The 2020–21 SFA South Region Challenge Cup (known as The SoccerShop Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons)[1] was the 14th edition of the annual knockout cup competition for senior non-league clubs in the central and southern regions of Scotland. This season sees the tournament increase from 70 to 121 teams thanks to additional clubs joining the East of Scotland Football League and the inclusion of 67 clubs from the inaugural West of Scotland Football League.
| The SoccerShop Challenge Cup | |
|---|---|
| Tournament details | |
| Country | Scotland England (2 teams) |
| Dates | 24 October 2020 – 26 April 2021 (tournament abandoned) |
| Teams | 121 (142 initially entered) |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 52 |
| Goals scored | 251 (4.83 per match) |
| Attendance | 0 (0 per match) |
Arniston Rangers and Cumbernauld Colts are not competing due to a breach of rules in the previous season's competition.[2] A number of clubs withdrew before the start of the tournament, including those who declined to take part in the WoSFL.
Due to Scottish Government restrictions, games were played behind closed doors because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 11 January 2021 the competition was suspended by the Scottish Football Association due to the escalating pandemic situation.[3] With the season already complete for each of the four leagues competing in the tournament, the competition was declared null and void on 26 April 2021.[4]
Format
editThe South Challenge Cup initially featured 142 senior non-league clubs from the Lowland Football League (16), East of Scotland Football League (47), South of Scotland Football League (12), and West of Scotland Football League (67). The reserve teams of Stirling University, Caledonian Braves, and Stranraer do not take part.
The draw is unseeded, with matches proceeding to extra time and penalties if they are tied after 90 minutes.
Calendar
edit| Round | Main date[5] | Fixtures | Clubs |
|---|---|---|---|
| First round | 24 October 2020 | 14 | 142 → 128 |
| Second round | 21 November 2020 | 64 | 128 → 64 |
| Third round | 6 February 2021 | 32 | 64 → 32 |
| Fourth round | 6 March 2021 | 16 | 32 → 16 |
| Fifth round | 3 April 2021 | 8 | 16 → 8 |
| Quarter-Finals | 24 April 2021 | 4 | 8 → 4 |
| Semi-Finals | 15 May 2021 | 2 | 4 → 2 |
| Final | 6 June 2021 | 1 | 2 → 1 |
First round
editThe draw for the first and second rounds took place on Saturday 5 September 2020 and was broadcast live on the Official Catchup YouTube channel. The majority of the first round fixtures took place on the weekend of Saturday 24 October 2020.[1][6]
| 23 October 2020 | The Spartans | 4–0 | Kinnoull | Edinburgh |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Ainslie Park Attendance: 0 |
| 24 October 2020 | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | 2–0 | Newtongrange Star | Bonnyrigg |
| 15:00 | Stadium: New Dundas Park Attendance: 0 |
| 24 October 2020 | Broxburn Athletic | 6–0 | Creetown | Broxburn |
| 14:30 | Stadium: Albyn Park Attendance: 0 |
| Carluke Rovers | w/o (Awarded)[A] | Kilbirnie Ladeside |
| Dunbar United | w/o (Awarded)[A] | Drumchapel United |
| 24 October 2020 | Easthouses Lily MW | 5–3 | Larkhall Thistle | Easthouses |
| 14:30 | Stadium: Newbattle Complex Attendance: 0 |
| 24 October 2020 | Irvine Victoria | 3–3 (a.e.t.) (3–5 p) | St Anthony's | Irvine |
| 14:00 | Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 0 |
| 24 October 2020 | Jeanfield Swifts | 5–0 | Lochgelly Albert | Perth |
| 14:30 | Stadium: Riverside Stadium Attendance: 0 |
| 24 October 2020 | Maybole Juniors | 2–3 | Vale of Leven | Maybole |
| 14:00 | Stadium: Ladywell Stadium Attendance: 0 |
| Pollok | w/o (Awarded)[A] | Tranent Juniors |
| 24 October 2020 | Threave Rovers | 7–2 | Ormiston | Castle Douglas |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Meadow Park Attendance: 0 |
| 24 October 2020 | Vale of Clyde | 4–1 (a.e.t.) | East Kilbride Thistle | Glasgow |
| 14:00 | Stadium: Fullarton Park Attendance: 0 |
| 4 November 2020 | Sauchie Juniors | 2–1 | Kilwinning Rangers | Sauchie |
| 19:30 | Stadium: Beechwood Park Attendance: 0 |
| 21 November 2020 | Thornton Hibs | 1–0 | Rutherglen Glencairn | Methil |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Bayview Stadium Attendance: 0 |
Second round
editThe majority of the second round fixtures took place on the weekend of 21 November 2020.[6] A number of teams received a bye to the third round after 18 teams from the West of Scotland League withdrew from the competition.
| 20 November 2020 | East Stirlingshire | 3–4 (a.e.t.) | The Spartans | Falkirk |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Falkirk Stadium Attendance: 0 |
| 21 November 2020 | Annbank United | 2–3 | Vale of Leven | Ayr |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Dam Park Stadium |
| 21 November 2020 | Ardeer Thistle | 0–12 | Tranent Juniors | Stevenston |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Ardeer Stadium |
| 21 November 2020 | Bellshill Athletic | 2–3 | Cumbernauld United | Bellshill |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Rockburn Park |
| 21 November 2020 | Blackburn United | 3–1 | Newburgh | Blackburn |
| 14:30 | Stadium: New Murrayfield Park |
| 21 November 2020 | Bo'ness United | 4–1 | Burntisland Shipyard | Bo'ness |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Newtown Park |
| 21 November 2020 | Broxburn Athletic | 0–3 | Irvine Meadow XI | Broxburn |
| 14:30 | Stadium: Albyn Park |
| 21 November 2020 | Cambuslang Rangers | C–C[B] | Girvan |
| 21 November 2020 | Coldstream | 2–0 | Crossgates Primrose | Coldstream |
| 14:30 | Stadium: Home Park |
| 21 November 2020 | Craigmark Burntonians | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (4–3 p) | Bonnyton Thistle | Cumnock |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Townhead Park |
| Cumnock Juniors | w/o (Awarded)[B] | Wishaw |
| 21 November 2020 | Dalkeith Thistle | 0–6 | BSC Glasgow | Dalkeith |
| 14:30 | Stadium: King's Park |
| 21 November 2020 | Darvel | 3–2 | Easthouses Lily MW | Darvel |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Recreation Park |
| 21 November 2020 | Dunipace | 5–3 | Mid-Annandale | Denny |
| 14:30 | Stadium: Westfield Park |
| Edinburgh United | w/o (Awarded)[B] | Arthurlie |
| 21 November 2020 | Eyemouth United | 1–3 | Muirkirk Juniors | Eyemouth |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Warner Park |
| 21 November 2020 | Forth Wanderers | 4–2 | Threave Rovers | Carluke |
| 13:30 | Stadium: John Cumming Stadium |
| 21 November 2020 | Gala Fairydean Rovers | 2–1 | Sauchie Juniors | Galashiels |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Netherdale |
| 21 November 2020 | Gartcairn | 6–3 | Inverkeithing Hilfield Swifts | Airdrie |
| 14:00 | Stadium: MTC Park |
| Glasgow Perthshire | w/o (Awarded)[B] | Petershill |
| 21 November 2020 | Glasgow University | 0–1 | Hill of Beath Hawthorn | Airdrie |
| 14:00 | Stadium: Excelsior Stadium |
| Glenafton Athletic | w/o (Awarded)[B] | Neilston |
| 21 November 2020 | Glenrothes | 1–5 | St Cadoc's | Kirkcaldy |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Stark's Park |
| 21 November 2020 | Greenock Juniors | 3–0 | Vale of Clyde | Greenock |
| 14:00 | Stadium: Ravenscraig Stadium |
| 21 November 2020 | Haddington Athletic | 3–1 | Abbey Vale | Haddington |
| 14:30 | Stadium: Millfield Park |
| 21 November 2020 | Heriot-Watt University | 3–2 | Drumchapel United | Edinburgh |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Riccarton Campus |
| 21 November 2020 | Hurlford United | 4–1 | Civil Service Strollers | Hurlford |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Blair Park |
| 21 November 2020 | Jeanfield Swifts | 3–1 | Caledonian Braves | Perth |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Riverside Stadium |
| 21 November 2020 | Johnstone Burgh | 2–1 | Maryhill | Glasgow |
| 13:30 | Stadium: New Tinto Park |
| 21 November 2020 | Kennoway Star Hearts | 0–3 | St. Roch's | Star |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Treaton Park |
| Kelty Hearts | w/o (Awarded)[B] | Auchinleck Talbot |
| 21 November 2020 | Kilsyth Rangers | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (4–5 p) | Rossvale | Kilsyth |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Duncansfield Park |
| Lanark United | w/o (Awarded)[B] | Ashfield |
| 21 November 2020 | Largs Thistle | 2–1 | Dalbeattie Star | Largs |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Barrfields Park |
| 21 November 2020 | Leith Athletic | 3–0 | Tweedmouth Rangers | Edinburgh |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Peffermill 3G |
| Lesmahagow Juniors | w/o (Awarded)[B] | Port Glasgow |
| 21 November 2020 | Linlithgow Rose | 2–1 | Kello Rovers | Linlithgow |
| 14:30 | Stadium: Prestonfield |
| 21 November 2020 | Lochmaben | 3–6 | Kirkcaldy & Dysart | Lochmaben |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Whitehills Park |
| Luncarty | w/o (Awarded)[B] | Whitletts Victoria |
| Musselburgh Athletic | w/o (Awarded)[B] | Benburb |
| 21 November 2020 | Newton Stewart | 1–3 | Yoker Athletic | Newton Stewart |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Blairmount Park |
| 21 November 2020 | Renfrew | 3–0 | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | Renfrew |
| 14:00 | Stadium: New Western Park |
| 21 November 2020 | Rosyth | 3–5 | Camelon Juniors | Rosyth |
| 14:30 | Stadium: Fleet Grounds |
| Royal Albert | w/o (Awarded)[B] | Wigtown & Bladnoch |
| Saltcoats Victoria | w/o (Awarded)[B] | Lochore Welfare |
| 21 November 2020 | Shettleston | C–C[B] | Shotts Bon Accord |
| 21 November 2020 | St Andrews United | 2–3 | Hawick Royal Albert United | St Andrews |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Recreation Ground |
| 21 November 2020 | St Anthony's | 1–3 | East Kilbride | Glasgow |
| 13:30 | Stadium: McKenna Park |
| 21 November 2020 | St Cuthbert Wanderers | 0–3 | Tynecastle | Kirkcudbright |
| 15:00 | Stadium: St Mary's Park |
| 21 November 2020 | Troon | 3–4 (a.e.t.) | Preston Athletic | Troon |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Portland Park |
| 21 November 2020 | Upper Annandale | 1–4 | Berwick Rangers | Lockerbie |
| 15:00 | Stadium: New King Edward Park |
| 21 November 2020 | Vale of Leithen | 5–1 (Abandoned) | Heston Rovers | Innerleithen |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Victoria Park |
| 21 November 2020 | Whitehill Welfare | 2–0 | Carluke Rovers | Rosewell |
| 14:30 | Stadium: Ferguson Park |
| 22 November 2020 | Edinburgh South | 4–5 (a.e.t.) | Blantyre Victoria | Dalkeith |
| 14:30 | Stadium: King's Park |
| 28 November 2020 | Beith Juniors | 0–3 (a.e.t.) | Clydebank | Beith |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Bellsdale Park |
| Thornton Hibs | w/o (Awarded)[A] | Nithsdale Wanderers |
| TBC | Thorniewood United | v | Craigroyston | Viewpark |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Robertson Park |
| 30 January 2021 | Dundonald Bluebell | v | Kirkintilloch Rob Roy | Cardenden |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Moorside Park |
| 30 January 2021 | Newmains United | v | Edinburgh University | Newmains |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Victoria Park |
| 30 January 2021 | Peebles Rovers | v | Oakley United | Peebles |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Whitestone Park |
| 6 February 2021 | Gretna 2008 | v | Penicuik Athletic | Gretna |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Raydale Park |
- Replay
| 6 February 2021 | Vale of Leithen | v | Heston Rovers | Innerleithen |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Victoria Park |
- ^ B: Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Arthurlie, Auchinleck Talbot, Benburb, Cambuslang Rangers, Cumnock Juniors, Dalry Thistle, Girvan, Glenafton Athletic, Lanark United, Lesmahagow Juniors, Lugar Boswell Thistle, Nithsdale Wanderers, Petershill, Royal Albert, Saltcoats Victoria, Shettleston, Shotts Bon Accord, and Whitletts Victoria withdrew from the competition.
Third round
editThe third round was due to take place on the weekend of Saturday 6 February 2021. The draw for the third round took place on Friday 12 December 2020 and was broadcast live on the Official Catchup YouTube channel.
Due to teams withdrawing in the previous rounds, Gartcairn and Port Glasgow received a bye to the fourth round.[7]
| Ashfield | v | University of Stirling | Glasgow | |
| Stadium: Saracen Park |
| Blackburn United | v | Thorniewood United or Craigroyston | Blackburn | |
| Stadium: New Murrayfield Park |
| Bo'ness United | v | Hill of Beath Hawthorn | Bo'ness | |
| Stadium: Newtown Park |
| Coldstream | v | Hawick Royal Albert United | Coldstream | |
| Stadium: Home Park |
| Gala Fairydean Rovers | v | The Spartans | Galashiels | |
| Stadium: Netherdale |
| Glasgow Perthshire | v | Heriot-Watt University | Glasgow | |
| Stadium: Keppoch Park |
| Haddington Athletic | v | Renfrew | Haddington | |
| Stadium: Millfield Park |
| Irvine Meadow XI | v | Peebles Rovers or Oakley United | Irvine | |
| Stadium: Meadow Park |
| Johnstone Burgh | v | Blantyre Victoria | Johnstone | |
| Stadium: James Y. Keanie Park |
| Kirkcaldy & Dysart | v | Preston Athletic | Kirkcaldy | |
| Stadium: Alex Penman Park |
| Largs Thistle | v | Jeanfield Swifts | Largs | |
| Stadium: Barrfields Park |
| Leith Athletic | v | Kelty Hearts | Edinburgh | |
| Stadium: Peffermill 3G |
| Linlithgow Rose | v | Lochore Welfare | Linlithgow | |
| Stadium: Prestonfield |
| Lochar Thistle | v | Musselburgh Athletic | Dumfries | |
| Stadium: Maxwelltown High School |
| Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale | v | Edinburgh United | Edinburgh | |
| Stadium: Saughton Enclosure |
| Muirkirk Juniors | v | Craigmark Burntonians | Muirkirk | |
| Stadium: Burnside Park |
| Rossvale | v | Hurlford United | Glasgow | |
| Stadium: New Tinto Park |
| St Cadoc's | v | Cumbernauld United | Glasgow | |
| Stadium: McKenna Park |
| St. Roch's | v | Greenock Juniors | Glasgow | |
| Stadium: James McGrory Park |
| Vale of Leven | v | BSC Glasgow | Alexandria | |
| Stadium: Millburn Park |
| Whitehill Welfare | v | Dundonald Bluebell or Kirkintilloch Rob Roy | Rosewell | |
| Stadium: Ferguson Park |
| Wishaw | v | Wigtown & Bladnoch | Wishaw | |
| Stadium: Beltane Park |
| Yoker Athletic | v | Dunipace | Clydebank | |
| Stadium: Holm Park |
| Clydebank | v | Forth Wanderers | Clydebank | |
| Stadium: Holm Park |
| Luncarty | v | Vale of Leithen or Heston Rovers | Luncarty | |
| Stadium: Brownlands Park |
References
edit- ^ a b The Soccer Shop:Direct [@TheSoccerShopD] (September 4, 2020). "What team are you hoping for in the 1st round? You looking for a bye? 😉What ties would be the one you'd just love to see? Let us know! We'd love to hear from fans from all clubs in the cup! 🙌" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ East of Scotland Football League [@EastScotlandFA] (September 3, 2020). "Copied from @SOSFLeague - you guys know about these two teams' absence?" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Scottish FA Board confirms three-week suspension of professional football beneath SPFL Championship | Scottish FA". www.scottishfa.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
- ^ "South Region Challenge Cup update!". Twitter. Retrieved 2021-04-26.
- ^ "The East of Scotland Football League Season 2020–21 Fixture List" (PDF).[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b "The Soccer Shop Challenge Cup round 1 & 2 Draw". Scottish Lowland League. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- ^ "The Soccer Shop Challenge Cup 3rd Round draw". East of Scotland Football League. Retrieved 13 December 2020.