Game 86: Elgin City 4-2 Stirling Albion. Absorbing Scottish Cup tie settled in extra time after Elgin salvaged a draw in injury time. They took full advantage to secure the win. Sore one for Stirling in the circumstances. Att 712. Att 712 #davesfootballtravels ❄️

Pie review: Steak Pie, Elgin City FC. On meat content, one of the best pies I've had - rammed with quality beef. More gravy would have been good and pastry slightly soft, but I'm being hypercritical. Best SPFL pie of my season so far easily. 💷 £3.20 ⭐️ 9 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Today's main event is the Scottish Cup third round tie at Borough Briggs, where Elgin City take on Stirling Albion in an all League Two tie. My first visit since Livingston played a League Cup here in 2013. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

A decent, but scoreless first half in Burghead. Visitors Cruden Bay - without a win all season - have been the better side, and should have opened the scoring. Will be interesting to hear how the rest of the game pans out. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: Mince Pie, Burghead Thistle JFC Mince filling distinct from 'Scotch', basically beef steak mince. Top quality, delicious and moist but all held together. Pastry had a lovely crunch. Extra half point for Gold Star sauce. First class. 💷 £2.50 ⭐️ 9 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

It's football day. Scottish Cup third round action for me this afternoon, but first I've popped up the road to catch the first half of the North of Scotland League game between Burghead Thistle and Cruden Bay at lovely Forest Park. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 84: Hermes 2-2 Bridge of Don Thistle. BoD won 5-4 on pens. A compelling 'Desmond', edgy throughout. Goalless at the break, Hermes scored two quick second half goals before their goalie dropped a clanger then BoD equalised from the spot to force pens. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: Steak Pie, Hermes JFC. Things to appreciate here. Pastry good, including a very puffy puff pastry lid. No doubting the quality of the filling either but there was nowhere near enough quantity, reducing my score accordingly. 💷 £3.50 ⭐️ 7.5 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

A rare foray into North of Scotland League action for me tonight. Now that I've found it (not easy), I'm at Uniconn Park where home side Hermes take on Bridge of Don Thistle in a Grill League Cup semi. A new tick for me in groundhopper parlance. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 83: Motherwell 2-0 Hibernian. A superb win for the 'Well, who controlled the game from start to finish and should have won more comfortably. They'll be a shoo-in for top six in this form. A night to forget for the woeful Hibees. Att 6,585. #davesfootballtravels ❄️

Pie review: Steak Pie, Motherwell FC. Almost went for the Chasni option before going back to this safe bet. Pretty decent on all fronts, but would have appreciated a wee bit more filling for the price tag. Prepared well though and enjoyable. 💷 £4.20 ⭐️8 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

If David Gray had hair he'd be pulling it out after that first half from Hibs. Conceded a penalty, then lost Grant Hanley to a red card in separate VAR checks; shambolic defending to concede another goal; missed an open goal; thoroughly outplayed. #davesfootballtravels ❄️

It's football night. I can't believe how cold it is. Absolutely baltic. I'm hoping that the Premiership duo of Motherwell and Hibernian serve up a game to warm the cockles. #davesfootballtravels ❄️

Game 82: Inverness Caley Thistle 4-0 Queen of the South. A commanding win for Inverness who are looking a good bet to win League One, even with points deducted. Two goals in either half for them against a desperately poor Queens side. Att 2,003. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: 'Scotch Meat Pie', Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC. Can't seem to find a complete pie at the moment. The pastry element of this one was good, but I found the filling to be quite dry and very bland. Didn't taste of much at all. Disappointing. 💷 £3.50 ⭐️ 5 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

A long way back for Queen of the South in Inverness as they trail Inverness Caley Thistle 2-0 at the break. The Invernessians first goal - a thunderous Liam Sole volley - was a thing of beauty, albeit only the fourth best goal I've witnessed this week 😉 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Rounding off the day now with the televised League 1 game as table toppers Inverness Caley Thistle play Queen of the South at the Caledonian Stadium. As always here, its very cold. My first visit to this ground since 2017. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 81: Clachnacuddin 3-2 Inverurie Loco Works. Locos led at half time, but Clach were the better side. They equalised early in the second half, before a penalty turned the game their way. They scored another before Locos' late consolation. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: Steak Pie, Clachnacuddin FC. Another really high quality pie led down a bit by undercooking. Loved the filling but the shell was very soft. No complaints about the lid though. Would love one of these perfectly prepared. 💷 £3.50 ⭐️ 8.5 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Home side Clachnacuddin were pre match favourites, but they trail 1-0 to Inverurie Locos at the break. The goal came against the run of play I felt, and Clach look capable of redressing the balance. Fast and furious game. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 80: Inverness Thistle 0-4 Invergordon. After a goalless first half, Invergordon scored quickly after the restart and that gave them a platform to win comfortably. Thistle came close to a own goal consolation, well saved by the keeper. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

A goalless first half in North Kessock. Invergordon definitely the better side but they've found the Inverness Thistle goalie in good form. Thistle haven't had much in an attacking sense. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

It's football day and I'm limbering up for a three game extravaganza in and around Inverness. First up, the resuscitated Inverness Thistle take on unbeaten league leaders Invergordon in the North Caledonian League at Ferry Brae Park, North Kessock. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

A goal for the ages and about 49 minutes of absolute torture, but we'll take it 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Only one place to be tonight 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤞 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 78: St Rochs 2-1 Crossgates Primrose. St Rochs through after a goalless second half that got a bit attritional at times. They had good chances but failed to add to their lead. Crossgates forced one really good save from the Candy keeper. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: 'Steak & Stornoway', St Rochs FC. Had one of these last season and it lacked steak content. A better balance and so much better this time. A moreish, melt in the mouth filling, absolutely delicious. A lovely pie all round. 💷 £3 ⭐️ 8.5 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

A good first half for St Rochs, who are 2-1 up on Crossgates Primrose. A fair reflection. The first goal was a lovely 20 yarder, the second scrambled in after the Primrose goalie failed to gather a high ball. The visitors got a goal back quickly. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

It's football day. A local game for me this sunny Glaswegian afternoon as St Rochs host Crossgates Primrose in a delayed South Challenge Cup tie. These two are at the same First Division level in their respective leagues, the seventh level of our game. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 76: Alloa Athletic 4-4 Clyde. Had low expectations ahead of this one but it turned into a humdinger. Some of the defending left a bit to be desired, but equally some tremendous finishing. Ironically, the point apiece doesn't suit either side. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: Scotch Pie, Alloa Athletic. The Alloa pie hut is legendary but this wasn't a good pie. Not very warm; soft and doughy pastry; firm, hamburger-like filling. Quite pricey. Not great at all. But at least it wasn't a Bell's... 💷 £3.50 ⭐️ 4.5 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Its been an even first half at Alloa, but a second goal on the stroke of half time means Alloa go in 2-1 ahead. Clyde will be a bit disappointed. They've had a couple of chances on top of their early opening goal. Been a decent game. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

It's a hideous night. Biblical rain. Now, I could have stayed in the house doom scrolling or watching Corrie and Emmerdale. But where's the fun in that?! Nope, not when Alloa Athletic are playing Clyde in the 'KDM Evolution Trophy' at the Recs! #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 76: St Mirren 0-3 Hibernian. A good win for Hibs, who were excellent going forward and clinical in scoring their first two goals. The third one was fortunate. St Mirren left to rue two goals disallowed by VAR for offside at key moments. Att 7,116. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 76: St Mirren 0-3 Hibernian. A good win for Hibs, who were excellent going forward and clinical in scoring their first two goals. The third one was fortunate. St Mirren left to rue two goals disallowed by VAR for offside at key moments. Att 7,116. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: Salt n Chilli, St Mirren FC. Love the filling in this. A notch or two up in heat from normal chicken curry pies. Decent meat content too. Alas, the thick and underdone pastry let's it down, as per other Pie Sports specials. 💷 £4.50 ⭐️ 7.5 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Hibs 1-0 up after a fast and furious first half in Paisley. A good strike from Mulligan. St Mirren unlucky not to be at least level - they had a goal disallowed for what must have been a very tight offside. Hibs' keeper has had two great saves as well. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Onwards to my second game of the day, only nine divisions above the first. I enjoy a game at St Mirren Park, one of the better modern stadia in my opinion. This evening, St Mirren host Hibernian in an attractive looking Premiership clash. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 75: Giffnock SC 1-3 Newmains United. The sides traded goals early in the second half, before Newmains produced two crackers to secure the win. Their second goal was a 35 yard beezer, followed quickly by a lovely lob for the third. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: Scotch Pie, Giffnock SC. Food available from the onsite cafe. Feared another Bell's pie but this was a cut above that. Not a looker, but the moist filling was lovely. Seasoned to perfection. Could have been hotter but good stuff. 💷 £2 ⭐️ 7 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Still waiting for the first goal, but a decent first half at Auldhouse. Newmains got off to the brighter start and missed an open goal. Hosts Giffnock have improved as the half has gone on but have passed up good chances to break the deadlock. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Football day, and cause for celebration for losers like me as I 're-complete' the @OfficialWoSFL. Giffnock SC's Auldhouse Sports Ground is the only venue in the five divisions upon which I've yet to see a game. Newmains United are their visitors today. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 73: Burntisland Shipyard 1-3 Dundonald Bluebell. Bluebell scored two early goals and I feared the worst for Shippy. While being well beaten, the home made a reasonable game of it and deserved their consolation goal. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: Steak Pie, Burntisland Shipyard FC. It's another Bell's pie, my second in two games, and I could weep. Prepared well enough, but these pies are not very good. There must be a good baker or butcher in Burntisland or nearby. 💷 £2.50 ⭐️ 4 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Football night. Pondered various options but landed on a show of support for one of Scottish football oldest, archaic competitions. First played in 1882. I'm at the Fife Cup quarter final between Burntisland Shipyard and Dundonald Bluebell at Recreation Park. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 72: Dunipace 2-0 Hill of Beath Hawthorn. Quality in the final third was the difference here. Not much between the sides otherwise. 'Pace produced two nice finishes, Haws couldn't hit back, though they did find the woodwork. A good watch. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: Steak Pie, Dunipace FC. My heart sank when this came out - the dreaded Bell's pie. You know my feelings on these. First one in a while and still terrible. Look at the lack of filling. Wasn't very warm either. 💷 £3 ⭐️ 4 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

It's the home side in command at Westfield Park. Dunipace lead 2-0 at half time. Two smart penalty box finishes. The Haws keeper has also had two good saves. They're making heavy use of near post corners and crosses that you don't see too often. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Football day again and I've headed up the M80 to one of the westernmost extremities of the East of Scotland League. I'm at Westfield Park in Denny where Dunipace host Hill of Beath Hawthorn in a top of the table Premier Division clash. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 71: Scotland 0-2 Sweden. Not a very encouraging ninety minutes from the Under 17s. Sweden by far the better side for the most part. Hard to work out what Scotland were trying to do. Other than one deflected shot didn't look like getting a goal back. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️