A tough draw meant that FPC had to play all four of their group games consecutively while other teams were given some time to recover. The first game against Aberdeen was a hard fought battle with most of the play being in the middle of the park. FPC got the only goal of the game when Fraz dived to bundle the ball over the line after Sanny’s lob had hit the post.
Next up were Hibs, one of the best IFA teams in Scotland, and the team knew they had a hard game ahead. Hibs had nearly all of the first half but some bad luck, woeful finishing and superb defending meant that the score was 0-0 at the break. In the second half, FPC came back into things but Scott R was still needed to make a goal line clearance. Sadly Hibs eventually scored the goal they deserved when an attacker headed home a great cross.
The third game of the group section was against Lanarkshire rivals Airdrie. Airdrie had the better of the opening exchanges and Farmer had to produce two or three brilliant saves to keep them out. Airdrie eventually took the lead but Sanny headed in a corner to equalise and in the last five minutes FPC dominated. The winning goal could not be found despite a series of dangerous corners which caused chaos in the Airdrie defence.
The last group game was against Celtic, a team that rarely play in the normal league. Celtic were an excellent passing side who played some lovely football but by this stage the FPC team were on the brink of falling over. Celtic destroyed FPC by 5-1 although it could easily have been more and the FPC goal came from a needless oggy.
FPC had done enough to qualify for the semi finals of the Plate competition and faced Hearts. FPC had the better of the first half but were a goal down to a counter attack. In the second period Hearts dominated and could have scored several times but for some more wonderful saves and appallingly bad finishing. FPC only had one chance to find a late equaliser but Moonie hit his half volley over the bar.
The eventual Scottish Cup winners turned out to be Celtic, who beat Hibs on penalties in the final while Airdrie won the Plate after beating Hearts.