Victor Wanyama’s ex-club, Dunfermline, breaks 19-year old jinx to reach a cup final
By BBC, April 18, 2026Second-tier Dunfermline Athletic reached the Scottish Cup final for the first time in 19 years after beating bitter local rivals Falkirk in a penalty shoot-out after a tense goalless draw at Hampden.
The side from the opposite side of the River Forth becomes the Pars’ third Premiership scalp on their way to facing either Celtic or St Mirren in the final on 23 May.
Falkirk’s Ben Spencer fired the first spot kick off a post, and Liam Henderson had their second saved by goalkeeper Aston Oxborough.
Wild celebrations
And substitute Tashan Oakley-Boothe fired home the decisive spot kick to send the Championship side’s fans into wild celebrations at the national stadium as manager Neil Lennon kissed the hallowed turf.
The former Celtic boss had warned his side to expect a fast start from Falkirk, but it was Dunfermline who were on top early on, their high press and aggression unsettling the top-tier side.
Callumn Morrison, whose goal helped Falkirk to the League 1 title two seasons ago, was through on goal within two minutes but skewed his shot wide from 15 yards.
Falkirk, though, started to show their superior pedigree and defender Filip Lissah perhaps should have done better than head over from 10 yards.
On-form striker Barney Stewart also headed straight at the goalkeeper for what turned out to be the only effort on target in the opening 90 minutes.
It took until the 72nd minute for either side to seriously threaten the stalemate, with on-loan Aston Villa midfielder Ben Broggio firing wide of Dunfermline’s far post from 16 yards.
So in extra time, when Falkirk substitute Kyrell Wilson dragged a snapshot wide before Dunfermline striker Lucas Fyfe twice had the chance to snatch victory.
However, the 17-year-old substitute fired straight at goalkeeper Scott Bain then found the underside of the crossbar from close range.
Ethan Ross was denied by a fine fingertip save from Oxborough, and Falkirk substitute Henry Cartwright was shown a second yellow card for simulation.
That turned out to be the final action before the game was settled in the most dramatic style from the penalty spot.
Dunfermline have not lifted the Scottish Cup since 1968, but there was plenty of experience of winning the trophy on the touchline.
Lennon has won the Scottish Cup four times as a player and four as a manager.
The wily former Celtic and Hibernian boss had rotated his squad in the two league games before this and sparing all but one of his starting XI against Airdrieonians on Tuesday perhaps contributed to their energetic start – and strong finish.
The second-tier side were able to limit the opportunities falling to Stewart – who had scored six in his previous six outings – while equally influential winger Calvin Miller was increasingly kept quiet after a dangerous opening half hour.
As Falkirk looked to reach their first final in 11 years, they had their own wealth of experience on the bench, with manager John McGlynn having himself won the cup as assistant with Hearts.
He had made two changes in defence after last weekend’s 6-3 capitulation to Rangers, and they took time to settle at the back.
It looked like their greater quality would win the day, but the determination of their opponents decided otherwise as they secured revenge for their 2009 semi-final defeat by Falkirk—and a first win in six of these “Kincardine Bridge derbies.”
It also whets the appetite for a potential head-to-head for Lennon against managerial mentor Martin O’Neill in the season’s finale should Celtic beat St. Mirren, home to another Kenyan, Jonay Ayunga, on Sunday.
Victor Wanyama, who recently announced his retirement from football, signed and made a brief stint with the club after returning to Scotland on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
He agreed to a short-term contract that extends through the end of this season.