Our last quarter final took place in February 2007 when we lost 2-1 to lower division St Johnstone at Fir Park. That season we were fortunate with the cup draws. A Foran goal had disposed of Airdrie (an away tie, naturally) in the 3rd round before Kerr and McDonald scored against Morton in the 4th round to put us in the quarters.
The home tie with St Johnstone was surely a great chance to progress to the semi-final. A decent crowd turned out for the midweek match but (as was apparent in Inverness last weekend) it was obvious in the early stages that we were going to struggle. The opposition were one up at the break but the score flattered us. A second goal twenty minutes from the end closed out the game despite McCormack’s consolation. Craigan is the only survivor of that game still at the club.
In 2004 we had another disappointment. Following earlier rounds that pitched us against St Johnstone and Queen of the South, we then entertained Inverness at Fir Park. At the time of the quarter final tie Motherwell were in 5th spot in the top league while ICT were in a division below. We had won four of the previous five games and were odds-on to progress.
Inverness had not read the script. Barry Wilson beat Marshall from a long way out after ten minutes and we were unable to reply. They were hardly seen as an attacking force for the rest of the game but their stubborn defence built enough of a wall to keep Clarkson, McDonald and pals (including Craigan, Hammell and Lasley) from finding the net.
Can we avoid a third consecutive quarter final defeat on Sunday?