2017–18 Scottish Challenge Cup
Tournament details | |
---|---|
Country | ![]() |
Teams | 56 |
Defending champions | Dundee United |
Final positions | |
Champions | Inverness Caledonian Thistle |
Runner-up | Dumbarton |
Tournament statistics | |
Matches played | 55 |
Goals scored | 169 (3.07 per match) |
Top goal scorer(s) | Stephen Dobbie & Lewis Vaughan (4 goals) |
The 2017–18 Scottish Challenge Cup, known as the IRN-BRU Cup[1] due to sponsorship reasons, is the 27th season of the competition. The tournament took on a similar format from the previous season, however, two teams from the Republic of Ireland's Airtricity League (Sligo Rovers and Bray Wanderers) entered the competition for the first time taking the total number of participating clubs to 56. This was the second season with two clubs from both Northern Ireland and Wales competing alongside the 30 members of the 2017–18 Scottish Championship, 2017–18 Scottish League One and 2017–18 Scottish League Two, four teams from the 2017–18 Highland Football League and four from the 2017–18 Lowland Football League as well as the Under-20 teams of the teams competing in the 2017–18 Scottish Premiership. The Welsh teams were The New Saints and Connah's Quay Nomads while the Northern Irish teams were Crusaders and Linfield.[2]
Dundee United were the defending champions after they beat St Mirren 2–1 in the 2017 final,[3] but were eliminated in the Quarter-finals by Crusaders.
Irn Bru replaced Petrofac as the main sponsor of the competition in June 2016.[1]
Format
[edit]Round | Date[4] | Fixtures | Clubs | New entries |
---|---|---|---|---|
First round | 15–16 August 2017 | 24 | 56 → 32 | Teams placed 3rd–10th from 2016–17 Scottish Championship 10 teams from 2016–17 Scottish League One 10 teams from 2016–17 Scottish League Two 4 teams from 2016–17 Highland Football League 4 teams from 2016–17 Lowland Football League 12 U20s teams from 2017–18 Scottish Premiership |
Second round | 2–3 September 2017 | 16 | 32 → 16 | 12th placed team from 2016–17 Scottish Premiership 2nd placed team from 2016–17 Scottish Championship 2 teams from 2016–17 NIFL Premiership 2 teams from 2016–17 Welsh Premier League 2 teams from 2017 League of Ireland Premier Division |
Third round | 7–8 October 2017 | 8 | 16 → 8 | |
Quarter-finals | 11–12 November 2017 | 4 | 8 → 4 | |
Semi-finals | 17–18 February 2018 | 2 | 4 → 2 | |
Final | 24 or 25 March 2018 | 1 | 2 → 1 |
First round
[edit]The draw for the first round was made at 1 pm on 27 June 2017 at the Summerlee Industrial Museum in Coatbridge and was streamed live on the SPFL's Facebook page. The draw was regionalised into northern and southern sections with each section containing 14 SPFL clubs, four Highland Football League or Lowland Football League clubs and six U20s teams with any team able to face any other within their section.[4]
North Section
[edit]Draw
[edit]Teams in Bold advanced to the second round.
North section | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matches
[edit]15 August 2017 | Ross County U20s | 2–1 | Forfar Athletic | Dingwall, Scotland |
19:30 |
|
Report | Millar ![]() |
Stadium: Victoria Park Referee: Billy Baxter |
15 August 2017 | Aberdeen U20s | 1–0 | St Johnstone U20s | Brechin, Scotland |
19:45 | Ross ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Glebe Park Attendance: 155 Referee: Alex Shepherd |
15 August 2017 | Stirling Albion | 1–3 | Montrose | Stirling, Scotland |
19:45 | Smith ![]() |
Report |
|
Stadium: Forthbank Stadium Attendance: 413 Referee: Peter Stuart |
15 August 2017 | Dundee United | 2–0 | Cowdenbeath | Dundee, Scotland |
19:45 | N'Koyi ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Tannadice Park Attendance: 1,655 Referee: Mat Northcroft |
15 August 2017 | Formartine United | 2–3 (a.e.t.) | Heart of Midlothian U20s | Pitmedden, Scotland |
19:45 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: North Lodge Park Attendance: 200 Referee: Dan McFarlane |
15 August 2017 | East Fife | 0–2 | Peterhead | Methil, Scotland |
19:45 | Report |
|
Stadium: Bayview Stadium Attendance: 333 Referee: Mike Roncone |
15 August 2017 | Stenhousemuir | 0–2 | Cove Rangers | Stenhousemuir, Scotland |
19:45 | Report | Stadium: Ochilview Park Attendance: 169 Referee: Scott Lambie |
15 August 2017 | Raith Rovers | 3–0 | Brora Rangers | Kirkcaldy, Scotland |
19:45 | Report | Stadium: Stark's Park Attendance: 971 Referee: Steven Reid |
15 August 2017 | Dunfermline Athletic | 2–0 | Arbroath | Dunfermline, Scotland |
19:45 | Ryan ![]() |
Report | Stadium: East End Park Attendance: 1,462 Referee: Euan Anderson |
15 August 2017 | Hibernian U20s | 1–2 | Elgin City | Edinburgh, Scotland |
19:45 | Murray ![]() |
Report |
|
Stadium: Ainslie Park Attendance: 387 Referee: Alan Newlands |
15 August 2017 | Buckie Thistle | 2–1 | Brechin City | Buckie, Scotland |
20:00 | Fraser ![]() |
Report | McLean ![]() |
Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 453 Referee: Graham Beaton |
16 August 2017 | Dundee U20s | 2–4 | Alloa Athletic | Dundee, Scotland |
19:30 | Henvey ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Dens Park Attendance: 110 Referee: Stephen Brown |
South Section
[edit]Draw
[edit]Teams in Bold advanced to the second round.
South section | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Matches
[edit]15 August 2017 | Kilmarnock U20s | 0–2 | Berwick Rangers | Kilmarnock, Scotland |
19:45 | Report |
|
Stadium: Rugby Park Referee: Duncan Williams |
15 August 2017 | Clyde | 2–3 (a.e.t.) | Stranraer | Cumbernauld, Scotland |
19:45 |
|
Report | Stadium: Broadwood Stadium Attendance: 319 Referee: Grant Irvine |
15 August 2017 | Hamilton Academical U20s | 1–0 | Edinburgh City | Hamilton, Scotland |
19:45 | Tierney ![]() |
Report | Stadium: New Douglas Park Attendance: 153 Referee: Lloyd Wilson |
15 August 2017 | Albion Rovers | 0–3 (Awarded)[A] | Spartans | Coatbridge, Scotland |
19:45 | Report | Stadium: Cliftonhill Attendance: 155 Referee: Kevin Graham | ||
Penalties | ||||
|
|
15 August 2017 | St Mirren | 2–1 | East Kilbride | Paisley, Scotland |
19:45 | Report | McLaren ![]() |
Stadium: St Mirren Park Attendance: 1,357 Referee: John McKendrick |
15 August 2017 | Partick Thistle U20s | 6–1 | Stirling University | Glasgow, Scotland |
19:45 |
|
Report | Lyons ![]() |
Stadium: Firhill Stadium Referee: Stewart Luke |
15 August 2017 | Queen of the South | 4–0 | Airdrieonians | Dumfries, Scotland |
19:45 | Report | Stadium: Palmerston Park Attendance: 1,012 Referee: Barry Cook |
15 August 2017 | Greenock Morton | 0–2 | Livingston | Greenock, Scotland |
19:45 | Report | Stadium: Cappielow Attendance: 1,036 Referee: Colin Steven |
15 August 2017 | Annan Athletic | 3–1 | Celtic U20s | Annan, Scotland |
19:45 | Smith ![]() |
Report | Hendry ![]() |
Stadium: Galabank Attendance: 278 Referee: Chris Graham |
16 August 2017 | Motherwell U20s | 2–1 | Queen's Park | Stirling, Scotland |
19:30 | Report | Cummins ![]() |
Stadium: Forthbank Stadium Attendance: 168 Referee: David Dickinson |
16 August 2017 | Dumbarton | 2–1 | Rangers U20s | Dumbarton, Scotland |
19:45 | Report | Hardie ![]() |
Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium Attendance: 389 Referee: Gavin Ross |
16 August 2017 | East Stirlingshire | 1–5 | Ayr United | Stenhousemuir, Scotland |
19:45 | Ure ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Ochilview Park Attendance: 318 Referee: David Munro |
- Notes
- ^ A-Spartans were awarded a 3–0 win against Albion Rovers at a disciplinary hearing on 24 August 2017. Albion Rovers pleaded guilty to fielding Liam McGuigan as a second half substitute when he was ineligible to play in the match. The match had ended 0–0 with Albion Rovers winning 5–4 on penalties. Albion Rovers were also fined £2,000 for the breach of IRN-BRU Cup regulations.[5] Both teams were included in the draw for the second round on 17 August 2017.[6]
Second round
[edit]Draw
[edit]The draw for the second round was made at 1 pm on 17 August 2017 at the Falkirk Wheel and streamed live on the SPFL's Facebook page. The draw was unseeded but the six non-Scottish teams were kept apart with one team from each country drawn at home and one away. Linfield were allocated an away tie due to the unavailability of Windsor Park so Crusaders played at home.[7]
Teams in Italics were not known at the time of the draw. Teams in Bold advanced to the third round.
![]() |
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![]() |
![]() |
Other Scottish | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
01. Sligo Rovers |
05. The New Saints |
|
Premiership U20s |
Matches
[edit]29 August 2017 | Ayr United | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (5–6 p) | Montrose | Ayr, Scotland |
19:45 | Moore ![]() |
Report | I Campbell ![]() |
Stadium: Somerset Park Attendance: 906 Referee: Grant Irvine |
Penalties | ||||
|
1 September 2017 | Stranraer | 2–0 | Partick Thistle U20s | Stranraer, Scotland |
19:45 |
|
Report | Stadium: Stair Park Attendance: 228 Referee: Steven Reid |
2 September 2017 | Dumbarton | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Connah's Quay Nomads | Dumbarton, Scotland |
14:30 | Report | Morris ![]() |
Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium Attendance: 491 Referee: Ben Connolly |
2 September 2017 | Elgin City | 2–0 | Bray Wanderers | Elgin, Scotland |
15:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Borough Briggs Attendance: 611 Referee: Arnold Hunter |
2 September 2017 | Crusaders | 3–2 | Motherwell U20s | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
15:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Seaview Attendance: 494 Referee: Kris Hames |
2 September 2017 | Spartans | 1–2 | Linfield | Edinburgh, Scotland |
15:00 | Atkinson ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Ainslie Park Attendance: 902 Referee: Mark Petch |
2 September 2017 | Peterhead | 2–0 | Annan Athletic | Peterhead, Scotland |
15:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Balmoor Stadium Attendance: 529 Referee: Craig Napier |
2 September 2017 | Dundee United | 3–1 | Alloa Athletic | Dundee, Scotland |
15:00 | Report | Cawley ![]() |
Stadium: Tannadice Park Attendance: 1,763 Referee: Willie Collum |
2 September 2017 | Berwick Rangers | 0–5 | Queen of the South | Berwick-upon-Tweed, England |
15:00 | Report | Stadium: Shielfield Park Attendance: 621 Referee: Greg Aitken |
2 September 2017 | St Mirren | 3–1 | Heart of Midlothian U20s | Paisley, Scotland |
15:00 | Report | Currie ![]() |
Stadium: St Mirren Park Attendance: 1,130 Referee: Craig Charleston |
2 September 2017 | Hamilton Academical U20s | 1–3 | Cove Rangers | Hamilton, Scotland |
15:00 | Breen ![]() |
Report | Stadium: New Douglas Park Attendance: 297 Referee: David Munro |
2 September 2017 | Aberdeen U20s | 2–4 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | Brechin, Scotland |
15:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Glebe Park Attendance: 175 Referee: Alan Newlands |
2 September 2017 | Buckie Thistle | 0–3 | Dunfermline Athletic | Buckie, Scotland |
15:00 | Report | Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 606 Referee: Mike Roncone |
2 September 2017 | Raith Rovers | 4–0 | Ross County U20s | Kirkcaldy, Scotland |
15:00 | Report | Stadium: Stark's Park Attendance: 1,035 Referee: Gavin Ross |
2 September 2017 | Sligo Rovers | 1–2 | Falkirk | Sligo, Ireland |
19:45 | Sharkey ![]() |
Report | Stadium: The Showgrounds Attendance: 520 Referee: Keith Kennedy |
3 September 2017 | The New Saints | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (6–5 p) | Livingston | Oswestry, England |
14:45 | Edwards ![]() |
Report | Mackin ![]() |
Stadium: Park Hall Attendance: 403 Referee: Robert Harvey |
Penalties | ||||
The SPFL launched an investigation after two different methods of penalty shootout were used in the second round matches that required the tiebreaker. Montrose's 6–5 win over Ayr United used the traditional ABAB method where one team follows the other whereas The New Saints' 6–5 win over Livingston used the trial ABBA method where one team goes first before the other takes two consecutively and then the first team takes their second. SPFL rules state that the ABAB method should be used. The mix up is suspected to have come after confusion between the Irish referee and Welsh linesmen in The New Saints-Livingston match over which method was to be used. The result of the investigation is not expected to impact the result of The New Saints-Livingston tie.[8]
Third round
[edit]Draw
[edit]The draw for the third round was made at 1 pm on 5 September 2017 at the Riverside Museum and was streamed live on the SPFL's Facebook page. The draw was unseeded and there were no longer any requirements for non-SPFL sides to be kept apart.[9]
Teams in Bold advanced to the third round.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
03. The New Saints |
|
16. Cove Rangers |
Matches
[edit]6 October 2017 | Dumbarton | 2–1 | Stranraer | Dumbarton, Scotland |
19:45 | Report | Okoh ![]() |
Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium Attendance: 492 Referee: Greg Aitken |
7 October 2017 | St Mirren | 1–3 | Raith Rovers | Paisley, Scotland |
15:00 | Reilly ![]() |
Report | Stadium: St Mirren Park Attendance: 1,970 Referee: Euan Anderson |
7 October 2017 | Montrose | 1–3 (a.e.t.) | Queen of the South | Montrose, Scotland |
15:00 | Masson ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Links Park Attendance: 534 Referee: Kevin Graham |
7 October 2017 | Falkirk | 2–0 | Dunfermline Athletic | Falkirk, Scotland |
15:00 | Report | Stadium: Falkirk Stadium Attendance: 4,082 Referee: Steven McLean |
7 October 2017 | Cove Rangers | 0–3 | Crusaders | Forfar, Scotland |
15:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Station Park Attendance: 268 Referee: Paul McLaughlin |
7 October 2017 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 3–0 | Peterhead | Inverness, Scotland |
15:00 | Report | Stadium: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 930 Referee: Alan Muir |
7 October 2017 | The New Saints | 4–0 | Elgin City | Oswestry, England |
16:30 |
|
Report | Stadium: Park Hall Attendance: 404 Referee: Andrew Davey |
7 October 2017 | Dundee United | 1–0 | Linfield | Dundee, Scotland |
17:15 | Chalmers ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Tannadice Park Attendance: 1,967 Referee: Iwan Griffith |
Quarter-finals
[edit]Draw
[edit]The draw for the quarter-finals was made at 1 pm on 10 October 2017 at the Forth Road Bridge Visitor Centre and was streamed live on the SPFL's Facebook page. The draw was unseeded.[10][11]
Teams in Bold advanced to the semi-finals.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
---|---|---|
01. Crusaders |
02. The New Saints |
03. Inverness Caledonian Thistle |
Matches
[edit]11 November 2017 | Dundee United | 1–2 | Crusaders | Dundee, Scotland |
13:15 | Fyvie ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Tannadice Park Attendance: 2,048 Referee: Robert Hennessy |
11 November 2017 | Dumbarton | 2–0 | Raith Rovers | Dumbarton, Scotland |
15:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium Attendance: 888 Referee: Gavin Duncan |
11 November 2017 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 1–0 | Falkirk | Inverness, Scotland |
17:15 | Bell ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 1,078 Referee: Euan Anderson |
12 November 2017 | The New Saints | 0–0 (a.e.t.) (4–3 p) | Queen of the South | Oswestry, England |
14:45 | Report | Stadium: Park Hall Attendance: 808 Referee: Raymond Crangle | ||
Penalties | ||||
Semi-finals
[edit]Draw
[edit]The draw for the semi-finals was made at 1pm on 14 November 2017 at the SEC Armadillo and was streamed live on the SPFL's Facebook page. The draw was unseeded.[12]
Teams in Bold advanced to the final.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
---|---|---|
01. Crusaders |
02. The New Saints |
Matches
[edit]17 February 2018 | The New Saints | 1–2 | Dumbarton | Oswestry, England |
19:35 | Ebbe ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Park Hall Attendance: 825 Referee: Neil Doyle |
18 February 2018 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 3–2 | Crusaders | Inverness, Scotland |
17:15 | Report | Heatley ![]() |
Stadium: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 1,044 Referee: Bryn Markham-Jones |
Final
[edit]24 March 2018 | Dumbarton | 0–1 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | Perth, Scotland |
16:15 | Report | Tremarco ![]() |
Stadium: McDiarmid Park Attendance: 4,602 Referee: Andrew Dallas |
Statistics
[edit]Top goalscorers
[edit]- As of matches played on 24 March 2018[13]
Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Queen of the South | 4 |
![]() |
Raith Rovers | ||
3 | ![]() |
Annan Athletic | 3 |
![]() |
Cove Rangers | ||
![]() |
Dundee United | ||
![]() |
Dunfermline Athletic | ||
![]() |
Partick Thistle U20s | ||
![]() |
St Mirren | ||
9 | 20 players | 2 |
Player of the Round
[edit]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 | ![]() |
Buckie Thistle | 2–1 v Brechin City (H) | [14] |
Second Round | ![]() |
St Mirren | 3–1 v Heart of Midlothian U20s (H) | [15] |
Third Round | ![]() |
Falkirk | 2–0 v Dunfermline Athletic (H) | [16] |
Quarter-finals | ![]() |
Crusaders | 2–1 v Dundee United (A) | [17] |
Semi-finals | ![]() |
Dumbarton | 2–1 v The New Saints (A) |
Broadcasting rights
[edit]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.[18]
The following matches are to be broadcast live on UK television:
Round | BBC Alba | S4C | Premier Sports |
---|---|---|---|
Second Round | The New Saints v Livingston[19] | ||
Third Round | Dundee United v Linfield[20] | The New Saints v Elgin City[20] | |
Quarter-Finals | Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Falkirk[21] | The New Saints v Queen of the South[21] | |
Semi-Finals | Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Crusaders[22] | The New Saints v Dumbarton[23] | |
Final | Dumbarton v Inverness Caledonian Thistle[24] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Explained: Here is how the new Challenge Cup will work". pressandjournal.co.uk. Press & Journal. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
- ^ "IRN-BRU Cup expanded for 2017/18". spfl.co.uk. SPFL. 7 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
- ^ Young, Chick (25 March 2017). "Dundee United 2–1 St Mirren". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
- ^ a b "SPFL reveal updated IRN-BRU Cup format". Scottish Professional Football League. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ^ "Press Release: Disciplinary hearing". spfl.co.uk. Scottish Professional Football League. 24 August 2017. Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
- ^ "SPFL press release: IRN-BRU Cup". spfl.co.uk. Scottish Professional Football League. 16 August 2017. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^ "IRN-BRU Cup Rd 2 draw on Thursday". Scottish Professional Football League. 14 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^ Stewart, Craig (4 September 2017). "SPFL probe after 'wrong penalty shoot-out' used in Irn-Bru Cup tie". scotsman.com. The Scotsman. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
- ^ "Date set for IRN-BRU Cup R3 draw". Scottish Professional Football League. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
- ^ "Date set for IRN-BRU Cup QF draw". Scottish Professional Football League. 4 October 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
- ^ "IRN-BRU Cup quarter-final draw today". Scottish Professional Football League. 10 October 2017. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
- ^ "IRN-BRU Cup semi-final draw". Scottish Professional Football League. 14 November 2017. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- ^ "Scotland Challenge Cup 2017/2018 Predictions, H2H Stats, Match Fixtures, Odds and Results". Soccer Punter. 5 September 2017.
- ^ @irnbrufootball (30 August 2017). "Round 1 "Golden Balls" winner" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Golden Balls award for Reilly". Scottish Professional Football League. 14 September 2017. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
- ^ @irnbrufootball (13 October 2017). "Round 3 "Golden Balls" winner" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @irnbrufootball (15 November 2017). "Quarter-finals "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 2017.
- ^ "IRN-BRU Cup R2: dates and venues". Scottish Professional Football League. 18 August 2017. Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
- ^ a b "IRN-BRU Cup R3 - dates and TV selections". Scottish Professional Football League. 8 September 2017. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
- ^ a b "IRN-BRU Cup TV selections confirmed". Scottish Professional Football League. 12 October 2017. Archived from the original on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
- ^ "IRN-BRU Cup: Date for ICT v Crusaders". Scottish Professional Football League. 31 January 2018. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
- ^ "Date set for TNS v Dumbarton". Scottish Professional Football League. 29 December 2017. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- ^ "McDiarmid Park to host IRN-BRU final". Scottish Professional Football League. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.