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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 20h

A very good pie at Edinburgh Community FC today, but sad to mark the demise of one of Scottish football's most characterful pie dispensaries. The St Mark's Park caravan was a thing of beauty, but seems to have been torched at some point in the last few years 😥 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 21h

Game 62: Edinburgh Community 4-1 Ormiston Primrose. Low quality game but entertaining. Momentum swung with the home side starting and ending well, and Ormiston enjoying a good spell in-between. Never three goals in it. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 21h

Pie review: Steak Mince Pie, Edinburgh Community FC. Available from the pavilion. A great pie. Excellent rich, peppery minced beef filling. Loads of it too. The thin, crisp shell only just kept it together. Loved it, despite a brown sauce shortage. 💷 £2.50 ⭐️ 9 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 22h

It's football day ⚽️ Having a few beers in the old country, but having a sporting interlude at At Mark's Park, where Edinburgh Community host Ormiston Primrose. An East of Scotland League game; these two teams occupied the bottom places in the entire league last season. #davesfootballtravels

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Half time thoughts: Lucky to be ahead, goal coming from our only decent ball into the box. Toothless in open play. Not enough pace or movement. McBurnie isolated. In contrast, Slovenia much more fluent in their transitions, while we're poor defensively. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Back again. Hopefully it'll be a more enjoyable occasion than last Tuesday which was pretty disastrous. Saturday was more encouraging but scoring goals - an eternal problem - remains a worry. It's the hope that kills you though... 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Been a long while since I was down at Kello to sample their wares.

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Game 60: Beith Juniors 0-3 Huntly. Huntly on top throughout this tie, so a well deserved win for the Highland League side. Their second goal was well worked in particular. Not a lot to cheer about for the home crowd - their side was well beaten. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Pie review: Steak Pie, Beith Juniors FC. A double dunt today. Not the chicken & haggis league, but this is a very fine steak pie. Groaning with rich, well balanced and high quality filling, my only complaint was a slightly underdone shell. 💷 £3.50 ⭐️ 9 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Half time at Bellsdale, and home side Beith are fortunate to still be level. They've got goalkeeper Fairns to thank for a string of good saves. Huntly have impressed despite playing up the slope in the first half. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Second game today is another on the Road to Hampden, as Beith Juniors of the Lowland League West host Highland League side Huntly. The wonderful Bellsdale Park with its prodigious slope is the venue. Feels like an evenly balanced tie pre kick off. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Game 59: Arthurlie 3-1 Kilsyth Rangers. A competitive friendly, with an Arthurlie player sent off. Kilsyth started well but Arthurlie drew first blood and built a lead. Their third goal had shades of Van Basten 1988 - an angled thunderbastard of a volley. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Not a pie review: Roll n Sausage, Arthurlie FC. Saving my pie game for later. This was decent - a proper roll for starters. The sausage wasn't as thickly cut as I'd have liked, and was only pork I'm sure, but hit the spot for an lunchtime bite. 💷 £3 ⭐️ 7 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

It's football day, and two games planned. 152 year old Arthurlie are having a difficult time at the moment, so I've come to Dunterlie Park to stick a few quid in a bucket and show my support. They're playing Kilsyth Rangers in 12noon friendly today. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Game 58: Cumnock Juniors 2-0 Auchinleck Talbot. A turn up for the books as Cumnock produce a rare, but well deserved win in the derby. Not a game for the purist - they never are - and as poor a Talbot performance as I've seen. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Out at the football again; another step on the Road to Hampden. It's Scottish Cup first round weekend, and what a way to kick things off as bitter East Ayrshire rivals Cumnock Juniors and Auchinleck Talbot clash at Townhead Park. Talbot strong favourites to win. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Game 57: Strathclyde University 4-2 Glasgow University. Strathclyde led 2-0 after half an hour, but Glasgow got one back before half time then squared the game (vid). They had momentum, but a deflected strike and defensive lapse saw the home side through. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Game 56: Scotland 0-3 Switzerland. The game was a bogey with the early red card and goal double whammy. The Swiss are decent; their win was never in doubt. Some quality finishing from them, but we're defensively weak. Two wins a must over the next week. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Half time thoughts: Typical Scotland to get the benefit of a VAR decision only for it to turn out worse. But we've done ok since their goal; look capable of scoring. Central midfield a worry, Ferguson making daft fouls constantly. Game passing Gilmour by. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I'm a grammar pedant of the highest order, but I don't think the brand name Barclays has an apostrophe. Might have done in the past.

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

It's football night and the first Hampden home game of the Sebastien Pocognoli era. Saturday was a mixed bag in terms of performance; hope we start as well as we finished against a good Swiss side. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Game 54: Stirling Albion 1-1 Cumbernauld Colts. I like to talk the game up, but this was dull. Two sides who like to "keep the ball" but do very little with it. Very little invention or personality on show. Fitba by numbers. The fussy ref didn't help. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I did once, around 1991 or 1992, when Meadowbank Thistle went there on a fairly windy day and the ball wouldn't stay still on the plastic pitch for free kicks to be taken.

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Pie review: Mixed Kebab Pie, Stirling Albion FC. First reaction: very light in weight. Enjoyed the chicken and donner meat combo filling, full of flavour, but not enough of it. Needed a wee bit of sauce as well. Not bad, but underwhelming. 💷 £3.80 ⭐️ 7 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

After a few circuits of the car park, I've landed at Forthbank Stadium, where there's prime diddy cup action tonight as Stirling Albion host Cumbernauld Colts in the KDM Evolution Trophy. Albion are defending a 100% league phase record, Colts are winless. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Game 53: Benburb 3-2 St Anthony's. A good showing from Ants given the three division gap between the sides, but Bens come from behind go through to the third round. A second Ants goal late on set up an exciting finish where they nearly equalised twice. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Pie review: Steak Pie, Benburb FC. Available from the bar in the pavilion. Fair to middling effort. Would have liked more meat and less gravy. Shell was in good shape, some softness on the bottom aside. A decent price in today's world. 💷 £2.50 ⭐️ 6.5 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Half time at New Tinto Park and its level in the Govan derby. St Anthony's led for a long while thanks to a scrambled effort that the Benburb keeper should have done better with. Ants keeper had a couple of good saves but conceded just before the break. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

It's football day and I've chosen a derby clash in the Scottish Communities Cup, the tournament formerly known as the Scottish Junior Cup. Two very old and proximate rivals go head to head in Govan as Benburb host St Anthonys at New Tinto Park. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Game 52: Pollok 1-3 Renfrew. A deserved coupon-bursting first Lowland League win for Renfrew. Leading 2-0 at half time, a slight deflection helped them to a 69th minute third goal. Pollok hit an injury time consolation but a night to forget for them. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Pie review: Steak Pie, Pollok FC. The pies here are good again after a dalliance with the Shotts scourge. Happy with this, plenty of quality filling. A bit more gravy would improve it, and the pastry underbelly was soft, but an enjoyable eat. 💷 £3 ⭐️ 8.5 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Renfrew haven't won in the league all season, but they're looking good for three points at the moment. They lead Pollok 2-0 at the break. An even game, but Pollok have been disjointed in the final third and hard to see them recouping this deficit. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I'm out at the football again tonight. It's a dank evening on Glasgow's Southside, but the Newlandsfield lights have pierced the leaden skies and Pollok and Renfrew are ready to put on a show on the Lowland League West. Kick off at 7.45pm. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Game 51: Hill of Beath Hawthorn 1-0 Musselburgh Athletic. Looked like being a stalemate for a long time before a well worked goal from Haws broke the deadlock. Both sides had shots kicked off the line in an exciting end to proceedings. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Pie review: Steak Pie, Hill of Beath Hawthorn FC. Schrodinger's pie - simultaneously overcooked yet served not very warm. Too long in the oven, filling dried out. Could have been very good. Pastry good, nice puff lid. Overall, a tale of sub-optimal prep. 💷 £3.50 ⭐️ 6 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Out at the football again. My first taste of Lowland League East action as two newly promoted sides go head to head in deepest Fife. Hosts Hill of Beath Hawthorn have been in excellent form - they welcome Musselburgh Athletic to Keirs Park tonight. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Game 50: Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 2-1 Rutherglen Glencairn. Greg Burns goals early in both halves see Rob Roy safely through. The second of those was a 50 yarder after Glens' keeper fluffed a clearance. A deserved win; Glens goal came very late on. Att 348 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Pie review: Scotch Pie, Kirkintilloch Rob Roy FC. No steak pies, disappointingly. This was a fine Scotch alternative. Perfectly formed pastry, a bit of crunch to it. Filling generous, well seasoned for me and nice and moist. Very good. 💷 £2.80 ⭐️ 7. 5 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

So far so good for Kirkintilloch Rob Roy. They lead Rutherglen Glencairn 1-0 at half time. A lovely goal it was too, a 20 yarder hit on the half volley by Burns, giving the Glens keeper no chance. Has been an even contest aside from that, so all to play for. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Game two today is a meeting of two grand old 'junior' clubs as Kirkintilloch Rob Roy, in their maiden Scottish Cup campaign, host Rutherglen Glencairn in Preliminary Round Three. One of my local sides, I'm hoping its the Rabs in tomorrow's First Round draw. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Game 49: Saltire City 1-6 Stranraer Reserves. After an even first half where Stranraer scored once, the second was nearly one way traffic. Saltire were all at sea defensively at times and had their goalie to thank for keeping the score down a bit. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Game 48: Clydebank 1-1 Alloa Athletic. A fair outcome as Clydebank come from behind to claim a point. Might have won it towards the end. As predicted at half time, we saw a red card, Alloa's Josh Walker picking up two yellows in quick succession. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Half time at Holm Park and Alloa lead Clydebank 1-0. Bankies should have been ahead from a penalty but a very tame effort was easily saved. Their keeper threw one in not long after. There's been some needle to the game. Might see a red card later. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Out at the football tonight and it's prime diddy cup action on offer at Holm Park where Lowland League West side Clydebank entertain Alloa Athletic in the KDM Evolution Trophy's league phase. The Bankies will be hope to keep their 100% record going. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Game 47: Gartcosh United 6-0 Livingston Community. Gartcosh had this won at an early stage and after leading 5-0 at the break, the second half became a bit of a non event. Livi kept going and nearly notched a consolation but were outclassed. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Pie review: Steak Pie, Gartcosh United FC. Pies available inside the social club. A quality product this one, with a very chunky filling. Gravy dark, thick and rich. Very moreish. Some structural difficulties with the shell towards the end. 💷 £2.50 ⭐️ 8.5 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Having seen both sides already this season, I expected Gartcosh to win, but they've exceeded expectations so far. 5-0 ahead at half time against a poor Livingston Community side who are, in theory, playing two tiers higher in the pyramid. @davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

It's football day ⚽️ A red letter day for the village of Gartcosh, not far from where I live, as Gartcosh United open their new ground Eastgate Park, next to the Work Social Club. The first opponents are Livingston Community on South Challenge Cup duty. #davesfootballtravels

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Game 46: Steins Thistle 9-2 Sauchie Amateurs. Steins were 5-0 up after about 25 minutes of this one and I thought I was on for a record breaker. Sauchie steadied the ship for a while before conceding four more late on as darkness closed in. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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David Stoker @davidstoker.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

At a loose end today, so have gone to watch some football. First up, my first Club Academy Scotland Elite action for while as Hearts take on Celtic at Under 19 level in a 3.30pm kick off at the Oriam. Weather... dreich. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

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