With Hearts Scottish Cup game against Partick Thistle now scheduled for Monday night with a 19.05 kickoff to suit television schedules I had a choice of games to go to today. I had thought about going to see Penicuik v Peebles Rovers but when I saw this match was scheduled I decided to head to Bonnyrigg. The game is a quarter-final tie in the South Challenge Cup. The competition features 69 teams from the Lowland League (16), the East of Scotland League (38), the South of Scotland League (14), as well as SFA member club Glasgow University of the Caledonian Amateur League. The reserve teams of Stirling University, Annan Athletic, and Stranraer do not take part. This tie was intriguing as it matched Bonnyrigg, who moved from the Juniors to the East of Scotland League this season against East Sirlingshire (the Shire), who are the only club, thus far, to have been relegated from the SPFL under the new pyramid system. Bonnyrigg are top of Conference B in the EoS League and require five p

I wish Hearts would announce reserve fixtures earlier. It was mid-day before I noticed they were playing Morton at the Oriam today with a 14.00 kick-off. Left to catch bus at 13.05 but was speaking to a neighbour in the lift going down. We continued talking in the downstairs hallway and I missed the bus I was aiming to catch. Rather than stand waiting at the stop I walked along the route to keep warm and caught the next bus ten minutes later. Arrived at Riccarton at 14.40 and walked to the pitch at the Oriam. Entry was free and Hearts manager Craig Levein and first team coach Jon Daly were among those in the crowd. Hearts fielded a side where all the eleven selected had first team experience as had three of the substitutes. It was interesting to see Ben Garuccio, normally a left-back, listed at right back. I wonder if the intention is to use him in the first team in this position to cover for regular right-back Michael Smith who tore his thigh muscle in yesterday's cup t

  Should be an interesting Scottish Cup tie against the top side in the West of Scotland Junior League. Junior sides have been permitted to enter the Scottish Cup for a number of years now, with entry dependent on performances within the Junior Leagues. A number of Junior sides in the East of Scotland have moved into senior leagues, outwith the SPFL, but as part of the SFA pyramid system. However in the West clubs have elected to remain in the junior set-up where the best sides can gain entry to the Scottish Cup. Hearts played Auchinleck in the third round when they ended up as cup winners in 2012. The match however was a struggle as Hearts eventually won 1-0 with a weakened side although Auchinleck had a goal disallowed near the end which would have given them a replay. A couple of the Auchinleck side are still with the club, goalkeeper Andy Leishman and defender Gordon Pope. With kickoff at 15.00 today I left the house at 14.05 and arrived in my seat at Tynecastle a

With Hearts playing in the Scottish Cup tomorrow afternoon I had another Saturday where I had to decide which game to go and watch. My choices were reduced as I will not go to Easter Road on a matter of principle and both Edinburgh United and Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale were called off in the morning as pitches were unplayable. My choice therefore was Civil Service Strollers v Edinburgh University, Tynecastle v Bonnyrigg or Leith Athletic v Newtongrange Star. I decided to head out to watch the Leith game for two reasons. Firstly the previous two games between the sides this season had ended 9-1 to Newtongrange and 2-2 with five red cards over the two matches.and secondly I had not seen Leith play at their new venue, the 3G pitch at Edinburgh University's Peffermill grounds. Leith had to vacate Meadowbank's 3G pitch as the stadium is being demolished and rebuilt. Leith are now looking at a new venue in the Edinburgh area that they can use and would in the future allow th

Another game against Livinston. Fourth time Hearts have played them this season and they have only won once, in the  Scottish Cup. Goal difference thus far stands 5-1 in favour of the Livi Lions. Left the house just after 19.00 and arrived at Tynecastle at 19.20 for the 19.45 kick-off. Was chatting to Eric before the game and we had a conversation about the worst players we have seen playing for Hearts. He went for Pat McShane while I suggested Archie White. Other names that came into the conversation included Crawford Boyd and Jim Denny. You will notice that there is no picture of the programme for the match showing here. I get my programme by subscription from Hearts and as of today (Thursday, the day after the game) it had not arrived in the post. Programme arrived on Friday 8th February and I have added photo at foot of this post. Craig Levein made one change from the side that beat Kilmarnock in the last match. Olly Lee replaced Callumn Morrison, which had been a half

Miserable day in Edinburgh after snow last night and freezing temperatures. I was thinking about going to Penicuik today but that game was called off yesterday. Additionally Bonnyrigg, Civil Service, Whitehall and Edinburgh University are also off. Other than Hibs at Easter Road only games still on were on Astroturf pitches with Edinburgh City or Leith Athletic the home sides. Decided to go and watch Edinburgh City v Albion Rovers at Ainslie Park. Left house at 13.40 to walk to Ainslie Park. Arrived at around 14.35 and after getting a coffee met the two Johns. We had a chat about City and consensus was that if City had added a goalie and a centre-half in the transfer window they would have guaranteed promotion. The two Johns headed for seats in the stand and I stayed at the fence waiting for Jim. He arrived minutes later and we decided to stay leaning at the fence as we had a good view of the full pitch. City made one change to their side from last weeks draw at Elgin City. Reg