The Mantis

I just assumed forresjags was being sarcastic...

Aww don't go all Bannerman on us now Here's my take on it, bearing in mind I'm based in the "Central Belt" but actively petitioned for Caley to get a place, back in the day. There's no conspiracy by the SFA. The SFA are the clubs. Football clubs vote selfishly. It's happening right now in the Pyramid below the SLFL as all the ex-Junior clubs moan about extra travel. So if I'm the treasurer of Albion Rovers I'm going to vote Gala Fairydean rather than Deveronvale, based on the cost of buses, and getting time off work, and of course the well known fact that such fixtures always happen on a wet Tuesday night in January Inverness Thistle might have squeaked in, in 1974. I believe the vote was something like 19-18. But the Highland vote was split 3 ways while only 2 Lowland clubs applied. So maybe the Highland clubs should have "voted tactically" and agreed to put their weight behind one club. In 1994, you say that 'they' (the SFL btw, not the SFA) 'had to let us in'. But the vote was overwhelming. Mainly because the big clubs didn't care who got in, but could see that Inverness deserved a club in the league, as the only conurbation in the Highlands ( Dingwall, not so much. Should have been Elgin). TBF, there aren't many/any communities in the Highlands much bigger than the likes of Brechin or Cowdenbeath, who are often held up as examples of 'deadwood'. Leagues form in populous areas and spread outwards. That's why the HL was mainly Inverness, Ross and Moray. To their shame they 'found ways to exclude' Brora till 1962, Wick till 1994, Fort till 1985 and Cove till 1986 To mention Kelty is a bit of a contradiction as they are in effect a "Central Belt" club. After all the complaints about bias, it's maybe worth saying 'be careful what you wish for'. Pre-1994, the HL was very strong and we always did well in the Cup, and got huge crowds even for the likes of Albion Rovers, so we had the excuse that we could do better if only we were allowed in. Looking back, the HL is now awful, but our SPFL clubs now get national exposure on TV, so it was a trade-off - some people might think it wasn't worth it. One last point - the Highlands has about 1/7 of the Scottish population. But at Tier 5, it has 17 clubs while the south has only 16. From next season, it looks like the HL is finally opening up places to competition, but up till now it has operated like some kind of gentleman's club.

Watching this on a stream. Brora led but a Nathan Austin hat trick has sunk them.

Nathan Austin has just completed a hat trick for Kelty v Brora. So no big playoff final at Dudgeon Park this year.

If Cove come up we’ll have to wait and see what cringe-making name the media invent for the new ‘derby’.

This was the Isle of Lewis berthing at Ullapool last Monday. Taken with the phone.

Aye it’s the old faithful the Isle of Lewis that’s on just now. I bet you can’t get Lasagne like that on the Pentland Ferries though

Haha! In Lewis atm. Struggling to get decent WiFi for tonight’s game. That’s looking across Loch Kishorn to Beinn Bhan and the Bealach na Ba.

Aye, hence the smiley.

“Former Aberdeen man” aye, right.

Just checked the squad thread which has slipped onto page 2. Seems Toddy is out of contract. Hope we can keep him but looking at the list, I’m not bothered about any of the rest.

11 draws out of 26 is where it went wrong. Look out for no 12 on Friday as a point keeps Ayr up. Dan has improved immeasurably this season and clubs will be looking at him. I have to admit I thought Roddy was a better player but getting a regular start has brought Dan on to the point he wants to nutmeg all the big name players. Think it was Andy Halliday this week

Never realised Partick won on Tuesday. Last I looked, Falkirk and Cove were neck and neck

We've got the core of a decent side, I'm more optimistic than a year ago. Don't forget Falkirk. Or maybe Cove are a bigger worry.

Cracking final day next Friday, shame we've not got a dug in the race. Arbroath, Morton and Ayr all playing for 8th and Dundee and Rovers playing for 2nd.

FT 4-3. Ah well, next year.

Arron Lyall looks well capable. The Hearts centre is a big diddy.

Boyce hasn't had his goal yet though...

Yeah Cammy's struggling, although like most commentators this season, he's actually Allardice

Bright start but that sloppy goal has sucked all the belief out of us. Second was unlucky, third was criminal. just for the record, I never rated Storey first time even when he had his magic hat. Get rid pronto. Welsh is obviously a Hibby, he's putting it about. Not an excuse but the pitch seems too slick for what we're used to. Dead rubber next week.

I've a feeling even Naelifts will stump up for this one. Or more likely invite all the neighbours round and have a collection.

Must have been 0-5 v Arabs just after the Hearts game, did we not have THREE sent off? Edit - just checked - maybe just Tansey and Watkins. March 2014.

That was a sickener. Really bizarre for me watching that. I had a Zoom call at 7.30 so the first half hour was fine. Iain Auld did well as main commentator (although his mic was crap) but that other balloon kept butting in. At 7.30 I muted it and put the game in a separate window, lucky my computer is 27". However I never saw the Allardice sending off so I wondered why Dundee were murdering us but I did see Adam was part of the reason. Then I never realised the Dundee goal was disallowed, it said 0-1 for ages and I thought Dan's goal was an equaliser Thought Brad's was a straight red though, terrible challenge. Then I thought Dundee had won it, the free kick straight in to where we had a centre half only seconds previously to make it 1-2. Then I wondered what was wrong with the scoreboard, till my Zoom call ended and I unmuted the last few minutes. Relief that we weren't beaten by the Dees in a league game yet. I think we're stuffed though, I predicted fifth place away back in the winter and I think it's a hill too far now. Only positive for Saturday is that Deas will get back to his best position and Cammy can come in. Edit - forgot to mute myself and let out a roar when Dan scored. Never mind, only 19 people on the Zoom meeting.

2 points Shirley?

Station Bar, Tutties Neuk, Steak & Haggis Pie, Smokies