I wait with bated breath the outcome of our replay against Cove on Saturday but without Johnny Crawford who was rather unfairly I thought (but I would, wouldn’t I?) red carded, I suspect the uphill struggle has moved from steep to precipitous.
However we’ll either win or lose and the winner stands the chance of real Scottish Cup glory thereafter.
What worries me more is the forthcoming midweek encounter up at Wick. I saw Saturday’s Wick v Linlithgow game was called off half an hour before scheduled kick off time and my blood ran cold: at my age Wick is a long enough trek at the best of times but in the bleak midwinter, less than a fortnight before the shortest day when there has been snow enough already it assumes the proportions of a journey from hell.
Until the pyramid system started there was a 110 Mile Rule that simply prohibited midweek games between teams whose grounds were 110 or more miles apart.
Eminently sensible and it covered a number of bases like equity – one rule for all and a lengthy but manageable maximum journey , Health and safety – I fear for road accidents especially around areas like the Berriedale Braes for anyone driving a bit tired after a long journey up and nipping on to get some sleep before the next working day. That I assume is why the rule was created. Mind you how the rather quirky figure of 110 was derived. I have no idea – reeks of compromise.
According to Google Maps, the distance from Brora to Keith is, would you believe it, precisely 110 miles. Pitmedden to Wick is a good couple of hours further each way . I see the drivers of play-offs etc needing a fixed end to the season but surely not this.