2012–13 Scottish Challenge Cup

The 2012–13 Scottish Challenge Cup, known as the Ramsdens Challenge Cup due to sponsorship reasons with Ramsdens, was the 22nd season of the competition. It was competed for by 32 clubs, which included the 30 members of the 2012–13 Scottish Football League, and for the second season running, the top two Highland Football League clubs with a valid SFA club licence.

The defending champions were Falkirk, who defeated Hamilton Academical in the 2012 final.

Inverurie Loco Works who finished fourth and Wick Academy eighth in the Highland Football League qualified for the competition for the first time after being asked to compete following their work in the SFA's Club Licensing programme. Clubs ranked higher such as Forres Mechanics were not compliant with the programme so the qualification spot moved to a lower ranked club. Buckie Thistle and Deveronvale were ruled out as they had been invited in the previous season's competition.Wick Academy and Inverurie Locos , Scottish Football League. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2012.

Schedule Round First match date Fixtures Clubs First round Sat 28/Sun 29 July 2012 16 32 → 16 Second round Tue 14/Wed 15 August 2012 8 16 → 8 Quarter-finals Sunday 9 September 2012 4 8 → 4 Semi-finals Sunday 14 October 2012 2 4 → 2 Final Sunday 7 April 2013Ramsdens Cup First Round Draw , Scottish Football League. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2012. 1 2 → 1

Fixtures and results

First round

The first round draw was conducted on 12 June 2012 at the Falkirk Stadium, the home of the reigning champions Falkirk F.C., by former player Kevin McAllister and Ramsden's representative Stewart Smith.BAIRNS HOME TO STIRLING ALBION, Falkirk F.C. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2012. Like the previous season, the first round is separated regionally into two sections: north and east and south and west. After the draw was made, Rangers F.C. were placed in Division 3 of the SFL, being replaced in the SPL by Dundee FC. Following this change, Dundee's place in the competition was taken by Rangers.

North and East Region