David Stoker

Great to see you today Kev ⚽️

Game 30: Whitburn Juniors 3-2 Steins Thistle.
Steins gave a good account of themselves, but I don't think they can argue too much about the result.
Whitburn the better side but made quite hard work of it.
Steins finished with nine men.
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: Steak Pie, Whitburn Junior FC. A scruffy little fella this one with lots of boil over. Putting appearances aside, it was good. The innards were delightful, moreish gravy, but I'd like to have seen a deeper fill.
💷 £3
⭐️ 7.5
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Eventful first half in Whitburn with four goals.
Whitburn have led twice but to their credit, Steins Thistle have pegged them back. So all to play for at 2-2.
Wouldn't rule out extra time to settle it.
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

It's a landmark day for both clubs, neither of whom have competed in the Scottish Cup before.
Steins have qualified as Scottish Amateur Cup winners.
Whitburn won the Alex Jack Cup, then a three way play-off to earn their place.
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

I love to watch the Scottish Cup from end to end.
It seems like yesterday when Aberdeen lifted last season's competition at Hampden, but we're off again today.
I've gone for Whitburn Juniors v Steins Thistle as my chosen Preliminary Round One tie.
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 29: Glasgow University 1-8 Dalry Thistle.
An absolute pumping for the Students at the hands of an impressive Dalry side that was always on the front foot putting their opponents under pressure.
Their goal haul included two second half penalties.
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

The first half has been a good watch at Airdrie.
The Uni opened the scoring when Dalry failed to defend a straight ball through the middle.
Dalry have since turned it around, two good finishes. Chances missed by both sides too.
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Have ducked for some Friday night football in the West of Scotland League.
Glasgow University have got their season off to a great start in the Third Division. They host Dalry Thistle tonight at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie.
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Every week until Accies are back in Hamilton under safe stewardship, I'm tying a ribbon to a tree outside NDP.

A quiet ritual to remind me what we should all be fighting for.

If you want to join in and do the same, we could have quite a nice display soon.

#BringAcciesHome

Game 28: Cowdenbeath Central 0-7 St Andrews United.
Shootie-in for the visitors. They led 3-0 at half time and were just as dominant after the break.
Central's goalie had a mixed night - some good saves late on, but also conceded a couple of soft goals.
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: Steak Pie, Cowdenbeath Central FC.
I've not had many good pies this season. This bucked the trend. An excellent filling, sliced beef in a light gravy. Melted in the mouth. Pastry was under baked, dropping my score a touch. Tremendous value.
💷 £2.50
⭐️ 9
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

It's East of Scotland action for me for the second night running.
A rare new place to visit as new league members Cowdenbeath host St Andrews United in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup. A basic but tidy venue at Venters Park.
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 27: Stoneyburn Juniors 1-1 West Calder United. Stoneyburn won 7-6 on pens.
A wee bit of a shock win for Stoneyburn. An uber competitive game that extended to a lengthy shoot out of 20 kicks, 7 missed with none actually saved. Nearly dark at the end.
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

It's football night again, and I've travelled to deepest West Lothian, an area I know well.
I'm taking in some East of Scotland action as Stoneyburn Juniors host near neighbours West Calder United at Beechwood Park.
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

This is such a non story. The PM is horrendously underpaid.
£188k to run a council with thousands of staff and a budget in the hundreds of millions isn't excessive.

Game 26: East Kilbride YM 3-3 East Kilbride Thistle.
1-0 down at HT, YM gave away two horrific goals and had a mountain to climb.
They got two penalties to set up an grandstand finish, equalised with four minutes left and could have won it at the end.
#davesfootballtravels

Not a pie review: Cheeseburger, East Kilbride YM FC. There's a new kiosk at Kirktonholme but sadly no pies. This cheeseburger alternative was decent enough and well priced. Onions would have added to the experience but had a lot worse. Service a bit slow.
💷 £3
⭐️ 6
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Half time in the East Kilbride derby and its the visitors Thistle who lead 1-0. They've been the better side but it's not been a great game so far.
EK YM look like a side that needs to adjust to the higher tempo at this level.
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Football day.
A wee bit of history for me today as East Kilbride YM host East Kilbride Thistle in the first ever East Kilbride derby in the @OfficialWoSFL.
Kirktonholme is the venue for this one, half a mile down the road from Thistle's Show Park.
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 25: Hibernian 1-2 FC Midtjylland.
Heartbreak for Hibs as their Danish opponents pull a spectacular 118th minute winner right out of the top drawer. Their first goal was a beauty as well. Bushiri equalised in-between times.
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Extra time required at Easter Road after a goalless draw.
For me, Hibs are a wee bit fortunate to get this far. Midtjylland the better side for the last hour of the game.
Hibs disjointed middle to front but have defended well.
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: Scotch Pie, Hibernian FC. The standard Pars Foods mince pie. Decent enough, but this one was poorly prepared. Oven too hot I'd say. Didn't affect the filling too much, but really dried out the outside pastry.
💷 £3.50
⭐️ 5
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

A goalless but very entertaining first half at Easter Road.
Hibs started well and they've had a goal chopped off for offside, but they looked increasingly ragged as half time approached as Midtjylland exerted pressure.
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Got to think about the coefficient mate. I want all the Scottish teams to win, even Rantic.

Football night again and some more glamorous European fitba for me as Hibernian take on Danish side FC Midtjylland.
By all accounts Hibs could have won the first leg, which finished level. Hopefully they do the job tonight at a packed Easter Road.
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 24: BSC Glasgow 3-1 Campbeltown Pupils.
A fine second half comeback by BSC to win.
They were the better side all evening, but only found their shooting boots after half time.
A spirited show from Pupils but they ran out of steam a bit.
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: Scotch Pie, BSC Glasgow FC. Had low expectations, expected it to be Bell's pie territory potentially, but this was excellent. Pastry not much to look at but had a nice crunch. Superb filling, seasoned to perfection. Very nice.
💷 £2.50
⭐️ 7
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Half time at Peterson Park and Campbeltown Pupils lead 1-0. A well taken goal midway through the half.
Fair to say that BSC Glasgow have made most of the running, but they are lacking quality in the final third.
#davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Across the city for tonight's #davesfootballtravels.
It's West of Scotland League's Fourth Division action as BSC Glasgow host Campbeltown Pupils.
A rare midweek outing for Pupils for obvious travelling reasons.
Given they've made the effort to get to Peterson Park, I thought I would too.