The Mantis

Another one from the Figgy Park but not this year...

No perfect outcome obviously. Would rather keep Rovers and Brechin but not bothered about Spartans or Elgin, although Elgin are now safe. Always found Ainslie Park a very sterile environment. Happy to see Bonnyrigg survive. Not everybody’s cup of tea but it’s been great for me to have League fitba on my doorstep, and for Midlothian to have a team in the league. In a sliding doors type scenario, Nitten Star could have been there if the pyramid had started years earlier, and they have a better stadium and one classic pub. Still plenty bitterness there… Some Rose fans seem to think that Robbie Horn has taken them as far as he can and it’s time to move on?

Crackers Steve. We get them around here, rivers and ponds but I’ve never seen any on the shore in the classic pose crunching the fish.

Oh dear… (Apologies - never did master Facebook links. At least you never shipped 12 like the Lochies) Harris 1 Point 7 28 April 2023 So there was to be no repeat of Wednesday’s triumph, as Point laid bare their title credentials in an efficacious manner, without ever being spectacular. Certainly Point can play to a higher standard, but Harris can take heart from the fact that we can too. Injuries (including sunburn – don’t ask!) meant the home squad would see some new faces added, and having that depth to rely on augurs well for what will undoubtedly be a long season ahead, but it doesn’t take Benoit Blanc to work out why a team missing so many regulars might struggle to instantly gel. Point started strongly and opened the scoring from a corner after 16 minutes. On 43 minutes they were four goals to the good without reply. But all were scrappy, and from a Harris point of view (what else do you get on here? ) – all avoidable. You can’t give league champions soft goals. Just before half-time however, a free kick from Kenny MacSween found Chris Thomson, whose headed effort was saved, but then bundled over the line by Domhnall MacRae, who deserved his goal tonight for his overall performance. No need for a coruscating half-time team talk. The goal had provided that spark of hope and for the opening twenty minutes of the second half, the home side enjoyed their best spell of the game, dominating possession, and tested the young Point stopper a number of times. He proved a match for every effort and can be proud of his performance. We were unlucky more than profligate. And so the hope of a Hollywood-style comeback proved illusory, as Point scored their fifth to essentially finish the contest on 66 minutes. The fact that the Point facebook page reported it as “a goal to kick the second half off”, meant that, for good reason, they probably wanted to forget the opening period of that half. Or maybe their reporter was late coming back from the coffee and cake stall… (Top effort again, ladies!) Two more goals slightly flattered the visitors.

My missus has had a couple of meat deliveries off Sweeney (insert Kenneth Williams gif here), I think he has a brother in Edinburgh so he would load up a van with lamb and pork and get going. He’s the guy off Air an Lot on BBC Alba for anybody who doesn’t know.

By Jove, a generous bit of coverage for the Niseachs on AVFTT including cameos from Sweeney and Kenny Macleod.

What happens if there is a playoff? Does it revert to a 2-leg tie rather than the 3-way round robin? And which date(s) of the 3 will be used?

“You win a Crackerjack pencil”

Naw Tam, but the drone’s MUCH quieter and doesn’t know any swearies…

Weds night. King Cup 1/4 Final at the San Fergie, Rosewell. Whitehill Welfare 0 Lochore Welfare 1. In a poor game WW had what looked like a clear goal disallowed with the last attack of the game. The linesman was probably unsighted by the number of bodies on the line. I was about level with him but higher up, and had a better view than from pitch level, and it looked clearly over the line, especially as the goalie dived down and clawed it back before lying on it. However nobody could decide whether there would be extra time or straight to penalties. If it was the former, then even the WW faithful were reasonably happy to go home rather than face another stodgy 30 mins on a chilly night.

And the Niseachs repeat the dose on the Monday, 2-0 at Fivepenny in the Jock Stein Cup. Meanwhile Point crash out of the HAC early, 0-1 at home to Back in el Broadbayico. In the league, wins for Carloway, Point and Westside, and Harris dampen the green and blacks’ title hopes with a 2-1 win at Fivepenny. After 2 rounds, maximum points for Harris and champions Point, while Utd are already struggling with a -8 g.d.

Sunday at Newtongrange Star. Pentland Athletic 2 Edinburgh Caledonian 1. East of Scotland Amateur Cup, semi final. Both goals scored by 35 y.o. man of many clubs, Craig O'Reilly.

I hope you recorded AVFTT then as they were on it while you were posting this

Not random, just fancied a different view at Accies v ICT last night...

Maybe I’m being whooshed here. 1/2 a promotion slot to the HL (and none this year apparently), compared to a virtually guaranteed promotion spot to the LL annually, plus a possible 2 relegations?

It’s a great place on a summer evening. They sell beer too.

Vale of Leithen 0-3 Tynecastle. Didn't fancy the trip up to Cove v ICT for a second time this season, once is bad enough. Plus I had driven about 300 miles on Friday from Uig in Lewis to back home. I know the new management guys at Vale so a few of us went down. Vale gave a good account but the 3 goals were pretty much down to weak goalkeeping tbh, although I don't think they had a shot on target. Obviously the Traquair Arms was part of the plan and I had a couple of pints of Tempest IPA, brewed at Tweedbank, plus a pint of Old Speckled Hen in the U***n club where the Vale have the post-match scran.

The league season got underway last night with 4 games: Carloway 0-5 Back Harris 4-0 United Lochs 1-3 Ness Point 2-1 Aths Unfortunately due to Mrs Mantis’ choice of holiday dates we were on our way home before these games kicked off. Should be back in the summer when the weather should be better. I think the Point v Aths game was switched as Goathill was waterlogged.

I had a post typed but it wouldn’t send as I was on the Ullapool ferry, but I’m not letting it go to waste So: The way I’m reading this is, assuming Lithgae go up, we’re dealing with rows 5-8. Row 5 happens if Spartans replace Elgin. Row 6 - Neither Bonnyrigg nor Rovers come down. Row 7 - Spartans replace Bonnyrigg or Rovers. Row 8 - Buckie or Brechin replace Bonnyrigg or Rovers. Right?

Fair do’s bud. Oh I’ll hold my hands up for the whoosh ok but I haven’t been at your park for many a year so no point in getting a bit miffed cos somebody doesn’t get your in jokes

Being pedantic, it’s two, although one appears to be a right roaster so I’ll give you that Aye, if you want to send them back to the “juniors” all the SPFL2 clubs just have to keep beating them on the park. Simples. One or two in the East as well, you’ll probably make the acquaintance of Linlithgow in a year or two. Newtongrange is decent too. But Scotland has plenty stadiums that are better than the league above, e.g. Dunfermline, Falkirk, and plenty that are terrible for their league, e.g. Cove, Meadowbank. There are even decent grounds in the LL, or the joonyurs as some eejits refer to it, so maybe just get used to it, it’s a bit of a pointless argument imo.

For much of the season it looked like the Sons and the Rose could be two divisions apart next time. Now the reality sets in - you could be stuck with them, hence the whining and snobbery and entitlement Bonnyrigg have had to earn everything they’ve achieved the hard way. They have the Entry licence - that’s why they’re “allowed” to play in the SPFL. From what I’ve seen, Robbie Horn has gradually improved what was a poor squad so I wouldn’t be surprised if they took the three points this time.

60/-, 70/-, 80/- Twice recently I’ve asked for a pint of 80/- only to be met with a blank look, even though it said it on the pump, although it did say Belhaven in a much bigger font (no pun intended).

I was in a place on the west side of the Main Street that served me Wildcat but I can’t see it on the map.

Train to Aviemore, bus to Grantown + pints Tam. Brave man tackling the A9 on the biggest weekend of the year for Englander tourists…