a shot from Olly Lee was pushed away for a corner by Bogda