Darvel bidding for more Scottish Cup history as they host Falkirk
A place in the quarter finals awaits the winner
Last updated 13th Feb 2023
Darvel look to make more Scottish Cup history when they host Falkirk on Monday night, with a place in he quarter finals up for grabs.
The non-league side made headlines nationwide with their thrilling 1-0 home win over cinch Premiership side Aberdeen in the fourth round.
Mick Kennedy's West of Scotland Premier Division champions are now preparing with confidence for the visit of League One side Falkirk in the next round on Monday night.
The Vale will once again be massive underdogs, but that’s not the way manager Kennedy sees it. He told Clyde 1 News: “I had expectations on the boys that we would beat Aberdeen – 100% expectation that we could make it through to the next round.
“Monday is no different from my own perspective in terms of the expectations I place on the players.
“Falkirk are a really good passing, footballing side, similar to ourselves, so I’m just looking forward to the game because I think it will be a good footballing spectacle.
“So I was happy we got Falkirk in the draw. Just happy to get the home draw, after that we’d have taken anyone.”
Darvel owner John Gall meanwhile believes the club's Scottish Cup exploits have put the Ayrshire town firmly on the map.
Gall, the managing director of Brownings the Bakers, spoke about life since the famous victory over the Dons as he addressed the media at an open day at Recreation Park.
He said: "It's been a bit hectic, what with business and Darvel. Darvel has taken over my business work just now - it's been unbelievable.
"The amount of times people have said, 'now we know where Darvel is!'. It's been amazing.
"Nobody knew where Darvel was before but it's now famous for the biggest upset in Scottish football.
"We all said, 'It would be great if we could win', but we didn't realise the enormity of it, of actually beating them and what it would bring.
"Where were all you (media) guys three or four years ago? You had never heard of Darvel, now you all want a bit of us.
"It's testament to Michael and the players, the distance we have come in the last few years. It's been great.
"We'll just need to see how it goes on Monday night. It's a great feeling, a fantastic feeling."