2006 Scottish Challenge Cup Final

The 2006 Scottish Challenge Cup Final was played on 12 November 2006 at McDiarmid Park in Perth and was the 16th Scottish Challenge Cup Final. The final was contested by Ross County, who beat Albion Rovers 4–1 in the semi-final, [cite web |title=Ross County 4–1 Albion Rovers |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/5381688.stm |publisher=BBC Sport ] and Clyde, who beat Greenock Morton 3–1. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/5381700.stm |title=Clyde 3-1 Greenock Morton |publisher=BBC Sport ] Ross County won the match 5–4 on a penalty shoot-out, after the match finished 1–1 after extra time.

It was both clubs first Challenge Cup Final, and the first major final in Ross County's history. It was Clyde's first major final in 48 years, since their Scottish Cup success in 1958.

Team news

Ross County started with a 4-4-2 formation. Alex Williams, who was Clyde's top scorer the previous season, missed the match through injury along with Sean Higgins and Fergus Tiernan. Craig Samson started in goals for County, with on loan Celtic duo Gary Irvine and Michael Gardyne also getting starts. Gardyne was partnered by Frenchman Amick Ciani, the only non-Scot in both squads, in attack. Experinced duo Don Cowie and Derek Adams were partnered in the centre of midfield. The midfield was completed by youngsters Craig Gunn and Martin Scott. Midfielder Kevin McKinlay found himself in the unfamiliar position of left back, playing alongside Andy Dowie and Alex Keddie. Jason Crooks, who would go on to score the winning penalty, was making his first senior appearance from the bench.

Clyde used their preferred 3-5-2 formation. Star striker Dougie Imrie missed the game through injury, which he picked up in the previous game, as did Steven Masterton, who was suffering from a knee injury. Michael McGowan and Gary Arbuckle were both suspended, after picking up their second yellow cards of the competition at the semi final stage. Goalkeeper David Hutton made only his fourth appearance for the club, with the consistent trio of Craig McKeown, Neil McGregor and Chris Higgins in front of him. The suspension to McGowan meant a rare start for Ryan McCann at right wing back, with Eddie Malone took up position on the opposite flank. Captain Paul McHale played in the middle of the park, alongside Craig Bryson and Stephen O'Donnell, with Andy Ferguson and Roddy Hunter forming the attack. The squad was so stretched that manager Joe Miller named himself amongst the substitutes.

Match details

footballbox
date = November 12 2006
time = 15:00
team1 = Ross County
score = 1 – 1 (a.e.t.)
(5 – 4 pen.)
report = [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/6137982.stm Report]
team2 = Clyde
goals1 = Dowie goal|80
goals2 = Hunter goal|43
stadium = McDiarmid Park, Perth
referee = Craig Thomson
attendance = 4,062

penshootoutbox
penalties1 = Gardyne pengoal
Robertson pengoal
McKinlay pengoal
Adams penmiss
Irvine pengoal
Crooks pengoal
penaltyscore = 5 – 4
penalties2 = pengoal O'Donnell
penmiss McGregor
pengoal McCann
pengoal Miller
pengoal McHale
penmiss Higgins

References