This weekend takes The Buffs to Hannah Park to face WOSFL Premier Division side, Shotts Bon Accord in the 4th Round of the South Challenge Cup. The Buffs will be hoping to earn a similar result to their last gasp victory against Petershill FC 3 weeks ago.
“Shotts” formed in 1950, play their home games in North Lanarkshire at Hannah Park often in their home colours of maroon and white. Incredibly, Shotts won their first Scottish Cup only 8 years into their existence in 1958 and triumphed again in the competition in 2012 whilst also being crowned champions many times in various premier divisions. Lisbon Lion, John Hughes spent time playing for the Lanarkshire side before going onto earn 8 Scotland caps and win the 1967 European Cup in green and white hoops.
To make it to this round to face The Buffs, Shotts have had to make it past Rutherglen Glencairn, Giffnock and Albion Rovers who they defeated 5-3 on penalties in the previous round. Shotts have had a very tough start to life in the Premier Division and so far, have only notched up 4 points from their opening 10 league matches which currently leaves them in 14th place and in 1 of the 3 relegation spots whilst also being the lowest scorers in the division with 7 goals. Despite their undesirable start to the league campaign the men in maroon have been near perfect in cup competitions, winning 6 out of their 7 cup ties, only failing to beat Benburb in the Scottish Junior Cup. Last season when the teams went head-to-head in the WOSFL First Division the Buffs went to Hannah Park and came away with a 1-2 victory with the sides drawing 1-1 at Buffs Park earlier that season. The clubs also faced each other in the 5th round of The South Challenge Cup last campaign, where The Buffs ran out 3-2 winners with the home side nearly throwing away a 3-0 lead against a 10-man Shotts side. Ex Buffs defender Robbie Torrance will likely feature in maroon this weekend after winning last season’s Commitee’s Player of the Year award at Hannah Park.
Kevin Kelly will be hoping the 3-week stint of no games will not halt the momentum his side has built up over the last few months with the club currently on a 7-game unbeaten run stretching over nearly 3 months. The winners of the tie will go onto face, Lowland League side, Civil Service Strollers, away, in the 5th round of the competition.
