8 – Arbroath beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4-2 at Gayfield to make it into Round 4 of the SPFL Trust Trophy. This was the first meeting of the clubs in this competition, and David Gold, Tam O’Brien, Scott Stewart and Aaron Steele ensured Dick Campbell’s side came out on top. The Red Lichties ended a run of eight matches without a win over the Caley Jags, a sequence in which they had scored just two goals. This was the first time Arbroath had ever scored four goals against Inverness – in 45 previous meetings they had never found the net more than three times.
3 – Queen’s Park cruised into Round 4 of the SPFL Trust Trophy courtesy of a 3-0 win over Welsh side Bala Town at Maes Tegid. Jack Turner and Barry Hepburn scored in the first half for Robin Veldman’s side, before Ruari Paton wrapped things up at the end with his 8th goal of the season. This is the third time the Spiders have faced Welsh opposition in this competition – in 2018/19 they defeated TNS on penalties in Round 2, before losing to Connah’s Quay Nomads in the quarter-finals. Queen’s Park have a long history of playing against non-Scottish opponents – they reached the English FA Cup final in both 1883/84 and 1884/85, and also defeated Northern Irish side Cliftonville in last season’s SPFL Trust Trophy.
10 – Holders Hamilton Academical reached Round 4 of the SPFL Trust Trophy thanks to a 3-1 victory over Northern Irish side Coleraine at The Showgrounds. Lewis Smith, Dario Zanatta and Jamie Barjonas found the net for Accies to ensure a successful start to their defence of the trophy. This was Accies’ first ever meeting with foreign opposition in this competition – their only previous competitive fixtures played outside of Scotland came against Berwick Rangers. John Rankin’s side have still not lost in 90 minutes this season – in 10 matches so far they have 8 wins and two draws, although they did lose out in a bonus point penalty shoot-out against Cove Rangers in the Viaplay Cup in July.
3 – Queen of the South defeated Partick Thistle 3-2 at the Wyre Stadium at Firhill to progress to Round 4 of the SPFL Trust Trophy. Craig McGuffie and Gavin Reilly scored in the first half, before Efe Ambrose netted a late winner for Marvin Bartley’s side. It was just a second goal in the last 5 years for Ambrose – the other also came against Thistle, for Greenock Morton in November 2022. The Doonhamers have won all three of their meetings with the Jags in this competition – they defeated them on penalties in a memorable final in 2012/13, and also eliminated them in Round 3 in 2020/21 with a 2-0 win at Palmerston.
2 – Peterhead defeated Annan Athletic 2-0 at Galabank to join East Fife as one of just two cinch League 2 sides in Round 4 of the SPFL Trust Trophy. Andy McCarthy and Kieran Shanks found the net for the Blue Toon as they marched on in the competition despite being drawn away from home for a third consecutive round. Peterhead continued their incredible form against Annan – they have eight wins and just one defeat in their last 10 meetings with the Galabankies in all competitions.
