First time for everything

The week just gone I completed a first. A first that was so obviously glaring in my records that it needed to be done and well I decided a few weeks ago to press ahead with it.
What is it you ask? well this past week was my first time ever in...Scotland. Yes I had never been to Scotland. Been to Iceland, Slovakia, Finland and even Romania but never been to Scotland. It was Edinburgh to be precise, a city that never really jumped out at me on the map in the past to be honest.
A trip to there would've happened in late June early July had Cork City been paired with Hearts in the Europa league so it was with hindsight a possible sign.

Edinburgh this season has three teams competing in the professional leagues. The usual two of Hearts and Hibs being joined this season by Edinburgh City, who earned promotion after beating East Stirling last season. With three teams it means at least one game on any given weekend in the city. The weekend I was there, there was a choice of two, Hibernian faced Greenock Morton in the championship and Edinburgh City hosted Berwick Rangers in League 2. A little under a mile between the two grounds.

In the end I plumed for Hibernian v Greenock Morton. Easter Road has seen some major development over the years and today it is an impressive ground with four large stands surrounding the pitch. The game itself was pretty much all Hibernian. Morton did fashion one or two forays forward but Hibernian without being overly impressive were simply too good for their opponents. Going into the game Hibernian were on a 100% winning start with three from three. Hibs took the lead just before the half hour and from there on it was a formality with a second goal arriving just before half time when a cross was nodded home by Grant Holt ahead of Morton keeper Derek Gaston. Throughout the first half there was an older gentleman behind us providing his own commentary of events happening on the pitch. Hibs' Andrew Shinnie being the target. "Oh he's feckin shiite" before Shinnie plays a lovely ball out to Fraser Fyvie, "Terrific player" followed by Shinnie being dispossessed "ohhhh useless". This fan also revealed he would be leaving should Hibs score a third "game is shite and boring" was his statement.

The second half began much like the first half ended with Hibs probing for goals. The third goal arrived not long into the half when Jason Cummings headed home from close range. Hibs were home and hosed and that fan was on his way home as a result. Morton keeper Gaston appeared for much of the second half to be carrying an injury with his goal kicks in particular seemingly being struck gingerly. He was taken off and replaced by Andrew McNeil and one of his first tasks was picking the ball out of the net when Hibs added a fourth goal. This goal was the pick of the bunch as it featured an absolute beauty of a cross from Cummings and it was headed on wonderfully by Brian Graham, who had come on earlier in the half. 4-0 and all rosy in Easter Road. The attendance was announced as just over 14,500 which was a fairly decent turn out for what is the second tier in Scotland. 350 were announced as the number of travelling fans from Greenock, which to be honest looked more
like 150 but the majority of them stayed on despite their side being outclassed.

The victory allowed Hibs to go clear at the top of the championship table. Morton being a point above the relegation play-off in 8th.
The previous night myself and a friend took a trip over to Meadowbank stadium where Edinburgh City play their home games. A lovely little stadium despite the running track but the sight of Arthur's Seat in the background adding an element of beauty to the place. The ground holds 5,000 seats in the impressive stand.

Monday we visited the home of Hearts or Heart of Midlothian to give them their full name. Tynecastle stadium is located West of the city center about fifteen minutes away on the bus. We didn't manage to get into the ground itself but checked out their club shop which had an old school football which was fairly cool looking. Also a Hearts CD which was mad. Also can I just add that they had the current away shirt in plenty of stock. Well mother of Jesus it was quite a standout shirt. Think yellow and pink horizontal stripes with a white collar and you have the shirt.

I will be back to the city again soon and will be aiming to take in a derby game at some stage too, if Hibs can finally get out of the championship this year it might be a more regular occurrence.