1997 Scottish Challenge Cup Final
| Event | 1997–98 Scottish Challenge Cup | ||||||
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| Date | 2 November 1997 | ||||||
| Venue | Fir Park, Motherwell | ||||||
| Referee | R. T. Tait (East Kilbride) | ||||||
| Attendance | 9,735 | ||||||
The 1997 Scottish Challenge Cup Final was an association football match between Falkirk and Queen of the South on 2 November 1997 at Fir Park in Motherwell. It was the eighth final of the Scottish Challenge Cup since it was first organised in 1990 to celebrate the centenary of the Scottish Football League.
The tournament was contested by clubs below the Scottish Premier Division; Falkirk from the First Division and Queen of the South from the Second Division. The match was Falkirk's first national cup final in only six months since contesting the final of the Scottish Cup the previous season in May. It was also the club's second appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup Final since winning in 1993. The match was Queen of the South's first national cup final in its 78-year history. David Hagen scored the only goal which was enough for Falkirk to win the match 1–0 and the tournament for the second time.
Falkirk were drawn against Dumbarton away from home in the first round and produced a 2–0 victory over The Sons. The second round saw Forfar Athletic travel to Brockville Park and be beaten 3–1. Another home game for Falkirk was drawn in the quarter-finals against Stranraer which saw The Bairns triumph 3–0 winners to progress to the semi-finals. The opposition provided was Hamilton Academical which saw Falkirk win with a 2–1 victory and send the club to a Scottish Challenge Cup Final for the second time in its history.
Queen of the South faced a long trip to Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the first round which saw the team emerge 2–0 winners. The second round was a home game with the visitors in the form of Stirling Albion with The Doonhamers producing a second consecutive 2–0 victory. A trip to Airdrieonians was the reward for reaching the quarter-finals with Queen of the South edging the opposition out to win 3–2. Morton provided the opposition for the Dumfries club in the semi-finals with the team producing their third 2–0 victory of the tournament. Queen of the South reached the Scottish Challenge Cup Final for the first time.
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