2021–22 Scottish Challenge Cup

The 2021–22 Scottish Challenge Cup known as the SPFL Trust Trophy due to sponsorship reasons,[1] was the 30th season of the competition. The total number of participating clubs was 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 ended on 3 April 2022 with the final at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire.

2021–22 Scottish Challenge Cup
Tournament details
CountryScotland
Dates10 August 2021 – 3 April 2022
Teams50
Defending championsInverness Caledonian Thistle
Raith Rovers
(joint winners)
Final positions
ChampionsRaith Rovers
Runner-upQueen of the South
Tournament statistics
Matches played44
Goals scored120 (2.73 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Billy Mckay
(5 goals)

All statistics correct as of 3 April 2022.

Thirty teams from the Championship, League One and League Two competed, 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 were 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

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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

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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

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Draw

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Teams that entered the competition in the first round.

Seeded Teams Unseeded Teams

Matches

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

South Section

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Draw

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Teams that entered the competition in the first round.

Seeded Teams Unseeded Teams

Matches

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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   89' [12] Tidser   69' Stadium: St Mirren Park
Attendance: 372
Referee: Chris Graham
Penalties
  • Offord  
  • McDonald  
  • McMaster  
  • Jack  
10 August 2021 Queen's Park 1–1
(5–4 p)
Bonnyrigg Rose AthleticGlasgow
20:15[C] Gillespie   75' (pen.) [13] Hoskins   61' Stadium: Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 318
Referee: Lloyd Wilson
Penalties
  •   Currie
  •   Evans
  •   Young
  •   Turner
  •   Hunter
  •   Gray
11 August 2021 Falkirk 3–0East KilbrideFalkirk
19:30
[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   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   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

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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

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Draw

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Teams that entered the competition in the second round.

Seeded Teams Unseeded Teams
  • 9 first round winners

Matches

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4 September 2021 Montrose 1–0Stirling AlbionMontrose
13:30 Webster   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   74' [21] Henderson   90+4' Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium
Attendance: 650
Referee: Chris Graham
Penalties
  • Mykyta  
  • Ruth  
  • Duncan  
  • Hanratty  
4 September 2021 Cove Rangers 0–0
(4–2 p)
StenhousemuirAberdeen
15:00 [22] Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 324
Referee: Barry Cook
Penalties
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   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   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

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Draw

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Teams that entered the competition in the second round.

Seeded Teams Unseeded Teams
  • 9 first round winners

Matches

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31 August 2021 Hamilton Academical 3–2Heart of Midlothian BHamilton
19:45
[28]
  • Kirk   61'
  • Denholm   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   49' [29] Gillespie   86' (pen.) Stadium: Excelsior Stadium
Attendance: 460
Referee: Grant Irvine
Penalties
4 September 2021 Stranraer0–2 Partick Thistle Stranraer
13:00 [30]
Stadium: Stair Park
Attendance: 598
Referee: Craig Napier
4 September 2021 Albion Rovers 6–0St Mirren BCoatbridge
13:30
  • Clocherty   3' (o.g.)
  • Doherty   23', 44' (pen.), 59', 64'
  • Dolan   90'
[31] Stadium: Cliftonhill
Attendance: 317
Referee: Lloyd Wilson
4 September 2021 Celtic B1–3 Greenock Morton Airdrie
15:00 Dickson   29' [32]
Stadium: Excelsior Stadium
Referee: Mike Roncone
4 September 2021 Kilmarnock 3–1FalkirkKilmarnock
15:00
[33] Nesbitt   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 B 3–0
(awarded)[E]
Ayr UnitedDumbarton
19:30 [35]
Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium
Referee: Steven Reid
Notes
  1. ^
    E: Rangers B were awarded a technical 3–0 win over Ayr United who fielded two ineligible players.[36] The match had originally finished 3–0 to Ayr United.

Final stages

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On 7 July 2021, a bracket was published for the rest of the tournament, from the third round (last 16) onwards.[37]

Bracket

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Third roundQuarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
6 October 2021
 
 
Hamilton Academical2
 
30 November 2021
 
Aberdeen B0
 
Hamilton Academical2
 
8 October 2021
 
Kilmarnock3
 
Kilmarnock3
 
2 March 2022
 
Queen's Park1
 
Kilmarnock1
 
9 October 2021
 
Raith Rovers2
 
Elgin City2
 
30 November 2021
 
Inverness CT4
 
Inverness CT0 (4)
 
9 October 2021
 
Raith Rovers0 (5)
 
Raith Rovers3
 
3 April 2022
 
East Fife1
 
Raith Rovers3
 
9 October 2021
 
Queen of the South1
 
Cove Rangers4
 
30 November 2021
 
Albion Rovers1
 
Cove Rangers5
 
27 October 2021
 
Rangers B1
 
Alloa Athletic2
 
1 March 2022
 
Rangers B3
 
Cove Rangers0
 
8 October 2021
 
Queen of the South1
 
Queen of the South2
 
1 December 2021
 
Partick Thistle0
 
Queen of the South2
 
9 October 2021
 
Greenock Morton1
 
Montrose0 (2)
 
 
Greenock Morton0 (4)
 

Third round

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The third round featured the 16 second round winners and matches were played on 6, 8, 9 and 27 October 2021.

Matches

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6 October 2021 Hamilton Academical 2–0Aberdeen BHamilton
19:45
  • McGowan   37'
  • Munro   66'
[38] Stadium: New Douglas Park
Attendance: 363
Referee: Steven Kirkland
8 October 2021 Kilmarnock 3–1Queen's ParkKilmarnock
19:45
[39] Gillespie   50' (pen.) Stadium: Rugby Park
Attendance: 2,149
Referee: Alan Muir
8 October 2021 Queen of the South 2–0Partick ThistleDumfries
19:45
[40] Stadium: Palmerston Park
Attendance: 1,043
Referee: Alan Newlands
9 October 2021 Raith Rovers 3–1East FifeKirkcaldy
13:00
[41]
Stadium: Stark's Park
Attendance: 1,177
Referee: Mike Roncone
9 October 2021 Montrose0–0
(2–4 p)
Greenock Morton Montrose
13:30 [42] Stadium: Links Park
Attendance: 476
Referee: Lloyd Wilson
Penalties
9 October 2021 Cove Rangers 4–1Albion RoversAberdeen
14:00
[43]
  • Wright   90+1'
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 327
Referee: Graham Grainger
9 October 2021 Elgin City2–4 Inverness Caledonian Thistle Elgin
14:00
[44]
Stadium: Borough Briggs
Attendance: 1,348
Referee: Barry Cook
27 October 2021 Alloa Athletic2–3 Rangers B Alloa
19:45
[45] Alegría   30', 34', 62' Stadium: Recreation Park
Attendance: 234
Referee: Calum Scott

Quarter-finals

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The quarter-finals were played on 30 November and 1 December 2021.

Matches

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30 November 2021 Hamilton Academical2–3 Kilmarnock Hamilton
19:45
[46]
Stadium: New Douglas Park
Attendance: 829
Referee: Steven Kirkland
30 November 2021 Inverness Caledonian Thistle0–0
(4–5 p)
Raith Rovers Inverness
19:45 [47] Stadium: Caledonian Stadium
Attendance: 670
Referee: Barry Cook
Penalties
30 November 2021 Cove Rangers 5–1Rangers BAberdeen
19:45
[48] Fraser   10' Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 562
Referee: Mike Roncone
1 December 2021 Queen of the South 2–1Greenock MortonDumfries
19:30
[49] Lithgow   86' Stadium: Palmerston Park
Attendance: 525
Referee: Alan Newlands

Semi-finals

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

Matches

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1 March 2022 Cove Rangers0–1 Queen of the South Aberdeen
19:30 [50] Fitzpatrick   2' Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 728
Referee: David Dickinson
2 March 2022 Kilmarnock1–2 Raith Rovers Kilmarnock
19:30 Shaw   43' (pen.) [51]
Stadium: Rugby Park
Attendance: 2,118
Referee: Grant Irvine

Final

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The final took place on 3 April 2022.

Raith Rovers3–1Queen of the South
[52] Roy   45'
Attendance: 4,452
Referee: Grant Irvine

Notes

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

References

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  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. ^ a b "SPFL Trust Trophy R1 details". Scottish Professional Football League. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Fraserburgh 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 statement". Scottish Professional Football League. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  37. ^ "SPFL TRUST TROPHY DRAW IN FULL". Scottish Professional Football League. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  38. ^ "Hamilton Academical vs. Aberdeen II - 6 October 2021". Soccerway. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  39. ^ "Kilmarnock vs. Queen's Park - 8 October 2021". Soccerway. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  40. ^ "Queen of the South vs. Partick Thistle - 8 October 2021". Soccerway. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  41. ^ "Raith Rovers vs. East Fife - 9 October 2021". Soccerway. 9 October 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  42. ^ "Montrose vs. Greenock Morton - 9 October 2021". Soccerway. 9 October 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  43. ^ "Cove Rangers vs. Albion Rovers - 9 October 2021". Soccerway. 9 October 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  44. ^ "Elgin City vs. Inverness CT - 9 October 2021". Soccerway. 9 October 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  45. ^ "Alloa Athletic vs. Rangers II - 27 October 2021". Soccerway. 27 October 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  46. ^ "Hamilton Academical vs. Kilmarnock - 30 November 2021". Soccerway. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  47. ^ "Inverness Caledonian Thistle vs. Raith Rovers - 30 November 2021". Soccerway. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  48. ^ "Cove Rangers vs. Rangers II - 30 November 2021". Soccerway. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  49. ^ "Queen of the South vs. Greenock Morton - 1 December 2021". Soccerway. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  50. ^ "Cove Rangers vs. Queen of the South - 1 March 2022". Soccerway. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  51. ^ "Kilmarnock vs. Raith Rovers - 2 March 2022". Soccerway. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  52. ^ "Raith Rovers vs. Queen of the South - 3 April 2022". Soccerway. 3 April 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2022.