With the World Cup on the SPL was still in ‘hibernation’ until 17th December and while lower league clubs were playing the Scottish Cup today there was nothing local and I did not fancy travelling too far. Despite my opposition to ‘B’ sides playing in the lower leagues I decided to head out to Rosewell to watch Hearts B v Dalbeattie Star in the Lowland League. I have been to Ferguson Park three times before but only seen one match. The first time I went the match was called off due to a waterlogged pitch, the second saw Whitehill defeated at home by Cumbernauld and the third was to watch my grandson training with his youth side. I had it all worked out how to get to Rosewell but it all went belly up. I had planned to catch a 30 bus at 13.97 and left house at 12.55 only to see a 30 going past as I looked to cross the West Approach Road. Never mind the app showed another bus due in two minutes and then app changed to next bus due in nineteen minutes. I then decided to walk down to Haymar

I had a dilemma today about what to do. Should I stay at home home and watch Qatar v Ecuador in the opening World Cup game or go to watch LTHV v Kello Rovers in the South Challenge Cup. I have reservations about Qatar hosting the World  Cup due to their political and environmental issues so decided to head to Ainslie Park. I was lazy ant caught a 27 bus. I knew Jim and Alex were also going to the game. Jim was watching rugby and asked both Alex and I go get him a programme. As I was going to get there late I left this to Alex. I arrived about ten minutes before the 15.30 kickoff and paid £5 for entry and a programme.  This match had been switched to a Sunday as both Spartans and LTHV had been down at home in the South of Scotland Challenge Cup. Spartans as ground owner had priority and played on the Saturday with LTHV switching to Sunday afternoon. LTHV have had a difficult season is the East of Scotland Premier League this season. However in recent weeks they have brought in a number

  With the SPL suspended until 17th September due to the World Cup in Qatar I decided to I decided to head to Ainslie Park today. The Spartans were meeting Glasgow University in the South of Scotland Challenge Cup. It was a bit disappointing that my season ticket was not valid for todays game but I got a concession ticket through the Fanbase app for £6. I would normally walk to Ainslie Park but decided to take a bus for a change. I arrived at the ground around 14.15 and showed my electronic ticket for entry. I bought three programmes two for Jim who was going to arrive late as he was watching the Wales v Georgia rugby international on TV. I went up to the cafe/bar whereI had a chat with Ian and Gordon before heading down to the perimeter fence just before kickoff. Jim arrived minutes after kickoff and was pleased as Georgia had beaten Wales. Spartans had made a few changes to their usual side to give some regular players a rest. Adam Meek replaced  lair Carswell in goal who was resting

  Today was the closest date to Remembrance Sunday and Hearts issued a special programme to commemorate the players who signed up and died in WW1. I wore my 2014/2015 Hearts shirt in memory of those who gave up their lives. This was the only Hearts shirt for about forty years without a sponsor on the front but felt appropriate as a memory of those who gave up their lives.I left home just after 14.00 and walked down to Tynecastle. My old schoool, Boroughmuir, had their pipe band playing on the Foundation Plaza so I stopped to listen for a few minutes. Before anyone asks I did not play in the band when I was at school  as my musical talent is nil. I entered the ground with my electronic season ticket and headed up to my seat to watch the sides warning up.  Hearts injury problems are now easing slightly with Kye Rowles having returned to the side at Ibrox on Wednesday and Craig Halkett not fit enough for a place on the bench. Peter Haring is still out with concussion and Andy Halliday pul

  With Hearts having played in Turkey on Thursday their league match against Motherwell was moved from Saturday to Sunday to give the squad an extra day of rest. With a three o’clock kickoff I had time to watch the end of St Johnstone defeating Rangers on Sky before heading to Tynecastle. I take great pleasure in seeing Rangers and Celtic getting defeated in league games given their huge financial power compared to other sides in the SPL. I arrived at Tynecastle around 14.25 and scanned my season ticket for entry. As I was earlier I thought about getting something to eat. Sausage rolls were £2.50 each and pies £3.50 with coffee from an urn £2.50 I soon changed my mind ! I headed to my seat in Section Q of the Main Stand and watched the sides warming up.  Hearts have been playing twice a week for most of the season due to their European involvement and as a result have slipped out of the top half of the league. However a win today would bring them up to fourth and an opportunity to move

  With Hearts playing tomorrow following their EUFA Conference  tie in Turkey on Thursday I had a choice of marches for today. I decided to head out to Bonnyrigg for their SPFL League Two fixture against Elgin City. After lunch I walked to Haymarket to catch what I thought was the 13.35 31 bus to Bonnyrigg. With Scotland playing Fiji in the rugby international at Murrayfield the buses were disrupted and the board showed next bus was not due until 13.50. A 33 arrived and I took that to Newington hoping to catch the previous 31. No such luck and I waited for ten minutes for the 31 to arrive. I was on a Bonnyrigg 31 rather than a Poltonmill bus so took the bus through the Bonnyrigg Toll crossroads and got off almost immediately in front of the ground, I paid. My £7 admission and a further £2 for a programme at the entrance. I looked around for Jim but he was not in our usual spot near the dugouts. I then spotted him and Martin in the covered area and went to join them. Once the drizzle st

  A full Lowland League card this week despite Champions League football on television. As I have a Spartans season ticket I decided to head to Ainslie Park for their fixture with Berwick Rangers. As I had done quite a bit of walking during the day I decided to take a bus to the game. I walked to Tollcross and caught a 27 arriving at the ground around 19.15 for the 19.15. My season ticket got me through the turnstiles and I purchased a programme for £2 after I was inside. I saw Jim standing at the fence at the cafe end of the ground and I walked over to join him and watch the teams warming up. Jim is just back from a holiday in Italy where he attended 13 matches in a sixteen day break and he was telling me about some of the games. He even managed to watch the Fiorentina v Hearts game from the home end.  Spartans had defeated Berwick 3-0 in the East of Scotland Challenge Cup on 15th October. Since then the squad has been strengthened by the return from injury of Michael Herd, Bradley Wh