The Round Ball Game

[aeolium]

You'd have got long odds on a Falkirk v Inverness Caley Thistle Scottish Cup final. Sounds like Caley rode their luck, but you need that to beat Celtic and great to see Big Yogi get to Hampden for the Final - he's done a fabulous job, playing fine footie. But Peter Houston is a wily manager too so it could be a very good final next month.

Thanks, john. I went to Caley Thistle v Celtic with my brother & it was an excellent, end-to-end game, Caley playing some lovely football especially in the second half and in extra time. They got lucky with the Meekings handball which could well have been given, but Caley could have had another penalty late on when Ofere was clobbered by the reserve keeper. I thought the better team won in the end. But you're right, the final will be a tough contest.

I liked the official ICT twitter comment: "A nation rejoices!"

[P. G. Tipps]

I see a female footballer was sent off the other day for 'head-butting' ...

[teamsaint]

Thanks, john. I went to Caley Thistle v Celtic with my brother & it was an excellent, end-to-end game, Caley playing some lovely football especially in the second half and in extra time. They got lucky with the Meekings handball which could well have been given, but Caley could have had another penalty late on when Ofere was clobbered by the reserve keeper. I thought the better team won in the end. But you're right, the final will be a tough contest.

I liked the official ICT twitter comment: "A nation rejoices!"

Must have been a great day out.

Better times do seem to be ahead for the Scottish game.

[aeolium]

Better times do seem to be ahead for the Scottish game.

You spoke too soon, ts. After the wretched Celtic put in a complaint to the SFA about the referee failing to give a penalty (and possibly a red card to Meekings) in the semi-final v ICT, the even more wretched SFA have given in and given Meekings a one-match ban, which if upheld on appeal would result in him missing the final. This decision which threatens to open a real Pandora's box (how many contested handball penalty decisions are there in a season?) has been widely condemned, even by Fifa's head of referees.

Poor stuff from a shameless club and a feeble organisation

[teamsaint]

You spoke too soon, ts. After the wretched Celtic put in a complaint to the SFA about the referee failing to give a penalty (and possibly a red card to Meekings) in the semi-final v ICT, the even more wretched SFA have given in and given Meekings a one-match ban, which if upheld on appeal would result in him missing the final. This decision which threatens to open a real Pandora's box (how many contested handball penalty decisions are there in a season?) has been widely condemned, even by Fifa's head of referees.

Poor stuff from a shameless club and a feeble organisation

Dreadful all round.
Thanks for highlighting it though.

A sad day down here for Saints fans. Some of you may remember Dave " Docker" Walker from Ted Bates' "Ale House Brawlers", who has sadly passed away.
A stalwart of Saints first ever spell in the top flight, Dave, as you can tell from his name, was pretty uncompromising in the challenge.

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?53991-David-quot-Docker-quot-Walker-RIP-1941-2015

RIP

[johncorrigan]

You spoke too soon, ts. After the wretched Celtic put in a complaint to the SFA about the referee failing to give a penalty (and possibly a red card to Meekings) in the semi-final v ICT, the even more wretched SFA have given in and given Meekings a one-match ban, which if upheld on appeal would result in him missing the final. This decision which threatens to open a real Pandora's box (how many contested handball penalty decisions are there in a season?) has been widely condemned, even by Fifa's head of referees.

Poor stuff from a shameless club and a feeble organisation

Totally agree, aeolium. Bloomin' eck, over the years the Buddies, like the other smaller teams in Scotland, have fallen victim to numerous dodgy decisions when playing the Old Firm. This was just sheer sour grapes by Celtic. Everybody knows it was a garbage decision but they could have taken their medicine like big boys. Then they'd get respect from supporters everywhere. I know a few Celtic fans who'll be extremely embarrassed by this whole turn of events. Tragic if Meekings misses his day at Hampden. The Board of Celtic FC should hang their heads in shame.

[EdgeleyRob]

Yes,p**s poor from Celtic.

Just one midweek forum result.

Aldershot 1 Wrexham 1 Where is Ams ?

[P. G. Tipps]

You spoke too soon, ts. After the wretched Celtic put in a complaint to the SFA about the referee failing to give a penalty (and possibly a red card to Meekings) in the semi-final v ICT, the even more wretched SFA have given in and given Meekings a one-match ban, which if upheld on appeal would result in him missing the final. This decision which threatens to open a real Pandora's box (how many contested handball penalty decisions are there in a season?) has been widely condemned, even by Fifa's head of referees.

Poor stuff from a shameless club and a feeble organisation

I agree that Celtic's post-match behaviour was childish and embarrassing to even some of their supporters but it is a club with a proud charitable history and a worldwide reputation. This episode reflects the silliness in the modern game though one would have expected something better from this club of all clubs. Celtic, for all its good works off the field, still retains something of a 'victim culture' which should have disappeared long ago, given its modern strength in the Scottish game.

However, to be fair, Celtic also warmly congratulated Caley on their success on reaching the Final, wishing them all the best, and describing them as 'a fantastic club'. That part was not widely reported in the media.

Still, not one of the club's finer moments, of which there have been many throughout football history. I also agree that 'retrospective' decisions by football authorities sets a very bad and dangerous precedent.

Lets get back to the certainty of the 'good old days' when the referee is 'always right' even when he is quite clearly hopelessly wrong!

[antongould]

Maybe jumping the ER gun but I think Hartlepool are safe......unless you get deducted points for hanging a monkey that is!!!!

[teamsaint]

Maybe jumping the ER gun but I think Hartlepool are safe......unless you get deducted points for hanging a monkey that is!!!!

really pleased for you AG. Don't overdo it tonight .

Mind you, very annoyed with myself, was telling everybody to back them to survive when they started to pick up, and you could get about 5/1..... and I didn't invest...

( Newcastle though.....Oh dear......freefall....)

[antongould]

really pleased for you AG. Don't overdo it tonight .

Mind you, very annoyed with myself, was telling everybody to back them to survive when they started to pick up, and you could get about 5/1..... !

( Newcastle though.....Oh dear......freefall....)

Cheers ts yes Newcastle are in freefall indeed........

[EdgeleyRob]

Yep an amazing day in the forum football world.

Southampton 2 Spurs 2. Took the lead twice,still in the race for a Europa league spot.
Burnley 0 Leicester City 1.Out of the bottom 3 after a 4th consecutive win,incredible,well chuffed for Alison.
Crystal Palace 0 Hull City 2. The visitors had more to play for,the hard work has already been done by Palace.
Newcastle United 2 Swansea City 3. Took the lead then conceded either side of half time,7 defeats on the bounce,in trouble.
West Brom 0 Liverpool 0.Hatful of chances,75% possession,couldn't find a way through,5th
Brighton 0 Watford 2.Beaten by a team that is now in the premier league,now safe.
Sheffield Wednesday 1 Leeds United 2. Leading at the break then threw it away,mid table finish.
Coventry City 1 Crewe Alexandra 3.Bad result v relegation rivals,need to avoid defeat v Crawley next week to stay up.
Bury 2 Wimbledon 0. Little to play for and up against a team chasing promotion,15th.
Hartlepool United 2 Exeter City 1. Yes well pleased for you AG,the bottom 2 losing means Pool surive,amazing turnaround.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1 Aberdeen 2. Took the lead just after the break but couldn't see the job through,3rd
St Mirren 4 Kilmarnock 1. Storming win stops the run of defeats and closes the gap a little on Motherwell.
Queens Park 1 East Stirlingshire 1.The equaliser came in the 2nd half,9th.
Telford 1 Wrexham 2.Late goal sealed the win,season over,11th place finish.
Bristol Rovers 7 Alfreton Town 0. Battered the opposition but alas Barnet's win means Rovers finish 2nd,play off to come.
Chelmsford 3 Boreham Wood 4 Season over,looked like possible play off contenders at time but wasn't to be,finished 10th
Stockport County 2 Harrogate Town 1.Ended the season,which promised so much at times,on a high at least,11th.
Histon 3 Truro City 1.Surprising defeat but end the season in 3rd place and in the play offs.

Man Utd and Chelsea play tomorrow.

Traditional end of season curry,beer and moan with fellow supporters beckons

[cloughie]

Maybe jumping the ER gun but I think Hartlepool are safe......unless you get deducted points for hanging a monkey that is!!!!

I said 3 points would do it - ironic twist that Tranmere, one of Ronnie Moore's previous clubs is doomed.

[cloughie]

Yep an amazing day in the forum football world.

Southampton 2 Spurs 2. Took the lead twice,still in the race for a Europa league spot.
Burnley 0 Leicester City 1.Out of the bottom 3 after a 4th consecutive win,incredible,well chuffed for Alison.
Crystal Palace 0 Hull City 2. The visitors had more to play for,the hard work has already been done by Palace.
Newcastle United 2 Swansea City 3. Took the lead then conceded either side of half time,7 defeats on the bounce,in trouble.
West Brom 0 Liverpool 0.Hatful of chances,75% possession,couldn't find a way through,5th
Brighton 0 Watford 2.Beaten by a team that is now in the premier league,now safe.
Sheffield Wednesday 1 Leeds United 2. Leading at the break then threw it away,mid table finish.
Coventry City 1 Crewe Alexandra 3.Bad result v relegation rivals,need to avoid defeat v Crawley next week to stay up.
Bury 2 Wimbledon 0. Little to play for and up against a team chasing promotion,15th.
Hartlepool United 2 Exeter City 1. Yes well pleased for you AG,the bottom 2 losing means Pool surive,amazing turnaround.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1 Aberdeen 2. Took the lead just after the break but couldn't see the job through,3rd
St Mirren 4 Kilmarnock 1. Storming win stops the run of defeats and closes the gap a little on Motherwell.
Queens Park 1 East Stirlingshire 1.The equaliser came in the 2nd half,9th.
Telford 1 Wrexham 2.Late goal sealed the win,season over,11th place finish.
Bristol Rovers 7 Alfreton Town 0. Battered the opposition but alas Barnet's win means Rovers finish 2nd,play off to come.
Chelmsford 3 Boreham Wood 4 Season over,looked like possible play off contenders at time but wasn't to be,finished 10th
Stockport County 2 Harrogate Town 1.Ended the season,which promised so much at times,on a high at least,11th.
Histon 3 Truro City Surprising defeat but end the season in 3rd place and in the play offs.

Man Utd and Chelsea play tomorrow.

Traditional end of season curry,beer and moan with fellow supporters beckons

Owls defeat to Leeds puts paid to bragging rights. Truro result not surprising - team rotation in prep for playoffs. Good result for Nigel 'Houdini' Pearson.

[Alison]

Owls defeat to Leeds puts paid to bragging rights. Truro result not surprising - team rotation in prep for playoffs. Good result for Nigel 'Houdini' Pearson.

Oh my my, what a victory for the Foxes.

It's probably our first 'lucky' win all season.

Great round up Edgey