The Scottish Cup third round returns as some mouth-watering ties away in this round with the potential of some Scottish Cup shocks.
Linlithgow Rose v Queens Park
Lowland League outfit Linlithgow Rose welcome Championship side Queens Park on Friday night. The hosts sit fourth, just five point off league leaders, Clydebank. The lowland league side bowed out of the third round last season, losing 4-0 at home to Championship side Raith Rovers. The Spiders made it all the way to the final eight last season, losing out to Aberdeen after a 4-1 defeat at Pittodrie. Queens Park created history last season, knocking out giants, Rangers 1-0 at Ibrox, yet sit 8th this season, two points off bottom placed Airdrieonians.
Raith Rovers v Alloa Athletic.
Raith Rovers host League One side Alloa in which will be Dougie Imrie’s first match in charge at Stark’s Park since arriving from Morton. Alloa last campaign failed to make it past round two following a 3-2 defeat at Dumbarton. Raith however, they were knocked out in round five following a 5-0 defeat away to Celtic. Alloa sit third in League One as they hunt for a return to the Championship. Raith are currently sixth, four points out of the promotion spots.
Stenhousemuir v Clachnachuddin
Stenny welcome Highland League outfit Clachnachuddin. The League One side sit second just four points off leaders, Inverness as they aim for promotion to the second division for the first time in their history. The Clach sit second, just two points behind Brechin City and have been unbelievable as they look to create history. Clachnachuddin were defeated by Linlithgow Rose 3-0 last season to knock the Inverness based side out early doors. The hosts on Saturday were defeated in Round four with a 3-0 defeat against Dunfermline Athletic.
Airdrieonians v Hamilton
Championship side Airdrie welcome League One strugglers Hamilton. Both sides are facing their own battles as Airdrie sit bottom in their league as Accies face issues financially. Hamilton themselves sit fifth, just one point behind East Fife in League One. Last season, Airdrie dropped out in the fifth round after a 4-0 defeat at Dundee. Hamilton were defeated in the same round, losing out 1-0 at St Johnstone.
Annan v Buckie Thistle
Annan of League Two meet Buckie in the third round. Annan sit eighth in their league after a dire start to their campaign. Buckie are seventh in the Highland League after a shaky start to their season. Buckie were dumped out first round to Clydebank after losing 2-0 despite being on nine-men. Annan were defeated by Fraserburgh 2-0 in the same round as Buckie dream on pulling off another shock over Annan.
Ayr United v Turriff United
The first ever meeting between the Championship and Highland league sides. Ayr are third in the Championship as the Honest Men continue their battles for the title. Turriff have struggled in the Highland League this season as they sit 14th in the Breedon Highland League as they will need to be at their best if they’re to progress. Turriff were knocked out by 10-man Fraserburgh last campaign after a 3-1 defeat. A Round five defeat to Hibernian confirmed the fate of Ayr United last campaign.
Banks O’Dee v Ross County
Banks O’Dee welcome the Highlanders to Spain Park in the Scottish Cup. Banks O’Dee are sixth in the Highland League, 10 points off top spot with two games in hand. County have had a difficult return to the Championship as the Staggies sit 8th as they continue to struggle. Banks O’Dee were knocked out by Hamilton last season in a game they’d say they were very unlucky to lose. The Aberdeen side also shocked East Fife 1-0 in the process. The Staggies were put out instantly by Livingston, a 3-2 defeat in Dingwall.
Benburb v Montrose
Montrose travel to face junior side Benburb in the Scottish Cup. Benburb are the lowest ranked side remaining as they sit 12th in the West of Scotland first division. Montrose sit 8th in League One, just 6 points off of 10th placed, Kelty Hearts. The side from Govan didn’t appear to play in last year’s Scottish Cup, their last time in the Scottish Cup was 2022, losing out 2-0 to Wick Academy. Queens Park deflated the hope of Montrose, knocking out the Links Park side 3-2.
Bonnyrigg Rose v The Spartans
Lowland League title challengers, Bonnyrigg welcome League Two leaders The Spartans. Bonnyrigg Rose were relegated from League Two last season as they look to fight back to return. The Spartans are also having a great season so far, topping their league. Bonnyrigg were knocked out right away with a 3-1 defeat away to East Kilbride at K-Park. Spartans were also put out at the same time, a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Lowland League outfit, Cowdenbeath.
Camelon Juniors v Edinburgh City
Junior side, Camelon Junior sit fourth in the East Of Scotland Premier division as they go up against bottom of League Two, Edinburgh City despite the Cityzens point deductions earlier this season. Camelon Juniors were beaten at first attempt after a 1-0 defeat to Highland League opponents, Keith. Championship, Dunfermline were at the driving seat as they knocked out the League Two side following a 2-1 win last season.
Dumbarton v Auchinleck Talbot
The junior side who have made a big name for themselves in recent times make the trip to Dumbarton on Saturday. Auchinleck sit second in the Premier Division, five points off Troon who sit top despite three games in hand. The Sons’ sit 7th in League Two following relegation last season. Broxburn were the side which saw Auchinleck bow out last season as they hope for a better result this time around. Dumbarton had a slight run last campaign but Airdrie had other ideas and ended their Scottish Cup hopes.
Dunfermline v Queen Of The South
The Pars’ sit fifth in the Championship after an alright start to the season. The visitors sit 6th in the third division but just a single point off of a promotion spot. QOTS were defeated by Premiership side St Mirren 3-1 in Dumfries last season. Aberdeen were in the path of Dunfermline last season as the holders ran away 3-0 winners at Pittodrie.
East Fife v Arbroath
The Dick Campbell derby is in store in Fife as the League One side meet the Championship side. East Fife are impressing since promotion from League Two sitting fourth in League One. Arbroath are also impressing after going up from League One sitting fourth also as they look for a place in the top flight. Banks O’Dee stopped East Fife progressing last season with a 1-0 win in Fife. Arbroath were stopped by Queen Of The South last season.
Elgin City v Stirling Albion
The two League Two sides collide as Elgin who have played some good football welcome Stirling Albion. Elgin sit fourth place as the League Two side have shown some good form of late. Stirling Albion have been on the wrong end as they sit second bottom, eight clear of Edinburgh City. Aberdeen were the team to suffer the blow to Elgin, winning 3-0 at Borough Briggs. Forfar were a penalty shootout winner last season against Stirling Albion during last season’s campaign.
Forfar Athletic v Partick Thistle
Forfar have had a good start to the season, sitting fifth as they host the Jags. Partick Thistle have impressed highly this season as they sit joint top with St Johnstone as they look to end a long awaited absence from the Premiership. A Round four defeat for Forfar last season as Cove Rangers were on it to end their run. For Thistle, Glasgow rivals Queens Park were victors after a penalty shootout win after a 2-2 draw at the national stadium.
Kelty Hearts v Brechin City
Kelty who sit rock bottom of League One welcome Brechin who sit top of the Highland League who are flying high in their league. Kelty Hearts had no luck last season with an instant defeat as Elgin ran away 3-2 winners. Brechin were stopped by Premiership big boys Hearts after a 4-1 battering at the hedge.
Peterhead v Greenock Morton
League One side Peterhead welcome managerless Morton after Imrie departed for Stark’s Park. The Blue Toon sit 7th since promotion last season but have struggled to show their quality this time around. Morton also sit 7th after a difficult season so far despite being just five points off fourth placed, Arbroath. Montrose defeated Peterhead in the first round last season after a 3-2 win in the north-east. Morton however, they were also defeated right away, a 2-0 defeat in Ayrshire against Scott Brown’s Ayr sealed their fate.
St Johnstone v Cove Rangers
Cove Rangers make the trip down the M9 to face St Johnstone in Perth. Since relegation, the Perth Saints have had a flying start as they sit top of the Championship as they set their sights on the title. Cove Rangers have had a disappointing start as the Aberdeen side sit 9th in League One after being tipped for the title. St Johnstone last campaign made it all the way to Hampden, losing out 5-0 to Celtic in the semi-finals. Cove’s Scottish Cup dreams faded in the fifth round as Livingston delt Cove with the blow after a 3-0 win.
Stranraer v Clydebank
League Two side Stranraer welcome Lowland League outfit Clydebank. Stranraer have had an alright season so far as they comfortably sit 6th in League Two so far whereas for the Bankies, they sit top of the Lowland League as they aim to push for SPFL football next season. Clydebank had an impressive run last season but falling to a fourth round defeat in the capital, losing 3-0 to Hibernian. Stranraer were dismantled in the round before, being stunned by lower league side Broxburn after a 2-1 home defeat after a 97th winner by Nicholas Locke.
Tranent v Inverness
West Of Scotland Premier Division side Troon welcome former Scottish Cup Champions Inverness this weekend. Troon sit top of their respective league table where the Caley Jags sit top of the Scottish League One after a horrid couple of years as they look to get back to the Championship. Dundee North End defeated Troon 4-0 in the very first round last season as Troon look to have bounced back massively. Inverness lost out in the third round to League One Cove Rangers last season as they Highlanders look to get a step further this time around.
Some very interesting matches ahead with some potential shocks on the way.
