KDM Evolution Trophy – Update

The ‘Loons’ reached the round of 16 in the KDM Evolution Trophy, formerly the Challenge Cup and with it a nice wee financial bonus thanks to a hard fought victory in a feisty contest, in the end courtesy of a penalty shoot-out against Edinburgh City last night at the Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park.

All credit to the players and the match officials for getting the game ‘over the line’ in atrocious overhead conditions and not forgetting problems with the floodlights on the pylon in the south west corner of the ground. Thankfully a temporary solution was quickly found as regards that predicament.

A huge thank you to the 287 brave supporters of both sides, mostly the home team it has to be said who braved the elements. A special pat on the back to the contingent of young ‘Loons’ fans in the south enclosure who put almost as much energy into supporting and lifting the side on the night as the players did on the park. Please keep up the good work lads.

Seven of last night’s scheduled games in the first knock out phase of the tournament were postponed. The Dumbarton v Inverness Caley Thistle tie was called off over the weekend due to the latter’s Scottish Cup commitments, while the games at Elgin and Montrose against East Fife and Spartans respectively were called off early yesterday afternoon. In slightly farcical scenarios however, four other games were given the ‘red light’ due to high winds and in the interest of safety for players and spectators by the match officials in the hour before kick-off last night. Cove Rangers v Partick Thistle, Hearts ‘B’ v St. Johnstone, Queen of the South v Dunfermline Athletic and Queens Park v Clyde were the matches in question. Those fixtures are now all likely to take place on Tuesday of next week.

Therefore at present only nine sides namely Forfar Athletic of course, Airdrieonians, Arbroath, Ayr United, Raith Rovers, Ross County, Stenhousemuir, Stirling Albion and Stranraer are confirmed for round of 16 action. The draw for that round will go ahead at Hampden Park on Thursday afternoon at 1pm. You can view it live on the SPFL YouTube channel and we will bring you news of the ‘Loons’ opponents immediately thereafter on our social media channels.

Ties at the second knock out round phase of the competition are due to take place on Tuesday or Wednesday the 6th or 7th of January. Look out your thermals!!