2024–25 South Challenge Cup Explained
| South Challenge Cup |
| Year: | 2024–25 |
| Other Titles: | SFA South Region Challenge Cup |
| Country: | Scotland
England (2 teams) |
| Num Teams: | 163 |
| Defending Champions: | East Kilbride |
| Matches: | 135 |
| Goals: | 590 |
| Prev Season: | 2023–24 |
| Next Season: | 2025–26 |
| Updated: | 30 November 2024 |
The 2024–25 SFA South Region Challenge Cup (known as the FinestCarMats.co.uk South Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons)[1] is the 18th edition of the annual knockout cup competition for senior non-league football clubs in the central and southern regions of Scotland. For a third season in a row, the tournament entry is a joint record 163 teams.
The defending champions are four-time winners East Kilbride.
Format
The South Challenge Cup features 163 senior non-league clubs from the Lowland Football League (16), East of Scotland Football League (57), South of Scotland Football League (11), and West of Scotland Football League (79). The reserve teams of Stirling University and Stranraer, as well as Celtic B and Heart of Midlothian B, do not take part. Carluke Rovers are debarred due to a previous breach of rules.
In a change to previous seasons there is no regionalisation and it is an all-in draw from the first round.[2] The draws are unseeded, with matches proceeding to extra time and penalties if they are tied after 90 minutes.
Calendar
| Round | Main date[3] | Fixtures | Clubs |
|---|
| First Round | 17 August 2024 | 35 | 163 → 128 |
| Second Round | 14 September 2024 | 64 | 128 → 64 |
| Third Round | 12 October 2024 | 32 | 64 → 32 |
| Fourth Round | 16 November 2024 | 16 | 32 → 16 |
| Fifth Round | 21 December 2024 | 8 | 16 → 8 |
| Quarter-Finals | 1 February 2025 | 4 | 8 → 4 |
| Semi-Finals | 1 March 2025 | 2 | 4 → 2 |
| Final | 30 March 2025 | 1 | 2 → 1 | |
First round
The first round draw was published on 11 July 2024.[4] [5]
| Home team | Score | Away team |
|---|
| 17 August 2024 |
|---|
| Ardeer Thistle | 0–4 | Clydebank | | Ardrossan Winton Rovers | 3–4 aet | Broxburn Athletic | | Auchinleck Talbot | 1–0 | Hutchison Vale | | Benburb | 2–0 | Yoker Athletic | | Blantyre Victoria | 2–2 aet(2–4 pen) | Lochgelly Albert | | Broomhill | 0–1 | Thornton Hibs | | BSC Glasgow | 4–3 aet | St Peter's | | Burntisland Shipyard | 1–6 | Glenrothes | | Caledonian Locomotives | 2–2 aet(5–4 pen) | Lochmaben | | Cambuslang Rangers | 2–3 | Vale of Leven | | Creetown | 2–1 | Tynecastle | | Cumbernauld Colts | 4–3 | Linlithgow Rose | | Dalbeattie Star | 1–2 | Blackburn United | | Dundonald Bluebell | 0–4 | Troon | | Edinburgh Community | 2–3 | Newton Stewart | | Edinburgh South | 2–3 | Bellshill Athletic | | Fauldhouse United | 0–8 | Albion Rovers | |
| | Home team | Score | Away team |
|---|
| Glasgow Perthshire | 2–3 | Drumchapel United | | Glasgow United | 5–3 | University of Stirling | | Greenock Juniors | 3–1 | Glenvale | | Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts | 2–3 | Lesmahagow | | Kilsyth Rangers | 1–2 | Hurlford United | | Kinnoull | 1–2 | Newburgh | | Kirkintilloch Rob Roy | 2–0 | Mid Annandale | | Lanark United | 3–2 | Whitburn | | Lochar Thistle | 3–4 | East Stirlingshire | | Luncarty | 2–5 | Kilbirnie Ladeside | | Maybole Juniors | 0–1 | Caledonian Braves | | Petershill | 1–4 | Darvel | | Pumpherston | 0–5 | Irvine Victoria | | Shotts Bon Accord | 2–1 aet | Rutherglen Glencairn | | St Andrews United | w/o | Gartcairn | | Vale of Clyde | 5–1 aet | Stoneyburn | | Whitehill Welfare | 2–0 | Kennoway Star Hearts | | Wishaw | 0–0 aet(4–1 pen) | Oakley United | |
| |
Second Round
The second round draw was published on 11 July 2024.[6] Remaining in the competition were 128 clubs, from the Lowland Football League (13), East of Scotland Football League (42), South of Scotland Football League (7), and West of Scotland Football League (66).
| Home team | Score | Away team |
|---|
| 14 September 2024 |
|---|
| Abbey Vale | 0–3 | Dalkeith Thistle | | Albion Rovers | 2–1 aet | Dunipace | | Arniston Rangers | 2–0 | Cumbernauld Colts | | Arthurlie | 3–0 | Easterhouse FA | | Bathgate Thistle | 0–1 | Girvan | | Beith Juniors | 4–1 | Armadale Thistle | | Berwick Rangers | 2–1 | Heriot-Watt University | | Bo'ness Athletic | 1–4 | Auchinleck Talbot | | BSC Glasgow | 0–5 | Lesmahgow | | Campbeltown Pupils | 0–6 | Linton Hotspur | | Clydebank | 7–1 | Caledonian Locomotives | | Coldstream | 0–1 | Blackburn United | | Cumbernauld United | 7–1 | Tweedmouth Rangers | | Cumnock Juniors | 3–1 | Lanark United | | Darvel | 3–2 aet | Whitletts Victoria | | Drumchapel United | 1–0 aet | Johnstone Burgh | | Easthouses Lily | 2–3 | St Roch's | | East Kilbride | 2–1 | Tranent | | East Kilbride Thistle | 1–5 | Kilbirnie Ladeside | | Edinburgh College | 4–1 | Creetown | | Edinburgh United | 1–3 | Glasgow United | | Eglinton | 5–0 | Bonnyton Thistle | | Finnart | 1–6 | Pollok | | Gala Fairydean Rovers | 4–2 | Camelon Juniors | | Glenafton Athletic | 0–2 | Dalry Thistle | | Glenrothes | 0–1 | Forth Wanderers | | Greenock Juniors | 2–0 | Thorniewood United | | Gretna 2008 | 4–1 | Newton Stewart | | Haddington Athletic | 1–2 | Kilsyth Athletic | | Harthill Royal | 1–3 | Knightswood | | Hill of Beath Hawthorn | 3–0 | Edinburgh University | | Hurlford United | 3–1 | Penicuik Athletic | | Jeanfield Swifts | 4–1 | Glasgow University | |
| | Home team | Score | Away team |
|---|
| Kello Rovers | 1–2 | Sauchie Juniors | | Kilwinning Rangers | 3–2 aet | Muirkirk Juniors | | Largs Thistle | 7–0 | Bellshill Athletic | | Larkhall Thistle | 4–0 | Thornton Hibs | | Livingston United | 0–3 | Bo’ness United | | Lochore Welfare | 2–1 | Ashfield | | Lugar Boswell Thistle | 6–1 | Craigmark Burntonians | | Maryhill | 3–1 | Lochgelly Albert | | Neilston | 4–3 | Peebles Rovers | | Newburgh | 2–3 | Civil Service Strollers | | Newmains United | 2–2 aet(7–6 pen) | Leith Athletic | | Newtongrange Star | 2–1 | Hawick Royal Albert | | Nithsdale Wanderers | 2–10 | Broxburn Athletic | | Ormiston Primrose | 1–4 | Cowdenbeath | | Port Glasgow Juniors | 4–3 | West Park United | | Renfrew | 8–0 | St Cuthbert Wanderers | | Rossvale | 0–2 | Caledonian Braves | | Royal Albert | 1–2 | Kirkintilloch Rob Roy | | Saltcoats Victoria | 0–2 | Musselburgh Athletic | | Shotts Bon Accord | 1–0 | Giffnock SC | | St Cadoc's | 7–0 | Irvine Victoria | | Thorn Athletic | 3–2 | Crossgates Primrose | | Threave Rovers | 4–2 | Benburb | | Troon | 1–0 | Dunbar United | | Upper Annandale | 1–2 aet | St Andrews United | | Vale of Clyde | 2–1 aet | Wishaw | | Vale of Leithen | 0–3 | Preston Athletic | | Vale of Leven | 4–4 aet(1–3 pen) | Kirkcaldy & Dysart | | West Calder United | 1–2 | East Stirlingshire | | Whitehill Welfare | 2–2 aet(10–9 pen) | St Anthony's | | Wigtown & Bladnoch | 0–10 | Irvine Meadow XI | |
| |
Third round
The third round draw was published on 26 September 2024.[7] Remaining in the competition were 64 clubs, from the Lowland Football League (11), East of Scotland Football League (15), and West of Scotland Football League (38).
| Home team | Score | Away team |
|---|
| 11 October 2024 |
|---|
| St Cadoc's | 3–0 | Cowdenbeath | | 12 October 2024 |
|---|
| Auchinleck Talbot | 3–0 | Jeanfield Swifts | | Berwick Rangers | 0–3 | Threave Rovers | | Blackburn United | 3–1 | Knightswood | | Caledonian Braves | 3–0 | Arniston Rangers | | Clydebank | 5–1 | Dalkeith Thistle | | Cumbernauld United | 8–0 | Maryhill | | Cumnock Juniors | 2–1 | Lochore Welfare | | Dalry Thistle | 0–3 | Civil Service Strollers | | Edinburgh College | 2–3 | Arthurlie | | Eglinton | 0–1 | Bo'ness United | | Gala Fairydean Rovers | 0–1 | Irvine Meadow XI | | Glasgow United | 6–5 aet | Forth Wanderers | | Gretna 2008 | 3–1 | Lesmahagow Juniors | | Kirktintilloch Rob Roy | 2–1 | Whitehill Welfare | | Larkhall Thistle | 2–2 aet(5–4 pen) | Beith Juniors | | Linton Hotspur | 1–2 aet | Hill of Beath Hawthorn | |
| | Home team | Score | Away team |
|---|
| Lugar Boswell Thistle | 2–4 | Hurlford United | | Musselburgh Athletic | 2–0 aet | Kirkcaldy & Dysart | | Neilston | 2–3 | East Stirlingshire | | Newtongrange Star | 0–3 | Drumchapel United | | Pollok | 3–3 aet(4–2 pen) | Darvel | | Port Glasgow Juniors | 4–6 | Kilsyth Athletic | | Preston Athletic | 3–2 | Girvan | | Sauchie Juniors | 0–2 | Kilwinning Rangers | | St Andrews United | 4–2 | Kilbirnie Ladeside | | St Roch's | 1–3 | Troon | | Thorn Athletic | 1–3 | Broxburn Athletic | | Vale of Clyde | 2–0 | Renfrew | | 29 October 2024 |
|---|
| East Kilbride | 1–0 | Largs Thistle | | 16 November 2024 |
|---|
| Shotts Bon Accord | 0–0 aet(5–3 pen) | Albion Rovers | | 30 November 2024 |
|---|
| Newmains United | 0–6 | Greenock Juniors | |
| |
Fourth round
The fourth round draw was published on 17 October 2024.[8] Remaining in the competition are 32 clubs, from the Lowland Football League (7), East of Scotland Football League (5), and West of Scotland Football League (20).
| Home team | Score | Away team |
|---|
| 16 November 2024 |
|---|
| Auchinleck Talbot | 1–0 | Cumbernauld United | | Blackburn United | 0–7 | East Kilbride | | Bo’ness United | 3–4 aet | Musselburgh Athletic | | Broxburn Athletic | 0–4 | Clydebank | | Civil Service Strollers | 3–1 | Irvine Meadow XI | | Cumnock Juniors | 1–1 aet(4–2 pen) | Drumchapel United | | East Stirlingshire | 0–3 | Pollok | | Kilsyth Athletic | 2–5 | Glasgow United | | Kirkintilloch Rob Roy | 5–2 | Preston Athletic | | Larkhall Thistle | 2–0 | Threave Rovers | | St Andrews United | 5–3 aet | Hurlford United | | St Cadoc’s | 2–3 | Gretna 2008 | | Troon | 1–2 | Arthurlie | | Vale of Clyde | 3–2 | Caledonian Braves | | 30 November 2024 |
|---|
| Shotts Bon Accord | 3–2 | Kilwinning Rangers | | 21 December 2024 |
|---|
| Hill of Beath Hawthorn | – | Greenock Juniors | |
| |
Fifth round
The fourth round draw was published on 21 November 2024.[9] Remaining in the competition are 16 clubs, from the Lowland Football League (3), East of Scotland Football League (2 or 3), and West of Scotland Football League (10 or 11).
| Home team | Score | Away team |
|---|
| 21 December 2024 |
|---|
| Arthurlie | – | Clydebank | | Auchinleck Talbot | – | Larkhall Thistle | | Cumnock Juniors | – | St Andrews United | | Glasgow United | – | Kirkintilloch Rob Roy | | Pollok | – | East Kilbride | | Musselburgh Athletic | – | Vale of Clyde | | TBC |
|---|
| Civil Service Strollers | – | Shotts Bon Accord | | Gretna 2008 | – | Hill of Beath Hawthorn or Greenock Juniors | |
| |
Notes and References
- 1823665180418433031 . SouthChallenge . The #CarMatKings South Challenge Cup gets underway this weekend with our first non regionalised first round..
- 1805606636125290561 . SouthChallenge . Announcement.
- Web site: The Scottish Lowland Football League Season 2024-25 Fixture List . 14 August 2024.
- 1811492911839838553 . SouthChallenge . First Round Draw.
- Web site: South Challenge Cup 24-25 . 14 August 2024 . Scottish Football Fixtures.
- 1811488795696525531 . SouthChallenge . Second Round Draw.
- 1839377211440378053 . SouthChallenge . Check out the CarMatKings South Region Challenge Cup third round draw.
- 1839377211440378053 . SouthChallenge . The Fourth Round Draw for the FinestCarMats.co.uk South Challenge Cup..
- 1859676906821447962. SouthChallenge . Your http://FinestCarMats.co.uk South Challenge Cup 5th Round draw..
