2004 Scottish Challenge Cup final
The match programme cover
Event2004–05 Scottish Challenge Cup
Falkirk Ross County
2 1
Date7 November 2004
VenueMcDiarmid Park, Perth
RefereeK. Clark (Paisley)
Attendance7,471

The 2004 Scottish Challenge Cup final, also known as the Bell's Cup final for sponsorship reasons, was an association football match between Falkirk and Ross County on 7 November 2004 at McDiarmid Park in Perth.[1] It was the 14th final of the Scottish Challenge Cup since it was first organised in 1990 to celebrate the centenary of the Scottish Football League.

Falkirk emerged winners after defeating Ross County 2–1 with goals from Neil Scally and Darryl Duffy[2] to win the tournament for a third time after winning the 1993 and 1997 finals.

Route to the final

Falkirk

Round Opposition Score
First round Ayr United (a) 3–0
Second round Stirling Albion (h) 5–3
Quarter-final Gretna (h) 3–0
Semi-final St Johnstone (a) 2–1

The first round draw paired The Bairns with Ayr United at Somerset Park with the home team emerging 3–0 victors.[3] The second round was a home game against neighbours Stirling Albion for Falkirk at Ochilview Park producing a high scoring 5–3 win[4] to progress to the quarter-finals. The opponents drawn were Gretna at home in the quarter-finals and Falkirk won with their second 3–0 victory of the tournament.[5] The reward for reaching the semi-final was an away game at St. Johnstone with Falkirk edging out the opponents to win 2–1 to book a place in the final.[6] Falkirk reached the Scottish Challenge Cup final for the third time, since winning the 1993 final against St Mirren and defeating Queen of the South in the 1997 final.

Ross County

Round Opposition Score
First round St Mirren (h) 2–1
Second round Peterhead (a) 2–1
Quarter-final Partick Thistle (h) 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(5–3 pen.)
Semi-final Forfar Athletic (h) 5–2

Ross County were drawn against St. Mirren at home in the first round and County produced a 2–1 victory[3] over the club. The second round draw saw The Staggies drawn against Peterhead away from home with Ross County emerging 2–1 winners[4] for the second consecutive game. The quarter-final draw brought with Partick Thistle all the way to Victoria Park which saw Ross County edging out a 5–3 win on penalties after a 1–1 draw after extra time[5] to progress to the semi-finals. The opposition provided in the semi-final draw was Forfar Athletic and another home game which saw the Dingwall outfit triumph with a 5–2 victory[6] to proceed to the Scottish Challenge Cup final for the first time in the club's history.

Pre-match

Analysis

Falkirk had played two games at their shared home of Ochilview Park and two away in the games preceding the final with Ross County playing a total of three games at Victoria Park and one away from home. In the process Falkirk amassed a total of thirteen goals scored and a mere four goals conceded whilst keeping two clean sheets. Ross County scored ten goals before the final and conceded a total of five, managing to keep no clean sheets. Falkirk progressed winners through all four games in 90 minutes of play, whereas it took penalties before Ross County emerged as winners over Partick Thistle in the quarter-final. This was Falkirk's third time competing in the Scottish Challenge Cup final, whilst holding a 100% record after winning both the 1993 and 1997 finals. Ross County were appearing in the final for the first time in the club's history.

Match

Falkirk2–1Ross County
Scally 70'
Duffy 75'		 Report Winters 56'
Attendance: 7,471[7]
Falkirk
Ross County

Teams

Falkirk:
GK1Scotland Allan Ferguson
RB2Scotland Andy Lawrie
LB3Scotland Craig McPherson
CM4Scotland Scott MacKenzie
CB5Scotland Mark CampbellYellow card
CB6Scotland Kevin James (c)
RM7Scotland John O'Neildownward-facing red arrow 25'
LM8Scotland David Nichollsdownward-facing red arrow 50'
CF9Scotland Andy Thomsondownward-facing red arrow 72'
CM10Trinidad and Tobago Russell Latapy
CF11Scotland Darryl Duffy
Substitutes:
FW12Portugal Pedro Moutinhoupward-facing green arrow 50'
MF14Scotland Neil Scallyupward-facing green arrow 25'
FW15Australia Daniel McBreenupward-facing green arrow 72'
MF16Scotland Kieran McAnespie
GK17Scotland Darren Hill
Manager:
Scotland John Hughes
Ross County:
GK1Scotland Stuart Garden
RB2Scotland John Robertson
LB3Scotland Mark McCulloch
CM4Scotland Jamie McCunnie
CB5Scotland Martin Canning
CB6Scotland Jim Lauchlan (c)
CM7Scotland Don Cowie
LM8Scotland Charlie Adamdownward-facing red arrow 60'
CF9Scotland Sean Higginsdownward-facing red arrow 66'
RM10Scotland John Rankin
CF11Scotland David Wintersdownward-facing red arrow 80'
Substitutes:
DF12Scotland Stuart Malcolmupward-facing green arrow 80'
MF14Scotland Sean Kilgannonupward-facing green arrow 60'
FW15Scotland Steven McGarryupward-facing green arrow 66'
FW16Scotland Gary McSwegan
GK17Scotland Colin Stewart
Manager:
Scotland Alex Smith

MATCH RULES

  • 90 minutes
  • 30 minutes of extra time if necessary
  • Penalty shootout if scores still level
  • Five named substitutes
  • Maximum of 3 substitutions

References

  1. ↑ "Scottish League Challenge Cup Finals". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  2. 1 2 Falkirk 2-1 Ross County, BBC Sport. 2004-11-07. Retrieved 2009-12-31.
  3. 1 2 Scottish League Challenge Cup round 1 Results – 2004/05 Archived 26 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine, ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 2011-06-13.
  4. 1 2 Scottish League Challenge Cup round 2 Results – 2004/05 Archived 26 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine, ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 2011-06-13.
  5. 1 2 Scottish League Challenge Cup round 3 Results – 2004/05, ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 2011-06-13.
  6. 1 2 Scottish League Challenge Cup Semi-finals Results – 2004/05, ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 2011-06-13.
  7. ↑ Scottish League Challenge Cup Final Results – 2004/05, ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 2011-06-13.
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