2021–22 Scottish Challenge Cup

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2021–22 Scottish Challenge Cup
Country Scotland
Dates10 August 2021 – 3 April 2022
Teams50
Defending championsInverness Caledonian Thistle
Raith Rovers
(joint winners)
Matches played30
Goals scored73 (2.43 per match)
→
All statistics correct as of 14 September 2021.

The 2021–22 Scottish Challenge Cup known as the SPFL Trust Trophy due to sponsorship reasons,[1] is the 30th season of the competition. The total number of participating clubs is 50, down from 58, with only Scottish clubs competing due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland. The competition began on 10 August 2021 with the First Round and will end on 2 or 3 April 2022 with the final at a yet to be chosen neutral venue.

Thirty teams from the Championship, League One and League Two compete, along with four teams from the Highland Football League and four from the Lowland Football League. In addition to this, Under-21 teams of the clubs competing in the Scottish Premiership are represented. This season no clubs from Northern Ireland, Wales, Republic of Ireland or England entered the competition to reduce unnecessary travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]

Format[]

Round Date Fixtures Clubs New entries
First Round 10–11 August 2021 18 50 → 32 6 teams from 2020–21 Scottish League One (5th–10th)
Teams from 2020–21 Scottish League Two
4 teams from 2020–21 Lowland Football League (1st–4th)
4 teams from 2020–21 Highland Football League (1st–4th)
12 U21 teams from 2021–22 Scottish Premiership
Second Round 4–5 September 2021 16 32 → 16 Teams from 2020–21 Scottish Championship
4 teams from 2020–21 Scottish League One (1st–4th)
Third Round 9–10 October 2021 8 16 → 8
Quarter-finals 30 November–1 December 2021 4 8 → 4
Semi-finals 1–2 March 2022 2 4 → 2
Final 2 or 3 April 2022 1 2 → 1

First round[]

The first round featured 6 clubs from 2020–21 Scottish League One, all clubs from 2020–21 Scottish League Two, 4 clubs from the 2020–21 Scottish Highland Football League, 4 clubs from the 2020–21 Scottish Lowland Football League and the 12 Under 21 teams of the 2021–22 Scottish Premiership.

The draw was made on 6 July 2021 at 14:00 and was broadcast live on the SPFL YouTube Channel. The draw was regionalised and seeded. Matches were played on 10, 11 and 17 August 2021.

Livingston and Ross County were unable to field B teams for the first round and withdrew from the competition. Their scheduled opponents, Albion Rovers and Stirling Albion, were awarded byes into the second round.[3]

North Section[]

Draw[]

Teams that entered the competition in the first round.

Seeded Teams Unseeded Teams

Matches[]

10 August 2021 Fraserburgh0–1 Cowdenbeath Fraserburgh
19:30 [4] Buchanan Goal 90+2' Stadium: Bellslea Park
Attendance: 250
Referee: Chris Fordyce
10 August 2021 Stenhousemuir 3–0Dundee United BStenhousemuir
19:30
[5] Stadium: Ochilview Park
Attendance: 164
Referee: Barry Cook
10 August 2021 East Fife 1–0St Johnstone BMethil
19:45 Mercer Goal 33' [6] Stadium: Bayview Stadium
Attendance: 190
Referee: Mike Roncone
10 August 2021 Hibernian B1–2 Elgin City Edinburgh
19:45 Aitken Goal 89' [7] Hester Goal 30', 51' Stadium: Christie Gillies Park
Attendance: 100
Referee: Calum Scott
10 August 2021 Brora Rangers0–1 Aberdeen B Brora
19:45 [8] Ruth Goal 70' Stadium: Dudgeon Park
Attendance: 150
Referee: Dan McFarlane
10 August 2021 Forfar Athletic 1–0Formartine UnitedForfar
19:45 Aitken Goal 12' [9] Stadium: Station Park
Attendance: 255
Referee: Alan Newlands
11 August 2021 Dundee B1–2 Peterhead Forfar
19:45 Panter Goal 35' [10] Payne Goal 37', 70' Stadium: Station Park
Referee: Scott Lambie
11 August 2021 Brechin City1–3 Buckie Thistle Brechin
20:00 Bollan Goal 51' [11]
  • Morrison Goal 34'
  • Urquhart Goal 75'
  • Murray Goal 90'
 Stadium: Glebe Park
Attendance: 285
Referee: Graham Grainger
Ross County Bw/o[A] Stirling Albion

South Section[]

Draw[]

Teams that entered the competition in the first round.

Seeded Teams Unseeded Teams

Matches[]

10 August 2021 Stranraer 3–0
(awarded)[B]		Motherwell BStranraer
19:30 Stadium: Stair Park
10 August 2021 St Mirren B 1–1
(3–0 p)		Kelty HeartsPaisley
19:45 Jack Goal 89' [12] Tidser Goal 69' Stadium: St Mirren Park
Attendance: 372
Referee: Chris Graham
Penalties
  • Offord Penalty scored
  • McDonald Penalty missed
  • McMaster Penalty scored
  • Jack Penalty scored
10 August 2021 Queen's Park 1–1
(5–4 p)		Bonnyrigg Rose AthleticGlasgow
20:15[C] Gillespie Goal 75' (pen.) [13] Hoskins Goal 61' Stadium: Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 318
Referee: Lloyd Wilson
Penalties
  • Penalty scored Currie
  • Penalty scored Evans
  • Penalty missed Young
  • Penalty scored Turner
  • Penalty scored Hunter
  • Penalty missed Gray
11 August 2021 Falkirk 3–0East KilbrideFalkirk
19:30
  • Old Goal 31' (o.g.)
  • Ross Goal 57'
  • Keena Goal 72'
 [14] Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 1,120
Referee: Lorraine Watson
11 August 2021 Dumbarton2–3 Rangers B Dumbarton
19:45
[15]
Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium
Attendance: 259
Referee: Steven Reid
11 August 2021 Celtic B 2–0Annan AthleticAirdrie
19:45
[16] Stadium: Excelsior Stadium
Referee: Matthew MacDermid
11 August 2021 Broomhill 1–0ClydeAlloa
19:45 Alexander Goal 21' [17] Stadium: Recreation Park
Attendance: 144
Referee: Duncan Williams
17 August 2021 Edinburgh City0–1 Heart of Midlothian B Edinburgh
19:45 [18] Henderson Goal 44' (pen.) Stadium: Ainslie Park
Attendance: 272
Referee: Lloyd Wilson
Livingston Bw/o[A] Albion Rovers
Notes
  1. ^
    A: Livingston and Ross County were unable to field B teams for the first round and withdrew from the competition.[3]
  2. ^
    B: Stranraer were awarded a 3–0 win over Motherwell B who were unable to fulfil the fixture as a number of players were self-isolating due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland..[19]
  3. ^
    C: Originally due to start at 19:45, kick-off in the Queen's Park vs Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic match was delayed by 30 minutes due to traffic congestion around Firhill Stadium.

Second round[]

The second round featured the 18 first round winners who were joined by all teams from the 2020–21 Scottish Championship and the top four teams from the 2020–21 Scottish League One.

The draw was made on 6 July 2021 at 14:00 and was broadcast live on the SPFL YouTube Channel. The draw was regionalised and seeded. Matches were played on 31 August, 3, 4, 5 and 14 September 2021.

North section[]

Draw[]

Teams that entered the competition in the second round.

Seeded Teams Unseeded Teams
  • 9 first round winners

Matches[]

4 September 2021 Montrose 1–0Stirling AlbionMontrose
13:30 Webster Goal 4' (pen.) [20] Stadium: Links Park
Attendance: 491
Referee: Chris Fordyce
4 September 2021 Aberdeen B 1–1
(4–1 p)		ArbroathAberdeen
15:00 Ruth Goal 74' [21] Henderson Goal 90+4' Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium
Attendance: 650
Referee: Chris Graham
Penalties
  • Mykyta Penalty scored
  • Ruth Penalty scored
  • Duncan Penalty scored
  • Hanratty Penalty scored
4 September 2021 Cove Rangers 0–0
(4–2 p)		StenhousemuirAberdeen
15:00 [22] Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 324
Referee: Barry Cook
Penalties
  • Penalty missed Forbes
  • Penalty missed Coll
  • Penalty scored O'Reilly
  • Penalty scored Brown
4 September 2021 Cowdenbeath0–2 Alloa Athletic Cowdenbeath
15:00 [23]
Stadium: Cowdenbeath
Attendance: 292
Referee: Dan McFarlane
4 September 2021 Raith Rovers 1–0Forfar AthleticKirkcaldy
15:00 Riley-Snow Goal 25' [24] Stadium: Stark's Park
Attendance: 842
Referee: Matthew McDermid
4 September 2021 Elgin City 3–0
(awarded)[D]		Dunfermline AthleticElgin
15:00 Stadium: Borough Briggs
4 September 2021 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4–0Buckie ThistleInverness
15:00
[25] Stadium: Caledonian Stadium
Attendance: 902
Referee: Calum Scott
4 September 2021 Peterhead0–1 East Fife Peterhead
15:00 [26] Denholm Goal 10' Stadium: Balmoor Stadium
Attendance: 358
Referee: Stewart Luke
Notes
  1. ^
    D: Elgin City were awarded a technical 3–0 win over Dunfermline Athletic who were unable to fulfil the fixture as a number of players were self-isolating due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland.[27]

South section[]

Draw[]

Teams that entered the competition in the second round.

Seeded Teams Unseeded Teams
  • Kilmarnock
  • Hamilton Academical
  • Queen of the South
  • Ayr United
  • Greenock Morton
  • Partick Thistle
  • Airdrieonians
  • 9 first round winners

Matches[]

31 August 2021 Hamilton Academical 3–2Heart of Midlothian BHamilton
19:45
[28]
  • Kirk Goal 61'
  • Denholm Goal 63'
 Stadium: New Douglas Park
Attendance: 409
Referee: Chris Graham
3 September 2021 Airdrieonians1–1
(4–5 p)		 Queen's Park Airdrie
19:45 Smith Goal 49' [29] Gillespie Goal 86' (pen.) Stadium: Excelsior Stadium
Attendance: 460
Referee: Grant Irvine
Penalties
4 September 2021 Stranraer0–2 Partick Thistle Stranraer
13:00 [30]
  • Akinola Goal 12'
  • Holt Goal 90+2'
 Stadium: Stair Park
Attendance: 598
Referee: Craig Napier
4 September 2021 Albion Rovers 6–0St Mirren BCoatbridge
13:30
  • Clocherty Goal 3' (o.g.)
  • Docherty Goal 23', 44' (pen.), 59', 64'
  • Dolan Goal 90'
 [31] Stadium: Cliftonhill
Attendance: 317
Referee: Lloyd Wilson
4 September 2021 Celtic B1–3 Greenock Morton Airdrie
15:00 Dickson Goal 29' [32]
Stadium: Excelsior Stadium
Referee: Mike Roncone
4 September 2021 Kilmarnock 3–1FalkirkKilmarnock
15:00
[33] Nesbitt Goal 8' Stadium: Rugby Park
Attendance: 2,447
Referee: Alan Newlands
5 September 2021 Queen of the South 3–0BroomhillDumfries
14:00
[34] Stadium: Palmerston Park
Attendance: 717
Referee: Peter Stuart
14 September 2021 Rangers B0–3 Ayr United Dumbarton
19:30 [35]
Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium
Referee: Steven Reid

Final stages[]

On 7 July 2021, a bracket was published for the rest of the tournament, from the third round (last 16) onwards.[36]

Bracket[]

 
Third roundQuarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
9 October 2021
 
 
Hamilton Academical
 
30 November 2021
 
Aberdeen B
 
 
 
9 October 2021
 
 
 
Kilmarnock
 
1 March 2022
 
Queen's Park
 
 
 
9 October 2021
 
 
 
Elgin City
 
30 November 2021
 
Inverness CT
 
 
 
9 October 2021
 
 
 
Raith Rovers
 
2 or 3 April 2022
 
East Fife
 
 
 
9 October 2021
 
 
 
Cove Rangers
 
30 November 2021
 
Albion Rovers
 
 
 
9 October 2021
 
 
 
Alloa Athletic
 
1 March 2022
 
Ayr United
 
 
 
8 October 2021
 
 
 
Queen of the South
 
30 November 2021
 
Partick Thistle
 
 
 
9 October 2021
 
 
 
Montrose
 
 
Greenock Morton
 

Third round[]

The third round will feature the 16 second round winners and matches are to be played on 9 or 10 October 2021.

Matches[]

8 October 2021 Kilmarnock v Queen's Park Kilmarnock
19:45 Stadium: Rugby Park
8 October 2021 Queen of the South v Partick Thistle Dumfries
19:45 Stadium: Palmerston Park
9 October 2021 Hamilton Academical v Aberdeen B Hamilton
Stadium: New Douglas Park
9 October 2021 Elgin City v Inverness Caledonian Thistle Elgin
14:00 Stadium: Borough Briggs
9 October 2021 Raith Rovers v East Fife Kirkcaldy
Stadium: Stark's Park
9 October 2021 Cove Rangers v Albion Rovers Aberdeen
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
9 October 2021 Alloa Athletic v Ayr United Alloa
Stadium: Recreation Park
9 October 2021 Montrose v Greenock Morton Montrose
Stadium: Links Park

Quarter-finals[]

The quarter-finals are to be played on 30 November or 1 December 2021.

Semi-finals[]

The semi-finals are to be played on 1 or 2 March 2022.

Final[]

The final is due to take place on 2 or 3 April 2022.

Notes[]

Notes
  1. ^
    Note 1: The 2020–21 tournament was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic in Scotland.

References[]

  1. ^ "Challenge Cup to be rebranded SPFL Trust Trophy from season 2021/22". The Edinburgh Reporter. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  2. ^ "SPFL Trust Trophy format & dates". SPFL. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "SPFL Trust Trophy R1 details". Scottish Professional Football League. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Fraserbrugh vs. Cowdenbeath - 10 August 2021". Soccerway. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Stenhousemuir vs. Dundee United II - 10 August 2021". Soccerway. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  6. ^ "East Fife vs. St. Johnstone II - 10 August 2021". Soccerway. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Hibernian II vs. Elgin City - 10 August 2021". Soccerway. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Brora Rangers vs. Aberdeen II - 10 August 2021". Soccerway. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  9. ^ "Forfar Athletic vs. Formartine United - 10 August 2021". Soccerway. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  10. ^ "Dundee II vs. Peterhead - 11 August 2021". Soccerway. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  11. ^ "Brechin City vs. Buckie Thistle - 11 August 2021". Soccerway. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  12. ^ "St. Mirren II vs. Kelty Hearts - 10 August 2021". Soccerway. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  13. ^ "Queen's Park vs. Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic - 10 August 2021". Soccerway. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  14. ^ "Falkirk vs. East Kilbride - 11 August 2021". Soccerway. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  15. ^ "Dumbarton vs. Rangers II - 11 August 2021". Soccerway. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  16. ^ "Celtic II vs. Annan Athletic - 11 August 2021". Soccerway. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  17. ^ "Broomhill vs. Clyde - 11 August 2021". Soccerway. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  18. ^ "Edinburgh City vs. Hearts II - 17 August 2021". Soccerway. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  19. ^ "SPFL statement". Scottish Professional Football League. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  20. ^ "Montrose vs. Stirling Albion - 4 September 2021". Soccerway. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  21. ^ "Aberdeen II vs. Arbroath - 4 September 2021". Soccerway. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  22. ^ "Cove Rangers vs. Stenhousemuir - 4 September 2021". Soccerway. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  23. ^ "Cowdenbeath vs. Alloa Athletic - 4 September 2021". Soccerway. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  24. ^ "Raith Rovers vs. Forfar Athletic - 4 September 2021". Soccerway. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  25. ^ "Inverness Caledonian Thistle vs. Buckie Thistle - 4 September 2021". Soccerway. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  26. ^ "Peterhead vs. East Fife - 4 September 2021". Soccerway. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  27. ^ "SPFL statement". Scottish Professional Football League. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  28. ^ "Hamilton Academical vs. Hearts II - 31 August 2021". Soccerway. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  29. ^ "Airdrieonians vs. Queen's Park - 3 September 2021". Soccerway. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  30. ^ "Stranraer vs. Partick Thistle - 4 September 2021". Soccerway. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  31. ^ "Albion Rovers vs. St Mirren II - 4 September 2021". Soccerway. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  32. ^ "Celtic II vs. Greenock Morton - 4 September 2021". Soccerway. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  33. ^ "Kilmarnock vs. Falkirk - 4 September 2021". Soccerway. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  34. ^ "Queen of the South vs. Broomhill - 5 September 2021". Soccerway. 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  35. ^ "Rangers II vs. Ayr United - 14 September 2021". Soccerway. 14 September 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  36. ^ "SPFL TRUST TROPHY DRAW IN FULL". Scottish Professional Football League. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
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