The 1878–79 Scottish Cup – officially the Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup – was the sixth season of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. Defending champions Vale of Leven met Rangers in the final but, after a 1–1 draw in the original match on 19 April 1879,[1] the replay was scratched and Vale of Leven were awarded the cup. Rangers objected to a goal being disallowed in the original match and refused to play the replay.[2]
Quick Facts Tournament details, Country ...
1878–79 Scottish CupThe Scottish Cup trophy |
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| Country | Scotland |
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| Teams | 126 |
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| Defending champions | Vale of Leven |
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| Champions | Vale of Leven
(third title) |
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| Runner-up | Rangers |
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| Matches played | 126 |
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| Goals scored | 566 (4.49 per match) |
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Close
This was the second consecutive season that more than 100 teams entered the competition with a record 126 clubs competing.[3][4]
As with the previous competitions, the sixth edition of the Scottish Cup took on the format of a traditional knockout tournament.[3] For the earlier rounds, the names of competing teams were placed into lots according to their districts and drawn into pairs. The home team for each tie was determined by the toss of a coin unless it was mutually agreed or only one of the two clubs drawn against one another had a private ground. In the event of a draw, the team who lost the toss would have the choice of ground for the replay. A similar procedure was used for subsequent rounds however, any club which had received a bye in the previous round would first be drawn against one of the winners of the previous round. The names of winning teams were placed into one lot for later rounds. The choice of venue for the final matches was reserved to the Scottish Football Association.[5]
Calendar
The exact dates of some matches are unknown as newspaper coverage of football in the late 19th century was not as comprehensive as it would become.[3][4]
More information Round, First match date ...
| Round |
First match date |
Fixtures |
Clubs |
|---|
| Original |
Byes |
Replays |
| First Round |
21 September 1878 |
59 |
7 |
8 |
126 → 68 |
| Second Round |
12 October 1878 |
33 |
2 |
2 |
68 → 34 |
| Third Round |
2 November 1878 |
16 |
2 |
0 |
34 → 18 |
| Fourth Round |
30 November 1878 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
18 → 10 |
| Fifth Round |
22 December 1878 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
10 → 5 |
| Quarter-finals |
22 March 1879 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
5 → 3 |
| Semi-finals |
29 March 1879 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
3 → 2 |
| Final |
19 April 1879 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 → 1 |
Close
- Both Glasgow and Edinburgh University were given byes to the third round.
- Clydesdale and Dennistoun were both disqualified from the competition without playing their first round tie.
- Six teams qualified for the second round after drawing their first round replay.
- Glengowan and Airdrie were both disqualified from the competition after their second round tie.
- Both Partick and Stonelaw were reinstated in the fifth round after Thistle were disqualified.
All 126 teams entered the competition in the first round.
More information Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire ...
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In total, there were 59 first round ties after five teams received a bye to the second round, Pollokshaws disbanded before the competition began[6] and Glasgow University and Edinburgh University received a bye to the third round.[3][4] However, only 51 ties were played after Girvan, Blythswood, Stranraer, Maybole Carrick, Star of Leven, 4th Renfrew RV and Govanhill Lacrosse scratched to Catrine, Clyde, Cree Rovers, Mauchline, Renton, Stonefield and Wellpark respectively.[4] Dennistoun were drawn to play Clydesdale but both teams scratched and were eliminated from the competition.[7]
Two-time defending champions Vale of Leven began the competition with a 6–0 home win against Alclutha from Dumbarton on 21 September 1878.[8] On the same day, Queen's Park – who were looking to regain the trophy they had last won in 1876 – had a similarly convincing win as they saw off Kelvinbank 8–0.[9] Rangers defeated Shaftesbury 3–0 at Kinning Park a week later[10] while there were big wins for Kilmarnock Portland (9–0 vs. Dean), Upper Clydesdale (12–0 vs. Newmains) and Whitefield (10–0 vs. Telegraphists).[4]
Matches
Dumfriesshire district
Annan Wanderers v Queen of the South Wanderers
Wigtownshire district
Cree Rovers v Stranraer
Ayrshire district
Kilmarnock Portland v Dean
Ayr Academicals v Cumnock
Auchinleck Boswell v Ayr Thistle
Beith v Hurlford
Kilmarnock v Kilbirnie
Lanemark v Kilmarnock Athletic
Maybole Ladywell v Tarbolton Burntonians
Catrine v Girvan
Mauchline v Maybole Carrick
Glasgow and Suburbs
Burnside received a bye to the second round and Glasgow University to the third round.
Possil Bluebell v 19th Lanark RV
Queen's Park v Kelvinbank
Thistle v Possilpark
1st Lanark RV v Parkgrove
Alexandra Athletic v Jordanhill
Govan v Ailsa
Havelock v 3rd Lanark RV
Blackfriars v John Elder
Derby v Oxford
Northern v Partick
Petershill v Albatross
Rangers v Shaftesbury
Rosslyn v Union
Pollokshields Athletic v Whiteinch
Whitefield v Telegraphists
South Western v Caledonian
Clyde v Blythswood
Clydesdale v Dennistoun
Wellpark v Govanhill Lacrosse
Stonefield v 4th Renfrew RV
Edinburgh district
Edinburgh University received a bye to the third round.
Heart of Midlothian v Swifts
3rd Edinburgh RV v Brunswick
Edinburgh Thistle v Hanover
Hibernian v Dunfermline
Dunbartonshire district
Jamestown v Lennox
Vale of Leven v Alclutha
Alexandria v Renton Thistle
Dumbarton v 10th Dumbarton RV
Helensburgh v Kilmaronock Thistle
Renton v Star of Leven
Lanarkshire district
Clarkston received a bye to the second round.
Avondale v Airdrie
Glengowan v Mount Vernon
Hamilton Academical v Uddingston
Newmains v Upper Clydesdale
Shotts v Drumpellier
Stonelaw v East Kilbride
Renfrewshire district
Barrhead v Wellington Park
Cartvale v Arthurlie
Busby v Morton
Levern v 23rd Renfrew RV
Renfrew v 17th Renfrew RV
Thornliebank v Glenkilloch
Port Glasgow v Pollokshaws
Stirlingshire district
Shaugraun received a bye to the second round.
Falkirk v Campsie Glen
Lenzie v Thistle Athletic
Strathblane v Grasshoppers
Forfarshire district
St Clement's received a bye to the second round.
Arbroath v Dundee Our Boys
Perthshire district
Rob Roy v Coupar Angus
Clifton & Strathfillan v Vale of Teith
Replays
Ayrshire district
Kilmarnock Athletic v Lanemark
Glasgow and Suburbs
Parkgrove v 1st Lanark RV
Oxford v Derby
Partick v Northern
Whiteinch v Pollokshields Athletic
Dunbartonshire district
Renton Thistle v Alexandria
Lanarkshire district
Hamilton Academical v Uddingston
Renfrewshire district
23rd Renfrew RV v Levern
17th Renfrew RV v Renfrew
- Notes
- ^
A-Both sides withdrew from the competition.
- ^
B-Both teams advanced to the second round.
Sources:[7]
The second round began on 12 October 1878 with Govan's 2–1 over Oxford.[4] Most of the ties were played a week later. Queen's Park defeated Pollokshields Athletic 6–0 at Hampden Park[20] while Rangers won 6–1 at home to Whitefield.[21] Vale of Leven recorded the biggest win of the round as they thumped Renton Thistle 11–0 at North Street Park on 26 October.[22]
With an even number of teams in the draw, no byes were awarded but not every team would play a match. St Clement's scratched from their tie with Arbroath before Shotts scratched from their replay with Clarkston after the teams had drawn 1–1 on 19 October.[4] Glengowan defeated Airdrie 2–0 away from home but neither side advanced as both were disqualified and, despite losing 5–0 to South Western, a protest from Petershill was upheld and a replay was ordered. South Western also won the replay 8–0.[4]
Matches
Glasgow and Suburbs
Glasgow University received a bye to the third round.
Govan v Oxford
Alexandra Athletic v Burnside
South Western v Petershill
Partick v Possil Bluebell
Rangers v Whitefield
Clyde v Thistle
Whiteinch v Derby
Parkgrove v Union
John Elder v Stonefield
3rd Lanark RV v Wellpark
Queen's Park v Pollokshields Athletic
Ayrshire district
Beith v Ayr Thistle
Catrine v Maybole Ladywell
Kilbirnie v Kilmarnock Athletic
Ayr Academicals v Mauchline
Renfrewshire district
Kilmarnock Portland v Thornliebank
Arthurlie v Busby
Levern v Renfrew
Barrhead v Port Glasgow
Lanarkshire district
Shotts v Clarkston
Stonelaw v Hamilton Academical
Glengowan v Airdrie
Edinburgh district
Edinburgh University received a bye to the third round.
Hibernian v 3rd Edinburgh RV
Heart of Midlothian v Edinburgh Thistle
Dunbartonshire district
Renton v Dumbarton
Helensburgh v Alexandria
Jamestown v Upper Clydesdale
Vale of Leven v Renton Thistle
Stirlingshire district
Strathblane v Falkirk
Shaugraun v Lenzie
Forfarshire district
Arbroath v St Clement's
Perthshire district
Rob Roy v Vale of Teith
Wigtownshire and Dumfriesshire districts
Cree Rovers v Queen of the South Wanderers
Replays
Glasgow and Suburbs
South Western v Petershill
Lanarkshire district
Clarkston v Shotts
- Notes
- ^
C-Both sides were disqualified from the competition after the referee stopped the match early because of violent play.
[31]
- ^
D-Abandoned after 30 minutes. 3rd Edinburgh RV conceded the tie.
Sources:[7]
Two teams received a bye to the fourth round while Glasgow University scratched from their tie with Queen's Park.[4] The third round began on 2 November 1878 as 3rd Lanark RV defeated South Western 2–1 at Cathkin Park.[32] A week later, free-scoring Vale of Leven took their tally for the competition to 32 goals after a thumping 15–0 win over Jamestown at North Street Park setting a new Scottish Cup record for the biggest margin of victory in the process.[4][33] Rangers defeated Parkgrove 8–2[34] while Beith recorded a 7–1 triumph over Barrhead.[4]
Although Thistle defeated Partick 2–1 on 16 November and did play in and win their fourth round tie, they were later disqualified from the competition with Partick reinstated in the fifth round.[4]
Matches
Glasgow and Suburbs
3rd Lanark RV v South Western
Rangers v Parkgrove
Alexandra Athletic v John Elder
Govan v Derby
Partick v Thistle
Queen's Park v Glasgow University
Ayrshire, Dumfriesshire and Renfrewshire districts
Renfrew received a bye to the fourth round.
Catrine v Kilmarnock Portland
Beith v Barrhead
Mauchline v Arthurlie
Kilmarnock Athletic v Queen of the South Wanderers
Lanarkshire, Dunbartonshire, Stirlingshire and Perthshire districts
Rob Roy received a bye to the fourth round.
Stonelaw v Clarkston
Helensburgh v Shaugraun
Dumbarton v Strathblane
Vale of Leven v Jamestown
Edinburgh and Forfarshire districts
Edinburgh University v Hibernian
Heart of Midlothian v Arbroath
Sources:[7]
Most fourth round ties were played on 30 November 1878 and, with an even number of teams, there were no byes awarded. Vale of Leven continued their fine form, recording a third consecutive double-figures win, as they defeated Govan 11–1 conceding a goal for the first time in the process.[40] Beith were the last Ayrshire team standing after thumping Kilmarnock Athletic 9–1[4] while Mauchline lost 5–0 to Queen's Park[41] and Kilmarnock Portland lost 6–1 in a replay to Dumbarton.[42][43] Similarly, Hibernian became the last Edinburgh club standing after thumping Rob Roy 9–0[44] while Heart of Midlothian lost 2–1 to Helensburgh.[45] Rangers defeated Alexandra Athletic 3–0.[46]
Thistle, who had defeated Partick in the previous round, were disqualified from the competition following their 2–0 win over Stonelaw and both Partick and Stonelaw were reinstated.[4]
Matches
Renfrew v 3rd Lanark RV
Vale of Leven v Govan
Queen's Park v Mauchline
Thistle v Stonelaw
Kilmarnock Portland v Dumbarton
Rangers v Alexandra Athletic
Helensburgh v Heart of Midlothian
Beith v Kilmarnock Athletic
Hibernian v Rob Roy
Replay
Dumbarton v Kilmarnock Portland
- Notes
- ^
E-Thistle were disqualified from the competition and both Stonelaw and Partick were reinstated.
Sources:[7]
All five fifth round matches were played on 8 March 1879.[4] Dumbarton reached the quarter-finals for the first time in three seasons with a 9–1 win at home to Stonelaw[50][51] while fellow Dunbartonshire club Helensburgh defeated the last remaining Edinburgh side, Hibernian, 2–1 away from home.[52] Queen's Park played 3rd Lanark RV in a replay of the 1876 final at Hampden Park and they eased through with a 5–0 win[53][54] while Rangers defeated Partick 4–0.[55] Holders Vale of Leven defeated Beith 6–1 at North Street Park.[56]
Matches
Vale of Leven v Beith
Stonelaw v Dumbarton
Hibernian v Helensburgh
Queen's Park v 3rd Lanark RV
Rangers v Partick
Sources:[7]
With just five teams left, there were only two quarter-final ties and Helensburgh received a bye to the semi-finals. Both games were played on 22 March 1879.[4] Queen's Park's quest to regain the trophy was ended by Glasgow rivals Rangers as Dunlop scored the only of the game at Hampden Park to see them through to the semi-finals.[57][58] They were joined by Vale of Leven as the defending champions eased passed Dunbartonshire rivals Dumbarton with a 3–1 win at North Street Park.[59][60][61]
Matches
Queen's Park v Rangers
Vale of Leven v Dumbarton
Sources:[7]
For the third consecutive season, there was just one semi-final played and Rangers, for the second time, received a bye to the final.[3][4] Helensburgh hosted Dunbartonshire rivals Vale of Leven but they were no match for a Vale side targeting a third consecutive title as they succumbed to a 3–0 loss at Kirkmichael Park.[62]
Matches
Helensburgh v Vale of Leven
Sources:[7]
Hampden Park in Glasgow again played host to the Scottish Cup final as Vale of Leven faced Rangers in a rematch of the 1877 final on 19 April 1879. That tie took three matches to decide and it initially looked like this year's final would be no different after goals from Struthers and Ferguson saw the teams draw 1–1 in front of 6,000 spectators.[3][4] However, Rangers had been incensed by the referee's decision to disallow a goal and refused to play the replay, scheduled for 26 April. As a result, Vale of Leven were awarded the trophy, their third success in three years.[2][3][4]
Original match
More information Vale of Leven, 1–1 ...
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Replay
More information Vale of Leven, w/o ...
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Potter, David; Jones, Phil H. (2016). The History of the Scottish Cup: The Story of Every Season 1873–2016. Worthing: Pitch Publishing. pp. 23–24. ISBN 978-1-78531-214-4. Scottish F.A. Cup 1873–2017: The Complete Results. Cleethorpes: Soccer Books. 2017. pp. 12–15. ISBN 978-1-86223-366-9. Dick, William (1878). Scottish Football Annual 1878–79. Cranstonhill: Mackay & Kirkwood. p. 60.
Mathers, Stewart (2017). The Beautiful Dribbling Game: The Scottish F.A. Challenge Cup in the 19th Century. Great Britain: Amazon. pp. 37–46, 260–263. ISBN 978-0-9956998-0-9. "Glengowan v Airdrie (Cup tie)". North British Daily Mail: 7. 28 October 1878.
