Historic Environment Scotland are running a public consultation on football sites, to record places that are important in the history and development of football. There are two weeks left to have your say, it closes on 20 August: haveyoursay.historicenvironment.scot/heritage/tel...

Game 26: Whitburn Juniors 2-5 Blackburn United. Leading 4-2 at half time, Blackburn scored a fifth fairly early in the second half to put the game beyond Whitburn and it all died a bit of a death after that as the light started to fade. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: Steak Pie, Whitburn Junior FC. Whitburn's Pie Shop can be relied upon. This was good, though I've had better here. Pastry a bit over, nice filling but served at a lava-like temperature so a tricky eat despite giving it time to cool. 💷 £3 ⭐️ 8 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Remarkable first half at Whitburn where neither defence has covered themselves in glory, especially Whitburn's. Blackburn lead 4-2 after a crazy spate of goals in the first 25 minutes. Whitburn had a goal chopped off too - a terrible offside decision. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Out at the football again, and along to Central Park for a West Lothian Derby between Whitburn Juniors and Blackburn United. Whitburn have been a much bigger hitter historically, but both are in the East of Scotland League's Premier Division nowadays. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 25: Shortlees AFC 2-3 Dundee North End. AET. A proper ding-dong cup tie. North End up 2-0, Shortlees mounted a great comeback to force extra time. I fancied them at that stage with their opponents down to ten men, but the Dundonians dug out a winner. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

We're into extra time down in Cumnock... a superb cup tie finished 2-2 after 90 minutes. Dundee North End were 2-0 up and cruising but missed big chances to finish it. Credit to Shortlees, back from the dead, two back including a last minute equaliser. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

An open and entertaining first half at Cumnock. Dundee North End are a goal up, deservedly, but Shortlees giving a good account. They hit the bar shortly before conceding but since the goal North End have twice come very close to extending their lead. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

The long road to Hampden starts today, with Scottish Cup Preliminary Round One. Five ties, all interesting in their own way, but I've ventured down to Cumnock, where Scottish Amateur Cup winners Shortlees host Midlands League champions Dundee North End. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 24: Hibernian 4-1 FK Malisheva (4-3 agg). A good showing from Hibs to get through. Four good goals including a nice solo effort from Boyle for the fourth. Some anxiety after the Kosovans got a goal back but it's North Macedonia next for the Hibees. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: Steak & Gravy, @thehibees.bsky.social Such is the lack of meat content in this, it almost qualifies as a veggie option. Filling 80% gravy. Absolutely embarrassing. The shell wasn't much better - had a horrible slimy base. Just don't buy these. 💷 £4.60 ⭐️ 3.5

A very good first half from Hibs, who have scored three well-worked goals to go ahead in the tie. They came out the traps with the right attitude and a bit of purpose and could have scored more. How they lost 2-0 to this team in Kosovo is baffling. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

It's football night and I'm back in the old country. A second dose of European action of the week for me as Hibernian host Kosovan side Malisheva. Hibs have a two goal deficit to overhaul, so an early goal looks vital at Easter Road. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 23: Heart of Midlothian 0-2 Sturm Graz. Aside from five minutes around the hour mark, grim stuff from Hearts. They look like they've lost their mojo as well as manager and captain. A six goal aggregate defeat from an average side doesn't bode well. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: Scotch Pie, Heart of Midlothian FC. My expectations are low at Tynecastle and this met them. A bit overdone and dry as a consequence. Also quite bland. Not the worst mince pie I've eaten but its not far away. 💷 £3.80 ⭐️ 4 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Not the first half Hearts fans would have hoped for. Their side has been disjointed middle to front and at sixes and sevens at the back. Kingsley limping off is another negative. Sturm have a bit of a quality up top but they're no world beaters. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Out at the football tonight. To put it mildly, Hearts are up against it after losing 4-0 to Sturm Graz last week. Recouping that deficit looks very unlikely, but hopefully they can win on the night at sold out Tynecastle to help the co-efficient. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 22: Eddlewood 4-0 Rossvale. A winning start for Eddlewood. It took half an hour for the first goal to arrive, and the second was a defensive error, and after that there was no real prospect of a comeback. Crowd 273 paid, excellent for the tenth level. #davesfootballtravels

Pie review: Scotch Pie, Eddlewood FC. Used to live nearby, so familiar with these from Alex Young, a local baker. Traditional mutton filling, nicely seasoned. Shell was a wee bit thick but didn't spoil it. Good to see a snack bar available. 💷 £2.50 ⭐️ 6.5 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

It's football day and a historic occasion in the south of Hamilton as Eddlewood play their first game in the West of Scotland League. They host Rossvale in the Fourth Division at Eddlewood Park today. Hard to call, but I fancy a home win. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 21: Motherwell 2-0 Havnar Boltfelag. One sided and comfortable for the 'Well. They're employing similar tactics to last season, but lacked fluency and the individual magic to unlock HB's deep sitting defence. Two long range beauties for the goals. Att 7,767. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: Scotch Pie, @motherwellfc.bsky.social A while since I sampled one of these. First word that comes to mind... dry. Filling was nice and peppery, but very firm. Liked the crispy pastry. The whole thing was on the small side. Could be better. 💷 £3.90 ⭐️ 6 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

It's football night. Hoping to see a @motherwellfc.bsky.social side shorn of some its finest talents salvage some pride for Scottish football with a win over Faroese side @hbtorshavn Not feeling overly confident but let's see. A good crowd inside Fir Park. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 20: Kilmarnock 1-0 Hamilton Accies. A deserved Killie win, but they were pushed hard by an Accies side that should be League One promotion contenders this season. One or two anxious moments for the 'home' side towards the end. Att 1,343. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: Steak & Gravy, Auchinleck Talbot FC. Talbot pies can vary in quality. This was the best I can remember here. Rammed with meat, very chunky but with enough gravy to keep it all moist. Pastry in good order. Early pie of the season contender. 💷 £3.20 ⭐️ 9.5 #davesfootballtravels

No goals at Auchinleck at the break. Killie the better side but haven't worked the Accies keeper much. They are playing it around nicely on the immaculate Beechwood pitch. Accies are looking decent, organised. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Fun fact: Curries Red Kola, synonymous with Auchinleck, is actually made in Hamilton these days by Dunns. Auchinleck got Accies old stand in return... #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Out at the football again and an unusual one in that Kilmarnock have borrowed Auchinleck Talbot's Beechwood Park for their 'home' Premier Sports Cup game against Hamilton Accies tonight. The second such occasion after Raith Rovers' visit last week. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Game 19: Armadale Thistle 1-4 Blackburn United. Very impressed by Blackburn, who were fluent and scored a couple of lovely team goals. Armadale have a bit of work to do. Highlight of the game was an incredible lobbed o.g. for the first Blackburn goal. #davesfootballtravels ⚽️

Pie review: Scotch Pie, Stoneyburn Juniors FC. Unusual lid on this one, no vent and flush with the rim. Anyhow... pretty good. Filling moist without being sloppy, and generous. Under-seasoned for my taste, but not by much. Very reasonably priced. 💷 £2.50 ⭐️ 7 #davesfootballtravels ⚽️