1878–79 Scottish Cup

As with the previous competitions, the sixth edition of the Scottish Cup took on the format of a traditional knockout tournament. Calendar The exact dates of some matches are unknown as newspaper coverage of football in the late 19th century was not as comprehensive as it would become. • Both Glasgow and Edinburgh University were given byes to the third round. • Clydesdale and Dennistoun were both disqualified from the competition without playing their first round tie. • Six teams qualified for the second round after drawing their first round replay. • Glengowan and Airdrie were both disqualified from the competition after their second round tie. • Both Partick and Stonelaw were reinstated in the fifth round after Thistle were disqualified. ==Teams==

All 126 teams entered the competition in the first round. ==First round==

In total, there were 59 first round ties after five teams received a bye to the second round, Pollokshaws disbanded before the competition began and Glasgow University and Edinburgh University received a bye to the third round. On the same day, Queen's Park – who were looking to regain the trophy they had last won in 1876 – had a similarly convincing win as they saw off Kelvinbank 8–0. Rangers defeated Shaftesbury 3–0 at Kinning Park a week later while there were big wins for Kilmarnock Portland (9–0 vs. Dean), Upper Clydesdale (12–0 vs. Newmains) and Whitefield (10–0 vs. Telegraphists). ==Second round==

The second round began on 12 October 1878 with Govan's 2–1 over Oxford. while Rangers won 6–1 at home to Whitefield. Vale of Leven recorded the biggest win of the round as they thumped Renton Thistle 11–0 at North Street Park on 26 October. With an even number of teams in the draw, no byes were awarded but not every team would play a match. St Clement's scratched from their tie with Arbroath before Shotts scratched from their replay with Clarkston after the teams had drawn 1–1 on 19 October. Glengowan defeated Airdrie 2–0 away from home but neither side advanced as both were disqualified and, despite losing 5–0 to South Western, a protest from Petershill was upheld and a replay was ordered. South Western also won the replay 8–0. Matches Glasgow and Suburbs Glasgow University received a bye to the third round. Ayrshire district Renfrewshire district Lanarkshire district Edinburgh district Edinburgh University received a bye to the third round. Dunbartonshire district Stirlingshire district Forfarshire district Perthshire district Wigtownshire and Dumfriesshire districts Replays Glasgow and Suburbs Lanarkshire district ;Notes Sources: ==Third round==

Two teams received a bye to the fourth round while Glasgow University scratched from their tie with Queen's Park. A week later, free-scoring Vale of Leven took their tally for the competition to 32 goals after a thumping 15–0 win over Jamestown at North Street Park setting a new Scottish Cup record for the biggest margin of victory in the process. Rangers defeated Parkgrove 8–2 while Beith recorded a 7–1 triumph over Barrhead. Although Thistle defeated Partick 2–1 on 16 November and did play in and win their fourth round tie, they were later disqualified from the competition with Partick reinstated in the fifth round. Matches Glasgow and Suburbs Ayrshire, Dumfriesshire and Renfrewshire districts Renfrew received a bye to the fourth round. Lanarkshire, Dunbartonshire, Stirlingshire and Perthshire districts Rob Roy received a bye to the fourth round. Edinburgh and Forfarshire districts Sources: ==Fourth round==

Most fourth round ties were played on 30 November 1878 and, with an even number of teams, there were no byes awarded. Vale of Leven continued their fine form, recording a third consecutive double-figures win, as they defeated Govan 11–1 conceding a goal for the first time in the process. Beith were the last Ayrshire team standing after thumping Kilmarnock Athletic 9–1 and Kilmarnock Portland lost 6–1 in a replay to Dumbarton. Similarly, Hibernian became the last Edinburgh club standing after thumping Rob Roy 9–0 while Heart of Midlothian lost 2–1 to Helensburgh. Rangers defeated Alexandra Athletic 3–0. Thistle, who had defeated Partick in the previous round, were disqualified from the competition following their 2–0 win over Stonelaw and both Partick and Stonelaw were reinstated. Matches Replay ;Notes Sources: ==Fifth round==

All five fifth round matches were played on 8 March 1879. while fellow Dunbartonshire club Helensburgh defeated the last remaining Edinburgh side, Hibernian, 2–1 away from home. Queen's Park played 3rd Lanark RV in a replay of the 1876 final at Hampden Park and they eased through with a 5–0 win while Rangers defeated Partick 4–0. Holders Vale of Leven defeated Beith 6–1 at North Street Park. Matches Sources: ==Quarter-finals==

With just five teams left, there were only two quarter-final ties and Helensburgh received a bye to the semi-finals. Both games were played on 22 March 1879. They were joined by Vale of Leven as the defending champions eased passed Dunbartonshire rivals Dumbarton with a 3–1 win at North Street Park. Matches Sources: ==Semi-final==

For the third consecutive season, there was just one semi-final played and Rangers, for the second time, received a bye to the final. Matches Sources: ==Final==

Hampden Park in Glasgow again played host to the Scottish Cup final as Vale of Leven faced Rangers in a rematch of the 1877 final on 19 April 1879. That tie took three matches to decide and it initially looked like this year's final would be no different after goals from Struthers and Ferguson saw the teams draw 1–1 in front of 6,000 spectators. However, Rangers had been incensed by the referee's decision to disallow a goal and refused to play the replay, scheduled for 26 April. As a result, Vale of Leven were awarded the trophy, their third success in three years. Original match Replay ==See also==