The Mantis

Things might have changed since I was last there in 2020 before the big P. Otherwise yes, you’re talking mince. It’s a weird setup as you actually drive between the pavilion and the pitch. If you do drive up, the area around the pitch can be pretty boggy so rather than get stuck at the top corner, you need to carry on round behind the goals to the far side.

I had looked at a short break in Manchester with Mrs Mantis round about the turn of the year so I looked at the fixtures as it’s only about 7 mins in the train from Manchester. Seems like that uncovered end is the only public sale, the rest must be STs. Most games were selling out pretty early too. Still a possibility for next year, maybe they’ll be losing more games anyway…

I can see both sides tbh. These so called regional papers with their syndicated content from England can get on your tits. But at the same time, my experience when I was helping out Whitehill was that there was a poor guy covering nearly everything, not just sport. This was the Midlothian Advertiser. We agreed to submit something on Whitehill every Monday, and he kept a space for us. But some Mondays you were a bit busy, or just forgot, and he was ringing around trying to get hold of somebody. One weekend I was in the Lake District and he rang me about noon on Monday as I was coming off the hill Haven’t bought the Advertiser for years mind you, I’m sure it’ll be all about the Rose…

Ah yes, and on the Sunday night, John Robertson’s 1st division ICT knocked them out of the Scottish …

Not really much of a risk on your part though is it? I would think something more like turning up in the scud, with a bit of whipped cream between your bollocks, so you could say you were dressed as a meringue.

I think his grandson is turning out to be a good replacement...

Whitehill Welfare 5 Stoneyburn 0. Just like the good old days at Ferguson Park as a double from Lewis Walker & goals from Ty O’Neill, Lewis Collins & Jonny Devers secure the win which takes the Welfare through to the last 8 of the King Cup.

Another who was at the Pennypit. Ian Flynn's Vale side much improved but still seeking their first point. Two mistakes around the half hour had them behind at half time. Another two quick-fire goals after the break had dominant Preston 4-0 up, but two terrific finishes on the break from Daniel Taylor made it 4-2 before Vale had a glorious chance for a tap-in which would have made it a nervy end for the home side. Final score 4-2. Obligatory pre-match visit to the Goth in the Pans where they had Peelywally from the Winton Brewery.

No, Bennett only made 4 appearances but Mitchell was gone the year before, and Smart left at the end of 94-95 having only made 3 appearances.

Let’s face it, the team that won div 3 in 96-97 with Charlie, Herchie, Stewarty, Noble etc would beat this lot.

That’s absolute lazy bollocks from Tony that we’re a defensive team that puts 10 men behind the ball. We’re just fucking hopeless. Oh aye, we don’t concede many, but we have a midfield that can’t create, relying on a 35 year old striker.

The Clyde fans arriving a day early. Boom boom!

Went along to Neilston 0 Kilwinning 2 in the WOSFL Div 1, courtesy of Scotrail £17 offer. A couple of pints in the Horseshoe and the Drum and Monkey in between trains. The second week in a row watching the Buffs and this week, led by veteran striker Bryan Boylan, they were comfortable against the bottom club. Goalless at ht but a quick goal and a late clincher, both by no 7 Mark Lamont, settled it on a day when everybody was frozen stiff. A few phone pics below plus a crappy old Kodachrome taken at my last visit in 1996 where the Farmer's Boys were flattered by the 4-0 scoreline as they knocked Bonnyrigg Rose out of the SJC. Th

Wasting your time reasoning with such a prejudiced individual. Assured me months ago that he had been to plenty LL games but never provided any examples. Doubt he’s ever been east of Harthill Services. If everything he says is true then he wouldn’t have been back after his first one Also waiting to hear why Gala and Gretna are “plastic clubs”. Obviously never been to either, or even Edinburgh Uni which is actually a decent experience although their hard core support is probably only about 30. Gala appear to have a better core support than Darvel and have a proud history in the EOSL.

And a win at last yesterday, although it was the League Cup? Do you know who got the goals?

…and a win fir the Vale

Tranent 3 Kilwinning Rangers 0 (ht 2-0). South Challenge Cup Q-Final at Foresters Park. A comfortable win for the Belters who progress to a home semi-final against EK. First half goals from Cammy Ross (I think) and Scott Gray plus a third from Ross. The Buffs no 15 McCalman has one of the longest throws in the universe. Foresters is always a good place for a visit but there seems to be a dearth of decent boozers in Tranent and none near the ground.

Visit to "probably the best away day in the SPFL" last Saturday. Steak and Black Pudding pie, Tutties, 2 ginormous smokies to take home. Mixed feelings about it as we don't really want to be there next season...

Here's the No 1 away day as seen last Saturday. Will it be our last for a while? Mixed feelings

Aye, also decent. I’ve actually got P7, W3, D3, L1 at Ibrox. Wish I hadn’t bothered the last time on Xmas Eve 2016. Lost 1-0 with Foran’s team and got relegated that season, never to return, so far.

ICT fans have been right royally spoiled for the past 30 years. And we’re paying for it now… The only grounds in the entire SPFL where I have seen ICT fail to win are East Fife, Stranraer and Ainslie. Still to see ICT play at Bonnyrigg, Elgin, Peterheid, Annan and Dumbarton. I’ve also seen them at I’ve also got 3 wins at Ibrox and 1 at Parkheid.

We’re going up on Friday for a week. The football will probably start in mid April although it can be Baltic with postponements due to waterlogged pitches. A place like Fivepenny where Ness play can be amazing on the long summer nights. Even had the good luck to see Steve Paterson’s ICT play a friendly there after they won div 3. @sweeneyness was manager last year but they dispensed with his services. I think he was spreading himself rather thinly.

Not just that, but Kenny Miller says we’re doing quite well this season…

Nah, it’s a bit sad that you must be upset/seething/raging if you disagree with anybody on p&b, I’m too much of an auld c**t to care anyway... I’m not from Inverness originally and I don’t care much who likes the place. I was simply, gently, pointing out the irony, which seems to have escaped you, that if “the journey there and back puts you off” then it must be as bad for anybody making the reverse trip…

Well cheers for saying the ground isn't bad when most of us think it's shite. But if I was going by your logic I would have to put Dunfermline in 9th place Shirley? It's a bit like the St Mirren fan who said we had a cheek charging for the car park after all the distance they had to come...