2022–23 South Challenge Cup
The 2022–23 SFA South Region Challenge Cup was the 16th edition of the annual knockout cup competition for senior non-league clubs in the central and southern regions of Scotland. The tournament entry increased from 161 to a record 163 teams thanks to additional clubs joining the West of Scotland Football League.
| SFA South Region Challenge Cup | |
| Country |  Scotland England (2 teams) |
|---|---|
| Dates | 20 August 2022 – 28 May 2023 |
| Teams | 163 |
| Defending champions | Auchinleck Talbot |
| Champions | The Spartans |
| Runners-up | Drumchapel United |
| Matches played | 162 |
← 2021–22 2023–24 →
All statistics correct as of 19 August 2021. | |
The defending champions were Auchinleck Talbot of the West of Scotland League, who beat Lowland League champions Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic 3–1 in the final on 22 May 2022. However they went out of the competition at the quarter-final stage, losing 2–1 to Caledonian Braves.
The Spartans lifted the trophy for a record fourth time, completing a league and cup double after also winning the Lowland League. They beat Drumchapel United 2–1 in the final.
Format
The South Challenge Cup features 163 senior non-league clubs from the Lowland Football League (16), East of Scotland Football League (59), South of Scotland Football League (10), and West of Scotland Football League (79). The reserve teams of Stirling University, Caledonian Braves, and Stranraer, as well as Celtic B, Heart of Midlothian B, and Rangers B, do not take part. Newburgh were debarred due to a breach of rules.
The first and second rounds were regionalised, with north-east, south-east, south-west, and north-west sections each containing 40 or 41 clubs.
The draws are unseeded, with matches proceeding to extra time and penalties if they were tied after 90 minutes.
Calendar
| Round | Main date[1] | Fixtures | Clubs |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Round | 20 August 2022 | 35 | 163 → 128 |
| Second Round | 15 October 2022 | 64 | 128 → 64 |
| Third Round | 19 November 2022 | 32 | 64 → 32 |
| Fourth Round | 4 February 2023 | 16 | 32 → 16 |
| Fifth Round | 4 March 2023 | 8 | 16 → 8 |
| Quarter-Finals | 1 April 2023 | 4 | 8 → 4 |
| Semi-Finals | TBC | 2 | 4 → 2 |
| Final | 28 May 2023 | 1 | 2 → 1 |
First round
The draw for the regionalised first and second rounds took place on Sunday 26 June 2022.[2][3][4][5] Each zone features 9 fixtures in the first round with 23 clubs receiving a bye to the second round (except the South-West zone featuring 8 matches and 24 byes).
North-East zone
| 20 August 2022 | Camelon Juniors | 4–2 | West Park United | |
| 14:30 |
| 20 August 2022 | Cowdenbeath | 0–2 | Cumbernauld Colts | |
| 15:00 |
| 20 August 2022 | Crossgates Primrose | 1–3 | University of Stirling | |
| 14:30 |
| 20 August 2022 | East Stirlingshire | 2–0 | Kirkcaldy & Dysart | |
| 15:00 |
| 20 August 2022 | Glenrothes | 1–0 | Broomhill | |
| 14:30 |
| 20 August 2022 | Kilsyth Rangers | 1–5 | Hill of Beath Hawthron | |
| 14:00 | Attendance: 113 |
| 20 August 2022 | Luncarty | 2–3 (a.e.t.) | Kirkintilloch Rob Roy | |
| 14:30 |
| 20 August 2022 | Shotts Bon Accord | 6–0 | Burntisland Shipyard | |
| 14:00 |
North-West zone
| 19 August 2022 | Greenock Juniors | 0–3 | Thorn Athletic | Greenock |
| 19:30 | Stadium: Ravenscraig Stadium |
| 20 August 2022 | Ardrossan Winton Rovers | 0–2 | St Roch's | Ardrossan |
| 14:00 | Stadium: Winton Park |
| 20 August 2022 | Beith Juniors | 8–1 | St Anthony's | Beith |
| 14:00 | Stadium: Bellsdale Park |
| 20 August 2022 | Benburb | – | Dalry Thistle | Govan, Glasgow |
| 14:00 | Stadium: New Tinto Park |
| 20 August 2022 | Maryhill | 3–1 | Port Glasgow | |
| 14:00 |
| 20 August 2022 | Pollok | 6–0 | Eglinton | |
| 14:00 |
| 20 August 2022 | Rutherglen Glencairn | 4–0 | Finnart | |
| 14:00 |
| 20 August 2022 | Vale of Leven | 2–4 | Largs Thistle | |
| 14:00 |
Second round
North-West zone
| 15 October 2022 | Ardeer Thistle | 0–3 | Glasgow United | |
| 14:00 |
| 15 October 2022 | Arthurlie | 0–3 | Irvine Meadow XI | |
| 14:00 |
| 15 October 2022 | Ashfield | 2–0 | Thorn Athletic | Glasgow |
| 14:00 | Stadium: Saracen Park |
| 15 October 2022 | Beith Juniors | 3–4 | Largs Thistle | Beith |
| 14:00 | Stadium: Bellsdale Park |
| 15 October 2022 | Benburb | 1–4 | Rutherglen Glencairn | Govan, Glasgow |
| 14:00 | Stadium: New Tinto Park |
| 15 October 2022 | Glasgow Perthshire | 1–5 | Kilwinning Rangers | Glasgow |
| 14:00 |
Third round
The majority of the third round ties took place on the weekend of 19 November 2022, reverting to an open draw with 32 fixtures being played.
| 18 November 2022 | Leith Athletic | 1–2 | Fauldhouse United | |
| 20:00 |
| 18 November 2022 | Rossvale | 3–1 | Johnstone Burgh | |
| 19:30 |
| 18 November 2022 | Yoker Athletic | 0–2 | Drumchapel United | |
| 19:30 |
| 19 November 2022 | Abbey Vale | 0–1 | East Kilbride | |
| 13:30 |
| 19 November 2022 | Auchinleck Talbot | 3–0 | Neilston | |
| 14:00 |
| 19 November 2022 | Bo'ness United | 5–2 | Penicuik Athletic | |
| 15:00 |
| 19 November 2022 | Caledonian Braves | 4–1 | Rutherglen Glencairn | Motherwell |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Alliance Park |
| 19 November 2022 | Cambuslang Rangers | 0–1 | Newton Stewart | |
| 13:30 |
| 19 November 2022 | Clydebank | 4–0 | Largs Thistle | |
| 14:00 |
| 19 November 2022 | Coldstream | 1–4 | Broxburn Athletic | |
| 14:30 |
| 19 November 2022 | Dunipace | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Tynecastle | |
| 14:30 |
| 19 November 2022 | Edinburgh South | 0–5 | St Cadoc's | |
| 13:30 | Attendance: 70 |
| 19 November 2022 | Gartcairn | 3–1 | Dunbar United | |
| 13:30 |
| 19 November 2022 | Glasgow United | 0–6 | Sauchie Juniors | |
| 13:30 |
| 19 November 2022 | Glenafton Athletic | 1–0 | Kinnoull | |
| 13:30 |
| 19 November 2022 | Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts | 3–6 | Bo'ness Athletic | |
| 14:00 |
| 19 November 2022 | Jeanfield Swifts | 1–2 | Lochar Thistle | |
| 14:30 |
| 19 November 2022 | Kilwinning Rangers | 3–2 | Musselburgh Athletic | |
| 13:30 |
| 19 November 2022 | Linlithgow Rose | 3–1 | Civil Service Strollers | |
| 14:30 |
| 19 November 2022 | Maryhill | 2–1 | Ashfield | |
| 13:30 |
| 19 November 2022 | Maybole Juniors | 5–0 | Glenrothes | |
| 13:30 |
| 19 November 2022 | Newtongrange Star | 5–3 (a.e.t.) | Stoneyburn | |
| 14:30 |
| 19 November 2022 | Renfrew | 2–3 | Cumnock Juniors | |
| 13:30 |
| 19 November 2022 | The Spartans | 9–0 | Glasgow University | |
| 15:00 |
| 19 November 2022 | Tranent Juniors | 3–2 | Blackburn United | |
| 15:00 |
| 19 November 2022 | Troon | 6–0 | St Cuthbert Wanderers | Troon |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Portland Park |
| 19 November 2022 | Vale of Clyde | 2–1 | Irvine Meadow XI | |
| 13:30 |
| 20 November 2022 | Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale | 3–1 | Kello Rovers | Edinburgh |
| 15:30 |
| 28 January 2023 | Luncarty | 3–4 | Thornton Hibs | |
| 13:30 |
| 1 February 2023 | Threave Rovers | 2–1 | Whitletts Victoria | |
| 19:30 |
| 4 February 2023 | Shotts Bon Accord | 0–4 | Dundonald Bluebell | Dalgety Bay |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Dalgety Bay Sports & Leisure Centre |
Fourth round
Draw
| Lowland League | East of Scotland League | South of Scotland League | West of Scotland League |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Matches
| 4 February 2023 | Auchinleck Talbot | 7–0 | Broxburn Athletic | Auchinleck |
| 14:00 | Stadium: Beechwood Park |
| 4 February 2023 | Caledonian Braves | 4–3 (a.e.t.) | Bo'ness United | Motherwell |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Alliance Park |
| 4 February 2023 | Fauldhouse United | 0–5 | Sauchie Juniors | Fauldhouse |
| 14:00 | Stadium: Park View |
| 4 February 2023 | Glenafton Athletic | 2–3 | Drumchapel United | New Cumnock |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Loch Park |
| 4 February 2023 | Kilwinning Rangers | 3–0 | Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale | Kilwinning |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Buffs Park |
| 4 February 2023 | Lochar Thistle | 1–4 | Maryhill | Dumfries |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Wilson Park |
| 4 February 2023 | Maybole Juniors | 0–1 | Clydebank | Maybole |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Ladywell Stadium |
| 4 February 2023 | Newton Stewart | 1–5 | University of Stirling | Newton Stewart |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Blairmount Park |
| 4 February 2023 | Rossvale | 1–5 | East Kilbride | Glasgow |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Petershill Park |
| 4 February 2023 | The Spartans | 5–0 | Dunipace | Edinburgh |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Ainslie Park |
| 4 February 2023 | Threave Rovers | 3–1 | St Cadoc's | Castle Douglas |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Meadow Park |
| 4 February 2023 | Tranent Juniors | 3–1 | Linlithgow Rose | Tranent |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Foresters Park |
| 4 February 2023 | Vale of Clyde | 1–0 | Thornton Hibs | Glasgow |
| 13:30 | Stadium: Fullarton Park |
| 14 February 2023 | Newtongrange Star | 0–2 | Dundonald Bluebell | Newtongrange |
| 19:30 | Stadium: Victoria Park |
Fifth round
Draw
The draw for the fifth round was made on 6 February 2023, live on the West of Scotland Football League YouTube channel.[6]
Teams in Italics were unknown at the time of the draw.
| Lowland League | East of Scotland League | West of Scotland League |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Matches
| 4 March 2023 | Auchinleck Talbot | 1–0 | East Kilbride | Auchinleck |
| 14:00 | Stadium: Beechwood Park |
| 4 March 2023 | Clydebank | 1–2 | University of Stirling | Clydebank |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Holm Park |
| 4 March 2023 | Drumchapel United | 3–2 | Vale of Clyde | Drumchapel |
| 14:00 |
| 4 March 2023 | Dundonald Bluebell | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (2–4 p) | The Spartans | Cardenden |
| 14:30 | Stadium: Moorside Park |
| 4 March 2023 | Gartcairn | 2–1 | Tranent Juniors | Airdrie |
| 14:00 | Stadium: MTC Park |
| 4 March 2023 | Maryhill | 0–2 | Kilwinning Rangers | Glasgow |
| 14:00 | Stadium: Lochburn Park |
| 4 March 2023 | Threave Rovers | 0–2 | Caledonian Braves | Castle Douglas |
| 14:00 | Stadium: Meadow Park |
Quarter-finals
Draw
| Lowland League | East of Scotland League | West of Scotland League |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Matches
| 4 April 2023 | Caledonian Braves | 2–1 | Auchinleck Talbot | Motherwell |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Alliance Park |
| 4 April 2023 | Kilwinning Rangers | 1–4 | Gartcairn | Kilwinning |
| 14:00 | Stadium: Buffs Park |
| 4 April 2023 | Sauchie Juniors | 1–4 | Drumchapel United | Sauchie |
| 14:30 | Stadium: Beechwood Park |
| 4 April 2023 | The Spartans | 4–2 | University of Stirling | Edinburgh |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Ainslie Park |
Semi-finals
Draw
| Lowland League | West of Scotland League |
|---|---|
|
Matches
| 18 April 2023 | Caledonian Braves | 2–3 | The Spartans | Motherwell |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Alliance Park |
| 26 April 2023 | Gartcairn | 0–1 | Drumchapel United | Airdrie |
| 19:45 | Stadium: MTC Park |
Final
| The Spartans | 2–1 | Drumchapel United |
|---|---|---|
Russell  17', 42' |
Finnigan 87' |
         |
   |
References
- "The Scottish Lowland Football League Season 2022-23 Fixture List" (PDF). Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- @SouthChallenge (June 26, 2022). "The North East Zone Round One Ties" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- @SouthChallenge (June 26, 2022). "South East Zone Round One Ties" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- @SouthChallenge (June 26, 2022). "South West Zone Round One Ties" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- @SouthChallenge (June 26, 2022). "North West Zone Round 1" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- "South Challenge Cup Draw - 5th Round". YouTube. Retrieved 6 February 2023.