2020–21 Scottish League Cup group stage

2020–21 Scottish League Cup (group stage)
Tournament details
CountryScotland
Dates6 October 2020 – 15 November 2020
Teams40
Tournament statistics
Matches played77
Goals scored237 (3.08 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Manny Duku,
Alan Forrest &
Stevie May
(5 goals)

The 2020–21 Scottish League Cup Group stage took place from 6 October 2020 to 15 November 2020.[1] A total of 40 teams competed in the group stage. The winners of each of the eight groups, as well as the four best runners-up progressed to the second round (last 16) of the 2020–21 Scottish League Cup.

Format

[edit]

The group stage consisted of eight groups of five teams. The four clubs competing in the UEFA Champions League (Celtic) and Europa League (Rangers, Motherwell, and Aberdeen) qualifying rounds were given a bye through to the second round. The 40 teams taking part in the group stage consisted of the other eight teams that competed in the 2019–20 Scottish Premiership, and all of the teams that competed in the 2019–20 Scottish Championship, 2019–20 Scottish League One and 2019–20 Scottish League Two, as well as the 2019–20 Highland Football League and the 2019–20 Lowland Football League champions.

The winners of each of the eight groups, as well as the four best runners-up, progressed to the second round (last 16), which included the four UEFA qualifying clubs. At this stage, the competition reverted to the traditional knock-out format. The four group winners with the highest points total and the clubs entering at this stage were seeded, with the four group winners with the lowest points unseeded along with the four best runners-up.

The traditional point system of awarding three points for a win and one point for a draw was used, however, for each group stage match that finished in a draw, a penalty shoot-out took place, with the winner being awarded a bonus point.[2]

The draw for the group stage took place on 10 August 2020 and was broadcast live on FreeSports & the SPFL YouTube channel.

Teams

[edit]

North

[edit]

Seeding

[edit]

Teams in Bold qualified for the second round.

Top seeds Second seeds Unseeded

01. St Johnstone
02. Hibernian
03. Ross County
04. Heart of Midlothian

05. Dundee United
06. Inverness CT
07. Dundee
08. Arbroath

Source:[1]

South

[edit]

Seeding

[edit]
Top seeds Second seeds Unseeded

21. Livingston
22. Kilmarnock
23. St Mirren
24. Hamilton Academical

25. Ayr United
26. Dunfermline Athletic
27. Greenock Morton
28. Alloa Athletic

Source:[1]

North

[edit]

Group A

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification HOM RAI ICT EFI COW
1 Heart of Midlothian 4 4 0 0 0 8 3 +5 12 Qualification for the Second round — 3–1 1–0 — —
2 Raith Rovers 4 2 1 0 1 7 7 0 8 — — p3–3 2–1 —
3 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4 1 1 1 1 4 4 0 6 — — — 1–0 p0–0
4 East Fife 4 1 0 0 3 5 6 −1 3 2–3 — — — 2–0
5 Cowdenbeath 4 0 0 1 3 0 4 −4 1 0–1 0–1 — — —
Source: [3]
Rules for classification: 1) points, 2) goal difference, 3) goals scored, 4) away goals scored, 5) matches won, 6) away matches won, 7) drawing of lots.[4]

Matches

[edit]
East Fife2–0Cowdenbeath
 [5]
Referee: Chris Graham
Heart of Midlothian1–0Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Walker 62' (pen.) [6]
Referee: Steven McLean
Cowdenbeath0–1Heart of Midlothian
[7] Halkett 78'
Referee: Alan Newlands
Raith Rovers2–1East Fife
 [8] Newton 15'
Referee: David Lowe
Inverness Caledonian Thistle0–0Cowdenbeath
[9]
Penalties
 4–2
  • soccer ball with red X Taylor
  • soccer ball with check mark Hamilton
  • soccer ball with check mark Swann
  • soccer ball with red X Robertson
Referee: Graham Beaton
Heart of Midlothian3–1Raith Rovers
Wighton 2' (pen.), 40' (pen.), 87' [10] Duku 54'
Referee: Craig Napier
East Fife2–3Heart of Midlothian
 [11]
Referee: Euan Anderson
Raith Rovers3–3Inverness Caledonian Thistle
 [12]
Penalties
 3–2
Referee: Steven Reid
Cowdenbeath0–1Raith Rovers
[13] Duku 36'
Referee: David Lowe
Inverness Caledonian Thistle1–0East Fife
Sutherland 64' [14]
Referee: Chris Graham

Group B

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification HIB DUN COV BRO FOR
1 Hibernian 4 4 0 0 0 10 3 +7 12 Qualification for the Second round — 4–1 — 3–1 —
2 Dundee 4 3 0 0 1 9 4 +5 9 — — 3–0 — 3–0
3 Cove Rangers 4 1 1 0 2 4 7 −3 5 1–2 — — — 1–0
4 Brora Rangers 4 0 0 2 2 6 10 −4 2 — 0–2 2–2p — —
5 Forfar Athletic 4 0 1 0 3 3 8 −5 2 0–1 — — p3–3 —
Source: [15]
Rules for classification: 1) points, 2) goal difference, 3) goals scored, 4) away goals scored, 5) matches won, 6) away matches won, 7) drawing of lots.[4]

Matches

[edit]
Dundee3–0
(awarded)[A]		Forfar Athletic
Hibernian3–1Brora Rangers
 [16] Gillespie 61'
Referee: Alan Muir
Cove Rangers1–2Hibernian
Higgins 17' [17]
Referee: Euan Anderson
Brora Rangers0–2Dundee
[18]
Dudgeon Park, Brora
Referee: Barry Cook
Brora Rangers2–2Cove Rangers
  • MacLean 29'
  • Wagenaar 72'
 [19]
Penalties
  • Wagenaar soccer ball with check mark
  • MacLean soccer ball with check mark
  • A. MacRae soccer ball with check mark
  • J. MacRae soccer ball with check mark
  • Malin soccer ball with red X
  • Nicolson soccer ball with check mark
  • Williamson soccer ball with red X
 5–6
Dudgeon Park, Brora
Referee: Duncan Williams
Forfar Athletic0–1Hibernian
[20] Gray 87'
Referee: David Munro
Dundee3–0Cove Rangers
 [21]
Referee: Craig Napier
Forfar Athletic3–3Brora Rangers
 [22]
Penalties
 4–3
  • soccer ball with check mark Nicolson
  • soccer ball with red X Brindle
  • soccer ball with check mark A. MacRae
  • soccer ball with check mark J. MacRae
  • soccer ball with red X MacLean
Referee: Grant Irvine
Cove Rangers1–0Forfar Athletic
McAllister 68' (pen.) [23]
Referee: Duncan Williams
Hibernian4–1Dundee
 [24] Elliott 71'
Referee: John Beaton
Notes
  1. ^
    A: Dundee were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Forfar Athletic who were unable to raise a team after a player tested positive for COVID-19.[25]

Group C

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification STJ DUN PET KEL BRE
1 St Johnstone 4 3 0 1 0 12 2 +10 10 Qualification for the Second round — 0–0p — — 7–0
2 Dundee United 4 2 1 0 1 7 3 +4 8 — — 0–1 1–0 —
3 Peterhead 4 2 1 0 1 6 5 +1 8 1–3 — — — 3–1
4 Kelty Hearts 4 1 0 1 2 4 4 0 4 1–2 — 1–1p — —
5 Brechin City 4 0 0 0 4 3 18 −15 0 — 2–6 — 0–2 —
Source: [26]
Rules for classification: 1) points, 2) goal difference, 3) goals scored, 4) away goals scored, 5) matches won, 6) away matches won, 7) drawing of lots.[4]

Matches

[edit]
Kelty Hearts1–2St Johnstone
Tidser 71' [27]
New Central Park, Kelty
Referee: Alan Newlands
Brechin City2–6Dundee United
 [28]
Referee: Steven Kirkland
Dundee United0–1Peterhead
[29] Boyd 51'
Referee: Bobby Madden
St Johnstone7–0Brechin City
 [30]
Referee: Craig Napier
Dundee United1–0Kelty Hearts
Edwards 45+3' [31]
Referee: Don Robertson
Peterhead3–1Brechin City
 [32] Inglis 46'
Referee: Chris Graham
Kelty Hearts1–1Peterhead
Stevenson 66' [33] Fraser 49'
Penalties
 3–5
New Central Park, Kelty
Referee: Gavin Ross
St Johnstone0–0Dundee United
[34]
Penalties
 3–4
Referee: Don Robertson
Brechin City0–2Kelty Hearts
[35]
Referee: Graham Grainger
Peterhead1–3St Johnstone
Rooney 78' (o.g.) [36]
Referee: Euan Anderson

Group D

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification ROS ARB ELG STI MON
1 Ross County 4 3 1 0 0 12 5 +7 11 Qualification for the Second round — 2–1 — 3–0 —
2 Arbroath 4 3 0 0 1 9 4 +5 9 — — 3–0 — 3–1
3 Elgin City 4 2 0 0 2 5 7 −2 6 1–4 — — 2–0 —
4 Stirling Albion 4 1 0 0 3 3 8 −5 3 — 1–2 — — 2–1
5 Montrose 4 0 0 1 3 5 10 −5 1 3–3p — 0–2 — —
Source: [37]
Rules for classification: 1) points, 2) goal difference, 3) goals scored, 4) away goals scored, 5) matches won, 6) away matches won, 7) drawing of lots.[4]

Matches

[edit]
Stirling Albion1–2Arbroath
Ryan 76' [38]
Referee: Barry Cook
Montrose3–3Ross County
 [39]
Penalties
 4–5
Referee: Gavin Duncan
Arbroath3–1Montrose
 [40] Webster 10'
Referee: Graham Beaton
Elgin City2–0Stirling Albion
 [41]
Referee: Dan McFarlane
Montrose0–2Elgin City
[42]
  • O'Keefe 27'
  • Peters 36'
Referee: David Dickinson
Ross County2–1Arbroath
Stewart 65', 68' (pen.) [43] Hilson 49'
Referee: Steven McLean
Elgin City1–4Ross County
Cameron 80' [44]
Referee: Gavin Duncan
Stirling Albion2–1Montrose
 [45] Hawke 20'
Referee: Peter Stuart
Ross County3–0Stirling Albion
 [46]
Referee: Alan Muir
Arbroath3–0Elgin City
 [47]
Referee: Steven MacLean

South

[edit]

Group E

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification DNF FAL KIL CLY DUM
1 Dunfermline Athletic 4 4 0 0 0 9 2 +7 12 Qualification for the Second round — 2–0 — 3–2 —
2 Falkirk 4 3 0 0 1 9 3 +6 9 — — 3–0 2–1 —
3 Kilmarnock 4 2 0 0 2 4 6 −2 6 0–3 — — — 2–0
4 Clyde 4 1 0 0 3 6 9 −3 3 — — 0–2 — 3–2
5 Dumbarton 4 0 0 0 4 2 10 −8 0 0–1 0–4 — — —
Source: [48]
Rules for classification: 1) points, 2) goal difference, 3) goals scored, 4) away goals scored, 5) matches won, 6) away matches won, 7) drawing of lots.[4]

Matches

[edit]
Dumbarton0–1Dunfermline Athletic
[49] O'Hara 26' (pen.)
Referee: Gavin Ross
Falkirk3–0
(awarded)[B]		Kilmarnock
Dunfermline Athletic2–0Falkirk
Murray 58', 65' [50]
Referee: Grant Irvine
Clyde3–2Dumbarton
 [51]
Referee: Scott Lambie
Falkirk2–1Clyde
 [52] Goodwillie 17'
Referee: Lloyd Wilson
Kilmarnock0–3Dunfermline Athletic
[53]
Referee: Andrew Dallas
Clyde0–2Kilmarnock
[54] Whitehall 44', 49'
Referee: Greg Aitken
Dumbarton0–4Falkirk
[55]
Referee: Scott Lambie
Dunfermline Athletic3–2Clyde
 [56]
Referee: David Dickinson
Kilmarnock2–0Dumbarton
 [57]
Referee: Gavin Duncan
Notes
  1. ^
    B: Falkirk were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Kilmarnock who were unable to raise a team after six players tested positive for COVID-19.[58]

Group F

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification AYR ANN STR HAM ALB
1 Ayr United 4 2 1 0 1 8 5 +3 8 Qualification for the Second round — 1–0 p1–1 — —
2 Annan Athletic 4 2 0 1 1 9 4 +5 7 — — 1–1p 3–1 —
3 Stranraer 4 1 1 2 0 6 5 +1 7 — — — 2–1 2–2p
4 Hamilton Academical 4 2 0 0 2 7 6 +1 6 2–1 — — — 3–0
5 Albion Rovers 4 0 1 0 3 5 15 −10 2 2–5 1–5 — — —
Source: [59]
Rules for classification: 1) points, 2) goal difference, 3) goals scored, 4) away goals scored, 5) matches won, 6) away matches won, 7) drawing of lots.[4]

Matches

[edit]
Albion Rovers2–5Ayr United
Aitken 23' (pen.), 38' [60]
Referee: David Lowe
Annan Athletic3–1Hamilton Academical
  • Swinglehurst 31'
  • Fulton 38'
  • Purdue 43'
 [61] McMann 51'
Referee: Craig Napier
Annan Athletic1–1Stranraer
Moxon 55' [62] Paton 37'
Penalties
 4–5
Referee: Stewart Luke
Hamilton Academical2–1Ayr United
 [63] Moffat 68'
Referee: Colin Steven
Stranraer2–2Albion Rovers
  • Sonkur 18'
  • Paton 58'
 [64]
Penalties
 14–15
Referee: Calum Scott
Ayr United1–0Annan Athletic
Moffat 24' (pen.) [65]
Referee: Grant Irvine
Albion Rovers1–5Annan Athletic
Dolan 90+1' [66]
Referee: Dan McFarlane
Stranraer2–1Hamilton Academical
 [67] Odoffin 71'
Referee: Willie Collum
Ayr United1–1Stranraer
McCowan 47' [68] Duffy 2'
Penalties
 6–5
Referee: Barry Cook
Hamilton Academical3–0
(awarded)[C]		Albion Rovers
Notes
  1. ^
    C: Hamilton Academical were awarded a technical 3−0 win over Albion Rovers who were unable to raise a team after one player tested positive for COVID-19 and two players had to self-isolate.[69]

Group G

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification STM QOS PAR GMO QPK
1 St Mirren 4 2 2 0 0 8 4 +4 10 Qualification for the Second round — — 4–1 p1–1 —
2 Queen of the South 4 1 1 2 0 7 5 +2 7 2–2p — 0–0p — —
3 Partick Thistle 4 1 2 0 1 3 4 −1 7 — — — p0–0 2–0
4 Greenock Morton 4 1 0 3 0 4 3 +1 6 — 2–2p — — 1–0
5 Queen's Park 4 0 0 0 4 1 7 −6 0 0–1 1–3 — — —
Source: [70]
Rules for classification: 1) points, 2) goal difference, 3) goals scored, 4) away goals scored, 5) matches won, 6) away matches won, 7) drawing of lots.[4]

Matches

[edit]
Greenock Morton2–2Queen of the South
 [71]
Penalties
 2–4
Referee: Don Robertson
St Mirren4–1Partick Thistle
 [72] Spittal 66'
Referee: Colin Steven
Partick Thistle2–0Queen's Park
Cardle 66', 81' [73]
Referee: Kevin Graham
Queen of the South2–2St Mirren
 [74]
Penalties
 2–4
Referee: Willie Collum
Greenock Morton1–0Queen's Park
Blues 51' [75]
Referee: Gavin Ross
Queen of the South0–0Partick Thistle
[76]
Penalties
 2–3
Referee: Peter Stuart
Queen's Park1–3Queen of the South
Quitongo 2' [77]
Referee: Alan Newlands
St Mirren1–1Greenock Morton
Obika 39' [79] Maciver 60'
Penalties
 6–5
Referee: Bobby Madden
Partick Thistle0–0Greenock Morton
[80]
Penalties
 4–2
Referee: Steven Kirkland
Queen's Park0–1St Mirren
[81] Obika 81'
Referee: Greg Aitken

Group H

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification LIV ALO EDI AIR STE
1 Livingston 4 4 0 0 0 15 3 +12 12 Qualification for the Second round — 2–1 — 4–1 —
2 Alloa Athletic 4 3 0 0 1 9 5 +4 9 — — 2–1 — 4–2
3 Edinburgh City 4 1 0 1 2 5 9 −4 4 1–5 — — — 2–2p
4 Airdrieonians 4 1 0 0 3 3 7 −4 3 — 0–2 0–1 — —
5 Stenhousemuir 4 0 1 0 3 4 12 −8 2 0–4 — — 0–2 —
Source: [82]
Rules for classification: 1) points, 2) goal difference, 3) goals scored, 4) away goals scored, 5) matches won, 6) away matches won, 7) drawing of lots.[4]

Matches

[edit]
Edinburgh City1–5Livingston
Handling 70' (pen.) [83]
Referee: Willie Collum
Airdrieonians0–2Alloa Athletic
[84]
Referee: Steven Reid
Edinburgh City2–2Stenhousemuir
 [85]
Penalties
 2–4
Referee: Matthew MacDermid
Livingston2–1Alloa Athletic
 [86] Thomson 31'
Referee: Alan Muir
Stenhousemuir0–2Airdrieonians
[87]
Referee: Graham Grainger
Alloa Athletic2–1Edinburgh City
 [88] B. Henderson 81'
Referee: David Lowe
Stenhousemuir0–4Livingston
[89]
Referee: Colin Steven
Airdrieonians0–1Edinburgh City
[90] B. Henderson 5'
Referee: Kevin Graham
Alloa Athletic4–2Stenhousemuir
 [91]
Referee: Grant Irvine
Livingston4–1Airdrieonians
 [92] Robert 52'
Referee: David Munro

Best runners-up

[edit]
Pos Grp Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 E Falkirk 4 3 0 0 1 9 3 +6 9 Qualification for the Second round
2 D Arbroath 4 3 0 0 1 9 4 +5 9
3 B Dundee 4 3 0 0 1 9 4 +5 9
4 H Alloa Athletic 4 3 0 0 1 9 5 +4 9
5 C Dundee United 4 2 1 0 1 7 3 +4 8
6 A Raith Rovers 4 2 1 0 1 7 7 0 8
7 F Annan Athletic 4 2 0 1 1 9 4 +5 7
8 G Queen of the South 4 1 1 2 0 7 5 +2 7
Source: [3][15][26][37][48][59][70][82]
Rules for classification: 1) points, 2) goal difference, 3) goals scored, 4) away goals scored, 5) matches won, 6) away matches won, 7) drawing of lots.[4]

Qualified teams

[edit]
Team Qualified as Qualified on Notes
Heart of Midlothian Group A Winner 10 November 2020 Seeded for the second round
Hibernian Group B Winner 14 November 2020 Seeded for the second round
St Johnstone Group C Winner 14 November 2020
Ross County Group D Winner 14 November 2020
Dunfermline Athletic Group E Winner 14 November 2020 Seeded for the second round
Ayr United Group F Winner 14 November 2020
St Mirren Group G Winner 14 November 2020
Livingston Group H Winner 14 November 2020 Seeded for the second round
Arbroath Best 4 Runners Up 14 November 2020
Falkirk Best 4 Runners Up 14 November 2020
Alloa Athletic Best 4 Runners Up 14 November 2020
Dundee Best 4 Runners Up 14 November 2020

Top goalscorers

[edit]
Rank Player Club Goals
1 Scotland Alan Forrest Livingston 5
Netherlands Manny Duku Raith Rovers
Scotland Stevie May St Johnstone
4 Scotland Robert Thomson Alloa Athletic 3
Scotland Liam Buchanan Alloa Athletic
Scotland Euan Murray Dunfermline Athletic
Scotland Blair Henderson Edinburgh City
Scotland Callumn Morrison Falkirk
Scotland Craig Wighton Heart of Midlothian
Scotland Stevie Mallan Hibernian
Scotland Josh Mullin Livingston
Scotland Oli Shaw Ross County
Scotland Ross Stewart Ross County
England Jonathan Obika St Mirren

Source:[93]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Betfred Cup Group Stage Draw". SPFL. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  2. ^ "New League Cup format and TV deal". SPFL. 7 December 2015. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Summary - League Cup Group A". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Format". SPFL. Archived from the original on 1 October 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  5. ^ "East Fife vs. Cowdenbeath". Soccerway. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  6. ^ "Hearts vs. Inverness CT". Soccerway. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  7. ^ "Cowdenbeath vs. Hearts". Soccerway. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  8. ^ "Raith Rovers vs. East Fife". Soccerway. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  9. ^ "Inverness CT vs. Cowdenbeath". Soccerway. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  10. ^ "Hearts vs. Raith Rovers". Soccerway. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  11. ^ "East Fife vs. Hearts". Soccerway. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  12. ^ "Raith Rovers vs. Inverness CT". Soccerway. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  13. ^ "Cowdenbeath vs. Raith Rovers". Soccerway. 14 November 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  14. ^ "Inverness CT vs. East Fife". Soccerway. 14 November 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  15. ^ a b "Summary - League Cup Group B". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  16. ^ "Hibernian vs. Brora Rangers". Soccerway. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  17. ^ "Cove Rangers vs. Hibernian". Soccerway. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  18. ^ "Brora Rangers vs. Dundee". Soccerway. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  19. ^ "Brora Rangers vs. Cove Rangers". Soccerway. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  20. ^ "Forfar Athletic vs. Hibernian". Soccerway. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  21. ^ "Dundee vs. Cove Rangers". Soccerway. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  22. ^ "Forfar Athletic vs. Brora Rangers". Soccerway. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  23. ^ "Cove Rangers vs. Forfar Athletic". Soccerway. 14 November 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  24. ^ "Hibernian vs. Dundee". Soccerway. 15 November 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  25. ^ "SPFL Statement Betfred Cup – Dundee v Forfar Athletic". SPFL. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  26. ^ a b "Summary - League Cup Group C". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  27. ^ "Kelty Hearts vs. St. Johnstone". Soccerway. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  28. ^ "Brechin City vs. Dundee United". Soccerway. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  29. ^ "Dundee United vs. Peterhead". Soccerway. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  30. ^ "St. Johnstone vs. Brechin City". Soccerway. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  31. ^ "Dundee United vs. Kelty Hearts". Soccerway. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.