Saturday was another landmark day in this year’s Kappa and Only Sport Scottish Amateur Cup competition. 

The bulk of the 2nd Round ties went ahead as planned as teams up and down the length and breadth of the county chased a coveted place in the last 128. As for Round 1 games, Saturday’s ties were again organised on a regional basis.

Covid has had an impact on the format of the 2021-2022 competition. As well as an additional round of regionalised ties, replays have also been scrapped for one season. Round 2 saw a number of drawn games proceed straight to penalty kicks at the end of 90 minutes.

Round 2 did not disappoint, with each region able to pinpoint a number of high-scoring performances and highly competitive matches. There were few, if any, real shocks. Dozens of well-known sides with a proud history in this competition marched on to the next round.

Top scorers in Round 2 were Central Scottish AFL side, Lesmahagow. The Premier Division pace-setters romped to an impressive 15-0 home win over Ayrshire’s Whitletts Victoria. Ayrshire’s New Farm Loch also hit the goal trail, dismissing Greenock Mount Kirk with a resounding 13-1 win.

Many had identified the clash between old foes, Gartcosh United and Dumbarton Academy FPs as the anticipated tie of the round.  The game did not disappoint. Caledonian League side Dumbarton edged a 5-goal thriller by a single goal.

The clash between Harestanes and Greenock HSFP was also eagerly anticipated, both sides having a recognised cup pedigree. In the end, two-time winners, Harestanes proved too strong for their fellow Central Scottish side, running out convincing 6-1 winners.

Several ties endured the drama of the often dreaded penalty kick shootout.  Perhaps the pick of these was the contest between Third Lanark and Galston United from Ayrshire. After a pulsating 3-3 draw, Galston edged through 4-3 on penalties.

Participating teams traditionally enjoy the drama of the ‘all-in’ draw. Players and coaches of sides making it through to Round 3 may well be hoping for a team-bonding away trip to some far-flung destination.

After Saturday’s results, a long list of well-established names, from every part of the country, will be in the hat for that Round 3 draw. There’s sure to be a number of very attractive ties as this year’s Kappa and Only Sport Scottish Amateur Cup shapes up to be one of the most fiercely contested for many a year.