The 2006 Scottish Challenge Cup final was an association football match between Ross County and Clyde on 12 November 2006 at McDiarmid Park in Perth.[2] It was the 16th final of the Scottish Challenge Cup since it was first organised in 1990 to celebrate the centenary of the Scottish Football League.
 The match programme cover | |||||||
| Event | 2006–07 Scottish Challenge Cup | ||||||
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| After extra time Ross County won 5–4 on penalties[1] | |||||||
| Date | 12 November 2006 | ||||||
| Venue | McDiarmid Park, Perth | ||||||
| Referee | C. Thomson | ||||||
| Attendance | 4,062 | ||||||
The match was Ross County's second appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup Final since losing in 2004, whilst it was Clyde's first national final in 48 years since winning the Scottish Cup in 1958. The tournament was contested by clubs below the Scottish Premier League, with both finalists coming from the First Division.
Roddy Hunter scored first for Clyde in the 43rd minute with Andy Dowie equalising the score at 1–1 in the 80th minute for Ross County to force extra time. Clyde were reduced to 10 men during extra time after Eddie Malone was sent-off after receiving a second yellow card. The score remained 1–1 and the winner was decided by a penalty shoot-out. Both teams scored four of their first five penalties and Jason Crooks scored the winner for Ross County after Neil McGregor missed the decider for Clyde.[3]
Route to the final edit
Ross County edit
| Round | Opposition | Score |
|---|---|---|
| First round | East Fife (a) | 3–0 |
| Second round | Alloa Athletic (h) | 2–1 (a.e.t.) |
| Quarter-final | Gretna (h) | 3–2 (a.e.t.) |
| Semi-final | Albion Rovers (h) | 4–1[4] |
Clyde edit
| Round | Opposition | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Second round | Montrose (a) | 3–0 |
| Quarter-final | Ayr United (h) | 1–0 |
| Semi-final | Greenock Morton (h) | 3–1[5] |
Team news edit
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. Experienced 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.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
Match details edit
| Ross County | 1–1 (a.e.t.) | Clyde |
|---|---|---|
Dowie  80' |
Report | Hunter 43' |
| Penalties | ||
Gardyne  Robertson McKinlay Adams  Irvine Crooks |
5–4 | O'Donnell McGregor McCann Miller McHale Higgins |
      Ross County
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   Clyde
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MATCH OFFICIALS
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MATCH RULES
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References edit
- ^ The Scottish Football League Challenge Cup Final Results, scottishfootballleague.com. Scottish Football League. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
- ^ "Scottish League Challenge Cup Finals". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
- ^ Ross County 1-1 Clyde (aet), news.bbc.co.uk. BBC Sport. 12 November 2006. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
- ^ "Ross County 4–1 Albion Rovers". BBC Sport. 27 September 2006. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
- ^ "Clyde 3-1 Greenock Morton". BBC Sport. 27 September 2006. Retrieved 1 January 2010.