2023 Scottish Challenge Cup final

Last updated
2023 Scottish Challenge Cup final
Event 2022–23 Scottish Challenge Cup
Raith Rovers Hamilton Academical
01
Date26 March 2023
Venue Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk
Referee Colin Steven
Attendance5,566
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The 2023 Scottish Challenge Cup final, also known as the SPFL Trust Trophy final for sponsorship reasons, [1] was a football match that took place on 26 March 2023 between Raith Rovers and Hamilton Academical. [2] It was the 30th final of the Scottish Challenge Cup since it was first organised in 1990 to celebrate the centenary of the now defunct Scottish Football League, and the eighth since the SPFL was formed. It also marked the return of non-Scottish teams to the competition for the first time since the 2019–20 edition. [3]

Contents

Route to the final

The final took place at the Falkirk Stadium (pictured in 2018) TheFalkirkStadium.jpg
The final took place at the Falkirk Stadium (pictured in 2018)

The competition is a knock-out tournament and was contested by 49 teams from Scotland in 2022–23, as well as 2 teams each from Wales and Northern Ireland respectively. [3]

Raith Rovers

As a 2021–22 Scottish Championship club, Raith Rovers were given a bye to the third round. The 2023 final was Raith's fourth Challenge Cup final and third consecutive final, having split the 2020 edition with Inverness Caledonian Thistle after the final was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, [4] and were reigning champions after winning the 2022 edition against Queen of the South. [5] They also won the 2014 final against Rangers, making them undefeated in all four finals they had been involved in prior. [6]

Round Opposition Score
Third round Cove Rangers (a) 1–0
Fourth round Greenock Morton (h) 1–1 ( a.e.t. )
4–2 ( p )
Quarter-final Queen's Park (a) 1–0
Semi-final Dundee (a) 2–2 ( a.e.t. )
4–3 ( p )

Hamilton Academical

As a 2021–22 Scottish Championship club, Hamilton Academical were given a bye to the third round. This was Hamilton's first Challenge Cup final since the 2012 edition. [7] The 2023 final was Hamilton's fifth Challenge Cup final, having won the cup in 1991 and 1992, and finishing as runners-up in 2005 and 2012. [8] [9]

Round Opposition Score
Third round Rangers B (a) 3–0
Fourth round Inverness Caledonian Thistle (h) 2–0
Quarter-final Clyde (h) 3–2
Semi-final Queen of the South (h) 2–1 ( a.e.t. )

Match details

Final
Raith Rovers 0–1 Hamilton Academical
Report
Falkirk Stadium , Falkirk
Attendance: 5,566
Referee: Colin Steven
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Raith Rovers
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Hamilton Academical
GK1 Flag of Scotland.svg Jamie MacDonald
RB4 Flag of Scotland.svg Ross Millen
CB5 Flag of Ireland.svg Ryan Nolan Sub off.svg 84'
CB12 Flag of Scotland.svg Tom Lang Yellow card.svg
LB3 Flag of Scotland.svg Liam Dick
RM16 Flag of Scotland.svg Sam Stanton
CM6 Flag of Scotland.svg Brad Spencer Sub off.svg 76'
CM20 Flag of Scotland.svg Scott Brown
LM23 Flag of Scotland.svg Dylan Easton
CAM10 Flag of Scotland.svg Lewis Vaughan Yellow card.svg
FW77 Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg Esmaël Gonçalves Sub off.svg 55'
Substitutes:
GK13 Flag of Scotland.svg Andrew McNeil
GK17 Flag of Scotland.svg Robbie Thomson
DF15 Flag of Malawi.svg Kieran Ngwenya
DF30 Flag of Scotland.svg Adam Masson
MF7 Flag of Scotland.svg Aidan Connolly Sub on.svg 55'
MF22 Flag of Scotland.svg Ethan Ross Sub on.svg 76'
FW11 Flag of Scotland.svg Connor McBride Sub on.svg 84'
Manager:
Flag of Scotland.svg Ian Murray
GK1 Flag of Scotland.svg Ryan Fulton
CB4 Flag of Ireland.svg Daniel O'Reilly Red card.svg 55'
CB15 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dylan McGowan
CB3 Flag of Scotland.svg Matthew Shiels Sub off.svg 45'
RWB22 Flag of Scotland.svg Reghan Tumilty
CM14 Flag of Scotland.svg Marley Redfern Sub off.svg 21'
CM18 Flag of Scotland.svg Reegan Mimnaugh
CM8 Flag of Scotland.svg Scott Martin
LWB11 Flag of Scotland.svg Lewis Smith Sub off.svg 57'
CAM23 Flag of Scotland.svg Lucas De Bolle
FW9 Flag of England.svg Benny Ashley-Seal Sub off.svg 10'
Substitutes:
GK31 Flag of Scotland.svg Jamie Smith
DF5 Flag of Scotland.svg Brian Easton Sub on.svg 57'
DF12 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Tom Sparrow Sub on.svg 21'
DF25 Flag of Scotland.svg Fergus Owens
DF37 Flag of Scotland.svg Chris McGinn
FW10 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dario Zanatta Sub on.svg 45'
FW16 Flag of England.svg Dylan Stephenson
FW17 Flag of France.svg Jean-Pierre Tiéhi Sub on.svg 10'
FW19 Flag of Scotland.svg Andy Winter
Manager:
Flag of Scotland.svg John Rankin

Match rules

  • 90 minutes.
  • 30 minutes of extra-time if necessary.
  • Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.

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References

  1. ↑ "Challenge Cup to be rebranded SPFL Trust Trophy from season 2021/22". The Edinburgh Reporter. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  2. ↑ "Raith Rovers 0–1 Hamilton Academical". BBC Sport. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Cross-border clubs make return to SPFL Trust Trophy with Courier columnist picked to do first-round draw". www.thecourier.co.uk. The Courier. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  4. ↑ Coyle, Andy (30 April 2021). "Inverness and Raith named as joint winners of 2020 Challenge Cup". STV News. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  5. ↑ "Raith beat Queens to claim SPFL Trust Trophy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  6. ↑ "Raith Rovers 1-0 Rangers (aet)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  7. ↑ "Falkirk 1-0 Hamilton Accies". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  8. ↑ Academy (25 March 2023). "Our last two winning squads..." Hamilton Academical Website. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  9. ↑ "St Mirren 2-1 Hamilton Accies". 6 November 2005. Retrieved 27 March 2023.

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