2018–19 Scottish Challenge Cup
Tournament details | |
---|---|
Country | Scotland |
Teams | 58 |
Defending champions | Inverness Caledonian Thistle |
Final positions | |
Champions | Ross County |
Runner-up | Connah's Quay Nomads |
Tournament statistics | |
Matches played | 56 |
Goals scored | 172 (3.07 per match) |
Attendance | 37,300 (666 per match) |
Top goal scorer(s) | Blair Henderson (6 goals) |
The 2018–19 Scottish Challenge Cup, known as the IRN-BRU Cup[1] due to sponsorship reasons, was the 28th season of the competition. The tournament took on a similar format from the previous season with the addition of two teams from England's National League entering the competition for the first time. This took the total number of participating clubs to 58.
Thirty teams from the Scottish Championship, Scottish League One and Scottish League Two competed, along with four teams from the Highland Football League (one eliminated in preliminary round) and four from the Lowland Football League (one eliminated in preliminary round). In addition to this, Under-21 teams of the clubs competing in the Scottish Premiership were represented. This was the third edition with two clubs from both Northern Ireland's NIFL Premiership and the Welsh Premier League and was the second time that two teams from the League of Ireland entered. A new change was the addition of two entrants from the English National League (fifth tier).[2]
Inverness Caledonian Thistle were the defending champions after they beat Dumbarton 1–0 in the 2018 final,[3] but they were eliminated in the first round by Dunfermline Athletic.
Ross County won the competition for the third time, defeating Connah's Quay Nomads 3–1 in the final.
Format
Round | Date[4] | Fixtures | Clubs | New entries |
---|---|---|---|---|
Preliminary round | 31 July–1 August 2018 | 2 | 58 → 56 | Teams placed 3rd and 4th in 2017–18 Lowland Football League & teams placed 3rd and 4th in 2017–18 Highland Football League |
First round | 14–15 August 2018 | 24 | 56 → 32 | Teams from 2018–19 Scottish Championship Teams from 2018–19 Scottish League One Teams from 2018–19 Scottish League Two 3 teams from 2018–19 Highland Football League (1st, 2nd and preliminary round winner) 3 teams from 2018–19 Lowland Football League (1st, 2nd and preliminary round winner) 12 U21 teams from 2018–19 Scottish Premiership |
Second round | 8–9 September 2018 | 16 | 32 → 16 | 2 teams from 2017–18 NIFL Premiership (1st and 2nd) 2 teams from 2017–18 Welsh Premier League (1st and 3rd) 2 teams from 2018 League of Ireland Premier Division (6th and 7th) 2 teams from 2017–18 National League (3rd and 4th) |
Third round | 13–14 October 2018 | 8 | 16 → 8 | |
Quarter-finals | 17–18 November 2018 | 4 | 8 → 4 | |
Semi-finals | 16–17 February 2019 | 2 | 4 → 2 | |
Final | 24 March 2019 | 1 | 2 → 1 |
Preliminary round
Matches
29 July 2018 | BSC Glasgow | 0–1 | East Stirlingshire | Alloa |
15:00 | Report | Tennant 50' (o.g.) | Stadium: Indodrill Stadium Attendance: 147 Referee: Chris Graham |
1 August 2018 | Inverurie Loco Works | 2–2 (5–4 p) | Fraserburgh | Inverurie |
20:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Harlaw Park Attendance: 399 Referee: Mat Northcroft |
Penalties | ||||
|
|
First round
The draw for the first round was made on 26 June 2018 at 1pm live on the SPFL Facebook page.
North Section
Draw
Teams in Bold advanced to the second round.
North section | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matches
14 August 2018 | Livingston U21s | 1–0 (Abandoned)[A] | Forfar Athletic | Livingston, Scotland |
19:45 | Watson 30' | Report | Stadium: Almondvale Stadium Referee: David Dickinson |
14 August 2018 | Dundee U21s | 2–2 (4–3 p) | Hibernian U21s | Dundee, Scotland |
19:45 |
|
Report | Stadium: Dens Park Attendance: 191 Referee: Chris Fordyce | |
Penalties | ||||
|
14 August 2018 | Peterhead | 2–1 | Brechin City | Peterhead, Scotland |
19:45 |
|
Report | Shields 12' | Stadium: Balmoor Stadium Attendance: 496 Referee: Steven Kirkland |
14 August 2018 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 1–2 | Dunfermline Athletic | Inverness, Scotland |
19:45 | White 61' | Report |
|
Stadium: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 1,046 Referee: Alan Muir |
14 August 2018 | Heart of Midlothian U21s | 1–2 | Ross County | Edinburgh, Scotland |
19:45 | Keena 44' | Report | McKay 4', 30' | Stadium: Tynecastle Park Attendance: 344 Referee: Gavin Duncan |
14 August 2018 | Cowdenbeath | 1–3 | East Fife | Cowdenbeath, Scotland |
19:45 | Sheerin 30' | Report |
|
Stadium: Central Park Attendance: 261 Referee: David Munro |
14 August 2018 | Raith Rovers | 3–1 | Aberdeen U21s | Kirkcaldy, Scotland |
19:45 |
|
Report | Anderson 72' | Stadium: Stark's Park Attendance: 479 Referee: Grant Irvine |
14 August 2018 | Alloa Athletic | 3–1 | Stirling Albion | Alloa, Scotland |
19:45 | Report | Hamilton 55' | Stadium: Recreation Park Attendance: 332 Referee: David Lowe |
14 August 2018 | Inverurie Loco Works | 0–1 | Formartine United | Inverurie, Scotland |
20:00 | Report | Gethins 61' | Stadium: Harlaw Park Attendance: 399 Referee: Mike Roncone |
15 August 2018 | Cove Rangers | 2–2 (3–4 p) | Montrose | Cove Bay, Scotland |
19:45 | McManus 44', 49' | Report |
|
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium Attendance: 420 Referee: Graham Beaton |
Penalties | ||||
|
15 August 2018 | Elgin City | 1–1 (6–7 p) | Arbroath | Elgin, Scotland |
19:45 | O'Brien 57' | Report | McHardy 83' | Stadium: Borough Briggs Attendance: 401 Referee: Scott Lambie |
Penalties | ||||
|
15 August 2018 | Dundee United | 3–2 | St Johnstone U21s | Dundee, Scotland |
19:45 | Report | Hendry 21', 58' | Stadium: Tannadice Park Attendance: 700 Referee: Colin Steven |
- Notes
- ^ A-The Livingston U21s-Forfar Athletic match was abandoned with Livingston U21s leading 1–0 after 71 minutes due poor lighting caused by a power outage. The match was replayed on 21 August 2018.
Replay
21 August 2018 | Livingston U21s | 0–0 (5–4 p) | Forfar Athletic | Livingston, Scotland |
19:45 | Report | Stadium: Almondvale Stadium Attendance: 460 Referee: David Dickinson | ||
Penalties | ||||
South Section
Draw
Teams in Bold advanced to the second round.
South section | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matches
14 August 2018 | Kilmarnock U21s | 1–2 | St Mirren U21s | Kilmarnock, Scotland |
19:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Rugby Park Attendance: 208 Referee: Stephen Brown |
14 August 2018 | Stenhousemuir | 0–3 | Queen of the South | Stenhousemuir, Scotland |
19:30 | Report | Stadium: Ochilview Park Attendance: 387 Referee: Kevin Graham |
14 August 2018 | Rangers U21s | 1–2 | Falkirk | Stirling, Scotland |
19:30 |
|
Report | Stadium: Forthbank Stadium Attendance: 636 Referee: Euan Anderson |
14 August 2018 | Queen's Park | 0–0 (4–2 p) | Ayr United | Glasgow, Scotland |
19:45 | Report | Stadium: Hampden Park Attendance: 834 Referee: Greg Aitken | ||
Penalties | ||||
|
14 August 2018 | Hamilton Academical U21s | 4–1 | Clyde | Hamilton, Scotland |
19:45 |
|
Report | McStay 9' | Stadium: New Douglas Park Attendance: 297 Referee: Chris Graham |
14 August 2018 | East Stirlingshire | 0–3 | Motherwell U21s | Falkirk, Scotland |
19:45 | Report |
|
Stadium: Falkirk Stadium Attendance: 150 Referee: Duncan Smith |
14 August 2018 | Annan Athletic | 4–0 | Celtic U21s | Annan, Scotland |
19:45 | Report | Stadium: Galabank Attendance: 266 Referee: Lloyd Wilson |
14 August 2018 | Edinburgh City | 3–1 | Albion Rovers | Edinburgh, Scotland |
19:45 | Report | Cunningham 15' | Stadium: Ainslie Park Attendance: 182 Referee: Steven Reid |
14 August 2018 | Stranraer | 0–5 | Partick Thistle | Stranraer, Scotland |
19:45 | Report |
|
Stadium: Stair Park Attendance: 480 Referee: Alan Newlands |
14 August 2018 | Dumbarton | 2–1 | Greenock Morton | Dumbarton, Scotland |
19:45 | Report | Oliver 39' | Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium Attendance: 680 Referee: Gavin Ross |
14 August 2018 | Berwick Rangers | 0–3 | Airdrieonians | Berwick-upon-Tweed, England |
19:45 | Report | Stadium: Shielfield Park Attendance: 317 Referee: John McKendrick |
15 August 2018 | East Kilbride | 1–1 (5–4 p) | Spartans | East Kilbride, Scotland |
19:45 | McNeil 61' | Report | Cennarazo 3' | Stadium: K-Park Training Academy Attendance: 207 Referee: Duncan Williams |
Penalties | ||||
|
|
Second round
Teams from Wales (The New Saints and Connah's Quay Nomads), Northern Ireland (Crusaders and Coleraine), England (Sutton United and Boreham Wood) and the Republic of Ireland (Bohemians and Sligo Rovers) entered in the second round.[5] Originally, Bray Wanderers were to be the second side to represent the League of Ireland however, they were subsequently thrown out by the FAI on 16 July 2018 for failing to pay their players and replaced by Limerick.[6] A similar statement was released by the FAI hours later about Limerick who were also in financial difficulties.[7] St Patrick's Athletic were then invited to compete as the next ranked team in line but declined. Sligo Rovers accepted the position in their place so they would represent the League of Ireland instead.[8]
Draw
The draw for the second round was made on 16 August 2018 at 1pm live on the SPFL Facebook page.
Teams in Bold advanced to the third round.
Teams in Italics were not known at the time of the draw.
SPFL | Other Scottish | Teams from other countries |
---|---|---|
Championship
League One League Two |
Highland League Lowland League Premiership U21s |
Matches
6 September 2018 | Dundee U21s | 1–2 | Motherwell U21s | Dundee, Scotland |
19:00 | Armstrong 43' (o.g.) | Report |
|
Stadium: Dens Park Attendance: 208 Referee: Mike Roncone |
8 September 2018 | Boreham Wood | 0–0 (5–6 p) | Dunfermline Athletic | Borehamwood, England |
13:00 | Report | Stadium: Meadow Park Attendance: 1,001 Referee: Evan Boyce | ||
Penalties | ||||
8 September 2018 | Queen of the South | 4–3 | Crusaders | Dumfries, Scotland |
14:30 | Report | Stadium: Palmerston Park Attendance: 1,204 Referee: Damian McGrath |
8 September 2018 | Falkirk | 0–1 | Connah's Quay Nomads | Falkirk, Scotland |
15:00 | Report | Wilde 46' | Stadium: Falkirk Stadium Attendance: 1,637 Referee: Daniel Middleton |
8 September 2018 | Airdrieonians | 0–1 | Sutton United | Airdrie, Scotland |
15:00 | Report | Wright 21' | Stadium: Excelsior Stadium Attendance: 831 Referee: Mark Petch |
8 September 2018 | Peterhead | 0–1 | Bohemians | Peterhead, Scotland |
15:00 | Report | Devaney 63' | Stadium: Balmoor Stadium Attendance: 713 Referee: Sam Purkiss |
8 September 2018 | East Fife | 2–1 | Partick Thistle | Methil, Scotland |
15:00 | Report | Mbuyi-Mutombo 22' | Stadium: Bayview Stadium Attendance: 932 Referee: Alan Muir |
8 September 2018 | Arbroath | 3–0 | Annan Athletic | Arbroath, Scotland |
15:00 | Report | Stadium: Gayfield Park Attendance: 524 Referee: Colin Steven |
8 September 2018 | Dumbarton | 0–1 | Montrose | Dumbarton, Scotland |
15:00 | Report | Johnston 19' | Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium Attendance: 456 Referee: David Munro |
8 September 2018 | Dundee United | 1–1 (4–5 p) | Alloa Athletic | Dundee, Scotland |
15:00 | Smith 15' | Report | Trouten 78' (pen.) | Stadium: Tannadice Park Attendance: 1,040 Referee: Greg Aitken |
Penalties | ||||
8 September 2018 | East Kilbride | 2–3 | Edinburgh City | East Kilbride, Scotland |
15:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: K-Park Training Academy Attendance: 287 Referee: Steven Kirkland |
8 September 2018 | St Mirren U21s | 3–2 | Hamilton Academical U21s | Paisley, Scotland |
15:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: St Mirren Park Attendance: 316 Referee: Graham Beaton |
8 September 2018 | Ross County | 5–0 | Raith Rovers | Dingwall, Scotland |
15:00 | Report | Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 1,232[9] Referee: John Beaton |
8 September 2018 | The New Saints | 2–2 (2–4 p) | Queen's Park | Oswestry, England |
19:35 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Park Hall Attendance: 278 Referee: Bernard Connolly |
Penalties | ||||
|
8 September 2018 | Coleraine | 1–1 (2–1 p) | Formartine United | Coleraine, Northern Ireland |
19:45 | Carson 31' | Report | MacPhee 20' | Stadium: The Showgrounds Attendance: 973 Referee: David Morgan |
Penalties | ||||
|
8 September 2018 | Sligo Rovers | 4–1 | Livingston U21s | Sligo, Ireland |
19:45 | Report | Knox 3' | Stadium: The Showgrounds Attendance: 408[10] Referee: Lee Tavinder |
Third round
Draw
The draw for the third round was made on 11 September 2018 at 1pm live on the SPFL Facebook page.
Teams in Bold advanced to the quarter-finals.
SPFL | Teams from other countries |
---|---|
Championship League One League Two Premiership U21s |
Matches
12 October 2018 | Arbroath | 1–4 | Edinburgh City | Arbroath, Scotland |
19:35 | McKenna 11' | Report | Stadium: Gayfield Park Attendance: 506 Referee: Alan Muir |
13 October 2018 | East Fife | 2–0 | Queen of the South | Methil, Scotland |
15:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Bayview Stadium Attendance: 579 Referee: Barry Cook |
13 October 2018 | Bohemians | 0–0 (4–3 p) | Sutton United | Dublin, Ireland |
15:00 | Report | Stadium: Dalymount Park Attendance: 1,130 Referee: Mike Roncone | ||
Penalties | ||||
13 October 2018 | Dunfermline Athletic | 2–2 (4–5 p) | Alloa Athletic | Dunfermline, Scotland |
15:00 | L. Longridge 28', 47' (pen.) | Report | Trouten 8', 70' | Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 1,469 Referee: Nick Walsh |
Penalties | ||||
13 October 2018 | Ross County | 3–1 | Montrose | Dingwall, Scotland |
15:00 |
|
Report | Johnston 44' | Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 1,122 Referee: Craig Napier |
13 October 2018 | St Mirren U21s | 2–4 | Queen's Park | Paisley, Scotland |
15:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: St Mirren Park Attendance: 507 Referee: Grant Irvine |
13 October 2018 | Motherwell U21s | 2–0 | Sligo Rovers | Motherwell, Scotland |
15:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Fir Park Attendance: 950 Referee: Richard Hulme |
13 October 2018 | Connah's Quay Nomads | 2–0 | Coleraine | Connah's Quay, Wales |
19:30 |
|
Report | Stadium: Deeside Stadium Attendance: 624 Referee: Colin Steven |
Quarter-finals
Draw
The draw for the quarter-finals was made on 16 October 2018 at 1pm at The Hub in Edinburgh live on the SPFL Facebook page.[11]
Teams in Bold advanced to the semi-finals.
Teams from other countries | |
---|---|
Championship League One League Two Premiership U21s |
Matches
16 November 2018 | Queen's Park | 1–2 | Connah's Quay Nomads | Glasgow, Scotland |
19:45 | Hawke 64' | Report |
|
Stadium: Hampden Park Attendance: 559 Referee: David Rock |
17 November 2018 | Edinburgh City | 2–2 (4–3 p) | Alloa Athletic | Edinburgh, Scotland |
15:00 |
|
Stadium: Ainslie Park Attendance: 478 Referee: Don Robertson | ||
Penalties | ||||
17 November 2018 | Motherwell U21s | 1–2 | Ross County | Motherwell, Scotland |
15:00 | Livingstone 53' | Report | Stewart 51', 56' | Stadium: Fir Park Attendance: 1,209 Referee: David Munro |
- Notes
- ^ B-The Bohemians-East Fife match was originally due to take place on 17 November 2018 but was rearranged as the Irish football season had finished. It was rearranged to be played on 2 February 2019 but was called off due to a frozen pitch at 14:53, seven minutes before kick-off.[12] Following discussions with the SPFL in an attempt to rearrange the fixture again, Bohemians withdrew from the competition and East Fife advanced to the semi-finals.[13]
Semi-finals
Draw
The draw for the semi-finals was made on 21 November 2018 at 1pm at Hampden Park live on the SPFL Facebook page.[14]
15 February 2019 | Ross County | 2–1 | East Fife | Dingwall, Scotland |
19:45 | Armstrong 18' McManus 37' |
Report |
|
Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 1,283 Referee: Alan Newlands |
16 February 2019 | Connah's Quay Nomads | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (5–4 p) | Edinburgh City | Connah's Quay, Wales |
19:25 | Wilde 18' | Report | Walker 2' | Stadium: Deeside Stadium Attendance: 1,068 Referee: James Oldham |
Penalties | ||||
Final
23 March 2019 | Ross County | 3–1 | Connah's Quay Nomads | Inverness, Scotland |
16:30 | Mullin 75', 78' Lindsay 86' |
Report | Bakare 22' | Stadium: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 3,057 Referee: Alan Muir |
Player of the Round
The Golden Ball Award is a 'Player of the Round' award given to the player who is adjudged to have had the best performance of that round out of all the players in teams left competing in that round of the competition. The winner is voted for by supporters from a chosen short-list of players, which is posted on the Irn-Bru Football Twitter page.
Round | Player | Club | Match | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
First Round | Aidan Fitzpatrick | Partick Thistle | 5–0 v Stranraer (A) | [15] |
Second Round | Mikey Drennan | Sligo Rovers | 4–1 v Livingston U21s (H) | [16] |
Third Round | Christian Mbulu | Motherwell U21s | 2–0 v Sligo Rovers (H) | [17] |
Quarter-finals | Scott Shepherd | Edinburgh City | 2–2 v Alloa Athletic (H) | [18] |
Semi-finals | Ross Stewart | Ross County | 2–1 v East Fife (H) | [19] |
Broadcasting rights
The domestic broadcasting rights for the competition are held jointly by BBC Alba, S4C (for matches involving Welsh teams) and subscription channel Premier Sports. Prior to the re-format in the 2016–17 season, BBC Alba had exclusive rights.[20]
One of the semi-final matches was also confirmed as being broadcast live on BT Sport despite no apparent previous announcement of rights.
The following matches were broadcast live on UK television:
Round | BBC Alba | S4C | Premier Sports | BT Sport |
---|---|---|---|---|
Second Round | The New Saints v Queen's Park[21] | |||
Third Round | Arbroath v Edinburgh City[22] | Connah's Quay Nomads v Coleraine[22] | ||
Quarter-Finals | Queen's Park v Connah's Quay Nomads[23] | |||
Semi-Finals | Ross County v East Fife[24] | Connah's Quay Nomads v Edinburgh City[24] | Ross County v East Fife[24] | |
Final | Ross County v Connah's Quay Nomads[25] | Ross County v Connah's Quay Nomads[25] | Ross County v Connah's Quay Nomads[25] |
References
- ^ "Explained: Here is how the new Challenge Cup will work". pressandjournal.co.uk. Press & Journal. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
- ^ "Sutton United & Boreham Wood to enter Irn Bru Scottish Challenge Cup". BBC Sport. 8 June 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
- ^ Crawford, Kenny (24 March 2018). "Dumbarton 0–1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
- ^ "IRN-BRU CUP - SEASON 2018/19" (PDF). Scottish Professional Football League. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
- ^ "National League sides join IRN-BRU Cup". spfl.co.uk. SPFL. 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
- ^ "Bray Wanderers thrown out of IRN BRU Cup and banned from signing players". leagueofireland.ie. League of Ireland. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
- ^ "Deja Vu? FAI release statement on Limerick FC". leagueofireland.ie. League of Ireland. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
- ^ "Sligo Rovers to play in this season's Scottish Challenge Cup". irishmirror.ie. Irish Mirror. 1 August 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
- ^ "Season 2018-2019". Raith Rovers FC. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
- ^ @sligorovers (8 September 2018). "Sligo Rovers v Livingston Colts attendance" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "IRN-BRU CUP DRAW LIVE ON TUESDAY". spfl.co.uk. Scottish Professional Football League. 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
- ^ "Challenge Cup: Bohemians v East Fife called off seven minutes before kick-off". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. 2 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- ^ "Bohemians withdraw from Challenge Cupfollowing late call-off of East Fife tie". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. 4 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- ^ "IRN-BRU CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW". spfl.co.uk. Scottish Professional Football League. 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ @irnbrufootball (29 August 2018). "Round 1 "Golden Balls" winner" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @irnbrufootball (20 September 2018). "Round 2 "Golden Balls" winner" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @irnbrufootball (26 October 2018). "Round 3 "Golden Balls" winner" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @irnbrufootball (4 December 2018). "Quarter Final "Golden Balls" winner" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @irnbrufootball (22 February 2019). "Semi Final "Golden Balls" winner" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Challenge Cup expansion announced". Scottish Professional Football League. 8 June 2016. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
- ^ "IRN-BRU CUP TV SELECTION". Scottish Professional Football League. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ a b "IRN-BRU CUP R3 TV SELECTIONS". Scottish Professional Football League. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
- ^ "IRN-BRU CUP QUARTER-FINAL DETAILS". Scottish Professional Football League. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
- ^ a b c "IRN-BRU CUP SEMI-FINAL DETAILS". Scottish Professional Football League. 6 November 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- ^ a b c "IRN-BRU CUP FINAL DETAILS CONFIRMED". Scottish Professional Football League. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.