Weekend In Numbers

Resident statto @SPLStats takes us through the Weekend in Numbers, putting Ross County, Hibernian, Queen of the South, East Fife and Forfar in the spotlight.

6 - Ross County thumped Dundee United 6-2 at the Global Energy Stadium to move into the fifth round of the Scottish Cup. United had won all three previous Scottish Cup meetings between the sides, including the 2010 final, but were comprehensively beaten this time around. The Staggies have scored six or more goals on three separate occasions since the start of last season – they defeated Falkirk 7-0 in last season’s League Cup, and beat Cove Rangers by the same scoreline in the same competition this year. The defeat ends Dundee United’s run of making 15 consecutive quarter-finals in the major cup competitions – the last time they failed to reach the last eight was the 2008/09 Scottish Cup.

8 - Holders Hibernian moved into the fifth round of the Scottish Cup after thumping Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic 8-1 at Tynecastle. Bobby Williamson was still in charge of Hibs the last time they netted eight or more goals in a match – that was a 9-0 victory over Montrose in the League Cup in September 2003. Stephen Dobbie scored a hat-trick, Garry O’Connor netted twice, and the other goals came from Ian Murray, Derek Riordan, Scott Brown and a Steve Kerrigan own goal. It has been nearly 60 years since Hibs scored eight or more goals away from home – the last occasion was back in December 1959 when they defeated Partick Thistle 10-2 at Firhill.

3 - Queen of the South continued their mini-revival under Gary Naysmith, climbing back into the top half of the Ladbrokes Championship with a 2-1 victory over Dumbarton. The Doonhamers are unbeaten in four matches, and their only defeat in the last seven came against in-form Morton at Cappielow. Saturday’s success came courtesy of a double from Motherwell loanee Dom Thomas, who also scored in last week’s 3-3 draw at Dundee United. Thomas has three goals in three matches for Queens, having previously failed to find the net in any of his 39 appearances for Motherwell.

1 - 1938 Scottish Cup winners East Fife moved into round five of this season’s tournament after beating League 1 leaders Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena. The Fifers have made it to the last 16 of the tournament for the first time since 2008/09, and with a home draw against St Mirren they may fancy their chances of reaching their first quarter-final since 1976/77. Saturday’s success was East Fife’s first ever win at Almondvale – they had previously visited eight times, losing six and drawing twice.

7 - Forfar Athletic moved eight points clear at the top of League 2 after a 1-0 win over Edinburgh City at Meadowbank Stadium. The Loons are unbeaten in their last seven away matches in all competitions, which is their best run since 2009/10, when they were promoted out of this division. Gary Bollan’s side remain unbeaten in the league against clubs from outside of Angus – they have lost just three times in League 2, twice against Arbroath and once against Montrose.