2017–18 Scottish Challenge Cup
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2016}}
{{infobox football tournament season
|title =Scottish Challenge Cup
|year =2017–18
|image =
|image_size =250px
|caption =
|country =Scotland
|num_teams =56
|defending_champions=Dundee United
|winners =Inverness Caledonian Thistle
|second =Dumbarton
|matches =55
|goals =169
|scoring_leader =Stephen Dobbie & Lewis Vaughan (4 goals)
|prev_season =2016–17
|next_season =2018–19
|other_countries={{WAL}}
{{NIR}}
{{IRL}}}}
The 2017–18 Scottish Challenge Cup, known as the IRN-BRU Cup{{cite web |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/spfl/942045/scots-clubs-pitted-against-cream-of-wales-and-northern-ireland/ |title=Explained: Here is how the new Challenge Cup will work |publisher=Press & Journal |work=pressandjournal.co.uk |date=9 June 2016 |access-date=8 June 2017}} due to sponsorship reasons, is the 27th season of the competition. The tournament took on a similar format from the previous season, however, two teams from the Republic of Ireland's Airtricity League (Sligo Rovers and Bray Wanderers) entered the competition for the first time taking the total number of participating clubs to 56. This was the second season with two clubs from both Northern Ireland and Wales competing alongside the 30 members of the 2017–18 Scottish Championship, 2017–18 Scottish League One and 2017–18 Scottish League Two, four teams from the 2017–18 Highland Football League and four from the 2017–18 Lowland Football League as well as the Under-20 teams of the teams competing in the 2017–18 Scottish Premiership. The Welsh teams were The New Saints and Connah's Quay Nomads while the Northern Irish teams were Crusaders and Linfield.{{cite web |url=http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/irn-bru-cup-expanded-for-201718/ |title=IRN-BRU Cup expanded for 2017/18 |publisher=SPFL |work=spfl.co.uk |date=7 June 2017 |access-date=8 June 2017}}
Dundee United were the defending champions after they beat St Mirren 2–1 in the 2017 final,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39345283 |first=Chick |last=Young |title=Dundee United 2–1 St Mirren |publisher=BBC Sport |work=bbc.co.uk/sport |date=25 March 2017 |access-date=11 June 2017}} but were eliminated in the Quarter-finals by Crusaders.
Irn Bru replaced Petrofac as the main sponsor of the competition in June 2016.
Format
| class="wikitable" | ||||
| Round
! Fixtures ! width=100| Clubs ! New entries | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| align=center
|align=left | First round | align=left | 15–16 August 2017 | 24 | 56 → 32 | align=left| Teams placed 3rd–10th from 2016–17 Scottish Championship 10 teams from 2016–17 Scottish League One 10 teams from 2016–17 Scottish League Two 4 teams from 2016–17 Highland Football League 4 teams from 2016–17 Lowland Football League 12 U20s teams from 2017–18 Scottish Premiership |
| align=center
|align=left | Second round | align=left | 2–3 September 2017 | 16 | 32 → 16 | align=left| 12th placed team from 2016–17 Scottish Premiership 2nd placed team from 2016–17 Scottish Championship 2 teams from 2016–17 NIFL Premiership 2 teams from 2016–17 Welsh Premier League 2 teams from 2017 League of Ireland Premier Division |
| align=center
|align=left | Third round | align=left | 7–8 October 2017 | 8 | 16 → 8 | |
| align=center
|align=left | Quarter-finals | align=left | 11–12 November 2017 | 4 | 8 → 4 | |
| align=center
|align=left | Semi-finals | align=left | 17–18 February 2018 | 2 | 4 → 2 | |
| align=center
|align=left | Final | align=left | 24 or 25 March 2018 | 1 | 2 → 1 |
First round
The draw for the first round was made at 1 pm on 27 June 2017 at the Summerlee Industrial Museum in Coatbridge and was streamed live on the [https://www.facebook.com/spflofficial/videos/10156191407133998/ SPFL's Facebook page]. The draw was regionalised into northern and southern sections with each section containing 14 SPFL clubs, four Highland Football League or Lowland Football League clubs and six U20s teams with any team able to face any other within their section.
=North Section=
==Draw==
Teams in Bold advanced to the second round.
| class="wikitable" |
| style="width:60%;"|North section |
|---|
| valign=top|
{{col-begin}} {{col-4}} 01. Alloa Athletic 02. Arbroath 03. Brechin City 04. Cowdenbeath 05. Dundee United {{col-4}} 07. East Fife 08. Elgin City 09. Forfar Athletic 10. Montrose 11. Peterhead 12. Raith Rovers {{col-4}} 13. Stenhousemuir 14. Stirling Albion 15. Aberdeen U20s 16. Dundee U20s 18. Hibernian U20s {{col-4}} 19. Ross County U20s 21. Brora Rangers 22. Buckie Thistle 23. Cove Rangers {{col-end}} |
==Matches==
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=19:30
|team1=Ross County U20s
|score=2–1
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639998/
|team2=Forfar Athletic
|goals1=
- Mckay {{goal|25}}
- MacIver {{goal|27}}
|goals2=Millar {{goal|89}}
|stadium=Victoria Park
|location=Dingwall, Scotland
|attendance=
|referee=Billy Baxter
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Aberdeen U20s
|score=1–0
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639978/
|team2=St Johnstone U20s
|goals1=Ross {{goal|42}}
|goals2=
|stadium=Glebe Park
|location=Brechin, Scotland
|attendance=155
|referee=Alex Shepherd
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Stirling Albion
|score=1–3
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640001/
|team2=Montrose
|goals1=Smith {{goal|90}}
|goals2=
- Steeves {{goal|45}}
- Ballantyne {{goal|56||85}}
|stadium=Forthbank Stadium
|location=Stirling, Scotland
|attendance=413
|referee=Peter Stuart
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Dundee United
|score=2–0
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639985/
|team2=Cowdenbeath
|goals1=N'Koyi {{goal|61||67}}
|goals2=
|stadium=Tannadice Park
|location=Dundee, Scotland
|attendance=1,655
|referee=Mat Northcroft
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Formartine United
|score=2–3
|aet=yes
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639989/
|team2=Heart of Midlothian U20s
|goals1=
- MacPhee {{goal|17}}
- Berton {{goal|35}}
|goals2=
- Zanatta {{goal|50||90+2}}
- Paton {{goal|119}}
|stadium=North Lodge Park
|location=Pitmedden, Scotland
|attendance=200
|referee=Dan McFarlane
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=East Fife
|score=0–2
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639987/
|team2=Peterhead
|goals1=
|goals2=
- Lawrence {{goal|2}}
- Adams {{goal|64}}
|stadium=Bayview Stadium
|location=Methil, Scotland
|attendance=333
|referee=Mike Roncone
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Stenhousemuir
|score=0–2
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640000/
|team2=Cove Rangers
|goals1=
|goals2=
- R Dunlop {{goal|19|o.g.}}
- Megginson {{goal|36|pen.}}
|stadium=Ochilview Park
|location=Stenhousemuir, Scotland
|attendance=169
|referee=Scott Lambie
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Raith Rovers
|score=3–0
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639997/
|team2=Brora Rangers
|goals1=
|goals2=
|stadium=Stark's Park
|location=Kirkcaldy, Scotland
|attendance=971
|referee=Steven Reid
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Dunfermline Athletic
|score=2–0
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639986/
|team2=Arbroath
|goals1=Ryan {{goal|24||40}}
|goals2=
|stadium=East End Park
|location=Dunfermline, Scotland
|attendance=1,462
|referee=Euan Anderson
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Hibernian U20s
|score=1–2
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639991/
|team2=Elgin City
|goals1=Murray {{goal|48}}
|goals2=
- McLeish {{goal|19}}
- Bronsky {{goal|89}}
|stadium=Ainslie Park
|location=Edinburgh, Scotland
|attendance=387
|referee=Alan Newlands
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=20:00
|team1=Buckie Thistle
|score=2–1
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639981/
|team2=Brechin City
|goals1=Fraser {{goal|56||82}}
|goals2=McLean {{goal|14}}
|stadium=Victoria Park
|location=Buckie, Scotland
|attendance=453
|referee=Graham Beaton
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=16 August 2017
|time=19:30
|team1=Dundee U20s
|score=2–4
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639984/
|team2=Alloa Athletic
|goals1=Henvey {{goal|40||79}}
|goals2=
|stadium=Dens Park
|location=Dundee, Scotland
|attendance=110
|referee=Stephen Brown
}}
=South Section=
==Draw==
Teams in Bold advanced to the second round.
| class="wikitable" |
| style="width:70%;"|South section |
|---|
| valign=top|
{{col-begin}} {{col-4}} 25. Airdrieonians 26. Albion Rovers 27. Annan Athletic 28. Berwick Rangers 29. Ayr United 30. Clyde {{col-4}} 31. Dumbarton 32. Edinburgh City 33. Livingston 34. Greenock Morton 36. Queen's Park {{col-4}} 37. St Mirren 38. Stranraer 39. Celtic U20s 41. Kilmarnock U20s 42. Motherwell U20s {{col-4}} 44. Rangers U20s 45. East Kilbride 47. Spartans {{col-end}} |
==Matches==
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Kilmarnock U20s
|score=0–2
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639992/
|team2=Berwick Rangers
|goals1=
|goals2=
- Thomson {{goal|19}}
- McKenna {{goal|39}}
|stadium=Rugby Park
|location=Kilmarnock, Scotland
|attendance=
|referee=Duncan Williams
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Clyde
|score=2–3
|aet=yes
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639982/
|team2=Stranraer
|goals1=
- McNiff {{goal|2}}
- Osadolor {{goal|48}}
|goals2=
|stadium=Broadwood Stadium
|location=Cumbernauld, Scotland
|attendance=319
|referee=Grant Irvine
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Hamilton Academical U20s
|score=1–0
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639990/
|team2=Edinburgh City
|goals1=Tierney {{goal|4|pen.}}
|goals2=
|stadium=New Douglas Park
|location=Hamilton, Scotland
|attendance=153
|referee=Lloyd Wilson
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Albion Rovers
|score=0–3
(Awarded){{Cref2|A}}
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639979/
|team2=Spartans
|goals1=
|goals2=
|penalties1=
- Michael McMullin {{penmiss}}
- McLaughlin {{pengoal}}
- Jamie Gallagher {{pengoal}}
- Trouten {{pengoal}}
- Fisher {{pengoal}}
- Marr {{pengoal}}
|penalties2=
- {{pengoal}} Ross Allum
- {{pengoal}} Ian McFarland
- {{penmiss}} Michael Herd
- {{pengoal}} Adam Corbett
- {{pengoal}} Jamie Dishington
- {{penmiss}} Dachi Khutsishvili
|stadium=Cliftonhill
|location=Coatbridge, Scotland
|attendance=155
|referee=Kevin Graham
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=St Mirren
|score=2–1
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639999/
|team2=East Kilbride
|goals1=
|goals2=McLaren {{goal|81}}
|stadium=St Mirren Park
|location=Paisley, Scotland
|attendance=1,357
|referee=John McKendrick
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Partick Thistle U20s
|score=6–1
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639995/
|team2=Stirling University
|goals1=
- McLaughlin {{goal|15||57||79}}
- Lamont {{goal|52}}
- Nisbet {{goal|60}}
- Fitzpatrick {{goal|67}}
|goals2=Lyons {{goal|75}}
|stadium=Firhill Stadium
|location=Glasgow, Scotland
|attendance=
|referee=Stewart Luke
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Queen of the South
|score=4–0
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639996/
|team2=Airdrieonians
|goals1=
|goals2=
|stadium=Palmerston Park
|location=Dumfries, Scotland
|attendance=1,012
|referee=Barry Cook
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Greenock Morton
|score=0–2
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639993/
|team2=Livingston
|goals1=
|goals2=
|stadium=Cappielow
|location=Greenock, Scotland
|attendance=1,036
|referee=Colin Steven
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=15 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Annan Athletic
|score=3–1
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639980/
|team2=Celtic U20s
|goals1=Smith {{goal|17||23|pen.|84}}
|goals2=Hendry {{goal|30}}
|stadium=Galabank
|location=Annan, Scotland
|attendance=278
|referee=Chris Graham
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=16 August 2017
|time=19:30
|team1=Motherwell U20s
|score=2–1
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639994/
|team2=Queen's Park
|goals1=
|goals2=Cummins {{goal|29}}
|stadium=Forthbank Stadium
|location=Stirling, Scotland
|attendance=168
|referee=David Dickinson
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=16 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Dumbarton
|score=2–1
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3639983/
|team2=Rangers U20s
|goals1=
|goals2=Hardie {{goal|72}}
|stadium=Dumbarton Football Stadium
|location=Dumbarton, Scotland
|attendance=389
|referee=Gavin Ross
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=16 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=East Stirlingshire
|score=1–5
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixtures/
|team2=Ayr United
|goals1=Ure {{goal|40}}
|goals2=
|stadium=Ochilview Park
|location=Stenhousemuir, Scotland
|attendance=318
|referee=David Munro
}}
;Notes
{{Cnote2 Begin|liststyle=disc}}
{{Cnote2|A|A-Spartans were awarded a 3–0 win against Albion Rovers at a disciplinary hearing on 24 August 2017. Albion Rovers pleaded guilty to fielding Liam McGuigan as a second half substitute when he was ineligible to play in the match. The match had ended 0–0 with Albion Rovers winning 5–4 on penalties. Albion Rovers were also fined £2,000 for the breach of IRN-BRU Cup regulations.{{cite web |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/article/press-release-disciplinary-hearing/ |title=Press Release: Disciplinary hearing |publisher=Scottish Professional Football League |work=spfl.co.uk |date=24 August 2017 |access-date=24 August 2017 |archive-date=24 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824175341/https://spfl.co.uk/news/article/press-release-disciplinary-hearing/ |url-status=dead }} Both teams were included in the draw for the second round on 17 August 2017.{{cite web |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/article/spfl-press-release-irn-bru-cup/ |title=SPFL press release: IRN-BRU Cup |publisher=Scottish Professional Football League |work=spfl.co.uk |date=16 August 2017 |access-date=16 August 2017 |archive-date=16 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816234651/https://spfl.co.uk/news/article/spfl-press-release-irn-bru-cup/ |url-status=dead }}}}
{{Cnote2 End}}
Second round
=Draw=
The draw for the second round was made at 1 pm on 17 August 2017 at the Falkirk Wheel and streamed live on the SPFL's Facebook page. The draw was unseeded but the six non-Scottish teams were kept apart with one team from each country drawn at home and one away. Linfield were allocated an away tie due to the unavailability of Windsor Park so Crusaders played at home.{{cite web |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/article/irn-bru-cup-rd-2-draw-on-thursday-80/ |title=IRN-BRU Cup Rd 2 draw on Thursday |publisher=Scottish Professional Football League |date=14 August 2017 |access-date=16 August 2017}}
Teams in Italics were not known at the time of the draw. Teams in Bold advanced to the third round.
| class="wikitable" |
| {{fbaicon|IRL}} Premier Division
!{{fbaicon|NIR}} NIFL Premiership !{{fbaicon|WAL}} Welsh Premier League !{{fbaicon|SCO}} SPFL !Other Scottish |
|---|
| valign=top|
01. Sligo Rovers 02. Bray Wanderers |valign=top| 03. Linfield 04. Crusaders |valign=top| 05. The New Saints |valign=top| {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} 07. Inverness Caledonian Thistle 08. Falkirk 09. Dundee United 12. St Mirren 13. Dumbarton 14. Raith Rovers 15. Ayr United {{col-2}} 16. Livingston 17. Alloa Athletic 18. Stranraer 19. Spartans 20. Peterhead 21. Annan Athletic 22. Montrose 23. Elgin City 24. Berwick Rangers {{col-end}} |valign=top| Premiership U20s 25. Ross County U20s 27. Motherwell U20s 29. Aberdeen U20s 31. Buckie Thistle 32. Cove Rangers |
=Matches=
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=29 August 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Ayr United
|score=1–1
|aet=yes
|penaltyscore=5–6
|penalties1=
- Rose {{pengoal}}
- Gilmour {{penmiss}}
- McGuffie {{pengoal}}
- Moore {{pengoal}}
- Forrest {{pengoal}}
- Geggan {{pengoal}}
- Higgins {{penmiss}}
|penalties2=
- {{pengoal}} I Campbell
- {{pengoal}} Steeves
- {{pengoal}} Callaghan
- {{penmiss}} Allan
- {{pengoal}} Ferguson
- {{pengoal}} Millar
- {{pengoal}} McLaren
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640368/
|team2=Montrose
|goals1=Moore {{goal|29}}
|goals2=I Campbell {{goal|3}}
|stadium=Somerset Park
|location=Ayr, Scotland
|attendance=906
|referee=Grant Irvine
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=1 September 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Stranraer
|score=2–0
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640380/
|team2=Partick Thistle U20s
|goals1=
- Wallace {{goal|33}}
- Stoney {{goal|90+1}}
|goals2=
|stadium=Stair Park
|location=Stranraer, Scotland
|attendance=228
|referee=Steven Reid
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=2 September 2017
|time=14:30
|team1=Dumbarton
|score=2–1
|aet=yes
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640372/
|team2=Connah's Quay Nomads
|goals1=
|goals2=Morris {{goal|26|pen.}}
|stadium=Dumbarton Football Stadium
|location=Dumbarton, Scotland
|attendance=491
|referee=Ben Connolly
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=2 September 2017
|time=15:00
|team1=Elgin City
|score=2–0
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640374/
|team2=Bray Wanderers
|goals1=
- Dodd {{goal|45}}
- Allan {{goal|90+2}}
|goals2=
|stadium=Borough Briggs
|location=Elgin, Scotland
|attendance=611
|referee=Arnold Hunter
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=2 September 2017
|time=15:00
|team1=Crusaders
|score=3–2
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640371/
|team2=Motherwell U20s
|goals1=
|goals2=
- Turnbull {{goal|51}}
- Newell {{goal|67}}
|stadium=Seaview
|location=Belfast, Northern Ireland
|attendance=494
|referee=Kris Hames
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=2 September 2017
|time=15:00
|team1=Spartans
|score=1–2
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640381/
|team2=Linfield
|goals1=Atkinson {{goal|74}}
|goals2=
- Rooney {{goal|39|pen.}}
- Lowry {{goal|49}}
|stadium=Ainslie Park
|location=Edinburgh, Scotland
|attendance=902
|referee=Mark Petch
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=2 September 2017
|time=15:00
|team1=Peterhead
|score=2–0
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640376/
|team2=Annan Athletic
|goals1=
- McLean {{goal|59|pen.}}
- McAllister {{goal|78}}
|goals2=
|stadium=Balmoor Stadium
|location=Peterhead, Scotland
|attendance=529
|referee=Craig Napier
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=2 September 2017
|time=15:00
|team1=Dundee United
|score=3–1
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640373/
|team2=Alloa Athletic
|goals1=
|goals2=Cawley {{goal|78}}
|stadium=Tannadice Park
|location=Dundee, Scotland
|attendance=1,763
|referee=Willie Collum
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=2 September 2017
|time=15:00
|team1=Berwick Rangers
|score=0–5
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640369/
|team2=Queen of the South
|goals1=
|goals2=
|stadium=Shielfield Park
|location=Berwick-upon-Tweed, England
|attendance=621
|referee=Greg Aitken
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=2 September 2017
|time=15:00
|team1=St Mirren
|score=3–1
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640379/
|team2=Heart of Midlothian U20s
|goals1=
|goals2=Currie {{goal|81}}
|stadium=St Mirren Park
|location=Paisley, Scotland
|attendance=1,130
|referee=Craig Charleston
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=2 September 2017
|time=15:00
|team1=Hamilton Academical U20s
|score=1–3
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640375/
|team2=Cove Rangers
|goals1=Breen {{goal|54}}
|goals2=
|stadium=New Douglas Park
|location=Hamilton, Scotland
|attendance=297
|referee=David Munro
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=2 September 2017
|time=15:00
|team1=Aberdeen U20s
|score=2–4
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640367/
|team2=Inverness Caledonian Thistle
|goals1=
- Ross {{goal|51}}
- Anderson {{goal|89}}
|goals2=
|stadium=Glebe Park
|location=Brechin, Scotland
|attendance=175
|referee=Alan Newlands
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=2 September 2017
|time=15:00
|team1=Buckie Thistle
|score=0–3
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640370/
|team2=Dunfermline Athletic
|goals1=
|goals2=
|stadium=Victoria Park
|location=Buckie, Scotland
|attendance=606
|referee=Mike Roncone
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=2 September 2017
|time=15:00
|team1=Raith Rovers
|score=4–0
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640377/
|team2=Ross County U20s
|goals1=
|goals2=
|stadium=Stark's Park
|location=Kirkcaldy, Scotland
|attendance=1,035
|referee=Gavin Ross
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=2 September 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Sligo Rovers
|score=1–2
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640378/
|team2=Falkirk
|goals1= Sharkey {{goal|18}}
|goals2=
|stadium=The Showgrounds
|location=Sligo, Ireland
|attendance=520
|referee=Keith Kennedy
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=3 September 2017
|time=14:45
|team1=The New Saints
|score=1–1
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640382/
|team2=Livingston
|goals1=Edwards {{goal|20}}
|goals2=Mackin {{goal|64}}
|aet=yes
|penaltyscore=6–5
|penalties1=
- Mullan {{pengoal}}
- Draper {{pengoal}}
- Brobbel {{penmiss}}
- Seargeant {{pengoal}}
- Spender {{penmiss}}
- Rawlinson {{pengoal}}
- Routledge {{pengoal}}
- Harrison {{pengoal}}
|penalties2=
- {{penmiss}} Mackin
- {{pengoal}} Todorov
- {{pengoal}} Halkett
- {{penmiss}} Lithgow
- {{pengoal}} Gallagher
- {{pengoal}} Longridge
- {{pengoal}} Mullin
- {{penmiss}} Pittman
|stadium=Park Hall
|location=Oswestry, England
|attendance=403
|referee=Robert Harvey
}}
The SPFL launched an investigation after two different methods of penalty shootout were used in the second round matches that required the tiebreaker. Montrose's 6–5 win over Ayr United used the traditional ABAB method where one team follows the other whereas The New Saints' 6–5 win over Livingston used the trial ABBA method where one team goes first before the other takes two consecutively and then the first team takes their second. SPFL rules state that the ABAB method should be used. The mix up is suspected to have come after confusion between the Irish referee and Welsh linesmen in The New Saints-Livingston match over which method was to be used. The result of the investigation is not expected to impact the result of The New Saints-Livingston tie.{{cite web |url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl-probe-after-wrong-penalty-shoot-out-used-in-irn-bru-cup-tie-1-4550438 |title=SPFL probe after 'wrong penalty shoot-out' used in Irn-Bru Cup tie |publisher=The Scotsman |work=scotsman.com |date=4 September 2017 |access-date=5 September 2017 |first=Craig |last=Stewart}}
Third round
=Draw=
The draw for the third round was made at 1 pm on 5 September 2017 at the Riverside Museum and was streamed live on the SPFL's Facebook page. The draw was unseeded and there were no longer any requirements for non-SPFL sides to be kept apart.{{cite web |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/article/date-set-for-irn-bru-cup-r3-draw/ |title=Date set for IRN-BRU Cup R3 draw |publisher=Scottish Professional Football League |date=29 August 2017 |access-date=29 August 2017}}
Teams in Bold advanced to the third round.
| class="wikitable" |
| {{fbaicon|NIR}} NIFL Premiership
!{{fbaicon|WAL}} Welsh Premier League !{{fbaicon|SCO}} SPFL !{{fbaicon|SCO}} Highland Football League |
|---|
| valign=top|
01. Linfield 02. Crusaders |valign=top| 03. The New Saints |valign=top| {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} 04. Inverness Caledonian Thistle 05. Falkirk 06. Dundee United 09. St Mirren {{col-2}} 10. Dumbarton 11. Raith Rovers 12. Stranraer 13. Peterhead 14. Montrose 15. Elgin City {{col-end}} |valign=top| 16. Cove Rangers |
=Matches=
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=6 October 2017
|time=19:45
|team1=Dumbarton
|score=2–1
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640384/
|team2=Stranraer
|goals1=*Barr {{goal|12}}
- Stewart {{goal|65}}
|goals2=Okoh {{goal|90}}
|stadium=Dumbarton Football Stadium
|location=Dumbarton, Scotland
|attendance=492
|referee=Greg Aitken
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=7 October 2017
|time=15:00
|team1=St Mirren
|score=1–3
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640389/
|team2=Raith Rovers
|goals1=Reilly {{goal|63}}
|goals2=*Vaughan {{goal|64}}
|stadium=St Mirren Park
|location=Paisley, Scotland
|attendance=1,970
|referee=Euan Anderson
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=7 October 2017
|time=15:00
|team1=Montrose
|score=1–3
|aet=yes
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640388/
|team2=Queen of the South
|goals1=Masson {{goal|23}}
|goals2=*Dobbie {{goal|87||120}}
- Dykes {{goal|113}}
|stadium=Links Park
|location=Montrose, Scotland
|attendance=534
|referee=Kevin Graham
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=7 October 2017
|time=15:00
|team1=Falkirk
|score=2–0
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640386/
|team2=Dunfermline Athletic
|goals1=*Balatoni {{goal|19}}
- Hippolyte {{goal|59}}
|goals2=
|stadium=Falkirk Stadium
|location=Falkirk, Scotland
|attendance=4,082
|referee=Steven McLean
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=7 October 2017
|time=15:00
|team1=Cove Rangers
|score=0–3
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640383/
|team2=Crusaders
|goals1=
|goals2=*Carvill {{goal|45}}
- Glackin {{goal|60}}
- Caddell {{goal|90}}
|stadium=Station Park
|location=Forfar, Scotland
|attendance=268
|referee=Paul McLaughlin
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=7 October 2017
|time=15:00
|team1=Inverness Caledonian Thistle
|score=3–0
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640387/
|team2=Peterhead
|goals1=*Polworth {{goal|2}}
|goals2=
|stadium=Caledonian Stadium
|location=Inverness, Scotland
|attendance=930
|referee=Alan Muir
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=7 October 2017
|time=16:30
|team1=The New Saints
|score=4–0
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640390/
|team2=Elgin City
|goals1=*Draper {{goal|17||61}}
- Edwards {{goal|39}}
- Mullan {{goal|44}}
|goals2=
|stadium=Park Hall
|location=Oswestry, England
|attendance=404
|referee=Andrew Davey
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=7 October 2017
|time=17:15
|team1=Dundee United
|score=1–0
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640385/
|team2=Linfield
|goals1=Chalmers {{goal|90}}
|goals2=
|stadium=Tannadice Park
|location=Dundee, Scotland
|attendance=1,967
|referee=Iwan Griffith
}}
Quarter-finals
=Draw=
The draw for the quarter-finals was made at 1 pm on 10 October 2017 at the Forth Road Bridge Visitor Centre and was streamed live on the SPFL's Facebook page. The draw was unseeded.{{cite web |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/article/date-set-for-irn-bru-cup-qf-draw/ |title=Date set for IRN-BRU Cup QF draw |publisher=Scottish Professional Football League |date=4 October 2017 |access-date=4 October 2017}}{{cite web |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/article/irn-bru-cup-quarter-final-draw-today/ |title=IRN-BRU Cup quarter-final draw today |publisher=Scottish Professional Football League |date=10 October 2017 |access-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010212049/https://spfl.co.uk/news/article/irn-bru-cup-quarter-final-draw-today/ |archive-date=10 October 2017 |url-status=dead }}
Teams in Bold advanced to the semi-finals.
| class="wikitable" |
| {{fbaicon|NIR}} NIFL Premiership
!{{fbaicon|WAL}} Welsh Premier League !{{fbaicon|SCO}} SPFL |
|---|
| valign=top|
01. Crusaders |valign=top| 02. The New Saints |valign=top| 03. Inverness Caledonian Thistle 04. Falkirk 05. Dundee United 07. Dumbarton 08. Raith Rovers |
=Matches=
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=11 November 2017
|time=13:15
|team1=Dundee United
|score=1–2
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640394/
|team2=Crusaders
|goals1=Fyvie {{goal|55}}
|goals2=
|stadium=Tannadice Park
|location=Dundee, Scotland
|attendance=2,048
|referee=Robert Hennessy
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=11 November 2017
|time=15:00
|team1=Dumbarton
|score=2–0
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640393/
|team2=Raith Rovers
|goals1=
- McLaughlin {{goal|20}}
- Roy {{goal|49}}
|goals2=
|stadium=Dumbarton Football Stadium
|location=Dumbarton, Scotland
|attendance=888
|referee=Gavin Duncan
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=11 November 2017
|time=17:15
|team1=Inverness Caledonian Thistle
|score=1–0
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640395/
|team2=Falkirk
|goals1=Bell {{goal|57}}
|goals2=
|stadium=Caledonian Stadium
|location=Inverness, Scotland
|attendance=1,078
|referee=Euan Anderson
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=12 November 2017
|time=14:45
|team1=The New Saints
|score=0–0
|penaltyscore=4–3
|aet=yes
|penalties1=
- Mullan {{penmiss}}
- Brobbel {{penmiss}}
- Seargeant {{pengoal}}
- Darlington {{pengoal}}
- Fletcher {{pengoal}}
- Harrison {{pengoal}}
|penalties2=
- {{penmiss}} Lyle
- {{penmiss}} Dobbie
- {{pengoal}} Jacobs
- {{pengoal}} McFadden
- {{pengoal}} Fordyce
- {{penmiss}} Stirling
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640396/
|team2=Queen of the South
|goals1=
|goals2=
|stadium=Park Hall
|location=Oswestry, England
|attendance=808
|referee=Raymond Crangle
}}
Semi-finals
=Draw=
The draw for the semi-finals was made at 1pm on 14 November 2017 at the SEC Armadillo and was streamed live on the SPFL's Facebook page. The draw was unseeded.{{cite web |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/article/irn-bru-cup-semi-final-draw-today-6/ |title=IRN-BRU Cup semi-final draw |publisher=Scottish Professional Football League |date=14 November 2017 |access-date=14 November 2017 |archive-date=14 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114202644/https://spfl.co.uk/news/article/irn-bru-cup-semi-final-draw-today-6/ |url-status=dead }}
Teams in Bold advanced to the final.
| class="wikitable" |
| {{fbaicon|NIR}} NIFL Premiership
!{{fbaicon|WAL}} Welsh Premier League !{{fbaicon|SCO}} SPFL |
|---|
| valign=top|
01. Crusaders |valign=top| 02. The New Saints |valign=top| 03. Inverness Caledonian Thistle 04. Dumbarton |
=Matches=
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=17 February 2018
|time=19:35
|team1=The New Saints
|score=1–2
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640399/
|team2=Dumbarton
|goals1=Ebbe {{goal|52}}
|goals2=
|stadium=Park Hall
|location=Oswestry, England
|attendance=825
|referee=Neil Doyle
}}
{{Footballbox collapsible
|date=18 February 2018
|time=17:15
|team1=Inverness Caledonian Thistle
|score=3–2
|report=https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/fixture/3640398/
|team2=Crusaders
|goals1=
|goals2=Heatley {{goal|57||79}}
|stadium=Caledonian Stadium
|location=Inverness, Scotland
|attendance=1,044
|referee=Bryn Markham-Jones
}}
Final
{{Main|2018 Scottish Challenge Cup Final}}
{{Football box collapsible
|date=24 March 2018
|time=16:15
|team1=Dumbarton
|score=0–1
|report=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43445358
|team2=Inverness Caledonian Thistle
|goals1=
|goals2=Tremarco {{goal|90+2}}
|stadium=McDiarmid Park
|location=Perth, Scotland
|attendance=4,602
|referee=Andrew Dallas
}}
Statistics
=Top goalscorers=
{{updated|matches played on 24 March 2018}}{{cite web|title=Scotland Challenge Cup 2017/2018 Predictions, H2H Stats, Match Fixtures, Odds and Results|url=https://www.soccerpunter.com/soccer-statistics/Scotland/Challenge-Cup-2017-2018|publisher=Soccer Punter|date=5 September 2017}}
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" |
| Rank
!Player !Club !Goals |
|---|
| rowspan="2"|1
|align="left"|{{flagicon|SCO}} Stephen Dobbie |align="left"|Queen of the South |rowspan="2"|4 |
| align="left"|{{flagicon|SCO}} Lewis Vaughan
|align="left"|Raith Rovers |
| rowspan="6"|3
|align="left"|{{flagicon|SCO}} Aidan Smith |align="left"|Annan Athletic |rowspan="6"|3 |
| align="left"|{{flagicon|SCO}} Mitchel Megginson
|align="left"|Cove Rangers |
| align="left"|{{flagicon|DRC}} Patrick N'Koyi
|align="left"|Dundee United |
| align="left"|{{flagicon|SCO}} Andy Ryan
|align="left"|Dunfermline Athletic |
| align="left"|{{flagicon|SCO}} Neil McLaughlin
|align="left"|Partick Thistle U20s |
| align="left"|{{flagicon|SCO}} Gavin Reilly
|align="left"|St Mirren |
| 9
|colspan="2"|20 players |2 |
Player of the Round
The Golden Ball Award is a 'Player of the Round' award given to the player who is adjudged to have had the best performance of that round out of all the players in teams left competing in that round of the competition. The winner is voted for by supporters from a chosen short-list of players, which is posted on the Irn-Bru Football Twitter page.
| class="wikitable" |
| Round
! Player ! Club ! Match ! Ref |
|---|
| First Round
|{{flagicon|SCO}} Kevin Fraser |2–1 v Brechin City (H) |
| Second Round
|{{flagicon|SCO}} Gavin Reilly |3–1 v Heart of Midlothian U20s (H) |
| Third Round
|{{flagicon|ENG}} Myles Hippolyte |2–0 v Dunfermline Athletic (H) |
| Quarter-finals
|{{flagicon|NIR}} Gavin Whyte |2–1 v Dundee United (A) |
| Semi-finals
|{{Flagicon|Cyprus}} Dimitris Froxylias |2–1 v The New Saints (A) | |
Broadcasting rights
The domestic broadcasting rights for the competition are held jointly by BBC Alba, S4C (for matches involving Welsh teams) and subscription channel Premier Sports. Prior to the re-format in the 2016–17 season, BBC Alba had exclusive rights.{{cite web|title=Challenge Cup expansion announced|url=http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/spfl-announces-challenge-cup-expansion/|publisher=Scottish Professional Football League|date=8 June 2016|access-date=8 June 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107112345/https://spfl.co.uk/news/article/spfl-announces-challenge-cup-expansion/|url-status=dead}}
The following matches are to be broadcast live on UK television:
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162300/https://spfl.co.uk/challenge-cup/ Scottish Challenge Cup at the Scottish Professional Football League]
{{Scottish Challenge Cup seasons}}
{{2017–18 in Scottish football}}
{{2017–18 in Northern Ireland association football}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:2017-18 Scottish Challenge Cup}}
Category:Scottish Challenge Cup seasons