ALBA Challenge Cup Finalists

Peterhead 1 Queen of the South 2

Queen of the South squeezed past Peterhead 2-1 at Balmoor to reach their first ALBA Challenge Cup Final in 8 years thanks to two goals in a three minute spell. The Blue Toon ensured a grandstand finish when they pulled a goal back, however the Dumfries side held on and now have the chance to win the Challenge Cup for the second time in their history following their 2-0 win over Brechin City.

Palmerston Park boss Kenny Brannigan is a proud of his side’s achievement saying, “To be in charge of Queen of the South for only a few months and take them to a national Final is a great feeling. I had been saying beforehand that I would be really pleased and proud to make it to the Final and we have done that know.”

Brannigan added, “We had to work really hard to get in front and then work really hard to stay in front but we are there and I am delighted for our players, Chairman and fans.”

The northern side gave a good account of themselves and could have gone ahead within the first 2 minutes when Dennis Wyness was sent clear on goal, however visiting goalkeeper Lee Robinson denied the well travelled striker.

Willie McLaren had Queen’s best chance in the opening 45 minutes, however he missed from close range and Peterhead reminded everyone of their threat when Paul Emslie hit the bar.

The deadlock was broken on 66 minutes when Craig Reid drilled the ball home and 2 minutes later Derek Holmes made it two when he converted a McLaren pass.

Martin Bavidge headed over a stranded Robinson to pull a goal back with 12 minutes to go and it looked like it was going to be all square when Daniel Moore whipped in a free kick in the closing seconds only for Robinson to produce an excellent stop.

The Doonhamers held out to book their Final slot on Sunday, November 28 leaving Peterhead boss Neale Cooper saying, “I cannot fault our players for effort and I thought we were going to force extra time right at the end. I thought we lost goals against the run of play but we kept going and gave them a real fright.”

Cooper added, “I will be looking for the players to transfer that level of performance into our league games now.”

Ross County 2 Partick Thistle 2 (County won 4-3 on penalties)

County earned their fourth Challenge Cup berth with a penalty shoot win over their Glasgow opponents.

Partick led twice through Willie Kinniburgh and Paddy Boyle's close range goals however Scott Morrison's thumping drive and substitute Andy Barrowman's late goal forced extra time.

With no further goals home goalkeeper Michael McGovern saved from Iain Flannigan and Boyle to set up Steven Craig to put County through to face Queen of the South in next month's final.