2022–23 South Challenge Cup

The 2022–23 SFA South Region Challenge Cup was the 16th edition of the annual knockout cup competition for senior non-league clubs in the central and southern regions of Scotland. The tournament entry increased from 161 to a record 163 teams thanks to additional clubs joining the West of Scotland Football League.

2022–23 South Challenge Cup

SFA South Region Challenge Cup
Tournament details
Country	Scotland England (2 teams)
Dates	20 August 2022 – 28 May 2023
Teams	163
Defending champions	Auchinleck Talbot
Final positions
Champions	The Spartans
Runner-up	Drumchapel United
Tournament statistics
Matches played	162
All statistics correct as of 19 August 2021.

The defending champions were Auchinleck Talbot of the West of Scotland League, who beat Lowland League champions Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic 3–1 in the final on 22 May 2022. However they went out of the competition at the quarter-final stage, losing 2–1 to Caledonian Braves.

The Spartans lifted the trophy for a record fourth time, completing a league and cup double after also winning the Lowland League. They beat Drumchapel United 2–1 in the final.

Format

The South Challenge Cup features 163 senior non-league clubs from the Lowland Football League (16), East of Scotland Football League (59), South of Scotland Football League (10), and West of Scotland Football League (79). The reserve teams of Stirling University, Caledonian Braves, and Stranraer, as well as Celtic B, Heart of Midlothian B, and Rangers B, do not take part. Newburgh were debarred due to a breach of rules.

The first and second rounds were regionalised, with north-east, south-east, south-west, and north-west sections each containing 40 or 41 clubs.

The draws are unseeded, with matches proceeding to extra time and penalties if they were tied after 90 minutes.

Calendar

Round	Main date	Fixtures	Clubs
First Round	20 August 2022	35	163 → 128
Second Round	10 September 2022 15 October 2022	64	128 → 64
Third Round	15 October 2022 19 November 2022	32	64 → 32
Fourth Round	4 February 2023	16	32 → 16
Fifth Round	4 March 2023	8	16 → 8
Quarter-Finals	1 April 2023	4	8 → 4
Semi-Finals	TBC	2	4 → 2
Final	28 May 2023	1	2 → 1

First round

The draw for the regionalised first and second rounds took place on Sunday 26 June 2022. Each zone features 9 fixtures in the first round with 23 clubs receiving a bye to the second round (except the South-West zone featuring 8 matches and 24 byes).

North-East zone

Camelon Juniors v West Park United

20 August 2022	Camelon Juniors	4–2	West Park United
14:30

Cowdenbeath v Cumbernauld Colts

20 August 2022	Cowdenbeath	0–2	Cumbernauld Colts
15:00

Crossgates Primrose v University of Stirling

20 August 2022	Crossgates Primrose	1–3	University of Stirling
14:30

East Stirlingshire v Kirkcaldy & Dysart

20 August 2022	East Stirlingshire	2–0	Kirkcaldy & Dysart
15:00

Glenrothes v Broomhill

20 August 2022	Glenrothes	1–0	Broomhill
14:30

Kilsyth Rangers v Hill of Beath Hawthron

20 August 2022	Kilsyth Rangers	1–5	Hill of Beath Hawthron
14:00				Attendance: 113

Luncarty v Kirkintilloch Rob Roy

20 August 2022	Luncarty	2–3 (a.e.t.)	Kirkintilloch Rob Roy
14:30

Rosyth v Gartcairn

20 August 2022	Rosyth	0–3	Gartcairn
14:30

Shotts Bon Accord v Burntisland Shipyard

20 August 2022	Shotts Bon Accord	6–0	Burntisland Shipyard
14:00

North-West zone

Greenock Juniors v Thorn Athletic

19 August 2022	Greenock Juniors	0–3	Thorn Athletic	Greenock
19:30				Stadium: Ravenscraig Stadium

Ardrossan Winton Rovers v St Roch's

20 August 2022	Ardrossan Winton Rovers	0–2	St Roch's	Ardrossan
14:00				Stadium: Winton Park

Beith Juniors v St Anthony's

20 August 2022	Beith Juniors	8–1	St Anthony's	Beith
14:00				Stadium: Bellsdale Park

Benburb v Dalry Thistle

20 August 2022	Benburb	–	Dalry Thistle	Govan, Glasgow
14:00				Stadium: New Tinto Park

Maryhill v Port Glasgow

20 August 2022	Maryhill	3–1	Port Glasgow
14:00

Pollok v Eglinton

20 August 2022	Pollok	6–0	Eglinton
14:00

Rutherglen Glencairn v Finnart

20 August 2022	Rutherglen Glencairn	4–0	Finnart
14:00

St Peter's v Renfrew

20 August 2022	St Peter's	1–3	Renfrew	Renfrew
14:00				Stadium: New Western Park

Vale of Leven v Largs Thistle

20 August 2022	Vale of Leven	2–4	Largs Thistle
14:00

Second round

North-West zone

Ardeer Thistle v Glasgow United

15 October 2022	Ardeer Thistle	0–3	Glasgow United
14:00

Arthurlie v Irvine Meadow XI

15 October 2022	Arthurlie	0–3	Irvine Meadow XI
14:00

Ashfield v Thorn Athletic

15 October 2022	Ashfield	2–0	Thorn Athletic	Glasgow
14:00				Stadium: Saracen Park

Beith Juniors v Largs Thistle

15 October 2022	Beith Juniors	3–4	Largs Thistle	Beith
14:00				Stadium: Bellsdale Park

Benburb v Rutherglen Glencairn

15 October 2022	Benburb	1–4	Rutherglen Glencairn	Govan, Glasgow
14:00				Stadium: New Tinto Park

Glasgow Perthshire v Kilwinning Rangers

15 October 2022	Glasgow Perthshire	1–5	Kilwinning Rangers	Glasgow
14:00

Third round

The majority of the third round ties took place on the weekend of 19 November 2022, reverting to an open draw with 32 fixtures being played.

Leith Athletic v Fauldhouse United

18 November 2022	Leith Athletic	1–2	Fauldhouse United
20:00

Rossvale v Johnstone Burgh

18 November 2022	Rossvale	3–1	Johnstone Burgh
19:30

Yoker Athletic v Drumchapel United

18 November 2022	Yoker Athletic	0–2	Drumchapel United
19:30

Abbey Vale v East Kilbride

19 November 2022	Abbey Vale	0–1	East Kilbride
13:30

Auchinleck Talbot v Neilston

19 November 2022	Auchinleck Talbot	3–0	Neilston
14:00

Bo'ness United v Penicuik Athletic

19 November 2022	Bo'ness United	5–2	Penicuik Athletic
15:00

Caledonian Braves v Rutherglen Glencairn

19 November 2022	Caledonian Braves	4–1	Rutherglen Glencairn	Motherwell
15:00				Stadium: Alliance Park

Cambuslang Rangers v Newton Stewart

19 November 2022	Cambuslang Rangers	0–1	Newton Stewart
13:30

Clydebank v Largs Thistle

19 November 2022	Clydebank	4–0	Largs Thistle
14:00

Coldstream v Broxburn Athletic

19 November 2022	Coldstream	1–4	Broxburn Athletic
14:30

Dunipace v Tynecastle

19 November 2022	Dunipace	2–1 (a.e.t.)	Tynecastle
14:30

Edinburgh South v St Cadoc's

19 November 2022	Edinburgh South	0–5	St Cadoc's
13:30				Attendance: 70

Gartcairn v Dunbar United

19 November 2022	Gartcairn	3–1	Dunbar United
13:30

Glasgow United v Sauchie Juniors

19 November 2022	Glasgow United	0–6	Sauchie Juniors
13:30

Glenafton Athletic v Kinnoull

19 November 2022	Glenafton Athletic	1–0	Kinnoull
13:30

Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Bo'ness Athletic

19 November 2022	Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts	3–6	Bo'ness Athletic
14:00

Jeanfield Swifts v Lochar Thistle

19 November 2022	Jeanfield Swifts	1–2	Lochar Thistle
14:30

Kilwinning Rangers v Musselburgh Athletic

19 November 2022	Kilwinning Rangers	3–2	Musselburgh Athletic
13:30

Linlithgow Rose v Civil Service Strollers

19 November 2022	Linlithgow Rose	3–1	Civil Service Strollers
14:30

Maryhill v Ashfield

19 November 2022	Maryhill	2–1	Ashfield
13:30

Maybole Juniors v Glenrothes

19 November 2022	Maybole Juniors	5–0	Glenrothes
13:30

Newtongrange Star v Stoneyburn

19 November 2022	Newtongrange Star	5–3 (a.e.t.)	Stoneyburn
14:30

Renfrew v Cumnock Juniors

19 November 2022	Renfrew	2–3	Cumnock Juniors
13:30

The Spartans v Glasgow University

19 November 2022	The Spartans	9–0	Glasgow University
15:00

Tranent Juniors v Blackburn United

19 November 2022	Tranent Juniors	3–2	Blackburn United
15:00

Troon v St Cuthbert Wanderers

19 November 2022	Troon	6–0	St Cuthbert Wanderers	Troon
13:30				Stadium: Portland Park

Vale of Clyde v Irvine Meadow XI

19 November 2022	Vale of Clyde	2–1	Irvine Meadow XI
13:30

Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale v Kello Rovers

20 November 2022	Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale	3–1	Kello Rovers	Edinburgh
15:30

University of Stirling v Darvel

20 November 2022	University of Stirling	2–2 (a.e.t.) (4–2 p)	Darvel	Stirling
15:00				Stadium: Forthbank

Luncarty v Thornton Hibs

28 January 2023	Luncarty	3–4	Thornton Hibs
13:30

Threave Rovers v Whitletts Victoria

1 February 2023	Threave Rovers	2–1	Whitletts Victoria
19:30

Shotts Bon Accord v Dundonald Bluebell

4 February 2023	Shotts Bon Accord	0–4	Dundonald Bluebell	Dalgety Bay
13:30				Stadium: Dalgety Bay Sports & Leisure Centre

Fourth round

Draw

Lowland League	East of Scotland League	South of Scotland League	West of Scotland League
Bo'ness United Caledonian Braves East Kilbride The Spartans Tranent Juniors University of Stirling	Premier Division Broxburn Athletic Dundonald Bluebell Linlithgow Rose Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale Sauchie Juniors First Division Dunipace Newtongrange Star Second Division Thornton Hibs Third Division Bo'ness Athletic Fauldhouse United	Lochar Thistle Newton Stewart	Premier Division Auchinleck Talbot Clydebank Cumnock Juniors Glenafton Athletic Kilwinning Rangers Troon First Division Drumchapel United Gartcairn Rossvale St Cadoc's Second Division Maryhill Maybole Juniors Third Division Vale of Clyde Fourth Division Threave Rovers

Matches

Auchinleck Talbot v Broxburn Athletic

4 February 2023	Auchinleck Talbot	7–0	Broxburn Athletic	Auchinleck
14:00				Stadium: Beechwood Park

Caledonian Braves v Bo'ness United

4 February 2023	Caledonian Braves	4–3 (a.e.t.)	Bo'ness United	Motherwell
15:00				Stadium: Alliance Park

Cumnock Juniors v Troon

4 February 2023	Cumnock Juniors	4–2 (a.e.t.)	Troon	Cumnock
14:00				Stadium: Townhead Park

Fauldhouse United v Sauchie Juniors

4 February 2023	Fauldhouse United	0–5	Sauchie Juniors	Fauldhouse
14:00				Stadium: Park View

Gartcairn v Bo'ness Athletic

4 February 2023	Gartcairn	4–3 (a.e.t.)	Bo'ness Athletic	Airdrie
14:00				Stadium: MTC Park

Glenafton Athletic v Drumchapel United

4 February 2023	Glenafton Athletic	2–3	Drumchapel United	New Cumnock
13:30				Stadium: Loch Park

Kilwinning Rangers v Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale

4 February 2023	Kilwinning Rangers	3–0	Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale	Kilwinning
13:30				Stadium: Buffs Park

Lochar Thistle v Maryhill

4 February 2023	Lochar Thistle	1–4	Maryhill	Dumfries
13:30				Stadium: Wilson Park

Maybole Juniors v Clydebank

4 February 2023	Maybole Juniors	0–1	Clydebank	Maybole
13:30				Stadium: Ladywell Stadium

Newton Stewart v University of Stirling

4 February 2023	Newton Stewart	1–5	University of Stirling	Newton Stewart
15:00				Stadium: Blairmount Park

Rossvale v East Kilbride

4 February 2023	Rossvale	1–5	East Kilbride	Glasgow
13:30				Stadium: Petershill Park

The Spartans v Dunipace

4 February 2023	The Spartans	5–0	Dunipace	Edinburgh
15:00				Stadium: Ainslie Park

Threave Rovers v St Cadoc's

4 February 2023	Threave Rovers	3–1	St Cadoc's	Castle Douglas
13:30				Stadium: Meadow Park

Tranent Juniors v Linlithgow Rose

4 February 2023	Tranent Juniors	3–1	Linlithgow Rose	Tranent
15:00				Stadium: Foresters Park

Vale of Clyde v Thornton Hibs

4 February 2023	Vale of Clyde	1–0	Thornton Hibs	Glasgow
13:30				Stadium: Fullarton Park

Newtongrange Star v Dundonald Bluebell

14 February 2023	Newtongrange Star	0–2	Dundonald Bluebell	Newtongrange
19:30				Stadium: Victoria Park

Fifth round

Draw

The draw for the fifth round was made on 6 February 2023, live on the West of Scotland Football League YouTube channel.

Teams in Italics were unknown at the time of the draw.

Lowland League	East of Scotland League	West of Scotland League
Caledonian Braves East Kilbride The Spartans Tranent Juniors University of Stirling	Premier Division Dundonald Bluebell Sauchie Juniors	Premier Division Auchinleck Talbot Clydebank Cumnock Juniors Kilwinning Rangers First Division Drumchapel United Gartcairn Second Division Maryhill Third Division Vale of Clyde Fourth Division Threave Rovers

Matches

Auchinleck Talbot v East Kilbride

4 March 2023	Auchinleck Talbot	1–0	East Kilbride	Auchinleck
14:00				Stadium: Beechwood Park

Clydebank v University of Stirling

4 March 2023	Clydebank	1–2	University of Stirling	Clydebank
15:00				Stadium: Holm Park

Cumnock Juniors v Sauchie Juniors

4 March 2023	Cumnock Juniors	2–3 (a.e.t.)	Sauchie Juniors	Cumnock
14:00				Stadium: Townhead Park

Drumchapel United v Vale of Clyde

4 March 2023	Drumchapel United	3–2	Vale of Clyde	Drumchapel
14:00

Dundonald Bluebell v The Spartans

4 March 2023	Dundonald Bluebell	2–2 (a.e.t.) (2–4 p)	The Spartans	Cardenden
14:30				Stadium: Moorside Park

Gartcairn v Tranent Juniors

4 March 2023	Gartcairn	2–1	Tranent Juniors	Airdrie
14:00				Stadium: MTC Park

Maryhill v Kilwinning Rangers

4 March 2023	Maryhill	0–2	Kilwinning Rangers	Glasgow
14:00				Stadium: Lochburn Park

Threave Rovers v Caledonian Braves

4 March 2023	Threave Rovers	0–2	Caledonian Braves	Castle Douglas
14:00				Stadium: Meadow Park

Quarter-finals

Draw

Lowland League	East of Scotland League	West of Scotland League
Caledonian Braves The Spartans University of Stirling	Premier Division Sauchie Juniors	Premier Division Auchinleck Talbot Kilwinning Rangers First Division Drumchapel United Gartcairn

Matches

Caledonian Braves v Auchinleck Talbot

4 April 2023	Caledonian Braves	2–1	Auchinleck Talbot	Motherwell
15:00				Stadium: Alliance Park

Kilwinning Rangers v Gartcairn

4 April 2023	Kilwinning Rangers	1–4	Gartcairn	Kilwinning
14:00				Stadium: Buffs Park

Sauchie Juniors v Drumchapel United

4 April 2023	Sauchie Juniors	1–4	Drumchapel United	Sauchie
14:30				Stadium: Beechwood Park

The Spartans v University of Stirling

4 April 2023	The Spartans	4–2	University of Stirling	Edinburgh
15:00				Stadium: Ainslie Park

Semi-finals

Draw

Lowland League	West of Scotland League
Caledonian Braves The Spartans	First Division Drumchapel United Gartcairn

Matches

Caledonian Braves v The Spartans

18 April 2023	Caledonian Braves	2–3	The Spartans	Motherwell
19:45				Stadium: Alliance Park

Gartcairn v Drumchapel United

26 April 2023	Gartcairn	0–1	Drumchapel United	Airdrie
19:45				Stadium: MTC Park

Final

28 May 2023

14:00

The Spartans	2–1	Drumchapel United
Russell 17', 42'		Finnigan 87'

Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld

Referee: Greg Soutar