Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Scotland Round Up


That picture up there? That's the earliest surviving map of Great Britain. England is pretty recognizable and Wales is more or less correct. On the other hand, Scotland is crudely rendered like the earliest cave drawings of an erect penis. Just thought I would share. No allegory there whatsoever. Nope.

The fixture list in Scotland this weekend was jumbled by fifth round ties in the SFA Cup. There was intrigue before the weekend fixtures even began, as the SFA had to sort out the fourth round result of Brechin City-Hamilton.
Midweek, Aberdeen was told that their tie against Brechin was postponed, because the aforementioned match needed a replay after Brechin fielded two ineligible players. Aberdeen protested the postponement because their fixture list is full with upcoming Euro and League Cup ties. The SFA assented and did the sensible thing, removing Brechin City from the Cup. In the Fifth round tie, Hamilton outplayed the Premiership hosts, losing (thankfully) on a Zander Diamond 62nd minute goal.

Aberdeen's prize for advancing is a home tie hosting Celtic. Not exactly the draw one hopes for. Celtic slammed Killie 1-5 on Saturday and look to be in great form chasing Rangers for the title. The only other cup tie that was decided over the weekend saw Queen of the South defeating Morton 0-2. Replays will be necessary for Hibs-Rangers, Livingston-Partick Thistle (nil), and St Mirren-Dundee United, all nil draws. Surprise, surprise, Motherwell-Dundee and Ross County-St Johnstone were called off because of weather.

In the First Division, Hamilton Academicals have opened a five point lead on Dundee for the lone promotion spot to the SPL. Stirling looks dead in the water at the foot of the table, with Clyde and Morton losing the race for the negative playoff spot. The Second Division shows a close fight at the top with three points separating three squads. Ross County currently holds the top spot, but are being chased by Raith Rovers and Airdire United. At the bottom, Berwick Rangers (they're in England, BTW) are 13 points adrift. Berwick will be replaced by East Fife who hold a commanding 21 point lead at the top of Division Three.

That's it for me, I'm going to try to find a Sopcast of the Aberdeen-Dundee United League Cup semi. Come on the Dons!

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