Relichtie
Quarter finals No. 2
February 8 1896 Arbroath 0-4 Hearts Scottish Cup
The quarter final draw paired Arbroath, who had beaten Kings Park 5-0, and St. Johnstone 3-1 both at home, with Hearts, who had played both their ties away from home winning 12-1 at Blantyre, and 5-1 at Ayr.
The morning of the match saw a good deal of rain fall, so when the teams ran out on the Gayfield pitch, the surface was somewhat soft.
A 6000 crowd had turned up to witness the match.
Arbroath started brightly and moved upfield through Nicoll, who passed to Findlay, but McCartney cleared. Hearts then made a couple of chances but nothing came of them. Findlay, the Arbroath number 7, then had an effort deflected by Mirk for a corner. Hearts broke upfield and a period of sustained pressure brought two corners. The Arbroath defenders repelled a series of attacks before the Hearts pressure paid off when Taylor's shot went in off the post. Arbroath strived to pull the goal back, but to no avail, then Walker, at the other end shot into the side net. Hearts doubled their lead when McLaren scored, and two minutes later the same player added a third.
The second half started with Arbroath trying to get a foothold in the match, but with Hearts content with the score, they repelled the home attacks easily. Before long though the Edinburgh side decided that attack was the best form of defence, and after an incessant spell of attacking, Taylor notched number four. Hearts continued to keep Arbroath pinned back, but no further goals were scored.
Arbroath - McWattie, Clark, Penny, Christie, McGlashan, Buick, Findlay, Stewart, Nicoll, Hutton, Wishart.
Hearts - Fairbairn, McCartney, Mirk, Begbie, Russell, Hogg, Taylor, Baird, Michael, McLaren, Walker.
The semis of the cup this year saw three Edinburgh sides, Hearts, Hibs, St Bernards, along with Renton. Hearts beat St Bernards 1-0, while Hibs accounted for Renton 2-1. The final between the Edinburgh giants was won 3-1 by Hearts. The following season Hearts would be the Division 1 champions with Hibs the runners up.
One week before, the same Arbroath team had won the Forfarshire Cup, beating Dundee 2-0 at East Dock Street.