The 2023–24 Scottish Challenge Cup, known as the SPFL Trust Trophy due to sponsorship reasons,[1] was the 32nd season of the competition. The total number of participating clubs was 53, including clubs from Wales and Northern Ireland. The competition began on 1 August 2023 with the first round and the final took place on 24 March 2024.
Tournament details | |
---|---|
Country | Scotland Northern Ireland Wales |
Dates | 1 August 2023 – 24 March 2024 |
Teams | 53 |
Defending champions | Hamilton Academical |
Final positions | |
Champions | Airdrieonians |
Runner-up | The New Saints |
Tournament statistics | |
Matches played | 52 |
Goals scored | 173 (3.33 per match) |
Top goal scorer(s) | Brad Young (5 goals) |
All statistics correct as of 24 March 2024. |
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 from 11 of the 12 clubs competing in the Scottish Premiership were represented. This season also included guest clubs, with two sides each coming from Northern Ireland's NIFL Premiership (Cliftonville and Coleraine) and the Welsh Cymru Premier (TNS and Bala Town).[2]
Format
editRound | Date | Fixtures | Clubs | New entries |
---|---|---|---|---|
First Round[3] | 1–2 August 2023 | 11 | 53 → 42 | 3 teams from 2022–23 Scottish League Two (8th–10th) 4 teams from 2022–23 Lowland Football League (1st–4th) 4 teams from 2022–23 Highland Football League (1st–4th) 11 U21 teams from 2023–24 Scottish Premiership |
Second Round[3] | 15–16 August 2023 | 10 | 42 → 32 | 2 teams from 2022–23 Scottish League One (9th–10th) 7 teams from 2022–23 Scottish League Two (1st–7th) |
Third Round[3] | 9–10 September 2023 | 16 | 32 → 16 | Teams from 2022–23 Scottish Championship (2nd–10th) 8 teams from 2022–23 Scottish League One (1st–8th) 2 teams from 2022–23 NIFL Premiership (4th and 6th) 2 teams from 2022–23 Cymru Premier (1st and 5th) |
Fourth Round[3] | 14–15 October 2023 | 8 | 16 → 8 | |
Quarter-finals[3] | 18–19 November 2023 | 4 | 8 → 4 | |
Semi-finals[3] | 3–4 February 2024 | 2 | 4 → 2 | |
Final[3] | 24 March 2024 | 1 | 2 → 1 |
First round
editThe first round featured 3 clubs from 2022 to 2023 Scottish League Two, 4 clubs from the 2022–23 Scottish Highland Football League, 4 clubs from the 2022–23 Scottish Lowland Football League and 11 of the 12 under-21 teams of the 2023–24 Scottish Premiership, with Ross County not entering an under-21 team.[3]
The draw was made on 4 July 2023 at 13:00 and broadcast live on the SPFL YouTube Channel. The draw was regionalised and all non-Under 21 teams were seeded. The matches were played on 1 and 2 August 2023.[2]
North Section
editDraw
editTeams that entered the competition in the first round.
Seeded Teams | Unseeded Teams |
---|---|
Matches
edit1 August 2023 | Brechin City | 2–2 (5–3 p) | Heart of Midlothian B | Brechin |
19:30 |
|
[4] |
|
Stadium: Glebe Park Attendance: 474 Referee: George Calder |
Penalties | ||||
|
|
1 August 2023 | Elgin City | 2–0 | St Johnstone B | Elgin |
19:30 |
|
[5] | Stadium: Borough Briggs Attendance: 478 Referee: Daniel Graves |
2 August 2023 | Hibernian B | 1–1 (3–2 p) | Formartine United | Edinburgh |
19:30 |
|
[6] |
|
Stadium: Meadowbank Stadium Attendance: 107 Referee: Alex Shepherd |
Penalties | ||||
|
|
2 August 2023 | Brora Rangers | 1–1 (2–4 p) | Aberdeen B | Brora |
19:45 | J. MacRae 28' | [7] | Bavidge 82' | Stadium: Dudgeon Park Attendance: 275 Referee: Ryan Lee |
Penalties | ||||
|
|
2 August 2023 | Dundee B | 4–0 | Buckie Thistle | Forfar |
20:00 | [8] | Stadium: Station Park Attendance: 116 Referee: Colin Whyte |
South Section
editDraw
editTeams that entered the competition in the first round.
Seeded Teams | Unseeded Teams |
---|---|
Matches
edit1 August 2023 | St Mirren B | 2–2 (2–4 p) | Albion Rovers | Paisley |
19:30 |
|
[9] |
|
Stadium: St Mirren Park Attendance: 363 Referee: Greg Soutar |
Penalties | ||||
|
|
1 August 2023 | Tranent | 0–0 (3–1 p) | Motherwell B | Tranent |
19:45 | [10] | Stadium: Foresters Park Attendance: 200 Referee: Jordan Curran | ||
Penalties | ||||
|
1 August 2023 | The Spartans | 0–3 | Rangers B | Edinburgh |
19:45 | [11] | Stadium: Ainslie Park Attendance: 273 Referee: Ross Hardie |
1 August 2023 | Kilmarnock B | 3–1 | Bonnyrigg Rose | Kilmarnock |
19:45 |
|
[12] | Faye 46' | Stadium: Rugby Park Attendance: 181 Referee: Andy Gamble |
2 August 2023 | University of Stirling | 4–0 | Livingston B | Stirling |
19:45 |
|
[13] | Stadium: Forthbank Stadium Attendance: 98 Referee: Duncan Nicolson |
2 August 2023 | Celtic B | 1–3 | East Kilbride | Airdrie |
19:45 | Vata 12' | [14] |
|
Stadium: Excelsior Stadium Attendance: 338 Referee: Peter Stuart |
Second round
editThe second round featured the 11 winners from the previous round, along with 2 clubs from 2022 to 2023 Scottish League One and 7 clubs from 2022 to 2023 Scottish League Two.
The draw for the second round was also made on 4 July 2023 at 13:00 on the live broadcast from the SPFL YouTube Channel. The draw was regionalised, but not seeded. The matches were played on 15 and 16 August 2023.[2]
North Section
editDraw
editTeams that entered the competition in the second round.
Matches
edit15 August 2023 | Brechin City | 0–4 | Hibernian B | Brechin |
19:30 | [15] |
|
Stadium: Glebe Park Attendance: 400 Referee: Duncan Nicolson |
15 August 2023 | Aberdeen B | 3–5 | Peterhead | Pitmedden |
19:45 | [16] |
|
Stadium: North Lodge Park Attendance: 384 Referee: Ross Clark |
15 August 2023 | Dundee B | 0–0 (3–5 p) | East Fife | Dundee |
19:45 | [17] | Stadium: Dens Park Attendance: 309 Referee: Greg Soutar | ||
Penalties | ||||
|
15 August 2023 | Elgin City | 0–0 (4–3 p) | Forfar Athletic | Elgin |
19:45 | [18] | Stadium: Borough Briggs Attendance: 349 Referee: Jordan Curran | ||
Penalties | ||||
South Section
editDraw
editTeams that entered the competition in the second round.
Matches
edit15 August 2023 | Albion Rovers | 2–0 | Tranent | Coatbridge |
19:45 |
|
[19] | Stadium: Cliftonhill Attendance: 157 Referee: Andy Gamble |
15 August 2023 | Annan Athletic | 3–1 | Stranraer | Annan |
19:45 | [20] |
|
Stadium: Galabank Attendance: 301 Referee: Gavin Duncan |
15 August 2023 | Stirling Albion | 0–3 | East Kilbride | Stirling |
19:45 | [21] |
|
Stadium: Forthbank Stadium Attendance: 329 Referee: Stewart Luke |
15 August 2023 | Stenhousemuir | 1–2 | Rangers B | Stenhousemuir |
20:00 |
|
[22] | Stadium: Ochilview Park Attendance: 269 Referee: Ryan Lee |
16 August 2023 | Clyde | 1–3 | University of Stirling | Hamilton |
19:45 |
|
[23] | Stadium: New Douglas Park Attendance: 222 Referee: Alex Shepherd |
16 August 2023 | Kilmarnock B | 1–1 (8–9 p) | Dumbarton | Kilmarnock |
19:45 |
|
[24] |
|
Stadium: Rugby Park Attendance: 300 Referee: Daniel Graves |
Penalties | ||||
|
Third round
editThe third round featured the 10 winners from the previous round, along with the bottom club from 2022 to 2023 Scottish Premiership, 2nd-10th from 2022 to 2023 Scottish Championship, 8 clubs from 2022 to 2023 Scottish League One, 2 clubs from 2022 to 2023 NIFL Premiership and 2 clubs from 2022 to 2023 Cymru Premier.
Draw
editThe draw was made on 17 August 2023 at 13:00 live on the SPFL YouTube Channel.[25]
Teams that entered the competition in the third round.
Championship | League One | Teams from other countries |
---|---|---|
Matches
edit5 September 2023 | Ayr United | 0–1 | Falkirk | Ayr |
19:45 | [26] |
|
Stadium: Somerset Park Attendance: 1,423 Referee: Steven Kirkland |
8 September 2023 | Hibernian B | 0–3 | The New Saints | Edinburgh |
18:00 | [27] | Stadium: Meadowbank Stadium Attendance: 119 Referee: Iain Snedden |
9 September 2023 | East Fife | 2–1 | Albion Rovers | Methil |
13:00 | [28] |
|
Stadium: Bayview Stadium Attendance: 448 Referee: Lloyd Wilson |
9 September 2023 | Raith Rovers | 3–0 | Cliftonville | Kirkcaldy |
14:00 | [29] | Stadium: Stark's Park Attendance: 1,561 Referee: Grant Irvine |
9 September 2023 | Edinburgh City | 1–4 | East Kilbride | Edinburgh |
15:00 |
|
[30] |
|
Stadium: Meadowbank Stadium Attendance: 231 Referee: Dan McFarlane |
9 September 2023 | Annan Athletic | 0–2 | Peterhead | Annan |
15:00 | [31] |
|
Stadium: Galabank Attendance: 326 Referee: Scott Lambie |
9 September 2023 | Cove Rangers | 0–2 | Montrose | Aberdeen |
15:00 | [32] |
|
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium Attendance: 520 Referee: Alastair Grieve |
9 September 2023 | Dumbarton | 1–3 | Kelty Hearts | Dumbarton |
15:00 |
|
[33] | Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium Attendance: 427 Referee: Duncan Williams |
9 September 2023 | University of Stirling | 2–3 | Airdrieonians | Stirling |
15:00 |
|
[34] | Stadium: Forthbank Stadium Attendance: 609 Referee: Alan Muir |
9 September 2023 | Greenock Morton | 2–1 | Elgin City | Greenock |
15:00 |
|
[35] |
|
Stadium: Cappielow Attendance: 1,016 Referee: Ross Hardie |
9 September 2023 | Dundee United | 3–0 | Dunfermline Athletic | Dundee |
15:00 | [36] | Stadium: Tannadice Park Attendance: 2,408 Referee: Craig Napier |
9 September 2023 | Arbroath | 4–2 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | Arbroath |
15:00 | [37] |
|
Stadium: Gayfield Park Attendance: 780 Referee: Steven McLean |
9 September 2023 | Partick Thistle | 2–3 | Queen of the South | Glasgow |
15:00 | [38] | Stadium: Firhill Stadium Attendance: 2,307 Referee: Euan Anderson |
9 September 2023 | Coleraine | 1–3 | Hamilton Academical | Coleraine, Northern Ireland |
15:45 |
|
[39] | Stadium: The Showgrounds Attendance: 906 Referee: Chris Morrison |
9 September 2023 | Bala Town | 0–3 | Queen's Park | Bala, Wales |
17:15 | [40] | Stadium: Maes Tegid Attendance: 317 Referee: Aaron Wyn Jones |
26 September 2023 | Rangers B | 4–1 | Alloa Athletic | Greenock |
19:45 |
|
[41] |
|
Stadium: Cappielow Attendance: 139 Referee: Lloyd Wilson |
Fourth round
editThe draw was made on 14 September 2023 at 13:00 live on the SPFL YouTube Channel.[42]
No new teams enter in this round.
Teams in Italics were unknown at the time of the draw.
Championship | League One | League Two | Lowland League | Premiership B teams | Teams from other countries |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Matches
edit14 October 2023 | Raith Rovers | 3–1 | Montrose | Kirkcaldy |
15:00 | [43] |
|
Stadium: Stark's Park Attendance: 1,388 Referee: Lloyd Wilson |
14 October 2023 | East Kilbride | 2–5 | Hamilton Academical | East Kilbride |
15:00 |
|
[44] | Stadium: K-Park Training Academy Attendance: 583 Referee: Chris Fordyce |
14 October 2023 | Falkirk | 1–0 | Queen's Park | Falkirk |
15:00 | [45] | Stadium: Falkirk Stadium Attendance: 2,427 Referee: Scott Lambie |
14 October 2023 | Queen of the South | 1–2 | Arbroath | Dumfries |
15:00 |
|
[46] | Stadium: Palmerston Park Attendance: 786 Referee: Duncan Williams |
14 October 2023 | Greenock Morton | 4–1 | Kelty Hearts | Greenock |
15:00 | [47] |
|
Stadium: Cappielow Attendance: 1,056 Referee: Steven Kirkland |
14 October 2023 | The New Saints | 2–2 (5–4 p) | East Fife | Oswestry, England |
17:15 | [48] | Stadium: Park Hall Attendance: 512 Referee: Huw Jones | ||
Penalties | ||||
14 October 2023 | Peterhead | 0–2 | Dundee United | Peterhead |
17:30 | [49] | Stadium: Balmoor Stadium Attendance: 1,322 Referee: Calum Scott |
Quarter-finals
editThe quarter-final and semi-final draws were made on 19 October 2023 at 13:00 live on the SPFL YouTube Channel.[51]
Teams in Italics were unknown at the time of the quarter-final draw.
Championship | League One | Teams from other countries |
---|---|---|
Matches
edit17 November 2023 | Falkirk | 4–2 | Dundee United | Falkirk |
19:40 | [52] | Stadium: Falkirk Stadium Attendance: 2,891 Referee: Grant Irvine |
17 November 2023 | Hamilton Academical | 1–4 | Raith Rovers | Hamilton |
19:45 |
|
[53] | Stadium: New Douglas Park Attendance: 971 Referee: Iain Snedden |
Semi-finals
editMatches
edit2 February 2024 | Raith Rovers | 0–1 | Airdrieonians | Kirkcaldy |
19:40 | [56] |
|
Stadium: Stark's Park Attendance: 2,640 Referee: Colin Steven |
3 February 2024 | Falkirk | 0–1 | The New Saints | Falkirk |
19:40 | [57] |
|
Stadium: Falkirk Stadium Attendance: 3,582 Referee: Chris Graham |
Final
edit24 March 2024 | The New Saints | 1–2 | Airdrieonians | Falkirk |
16:15 |
|
[58] |
|
Stadium: Falkirk Stadium Attendance: 3,191 Referee: Matthew MacDermid |
References
edit- ^ "SPFL Trust Trophy sponsorship extended". SPFL. 28 March 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ a b c "SPFL Trust Trophy 2023/24". SPFL. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "SPFL Trust Trophy Format | SPFL". spfl.co.uk. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ "Brechin City vs. Hearts II - 1 August 2023". Soccerway. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ "Elgin City vs. St. Johnstone II - 1 August 2023". Soccerway. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ "Hibernian II vs. Formartine United - 2 August 2023". Soccerway. 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ "Brora Rangers vs. Aberdeen II - 2 August 2023". Soccerway. 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ "Dundee II vs. Buckie Thistle - 2 August 2023". Soccerway. 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ "St. Mirren II vs. Albion Rovers - 1 August 2023". Soccerway. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ "Tranent vs. Motherwell II - 1 August 2023". Soccerway. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ "Spartans vs. Rangers II - 1 August 2023". Soccerway. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ "Kilmarnock II vs. Bonnyrigg Rose - 1 August 2023". Soccerway. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ "Stirling University vs. Livingston II - 2 August 2023". Soccerway. 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ "Celtic II vs. East Kilbride - 2 August 2023". Soccerway. 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ "Brechin City vs. Hibernian II - 15 August 2023". Soccerway. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "Aberdeen II vs. Peterhead - 15 August 2023". Soccerway. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "Dundee II vs. East Fife - 15 August 2023". Soccerway. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "Elgin City vs. Forfar Athletic - 15 August 2023". Soccerway. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "Albion Rovers vs. Tranent - 15 August 2023". Soccerway. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "Annan Athletic vs. Stranraer - 15 August 2023". Soccerway. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "Stirling Albion vs. East Kilbride - 15 August 2023". Soccerway. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "Stenhousemuir vs. Rangers II - 15 August 2023". Soccerway. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "Clyde vs. Stirling University - 16 August 2023". Soccerway. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ "Kilmarnock II vs. Dumbarton - 16 August 2023". Soccerway. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ "SPFL TRUST TROPHY THIRD-ROUND DRAW". Scottish Professional Football League. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ "Ayr United vs. Falkirk - 5 September 2023". Soccerway. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
- ^ "Hibernian II vs. The New Saints - 8 September 2023". Soccerway. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- ^ "East Fife vs. Albion Rovers - 9 September 2023". Soccerway. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ "Raith Rovers vs. Cliftonville - 9 September 2023". Soccerway. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ "Edinburgh City vs. East Kilbride - 9 September 2023". Soccerway. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ "Annan Athletic vs. Peterhead - 9 September 2023". Soccerway. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ "Cove Rangers vs. Montrose - 9 September 2023". Soccerway. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ "Dumbarton vs. Kelty Hearts - 9 September 2023". Soccerway. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ "Stirling University vs. Airdrieonians - 9 September 2023". Soccerway. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ "Greenock Morton vs. Elgin City - 9 September 2023". Soccerway. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ "Dundee United vs. Dunfermline Athletic - 9 September 2023". Soccerway. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ "Arbroath vs. Inverness CT - 9 September 2023". Soccerway. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ "Partick Thistle vs. Queen of the South - 9 September 2023". Soccerway. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ "Coleraine vs. Hamilton Academical - 9 September 2023". Soccerway. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ "Bala Town vs. Queen's Park - 9 September 2023". Soccerway. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ "Rangers II vs. Alloa Athletic - 26 September 2023". Soccerway. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ "SPFL TRUST TROPHY ROUND 4 DRAW". Scottish Professional Football League. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- ^ "Raith Rovers vs. Montrose - 14 October 2023". Soccerway. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ "East Kilbride vs. Hamilton Academical - 14 October 2023". Soccerway. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ "Falkirk vs. Queen's Park - 14 October 2023". Soccerway. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ "Queen of the South vs. Arbroath - 14 October 2023". Soccerway. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ "Greenock Morton vs. Kelty Hearts - 14 October 2023". Soccerway. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ "The New Saints vs. East Fife - 14 October 2023". Soccerway. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ "Peterhead vs. Dundee United - 14 October 2023". Soccerway. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ^ "Rangers II vs. Airdrieonians - 7 November 2023". Soccerway. 7 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ^ "SPFL TRUST TROPHY DRAWS". Scottish Professional Football League. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- ^ "Falkirk vs. Dundee United - 17 November 2023". Soccerway. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ^ "Hamilton Academical vs. Raith Rovers - 17 November 2023". Soccerway. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ^ "The New Saints vs. Arbroath - 18 November 2023". Soccerway. 18 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ "Greenock Morton vs. Airdrieonians - 18 November 2023". Soccerway. 18 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ "Raith Rovers vs. Airdrieonians - 2 February 2024". Soccerway. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ "Falkirk vs. The New Saints - 3 February 2024". Soccerway. 3 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "The New Saints vs. Airdrieonians - 24 March 2024". Soccerway. 24 March 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.