The Mantis

He’s a likeable big guy who has done well to follow (follow) a professional career despite having very limited talent. At least it’s the County fans who have to put up with his dad on the forum nowadays. One County fan was telling me he even uses his real name

As a fellow grandad I was just pulling your pisser… mind you our resident hack tells us (ad nauseam) that the area isn’t big enough for 2 clubs so I commend you for your efforts in underwriting both, though it probably won’t catch on.

Bit of a stretch though as Smith and White never actually started. However we’ll take big Jordan back if you’re finished with him. Never thought I would ever say that

Mixed feelings as Annan has a couple of fantastic pubs between the station and the ground . New Bayview is in a pretty uninspiring location near the docks - a bit like the Longman then. Seriously though it’s a welcome change and for our many East of Scotland based fans there’s a new direct rail link between Edinburgh Waverley and Leven station which is within walking distance of the ground. We have only played there once as they moved mid-season and it was played on a Sunday in our promotion season in 1999 with an early kickoff as their lights weren’t ready. We lost 3-2 after playing for most of the game without Paul Cherry who was red carded. Like ourselves, Dick will surely have a rebuilding job as many of his squad will not have the legs for the step up to League 1.

Peanut sat amongst us that day…

Oh aye, we've experienced it ourselves in 2022 when we had that marathon against Arbroath then we had to play the final without Devine & Duffy after the sendings off. Even fairer would be a straight 11th v 2nd but that's never going to happen. I think I heard that the SFA or SPFL keeps the bulk of the takings at that level so more games suits them.

Ah right. My apologies, my ageing brain is struggling to cope with teams trying to win to stay in our league and others trying to win to get out. Mind you I’m not too fond of the Excelsiordome or whatever it’s called these days. Apart from losing a cup final there and suffering a record defeat, it’s soulless, out of town and far too big due to the 10000 seats.

Correct choice I think, 3 red cards and 5 goals, played like a proper cup tie. Had the odd glimpse of the Partick game but it seemed like they had burned themselves out against Ayr and Brian Graham going from hero to zero. Better watching wee Dick swearing at the ref. I’ll reserve judgement on Healy as I’ve seen his name come up for a few years but he seems to be used a lot as a sub. The other flair player Laaref didn’t impress me all that much, plenty skill but not a great contribution. Looking forward to the second leg as it’s wide open. The Fifers have a load of experience from players we know well - Trouten, McKenna and Austin, and the two ancient centre backs Munro and Easton. The left back is Reis Peggie who by coincidence spent a year at my local team, Bonnyrigg, but was lured back over the Forth by wee Dick. I still feel Annan will prevail…

I’m going to start with EFFC v Annan on Alba at 7.30 and see how it goes.

I take it that’s a prediction rather than your preference? &nbsp I would like Airdrie and East Fife but predict it’ll be Cove and Annan. I’ve really seen enough of those two this season. Although Cove might be easier for the points than Airdrie who could be potential title challengers.

Getting clearer... Alloa Hamilton ICT Kelty Montrose Peterhead QoS Stenhousemuir Airdrie or Cove Annan or East Fife

Cheers Gandalf

Elgin will be gutted - the derby next season is looking unlikely. 2-4 down to Annan at home at half time. Meanwhile Stenny 0-2 Airdrie so more visits to the Station Hotel in Larbert looking very likely.

If you were at Montrose on Saturday you would have been encouraged by the huge number of youngsters we had along. There have often been false dawns it has to be said but since Kell took over the life has certainly been breathed back into the club. We had a problem queuing to get in and only one turnstile was open (a Montrose official was saying that they were told to expect 200 ICT fans but 400 had turned up - Laura from the ST will dispute this as apparently we told them to expect 350). League 1 clubs are not prepared for supports of this size ( although heaven knows how they coped with Falkirk for 5 years) and the sooner we get back to the Championship, the better. We will probably be favourites next season so that will bring Kell a different kind of pressure.