Bell’s Scottish Challenge Cup Final
5th November 2005
Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie

St. Mirren 2-1 Hamilton

Lappin 22
Turnbridge 47
Sutton 80

ATT: 9,673

Referee: Stuart Douglas

• Close to 7,000 Saints fans witnessed the team clinch the 2005 Bell’s Cup after a close fought win over Hamilton Accies in Airdrie.
• The attendance at the Excelsior Stadium is a record, that stands today, and the match kicks off over 30 mins late to allow the travelling support from Renfrewshire to finally beat the traffic and access the stadium.
• Saints start very strongly, and cement their dominance when Simon Lappin fires home after his initial shot crashes off the bar and David Van Zanten returns the rebound to the back post leaving the young Saint with an easy chance.
• Saints squander multiple opportunities to increase their lead, and pay the penalty immediately after half time when Scott Turnbridge has a tap in for Accies after Smith saved.
• The match is very close after this, with both sides creating chances, however it is a surging run from Van Zanten that creates the winner with 10 minutes remaining, when he plows his way to the by-line and swings a cross, where John Sutton nods the ball home in the middle of the box.
• This is Saints first success in the competition at the 12th attempt.