Sixth-tier Darvel will be looking to continue their fairytale run in the Scottish Cup when they welcome third-tier Falkirk to Recreation Park on Monday night.
Darvel booked their place in the fifth round with a stunning victory over Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen, while Falkirk dispatched Alloa Athletic to punch their ticket to the last 16.
Match preview
Few would argue that Darvel's fourth-round win against Aberdeen is not the biggest upset in the 150-year history of the Scottish Cup, given the obvious gulf between the two clubs.
Aberdeen have competed in the top flight of Scottish football since 1905 and have won the Scottish Cup seven times, while Darvel compete in the West of Scotland Football League Premier Division – the sixth tier of Scottish football.
Still, Darvel managed to beat Aberdeen 1-0, with Jordan Kirkpatrick scoring the only goal of the game midway through the first half, upsetting the seven-time winners in dramatic fashion.
After kicking off their Scottish Cup campaign with an 8-0 thrashing of Tynecastle, the Vale crushed Dalbeattie Star 7-1 before beating Stirling University on penalties, with a 5-2 victory over Montrose coming in the third round.
However, there is absolutely no denying that last month's win against Aberdeen is the standout result of the Ayrshire outfit's remarkable – and unexpected – run to the last 16 of the competition.
Mick Kennedy's men prepared for the visit of Falkirk with a comfortable 5-0 league victory over Irvine Meadow XI last weekend, producing the perfect warm-up performance for Monday's showdown.
On the flip side, Falkirk have only had to play two games to reach the fifth round of the Scottish Cup, hammering Wick Academy 6-0 before beating Alloa Athletic 2-1 last month.
Funnily enough, John McGlynn's men were held to a 1-1 draw by Alloa in their previous League One outing, although they still occupy second place in the third tier, having lost just four of their 23 league matches this season.
The Bairns head into Monday's clash on a seven-game unbeaten run across all competitions, having notched six straight wins before drawing with Alloa, and they have also lost just one of their last 12 encounters.
It is worth noting that Falkirk reached the 2014-15 Scottish Cup final, although Inverness Caledonian Thistle triumphed that season, preventing the Central Lowlands club from lifting the trophy for the first time since 1956-57.
Having last reached the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup back in 2017-18, Falkirk will be hopeful of making the last eight this season, but Darvel will not go down without a fight.
Team News
Darvel made two signings during the winter transfer window, bringing in midfielder Robbie McNab from Kelty Hearts and centre-back Andy McDonald from Peterhead.
Allan MacKenzie has scored five goals in five Scottish Cup appearances for the Vale this season, while Ian McShane has bagged three goals and three assists from midfield.
Kennedy is not likely to make many changes to the XI that started the famous win over Aberdeen in the previous round, with fourth-round hero Jordan Kirkpatrick expected to retain his place in the side.
Falkirk also made a handful of signings in January, with young goalkeeper Brian Kinnear joining on loan from West Ham United and right-back Blaine Rowe arriving on loan from Coventry City.
Top scorer Callumn Morrison has racked up 12 goals and six assists this term, so he will support striker Rumarn Burrell, who has registered 10 goals across all competitions.
Darvel possible starting lineup:
Truesdale; Meechan, Eadie, Meggatt, McGowan; Robertson, McShane; Truesdale, Caldwell, Kirkpatrick; MacKenzie
Falkirk possible starting lineup:
Morrison; Rowe, McKay, Mackie, McCann; Yeats, McGinn, Henderson, Morrison; Burrell, Allan
We say: Darvel 1-2 Falkirk
Despite their valiant efforts in the previous rounds, Darvel's Scottish Cup run looks set to end on Monday, with Falkirk expected to flex their muscles and advance to the quarter-finals following a tough battle at Recreation Park.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
body check tags ::
Previews by email
