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Armadale Thistle V Newburgh Juniors 5-3. Entry £6, no programme. Crowd, around 200..? in the East of Scotland 2nd division at Volunteer park. A ge that promised goals before hand, but not in the way I had envisioned. The Hosts were 3rd and the visitors a distant bottom of the league at kick off. Newburgh had lost something like 16 league games in a row and Armadale had won there last 9 home games. But the visitors surprised everyone, including their own support by taken the game to the hosts and it provided a very open and entertaining match from the start. Both teams could and should've scored before Strickland gave the Dale the lead on 15 minutes. But Newburgh got a deserved equaliser on 20 minutes before Wood restored the hosts lead after 29 minutes. Both teams continued to attack, but Armadale looked the more likely before half time. The second half started with Armadale in Control and creating more chances. But the hard working visitors always looked likely to get back into the game and that they did when McPhate fired a half volley into the net on 60 minutes and they further shocked the hosts by taken the lead on 70 minutes. The game at this point was end to end (to be fair it had been end to end from the start..!) Armadale equalised through good win play and the crossed was fired home by Ramage for 3-3 on 74 minutes. Both teams continued to create chance after chance but it was the hosts who took the lead on 82 minutes when Murphy made it 4-3. At this point the game finally settled down a bit! Armadale took the sting out of the game by playing it about a bit and going for the corners, Newburgh tried to get back into it. But this was put to bed when deep into injury time a great run into the box resulted in the forward being fouled and a penalty awarded. Fairly stepped up and shot a left footer into the roof of the net on 95 minutes to make it 5-3 and bring an end to the tremendous and breathless match.

I had planned on going to a junior game, Shotts Bon Accord or Tayport where my two main choices. But both fell foul of the horrible weather this week. So played it safe and settled for a game with an artificial pitch. Raith Rovers V Ayr united. Rovers won 2-1 to maintain their push for promotion. Crowd was 3579. Ticket £22 programme £3 with a free match poster thrown in as well, which was designed my a young Rovers fan. The first half was a largely non event as both defences were comfortably on top with very little/next to no goal mouth action in very windy conditions. Just as the fans though thought it would be 0-0 at half time. Birthday boy Dylan Easton picked the ball up on the left, ran into the penalty area and curled a beautiful shot into the top corner to give Rovers the lead. The second half started with a slight delay as a Raith fan appeared to be injured folding up a flag in the disused stand, medical staff were called and they were taken away, an ambulance was called (hope they are ok). Ayr showed a bit more ambition at the start of the second half and equalised when charmers cut in from the right and curled a left foot shot past the Raith goalkeeper. Ayr seemed to be on top now with the ever stronger wind at their backs, I didn't understand why the Raith Keeper kept launching his kicks long and high because he struggled to get near the half way line. Raith though d8d manage to take the lead when they next got forward causing panic in the penalty area a player was fouled and the referee pointed pointed to the spot. Jack Hamilton sent the keeper the wrong way to give Raith the lead and ultimately the win. The referee next was kind enough to give birthday boy Easton a card, albeit a yellow one rather than birthday... (I'll get my coat.. ) Second half was much better than the first, But Raith won't be concerned, and Ayr look comfortable in midtable.

I would also add the fairly Recent Copenhagen and Bodo/Glimt knock out games. Thought we had a real chance in both ties. But awful home performances put paid to that.

The new Plough Lane is about 100 metres from the original site, but same street. The new stadium has been built on the site of the Greyhound stadium. The original site has flats now. I've only been for a Rugby league game. It looks kinda temporary, like they ate planning on increasing capacity if needed.

If you are struggling with the APP, no smart phone or transfering tickets. There is a ticket both at the South/West tunnell. They'll print of a paper ticket for you. Staff at the Ticket office when asked if they will give options like paper ticket/pdf as well as digital said they are looking into it. But are trying to 'push everyone to use the app.

Challenge Cup final at Falkirk. Airdrieonians V TNS. 2-1 Airdrie. Crowd 3191. Ticket £20 programme £5. I've been meaning to go to this final for years now. But I always seemed to be working when it's on. But made it this year. The match was very open in the first half and TNS took a 12 th minute lead when the speedy Young crossed for Clark to score at the back post after a blistering counter attack. Airdrie though had also been looking dangerous and equalised on 22 minutes when McStravick hit a half volley into the top corner from outside the box. The match was end to end and very entertaining. Both teams could and probably should've scored again. The second half wasn't as exciting and Airdrie took control. TNS who were impressive in the first half lost their way a bit. And Airdrie took the lead when a clumsy challenge on the edge of the box resulted in a penalty. Todorov hit it low and hard to the goalkeepers right, he dived the right way but it was a good penalty. TNS FLfoufht back but excellent defending fr9m Aordrie and a couple of near misses meant that the cup would be staying in Scotland.

First of a triple header over the next four days. James McGrory Park for St Roch's V Kilbirnie Ladeside 0-0, Crowd 400 or so. Entry £8. West if Scotland Division 1. Though this finished 0-0 it was a decent game. The Candy though will thank goalkeeper Ethan Mitchell for the point though as he made a string of fantastic saves before and after the hosts were reduced to 10 men when Galasso was shown a straight red for a late tackle after 30 minutes. I thought the red was harsh, a yellow would've sufficed. But the referee then nearly caused himself trouble with his inconsistency when he then let two similar tackles go unpunished, except for a free kick (one for each team) if he showed a red for the first the hosts were lucky not be be reduced to 9 a few moments later. The Hosts did have a few chances before the red card and after. But Kilbirnie Ladeside will be kicking themselves that they didn't win this. They almost snatched the 3 points at the death when they hit the post only for the rebound to be blasted over!

Whitburn Juniors V Whitehill Welfare at Central Park. 1-0. Crowd 540. Entry £8 programme £2. This was the last of the Groundhop games this weekend. And the only one I could make. Had a schoolboy error and agreed to over time on Friday so missed the Armadale game, which I had planned to do. The match was played on a very heavy pitch which cut up very badly, very quickly. It's a credit to both teams that they managed to try and play football on it. The game though was very tight, with the hosts having a goal disallowed in the first half when the forward was deemed to be interfering with play as a header from the edge of the box from his team mate (who was not offside) went in. Whitburn though had the better chances and got their goal on around 67 minutes when a corner was turned home by Darren Liddell. Whitburn could've had a second as they hit the post and had another chance cleared. But had to settle for a deserved 1-0 win.

Lochburn Park for Maryhill 0 V Ardrossan Winton Rovers 3. West of Scotland Division 2. Entry £6 programme £2. Crowd around 200. Midtable Maryhill hosting league leaders AWR. The hosts had the better of the first half as they controlled most of the game. Number 10 for Maryhill was the stand out player. Dictating play in midfield. But they couldn't really get that chance to take the lead. The visitors who seemed to be playing within themselves were making their manager very unhappy as he spent most of the first half roaring at his team! They helped him relax a bit though by taking a 38th minute lead when a long ball forward seen number 20 run through and chip the goalkeeper to give AWR an undeserved half time lead. The second half started better for the visitors as they again profited from a long ball and number 9 chipped the goalkeeper again. The third was a second for number 9 as the visitors dominated the second half. The match petered out for a deserved 3 points for the leaders. Absolutely loved the ground. Good pies. An impressive but small club shop and bar.

Finished Maryhill 0 Ardrossan 3

Maryhill 0 Ardrossan 1 at half time.

Hill of Beath Hawthorn v West Calder United. East of Scotland league cup round 1. HT 2-0 FT 4-3. Attendance 120ish. Ticket £8 programme £2. Premier Division V Fourth tier. And the first half showed it as Haws dominated and really should've been more than two up at the break. Goals fro. Ross Allum and a own goal. West Calder improved in the second half and took the game more to the hosts. They got a goal back through a penalty, before Ross Allum completed his hatrick to make it 4-1 with two beautiful finishes from outside the box, one left the other right footed. The visitors though got themselves back in it with two goals, one when the host goalkeeper made a mess playing out from the back. Despite their efforts though they couldn't forsake extra time. Hawthorn held on for a deserved win in this thriller. Kiers park is a cracking wee ground too. As are the pies

My last full day in Portugal was on Sunday the 4th February and another double header was planned. First up was supposed to be 2nd tier SC Leixoes V CD Nacional at 11am. Tickets were free (Normally €5 or €10) as Leixoes had been struggling and crowds were down, they planned a family day with free entry to all. Ibarrived at Matosinhos (20 minutes by metro from Central porto) about an hour before kick off, every thing was going well. Fanzone plenty of early arrivals and a nice atmosphere building. Now I'm not 100% sure of the back story, but the previous evening there was trouble at the Famalicao v Sporting CP game when the police refused to Police the game out of safety, not sure what came first though. The trouble or the police refusing to police the game then the fans kicking off! I'd stoken to a couple of Portuguese fans who thought the latter! Anyway. 25 minutes before kick off with the police sitting in a van near the turnstiles a club official came out and said the game was off because of the police. A second game at Feirense was always called of late for the same reason. I felt for both clubs, Leixoes because they had made such and effort. But also for Nacional who are from Madeira and its quite a lot of money for a club to travel that far for no game (as well as any fan, I seen two on the metro, whether they travelled from Madeira though I don't know) So with that part of the plan scuppered. I headed back into the centre and got my train to Braga for my last game of the trip. Braga is about 1 hour north of Porto by train. It gave me a bit more time to sightsee at least. The match was SC Braga V Moreirense in the Primeira liga. Ticket was €15. No programme. The Municipal de Braga is again a cracking ground as you probably all know. Two huge double tiered 15000 all seater stands, and nothing behind both goals other than a hill and a huge dug out quarry. Definitely architecturally and visually stunning. Which is more than what can be said of the match. Braga took an early lead through Ruiz then both teams tidily just passed the ball around in possession between themselves for the rest of the game. The match was just very defensive with little in the way of goalmouth action. The biggest cheer of the night was for a Moreirense player being subbed on. Castro who had just left Braga after a successful 4 year stint there. Getting to the ground was easy enough. Its just a mile north down a steep winding. With the walk back up the very steep hill! A fantastic trip. 9 games for a total of €96 in tickets. Great value, superb football and some pretty interesting stadiums, mostly.

The second game on the 3rd February was Porto V Rio Ave 0-0. Crowd was 39330, at the Estadio do Dragao. An absolutely stunning stadium for a few build. Ticket was the most expensive of the week at €21. There again wasn't a programme but they do produce a monthly magazine which previews up and coming games, which I bought. (not quite like the Kilmarnock issue though) Despite being 0-0 this was actually a decent watch. Mainly a Porto attack against a very disciplined Rio Ave defence. After 2 minutes though Porto were awarded a penalty, but a quick VAR Check overturned it for Evanilson diving. He then received a yellow card. Porto then had the ball in the net on 10 minutes. But a more lengthy VAR check then disallowed it for offside. Porto kept playing their short sharp passing game and creating chances, but some fantastic defending kept them out. On 39 minutes a brilliant quick move resulted in Porto having the ball in the net again, only for VAR again to interven and give another offside. The crowd were getting restless, but to the players credit it didn't seem to bother them as they just kept playing. Rio Ave did have an opportunity or two and almost scored in-between the two disallowed goals when they broke forward and a shot went just wide of the post. The second half was more of the same. Attack against defence. Bit Rio Ave held out for a point. They did finish with 10 men though when Boatang relieved a second yellow card for a foul.

To carry on my trip in Portugal, had a double header on Saturday 3rd February. Only 45 minutes south of Porto was AD Ovarense V Juveforce Adc Ponte Vagos 1-1. in the regional 5th tier Aviero Campeonate. Tickets were €5. Again no programmes (didn't expect any) this was actually a decent match for its level and a decent crowd of over 400. Ovarense in a Queen's Park style strip are over 100 years old with their opponents only 9. Looking at the table this should have been a home banker as the hosts were unbeaten at home and Juveforce had been poor away. But recent form suggested it would be closer, and that's how it turned out. 0-0 at half time the visitors took the lead after a mix up at the back with a right footed shot into the bottom corner. The natives weren't happy! Given the manager a bit of abuse. They did show some resolve though and equalised 10 minutes late to claim a point. A decent if old and slightly crumbling ground with two decent size stands and unused flat standing behind one goal and opposite the main stand.

Headed down to Lisbon as part of my trip and thankfully found a game after all the messing about Liga Portugal do when scheduling games. And thankfully the only game on turned out to be an absolute thriller! A women's Champions league match against SL Benfica v European Champions FC Barcelona 4-4. Ticket was €5, return ferry to Seixal (6.10) where Benfica have their training ground and a 10 minute walk. Both teams had already qualified for the knockout stages and Benfica had a horrendous record in the 3 matches they have played against Barcelona (0-9, 2-6 and 0-5) and after 20 minutes of this game I feared another hiding for the hosts cheered on by 2307 fans as they went 0-2 down. But they seem to be made of sturner stuff now as they fought back to 2-2 at half time before going 2-3 down. Benfica then went 4-3 up as an own goal from Lucy Bronze put the home fans in dream land. But Narcelona aren't European Champions for nothing. They laid seige to the Benfica goal and Lucy Bronze made up for her own goal with a 95 minute header from a corner to give both teams a fair share of the points in a breathless game.

Penafiel V CD Freiense in the Portuguese 2nd tier. 2-1. Crowd 1240. No programmes. Ticket free (I couldn't find the ticket window and a member just handed me his spare. Saved myself €5/10. Stadium was about 1 mile hike up a very steep set of hills (google maps informed me ot was 'mainly flat' terrain!!!) The game was actual decent and entertaining. Penafiel went 2-0 up after 26 minutes when their right winger terrorist the poor left back, and sending in two crossed for fairly identical goals. First was a bullet header the other a tap in after the keeper spilled the initial shot. Freiense were much better in the second half though and scored with 20 minutes left when a good move found number 10 alone in the box and he fired into the far corner. Freiense should have left with a point but missed a few other chances. The walk back to the station was a lot easier and took half the time as it was vertically down hill... A few days off from the football now to do a bit of actual sightseeing

Photos from Boavista and Gil Vicente. Tonight I'll be heading to Penafiel v CD Freiense

Had a busy couple of days to my Portugal jaunt. 4 games already. First up was the League cup final in Leiria on Saturday 27th. SC Braga V Estoril Praia. 1-1 (5-4 pens to Braga) crowd 18989. Ticket €20. A4 programme free. A cracking game with Braga mainly in control but Estoril playing a quick counter attacking game. They took the lead in the 5th minute with a VAR checked penalty when Jose Fonte tripped Cassiano, who scored. The penalites were all scored until the last one which was blasted over to give Braga the cup. Shout out to the Estoril fans who never stopped singing for the whole night, despite being out numbered. You all need to check out Ricardo Hortas goal for Braga. Brilliant technique and finish. Sunday was a triple header. First up at 11am was Valadares Gaia women v SC Braga women. 2-1. Crowd 400. Ticket £2. No programmes. Another good game, Braga 3rd against 7th placed Valadares. Braga were firm favourites. But it didn't work out that way. Braga scored early with a tap in, but the hosts had a goal disallowed for offside but gained their reward with an equaliser. The second half seen Valadares dominate and gain a well deserved winner. Next was Boavista v Portimonense 1-4 at 3.30. Ticket €12.50. Crowd 6719. No programmes. Again a shock result as Portimonense put behind their dreadful away record (6 heavy defeats in 9 games). Boavista to be fair weren't as bad as the scoreline suggests. Just that the visitors were clinical in front of goal, Boavista weren't! It was 0-3 at half time. Including a superb free kick from 20 yards. Boavista scored midway through the second half after a headed flick from a corner, but Portimonense scored a fourth on the counter as Boavista got caught trying to get a second. Final game of the day was up in Barcelos for the Derby game between Gil Vicente v Vitoria Guimaraes 1-0. Ticket €10. Crowd 7617. No programmes. A cracking atmosphere where the crowd appeared bigger than what was given. The game started well with both teams intent on attacking but defences were well on top. It wasn't until the 85th minute when Gil Vicente shocked Vitoria and scored the winner to sent the home fans home very happy.

Ive left behind the utterly miserable weather in Scotland and I'm taking one for the team just now. In warm and sunny Oporto having a Beer. Its a dirty job, but someone's got to do it!

I've a good grasp of Italian and German. I lived in Italy for a few years. That helped massively and I've German relatives who I speak to in German and them English to me. It works. To keep it up I read Magazines, books and watch TV shows and listen to music in Italian. I'm lucky that I have a couple of Italian colleagues who I can speak to. I do find my reading and listening in both is stronger than my speaking. Especially in italian

No tickets again . I'd booked cheap return flights to Geneva 15th to 22nd June, incase I got lucky. Going to have to make do with slumming in Switzerland for a week instead...

I've met and all seemed nice enough. singer/Songwriter KT Tunstall, comedian Rory Bremner and Rugby players Brian O'Driscoll and Sean Fitzpatrick.

For Celtic it looks like Bobby Hogg. Who played 328 games for us between 1932 and 1948. He was a defender. In modern times I would've said Tommy Boyd. But he scored twice in 364 games. Including one I witnessed as he scrambled home a goal at Brockville to give us a 2-1 win (I think it was the winner..?!) Closest in modern times is Tosh McKinlay who never scored in 139 games for Celtic.

There was some bloke who recently was all over the news about sex trafficking and some other horrendous stuff. Think he was hiding in Romania or somewhere. Either American or British. He was one of those Internet influencer types... So famous. I can't even remember his name... But seemed as big (if not bigger) a c*** as Joey Barton.