Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup: Third Round Preview

The Scottish Cup weekend kicks off at Dumbarton on Friday evening as the Sons host Alloa Athletic.  The two sides were due to meet in the league last weekend but the game fell foul to the weather.

Dumbarton enjoyed a 5-0 victory over Alloa in the last Scottish Cup meeting in 2016, though Alloa have won all seven Round Three ties they have played since that game.

It is set to be Dumbarton's first match since entering administration, with the club having since raised over £80,000 in donations since the news.

17 matches then take place on an action-packed Saturday of Scottish Cup action. 

Musselburgh Athletic produced one of the stand-out results in Round Two as they defeated Lowland League high-fliers Caledonian Braves and the East Lothian side will play their first-ever Third Round match at home to Bo'ness United. 

Banks O'Dee are aiming to reach the Fourth Round for just the second time in their history, having reached that stage in the 2021/22 season. They defeated League Two side East Fife in the last round and they will host Championship Hamilton Academical.

There are two all-Championship clashes on Saturday afternoon, as Queen's Park host Partick Thistle and Ayr United host Greenock Morton. Queen's Park actually met Partick Thistle at this stage last season, with the Jags triumphing 3-0 at Firhill, while Ayr and Morton meet in the Scottish Cup for the first time since the 2005/06 season.

League One leaders Kelty Hearts make the trip north to face League Two table-toppers Elgin City in an intriguing battle of two in-form teams. This will actually be the third time they have met in cup competitions this season, having faced off in both the League Cup and Challenge Cups, though this is their first-ever Scottish Cup meeting.

The Highland League leaders are also in action, with Brechin City travelling to take on Lowland League side Cowdenbeath, who shocked The Spartans away from home in Round Three. 

Sunday sees Dundee North End face the biggest match in their history, as the Midland League outfit host the Championship bottom side Airdrieonians. North End have arguably been the story of the cup so far, having already seen off Tayport, Tranent and Inverurie Loco Works in their debut season in the competition.

Their reward is a first-ever meeting with SPFL opposition, in what is set to be a historic day at North End Park. The Scottish Cup will also make a visit to North End Park on Thursday as the next stop on the 'Evening with the Scottish Cup' trophy tour.

The final match of the weekend sees Lowland League leaders East Kilbride play Championship leaders Falkirk. East Kilbride have already recorded four cup victories over SPFL opponents this season - defeating Cove Rangers, Airdrieonians and Ayr United in the SPFL Challenge Cup and beating Bonnyrigg Rose in Round Two of the Scottish Cup. Falkirk, on the other hand are unbeaten in their last 26 meetings with non-league opponents in the Scottish Cup.

The two sides have only met once before, in the 2021/22 Challenge Cup, where Falkirk ran out 3-0 winners, although East Kilbridge manager has history in the Scottish Cup, having masterminded Darvel's famous victory over Aberdeen in 2023. 

The full fixture list for the weekend, and any potential postponement dates, are listed below.

Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup Fourth Round Draw 

The draw for the Fourth Round of the Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup will take place at K-Park on Monday night, live on BBC Scotland, following the conclusion of East Kilbride's match against Falkirk.

Former Scotland international Steven Naismith will conduct the draw. Naismith featured in the 2009 Scottish Cup Final as Rangers defeated Falkirk 1-0.

Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup Third Round