Spartans fear Scottish Cup exit after SFA investigation

SPARTANS could be thrown out of the William Hill Scottish Cup. The non-league club have been contacted by the SFA’s compliance officer, who is investigating the possibility that striker Keith McLeod was ineligible for the tie against Culter, which the Edinburgh outfit won 2-0 on Saturday.

It is understood that the East of Scotland League team had submitted all the relevant paperwork, but a minor discrepancy, thought to be the dating of one of the forms, could now see them ousted from the tournament and fined.

It is not the first time the SFA have had to take sanctions against a side fielding ineligible players. Dunfermline were hit with a financial penalty when they played a suspended player, while East Stirling were also punished.

Spartans have earned notoriety for previous Scottish Cup feats, holding St Mirren to a draw and hosting Livingston in a last-16 tie and have been drawn to face Partick Thistle at Ainslie Park in the next round. However, whether or not they are able to contest that match will be decided at an SFA Judicial meeting on 10 November.

Spartans chairman Craig Graham said: “We have been contacted by the SFA and will now await the outcome of that meeting. We are obviously disappointed to learn there may be a discrepancy but we cannot comment further at this time.”

A statement on the club’s website admitted: “The draw has us at home to Partick Thistle in the next round… obviously we may not be in the next round.”

Elsewhere in the draw, there is the potential for shocks-a-plenty. One non-league side will definitely make it through to potentially face the big guns of the competition in round four when Auchinleck Talbot and Vale of Leithen meet in Ayrshire, while nine other sides from the Highland, East of Scotland and Junior ranks are in with a chance of going into the hat along with SPL sides if they defeat SFL opposition.

The two other remaining Junior sides landed good ties, with Bo’ness United facing Cowdenbeath at home and Irvine Meadow hosting First Division side Livingston.

Deveronvale will look for revenge for a 4-3 defeat in January 2003 at the hands of Morton when the sides meet at Cappielow

Gala Fairydean will travel to face Airdrie United and there will also be an all-maroon clash when Highland League Keith welcome Arbroath.

The winners of this Saturday’s replay between Clachnacuddin and Inverurie Locos will host former Highland League rivals Peterhead with Buckie travelling to face East Fife if they dispose of East Stirling in their replay.

Fraserburgh host Queen’s Park should they cause an upset by seeing off Elgin when they meet again at the weekend.

After The Spiders made a long trek north at the weekend to defeat Huntly and Hampden head coach Gardner Speirs was not looking forward to telling the club’s treasurer the news.

Speirs said: “That will be another long trek and probably a long stay and the management team and the players always enjoy these trips more than the treasurer does.

“Whilst it is a long way from home we will have to consider it a winnable tie regardless of who gets through.”

There are no all-First Division contests with Scottish Communities League Cup semi-finalists Ayr United meeting Third Division side Montrose. Jocky Scott’s Stirling will take on his old club Dundee in a Second Division versus First contest with Albion Rovers drawn away to Ross County in a similar contest.

Albion manager Paul Martin said: “I have to be honest and say that I would have preferred a home tie against a First Division side.

“We will go up to Dingwall and give it a go. Elgin caught County cold at the start of the season and whilst they have moved to the top of the First Division since then we can maybe catch them out this time.”

There is only one all-Second Division affair – between Brechin City and Dumbarton – and Third play Second when Stranraer take on Forfar Athletic at Stair Park.

DRAW: For the third round of the William Hill Scottish Cup (ties 19/20 November)

Airdrie United v Gala Fairydean

Ayr United v Montrose

Auchinleck Talbot v Vale of Leithen

Bo’ness United v Cowdenbeath

Brechin City v Dumbarton

Clachnacuddin or Inverurie Loco Works v Peterhead

East Fife v East Stirlingshire or Buckie Thistle

Fraserburgh or Elgin City v Queen’s Park

Irvine Meadow v Livingston

Keith v Arbroath

Morton v Deveronvale

Ross County v Albion Rovers

Spartans v Partick Thistle

Stenhousemuir v Alloa or Annan

Stirling Albion v Dundee

Stranraer v Forfar Athletic