After Auchinleck Talbot secured the Ayrshire bragging rights with their 2-1 victory over Cumnock in the first match of the Scottish Cup’s first round weekend live on television Friday night, the rest of the inaugural round proper kicked off yesterday.
The whole of tier five joined the competition, adding to the 38 junior sides who successfully advanced from the preliminary rounds at the end of August, with some shocks across the country, setting up the chance for some big ties against SPFL League 2 opposition in the second round later this month.
Cumbernauld Colts also secured their place in round two on Friday, defeating Glasgow University 4-0.
Here is a full rundown of Saturday’s results:
Bo’ness United 0-3 Banks O’ Dee
The Aberdeenshire side showed no signs of travel fatigue as they returned North from Falkirk with a thumping victory over their East of Scotland Premier Division opponents who had lost their goalkeeper to a red card late in the first half.
Berwick Rangers 0-2 Nairn County
The longest away day of the round did not phase the Highland League outfit one bit as they travelled across the border to the only English side in the competition and returned with a 2-0 victory, becoming the first ever Highland League side to defeat The Wee Gers in the competition.
Brora Rangers 0-1 Fraserburgh
The Broch emerged victorious from this all-Highland League encounter. Having already defeated Brora 3-0 in the league fixture in early August at home, they secured the double over their opponents thanks to a Logan Watt goal inside the opening five minutes.
Carluke Rovers 0-4 Gretna 2008
2008, the phoenix club of 2006 Scottish Cup finalists Gretna edged one step closer to another cup final with a thumping victory at the John Cumming Stadium. The Lowland League’s bottom side getting a much needed victory with a quartet of second half goals.
Clachnacuddin 2-1 Kilwinning Rangers
Another Highland League victory seen Inverness’s oldest club emerge victorious over the Buffs at Grant Street Park, coming from behind with two second half goals to send the visitors back to Ayrshire dejected and eliminated.
Cowdenbeath 1-2 Benburb
The shock of the round as West of Scotland First Division (tier 7) side Benburb defeated one-time quarter finalists and Lowland League side Cowdenbeath at Central Park. A goal behind at half time the visitors scored twice in five minutes to turn the match around and secure their place in the hat for tomorrow’s draw.
Forres Mechanics 0-2 Caledonian Braves
Lowland League outfit Caley Braves defeated their Highland counterparts away from home to make it through. The 2025 Fenix Trophy winners kept their Scottish Cup dreams alive thanks to a duo of late goals from Ross McNeil and Cammy Breadner.
Huntly 1-3 Buckie Thistle
Buckie emerged victorious from this Highland League tie, three second half goals turned the tide as Thistle make it through. They memorably faced Celtic in 2023/24 and are one step closer to a cash-generating tie with this victory.
Jeanfield Swifts 0-4 Clydebank
Clydebank are unbeaten in the Lowland League and their mentality and confidence was on full show with a thumping victory over Jeanfield away from home. Clydebank memorably drew Premiership side Hibernian last season and will be dreaming of another big tie after today’s win. The 1990 semi finalists victory was secured via goals from Neil McLaughlin, former Aberdeen midfielder Nicky Low and a Kier Samson double.
Lochee United 1-3 Brechin City
Now a Highland League side, Brechin were playing Championship football as recently as 2018 but have dropped out of the football league since. They did, however, show signs of a more promising future with a 3-1 win at Thomson Park to earn their place in this evening’s draw, where they could once again face SPFL opponents.
Musselburgh Athletic 2-0 Bonnyton Thistle
East of Scotland Premier Division champions Musselburgh secured their place in the next round of the cup with two second half goals against eighth tier Bonnyton. The hosts lost out on a place in the Lowland League at the end of last season, losing to West champions Clydebank but could earn a rematch against the Bankies in the next round.
Strathspey Thistle 1-2 Dundee North End
Highland outfit Strathspey took the lead over their opponents, the Midland League champions, but a late equaliser and extra-time winner would see the Dundee based side emerge victorious, leaving the hosts to concentrate league football up North.
Turrif United 2-1 Hill of Beath Hawthorn
Turiff took the game to their opponents from the off, racing into a two goal lead at the interval, with both goals coming within the first quarter of the half. Hill of Beath would respond with a goal ten minutes from the end and would push hard for extra-time but had left themselves too much to do and would drop out of the competition.
Bo’ness Athletic 2-1 Keith
Bo’ness have had a dramatic rise in recent years, winning three consecutive promotions from tier 9 to tier 6, scoring a record breaking amount of goals. They continued their journey by progressing to the second round for the second consecutive year by defeating Keith 2-1. The visitors famously faced Rangers in this competition in the mid-90’s but there will be no repeat this season as they exit at round one.
Johnstone Burgh 4-0 Threave Rovers
Last season’s Junior Cup winners advanced in the Scottish Cup proper with a comfortable victory over their Second Division opponents at Keanie Park. Four different goal scorers for the Burgh, with a goal of the competition contender from captain Del Esplin, who spoke with SNN in pre-season about lifting the Junior Cup for his side.
Bonnyrigg Rose 2-1 Broxburn Athletic
Two East coast rivals met in this crunch cup tie, Bonnyrigg recently relegated from League 2 emerged victorious despite conceding a goal late on, and will be relishing the chance to face opponents who contributed to their relegation once again to prove they can compete at their level again in the near future.
Camelon Juniors 2-1 Albion Rovers
The plight of Albion Rovers continues with an early cup exit for the one-time Scottish Cup runners up. Now in non-league after a century in league football, they went down 2-1 away to Camelon, who won the 7th tier East league last season, who will see this win as a real scalp claimed over a once established SPFL side.
Civil Service Strollers 2-3 Dundonald Bluebell
A five-goal thriller and the tie of the round at Christie Gillies Park, where Lowland League Strollers went down to a vibrant Bluebell, who make it into the second round of the Cup for the first time ever. Two each at full time, Bluebell’s Jack Wilson sent them through with an extra-time winner.
Coldstream 1-3 Tayport
Tayport emerged from the Scottish Borders with a well-fought victory over hosts Coldsteam. 0-0 at the interval there was a flurry of four second half goals, including a double from Nicky Mann, to give the visitors the win.
Darvel 1-3 Deveronvale
Darvel famously made the fifth round in 2023, eliminating Premiership giants Aberdeen before going down to Falkirk but there will be no repeat for the Vale this year as Highland visitors Deveronvale knocked them out at Recreation Park to head into the next round.
Glenafton 3-2 Invergordon
Glenafton had the opposite fortune to Ayrshire rivals Darvel, they eliminated their Northern opponents at home. Despite being three up they conceded twice in the second half to ensure a nervy ending, but would hold on to head through.
Inverurie Loco Workers 0-2 Sauchie Juniors
Two second half goals were enough to see Sauchie advance from the first round despite a late red card for Scott Davidson reducing them to ten men. He will be suspended for the second round but the rest of his teammates will be eagerly anticipating the draw today.
Linlithgow Rose 2-1 Gala Fairydean Rovers
Blair Henderson was the hero for Rose, scoring from the spot, as they defeated 10-man Rovers to book their place in tomorrow’s draw.
Lossiemouth 1-2 Fortmartine United
Yet another all-Highland League affair as Fortmartine defeated Lossiemouth in a tight match. Peterhead legend Rory McAllister grabbing the winner for the visitors in the second half.
Newtongrange Star 1-3 East Stirlingshire
Another former SPFL side East Stirlingshire earned the opportunity to test themselves against league opponents again with their 3-1 win over Star. Three up before conceding a late conciliation, the match was closer than the score suggests, with the East of Scotland hosts being wasteful in front of goal, whilst the Shire were clinical and ruthless.
Tranent 3-0 Pollok
Three time Junior Cup winners Pollok exited the Scottish at the first round for the second year in a row, with Lowland League side Tranent adding to the visitors woes. Pollok who have struggled in the West of Scotland Premier so far can now focus on turning their league form around while the hosts can look forward to tomorrow’s draw.
Wick Academy 5-0 Rothes
The biggest winning margin of the round sees the most Northernly side Wick head through with a five goal battering of Rothes without reply. With a long journey and difficult conditions, they will be hoping for another home tie in the next round that could see them head deeper into the competition.
The draw will take place at 5pm tomorrow, with the final first round match between Stirling University and Burntisland Shipyard taking place Tuesday evening at Forthbank Stadium.
