Dunfermline boss questions Irn_Bru Cup format as Pars land 830mile trip

Fifers facing round trip of 830 miles to play Boreham Wood in second round

Allan Johnston has insisted only Scottish teams should compete in the Irn-Bru Cup after Dunfermline were drawn to face Boreham Wood away from home.

The Pars have been left facing a nightmare 830-mile round trip to take on the National League outfit in the second round next month following the introduction of English teams for the first time this season.

Clubs from Northern Ireland and Wales, as well as Premiership colts sides, were introduced two years ago and teams from the Republic of Ireland continued the radical overhaul of the competition last year.

However, with the Fifers facing the heavy financial burden of a trip to Hertfordshire, just north of London, Johnston has questioned the need for the changes.

He said: “I still don’t understand why these teams are in our competition in the first place.

“I also don’t understand why they come in in later rounds – surely if they are going to take part in the tournament they should come in in the first round?

“It’s a Scottish competition, I think it should be for Scottish clubs. But I suppose that’s for other people to decide.

“Will it cost us money? I’m not sure, you’d need to ask the chairman.”

Dunfermline reached the second round by knocking out holders Inverness Caley Thistle with a 2-1 victory on Tuesday night, despite fielding 11 changes from the league defeat to Ross County three days earlier.

And, although he harbours reservations over the tournament format, Johnston admits he would still prefer to take on Boreham Wood than a colts side or another Championship outfit.

He added: “I think they’re just trying to get us as far away as possible – Inverness in the last round, now Boreham Wood.

“At the end of the day it’s a different fixture as well, it’s better than playing teams in the same league or even a colts team. I would much rather play Boreham Wood than an under-21 team.”

Raith Rovers also face a long trip but not quite as bad a one as the Pars, with the Kirkcaldy men off north to Dingwall to play Ross County.

Dundee United have been drawn against Alloa at Tannadice, while Dundee Colts will host Motherwell’s youngsters.

East Fife will welcome Partick Thistle, Arbroath are at home to Annan, Montrose travel to Dumbarton and Forfar could be heading over the Irish Sea to meet Sligo Rovers if the Loons get through against Livingston Colts.

Picture: SNS Group. Former Motherwell manager Stuart McCall, left, and Scottish swimmer Ross Murdoch are on hand at the draw for the second round of the Irn- Bru Cup.