Dunfermline Athletic 0-0 (4-2 on penalties) Falkirk
Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup Semi-Final
Saturday, 18 April 2026
Barclays Hampden, Glasgow 

Scorers

Dunfermline 0 (4 penalties) - Josh Cooper, Charlie Gilmour, Chris Hamilton, Tashan Oaskley-Boothe

Falkirk 0 (2 penalties) - Ben Parkinson, Filip Lissah

Team News

Neil Lennon made wholesale changes to the Dunfermline side that drew 2-2 with Airdrie earlier in the week, as Nurudeen Abdulai remained the only starter from that match.

Meanwhile, John McGlynn made two changes from his Falkirk team’s thrilling 3-6 loss to Rangers last weekend, as Leon McCann and Connor Allann came into the starting eleven, replacing Keelan Adams and Coll Donaldson

As It Happened

It was a quick start to the game as only two minutes in Callumn Morrison found himself in a one-v-one position with Scott Bain but shanked his shot high and wide for a Falkirk goal kick. Early fouls from Dunfermline’s Chris Kane and Andy Tod added to the fiery encounter, whilst Nurudeen Abdulai was booked for a strong tackle on Falkirk’s Filip Lissah early in the half.

From Calvin Miller’s freekick, Lissah could not divert his header on target. Falkirk captain Brad Spencer also had an effort from outside the box fly high and wide. The game remained a physical encounter with a collision between Scott Bain and Andy Tod momentarily grounding the Dunfermline forward.

Falkirk looked to break the deadlock as Leon McCann’s cross was met by Barney Stewart, however his header was easily handled by Aston Oxborough. Another nervy moment came for the Pars as Oxborough failed to reach an enticing cross by Calvin Miller, however the ball was eventually cleared by captain Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen in the Dunfermline defence.

Matthew Todd’s low ball into the box was not met by his Dunfermline teammates and easily collected by Bain, as neither team was yet to break the deadlock heading into the final period of the first half.

Dunfermline finished the half stronger but neither team showed enough cutting edge to take the lead. After a competitive first 45 minutes, the sides went into the break goalless.

Dunfermline started the second half as they ended the first, as their pressure forced a corner only four minutes into the half, however they failed to take advantage as Kane’s header travelled wide for a goal kick.

The match once again became a cagey affair for the next 15 minutes as, aside from a few half chances for either side, there was a lack of innovation present from the semi-finalists.

Leon McCann also entered the referee’s book for a cynical challenge on Matthew Todd near the byline.

Falkirk looked for a fast counter as Yeats’ low cross met Miller in the box, but his shot was blocked and fell straight into Oxborough’s hands.

John McGlynn made his first substitution on the hour mark, as Finn Yates made way for Kyrell Wilson   

Dunfermline made their first change shortly after, as Shea Keraney came on for Calumn Morrison.

Midway through the half, substitute Wilson charged down the right-hand side and fed the ball to Ben Broggio on the edge of the Dunfermline box, but his curling effort flashed just wide of the post giving The Bairns their best chances of the game thus far.

The Pars brought on Tashan Oakley-Boothe and Josh Cooper as Alfons Amade and Chris Kane exited play.

Filip Lissah was also booked for his sliding challenge on Andy Tod shortly after.

In the final ten minutes of the game, Barney Stewart was taken off for Falkirk, and Ben Parkinson looked to impact proceedings.

Both sides tried to create chances, however neither keeper was tested and 90 minutes ended at 0-0, with the teams preparing for an additional 30 minutes of extra time.

Early into the extra time period, Kyrell Wilson got on the end of Parkinson header and drove towards the Dunfermline box but dragged his shot wide of the target.

Following a Calvin Miller corner, Chilokoa- Mullen’s back pass almost trickled into the back of the net but was eventually handled by Oxborough.

Falkirk continued to pressure, as Ben Broggio’s shot inside the box deflected off Abdulai for corner, however the cross was cleared by the Pars defence.

Matthew Todd exited play for Dunfermline and was replaced by Lucas Fyfe 10 minutes into the extra time period.

Falkirk also made changes as Dylan Tait was replaced by Henry Cartwright, and Calvin Miller made way for Ethan Ross.

Just before halftime, Dunfermline showed great energy as the substitutes Shea Kearney and Oakley-Boothe linked up well, but Oakley-Boothe’s driven ball into the box was not followed through by any Dunfermline players and was eventually cleared by the Bairns defence.

During halftime, Ben Broggio was replaced by veteran striker Brian Graham for Falkirk. Chilokoa-Mullen also made way for Chris Hamilton on the Dunfermline bench.

Lucas Fyfe found his way into the Falkirk box early into the second half. But could not convert his chance past the hands of Scott Bain. Falkirk also replaced Connor Allan with Lewis Neilson.

Dunfermline pressure continued as Oakley-Boothe drove the ball down the right-hand side and cleverly slid the ball to Fyfe, whose shot rattled off the bar, setting up a dramatic final 10 minutes.

Shortly after, Falkirk showed great link up play and forced a good save from Oxborough to save Ethan Ross’ curling effort.

In the dying embers of the game, Henry Cartwright drove into the Falkirk box and was seemingly taken down by Kieran Ngenwya, however referee John Beaton instead gave Cartwright his second yellow card and sending off. The VAR replays showed Beaton was correct with his original decision.

Beaton then blew for full time as the final score after extra time remained 0-0. Though both teams came close with chances, neither was able to break the deadlock and would have to be settled by a dramatic penalty shootout.

Shooting in front of the Bairns supporters: Cooper, Gilmour, Hamilton, and Oakley-Boothe all scored to give Dunfermline victory and secure a historic place in the Scottish Cup final. Ben Parkinson and Filip Lissah were the only players to convert their penalties for Falkirk.

This is the sixth Scottish Cup final Dunfermline will take part in, and their first since 2007. They will play the winner of tomorrow’s semi-final tie between Celtic and St Mirren.

Falkirk will return to league action as they face a trip to Parkhead as they face Celtic next weekend.

Match Report by Fayez Akram

Teams

Dunfermline: Oxborough, Chilokoa-Mullen © (Hamilton 105’), Ngwenya, Gilmour, Todd (Fyfe 100’), Amade (Oakley-Boothe 75’), Abdulai, Kane (Cooper 75’), Tod, Morrison (Kearney 67’), Fraser

Unused Substitutes: Terrel, Benedictus, Bray, Tod

Falkirk: Bain, McCann, Henderson, Spencer ©, Broggio (Graham 105’), Yeats (Wilson 61’), Stewart (Parkinson 82’), Allan (Neilson 109’), Tait (Cartwright 102’), Lissah, Miller (Ross 102’)

Unused Substitutes: Hogarth, Adams, MacIver