UNCOVERED — Cove Rangers v Falkirk 17.04.21 by coverangersfc

Cove Rangers v Falkirk Scottish League 1 17.04.21 — 12pm KO

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02 03

— Contents

Cove Rangers FC Matchday Programme Falkirk: 17.04.21 — 12pm KO

Features

DUMBARTON MATCH REPORT DUMBARTON REACTION STEVE TOSH INTERVIEW

06 16 18 Regulars

Upcoming fixtures & league table

Club information

Club partners

View from the dugout

Player and Management sponsorship

Season 2020/21 statistics

Captain’s view

Club honours

Today’s team lines

— Upcoming fixtures

A Tue 20th Apr, 2021

Montrose v Cove Rangers

Scottish League 1

— League table

SPFL1

PTS

Falkirk

Partick Thistle

Cove Rangers

Airdrieonians

Montrose

East Fife

-1

Peterhead

-6

Dumbarton

-7

Clyde

-12

Forfar Athletic

-17

04 05

— Club information

Cove Rangers FC Balmoral Stadium Wellington Circle, Altens Aberdeen, AB12 3JG

T 01224 392111 F 01224 392859 coverangersfc.com Twitter / Facebook / Instagram @coverangersfc

Honorary President Alan McRae Directors Keith Moorhouse - Chairman Graeme Reid - Vice Chairman/Financial Controller Duncan Little - Secretary/Stadium Manager John Sheran - Director of Football Darren Anderson Grant Moorhouse Safety Officers John Morgan & Bill Ogilvie Committee Michael Coull, Mike Pirie, Richard Forbes & Gordon Taylor Football Manager - Paul Hartley

Assistant Manager - Gordon Young Fitness Coach - Tam Ritchie

Goalkeeping Coach - Alan Combe

Head of Youth Development - Gary Hake Performance Analyst - Ryan Docherty

Physios - Donal Gallacher & Eilidh McGregor Kit Manager - Adrian Thomson Club Doctor - David Fowler

Commercial Manager - Angela Bruce Media Officer - Charlie Allan

Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer - Kate Dean Club Chaplain - Dougie Simpson

Club Photographers - Dave Cowe, Richard Forbes

06 07

Scottish League 1 Saturday April 10th @ Balmoral Stadium

COVE RANGERS 1 DUMBARTON 0

— Dumbarton match report

fiery effort from cove earns the win

08 09

Rory McAllister scored the all important goal early in the second half in a hard earned League One victory over Dumbarton at Balmoral Stadium. Rory’s seventh of the campaign was the least we deserved in a game we dominated throughout against a Sons’ side who had set their stall out to frustrate and maybe steal something on the break. They might well have done had home keeper Stuart McKenzie not pulled off a fantastic save with four minutes to go, from Dumbarton’s only shot on target in the game. But the fact his opposite number Sam Ramsbottom had to be at his best to prevent us adding to our advantage underlined that the side that deserved to win the most got all three points. Manager Paul Hartley made four changes to the side that drew 1-1 away to Clyde in midweek, with skipper Mitch Megginson among those to come back in. We totally dominated possession from the off but found it tough to find openings in the well drilled Dumbarton defence. Fraser Fyvie finally cut the visitors open in the 13th minute with a wonderful pass to Megginson, who chested the ball down well but Dumbarton keeper Ramsbottom denied him a shooting chance by making a brave save at the striker’s feet. Connor Scully then set Fyvie up with a neat lay-off three minutes later but his low drive from the edge of the area went wide of Ramsbottom’s right post. We had another opportunity when Megginson was fouled 20 yards out. McAllister’s effort from the resulting free-kick crashed against the Dumbarton defensive wall.

>>>

— Dumbarton match report

>>>

McAllister was clearly fired up and constantly on the move as he showed when he powered through a couple of tackles before his shot from the edge of the area was held by Ramsbottom. Scott Ross sparked our next attack with a wonderful crossfield pass to Leighton McIntosh and his ball back across from the left just evaded McAllister at the back post. The best chance of the half so far fell to us, in the 33rd minute, after McAllister had been fouled 25-yards out. Scully took the free-kick and saw his well hit effort kept out by an acrobatic save from Ramsbottom. We had an even better opportunity just before the break when Ross again found McIntosh with a cross from wide on the right. The striker opted to volley the ball instead of heading it and his 10-yard shot looped over the crossbar. Yule and Fyvie both had efforts blocked by Dumbarton defenders as the second half followed the same pattern as the first. The goal our domination deserved finally arrived in the 54th minute, it was a scrappy affair but none the less welcomed. Scully’s corner from the right was met by Scott Ross at the back post and his header was well parried by the diving Ramsbottom. The rebound fell to McAllister and his 12-yard shot squeezed past the keeper before it was battered against Ramsbottom’s right post by a defender - then crept over the line before being booted clear by another of Dumbarton’s back line. The visitors protested that the ball hadn’t gone in but near side ref’s assistant Craig Ferguson was well positioned and in no doubt, so the goal stood. We almost went two up in the 68th minute when Fyvie’s powerful shot from the edge of the area was pushed away by the busy Ramsbottom.

10 11

>>>

— Dumbarton match report

12 13

We brought Connor Smith on for McIntosh and Dumbarton made a triple change as the game moved into the latter stages.

Cove Rangers: McKenzie, Scully, Scott Ross, Strachan, Yule, Megginson, McIntosh (Smith 72), McAllister, Livingstone, Graham, Fyvie.

Smith’s first involvement was to be clattered by Sam Wardrop, who was booked for the challenge. We were unfortunate not to get our second in the 75th minute.

Subs: Watson, Higgins, Seb Ross, Demus, Logan, Ngwenya, Hanratty.

Yule’s cross from the right found McAllister and his 15-yard shot was going in until Ramsbottom dived full length to push the ball wide of his right post. Strachan then had a pop with a free-kick from fully 35-yards out but Ramsbottom was well positioned to make another save. Smith really impressed after coming and he was unlucky to see his powerful net bound 18-yard shot strike the head of Morgyn Neill and go wide. McKenzie’s crucial contribution came in the 86th minute, after Nat Wedderburn had smuggled a pass through to fellow substitute Connor Duthie. The striker looked certain to score from 15-yards but McKenzie maintained our lead by knocking his effort clear with his legs. Smith was terribly unlucky again a minute later when he did well to create space for himself to shoot from the edge of the area but saw his effort strike the outside of Ramsbottom’s right post with the keeper well beaten. Dumbarton piled players forward as the game entered injury-time but we defended strongly to ensure McKenzie was never bothered again to make it a lucky seven League One games on the trot undefeated.

Dumbarton: Ramsbottom, Wardrop (Duthie 81), McGeever, Neill, Forbes, Omar (Jones 72), Brindlay (Frizzell 72), McAllister, Wilson (Wallace 81), Crossan (Wedderburn 72), Quitongo. Subs: Barclay. Referee: David Lowe.

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14 15

— Club partners

Principal Club Partner

Principal Stadium Partner

Official Club Partners

MARC DARCY

DRAPERS MENSWEAR BRAND OF THE YEAR

— Dumbarton reaction

Manager Paul Hartley and goalscorer Rory McAllister spoke to the media after our 1-0 League One victory over Dumbarton at Balmoral Stadium.

Paul said: “I’m pleased to have claimed all three points. Dumbarton are a stuffy outfit and - despite the amount of games they have played recently - showed a lot of good energy levels. It was hard to break them down and we didn’t work their keeper as much as I would have liked but I felt we deserved the win.” On the claims by the Dumbarton players that Rory’s shot for the winner hadn’t crossed the line before the ball was cleared, Paul said: “It’s a goal, it was over the line. The linesman had a clear view and it was good for Rory to get the goal, I thought he was excellent. This is the business end of the season and it’s about finding ways of winning and getting points on the board, so well done to the players for managing to do that. It was another clean sheet too. We now have the best defensive record in the division. It’s a tough league, so well done to the players for managing to do that.”

16 17

Rory, who claimed his seventh goal of the season with his 54th minute strike, said: “The Dumbarton players were debating whether my shot was over the line but it looked like it was to me. “It doesn’t matter now, it gave us the points and we can now look forward to what is a huge game against Falkirk next week. If we can win that one, what a chance we would have to make the end of our campaign really special. It’s good that we are at the top end of the table competing with the full-time clubs at this stage of the season still in with a chance of going up. Having been in a team that was relegated I can assure you it’s far better than being down at the other end fighting to stay up. It doesn’t matter how you get the wins at this stage of the season either, it’s about getting over the line. We have injuries and it gets tougher as each game passes, but you just have to keep digging deep, keep giving your best and hope you will get the rewards. I have to mention the save Stuart McKenzie made near the end. It was vital and an excellent one and underlined the value of having a top class goalkeeper behind us. Having nothing to do for most of the game then pulling off a save like that showed just how good Stuart is. Hopefully my goal will be enough to keep me involved, it’s been a bit of a stop, start season for me really. I feel I can get more importantly goals and enjoy playing up front with Mitch (Megginson) so we will just have to wait and see how things go next weekend.”

— Steve Tosh interview

Steve tosh Steve Tosh played for Cove Rangers and Falkirk during what was a long and successful career in professional football that included spells with eight senior clubs, including Aberdeen. UnCOVEred puts Steve on the spot about his time with us and today’s League One opponents, Falkirk.

>>>

18 19

Image courtesy of DCT Media

— Steve Tosh interview

You signed a two-year contract with Cove in july 2010, what do you remember from that time? Mainly that I was excited by the opportunity to play for what I knew was one of the best sides in the Highland League. There had been talk of me becoming part of the coaching team at Dundee but that fell through. Cove chairman Keith Moorhouse then called out of the blue and asked if I would be interested in going there instead. I accepted right away because it was exciting to be presented with a fresh challenge at what was the latter stages of my career. Why did you leave after just one season? Because I discovered my body was no longer up to the task. I was 38 years old and for the first time in my life I had to combine playing and training with also working in a full-time job. I also had to find time to be with my family down in Kirkcaldy, so it was very hard going. I tried my very best in every game for Cove, but I was just a shadow of the player I had been for most of my professional career. It annoyed me a lot, because I was desperate to do well for Cove and for managers Kevin Tindal and Jerry O’Driscoll, who were brilliant with me. However, I’ve never looked on myself as a mercenary looking to make whatever I could from any clubs who would have me.

It was about being honest and fair to them and to Cove. It all came to a head when we played Fraserburgh in the Semis of the North of Scotland Cup. I had made up my mind by then that I was going to retire at the end of the season. But when we lost that game 1-0, I went into the dressing room, took off my shirt and announced that was me finished, before the management duo had even been able to speak. I then shook hands with everyone before going for a shower and that was that. I didn’t want to be taking money off Cove under false pretences. The chairman mentioned I still had a year left in my contract but I just told him it wasn’t good for anything and just to rip it up. I like to think doing the right thing will ensure I’m always welcome to go back to Cove anytime. I loved being at the club because they have some really good people behind the scenes but I knew that I had come to the end of the road as far as playing at the standards I had set for myself were concerned. Your spell at Falkirk was even briefer, what can you tell us about that? I was delighted to accept the opportunity to join them in 2002 and expected to be there for a lot longer than it ended up being. The Bairns have always been a

20 21

club which players want to be a part of. I was a bit surprised when the manager called me into his office to tell me Aberdeen had made an offer for me that had been accepted. That was in January 2003 and I was never going to turn that down. I will always be grateful to Steve Paterson for giving me the opportunity to move to Pittodrie. When you played for Cove, would you ever have envisaged the day when they would be playing in the same league as Falkirk? I have to be honest and say no. No disrespect to Cove, but back then I regarded the Highland League as on a par with the top junior ones down in Fife, where I stay, and in Ayrshire. Cove were clearly the best run club at their level but there was no pyramid system then so no real route for them to play in the same league as the likes of Falkirk. I was only at Allan Park for a short spell too, so was never really aware of just how ambitious Keith (Cove Chairman) and Cove were, even back then. I’m glad they were eventually able to fulfil those ambitions because Cove have been like a breath of fresh air in the SPFL. They have brought in a really top-level manager in Paul Hartley and have been rewarded for setting very high standards.

They have also built a fantastic, modern, stadium and did brilliantly under Paul to win League Two. It’s great to see them competing with Falkirk in the fight to get into the Championship in only their second season in the SPFL. You also played for Gretna, a club who came into the SPFL and went to the very top before eventually going out of business. What do you remember about that period of your career? I joined them in January 2005, after leaving Aberdeen and it ended up being one of the most successful periods of my career. We won successive promotions all the way up to the top flight and also lost the 2006 Scottish Cup final, to Hearts. There have been a lot unfair things written and said about what Gretna did and their owner, Brooks Mileson. But all Brooks ever wanted was to see his team be successful and he certainly put his money where his mouth was. Unfortunately, Brooks was also very much his own man - it was his way or the highway at Gretna. But we knew how much he loved the club and it was great to see how happy Brooks was when we enjoyed success.

>>>

— Steve Tosh interview

Cove, of course, are the new boys in the SPFL now. What lessons can we learn from what happened to Gretna? The main one is to ensure any progress is made at a sensible and affordable rate. Gretna were paying full-time wages while competing in the lowest division, which was clearly unsustainable, Brooks was too generous for his own good because he was never slow to give people healthy pay rises too whenever the team had been successful. I had left Gretna by the time Brooks became ill (he sadly passed away in November 2008) and the club went defunct after struggling because they no longer had his backing. It was a real shame because, as I said, Brooks had good intentions but just went about things the wrong way. A lot of clubs, not just Cove, will have looked and learned from what happened to Gretna. There will come a stage where Cove might have to consider going full-time too but I’m confident they would do that carefully - and perhaps partially to begin with, as is the case at Raith Rovers at the moment. Sticking with some part-time players would keep costs down but also ensure those who might not be keen on giving up good jobs outside football still get the chance to play for Cove.

22 23

It also pleases me to see there are guys in the Cove squad now - Stuart McKenzie, Connor Scully and Blair Yule - who were about the club when I was involved. The bulk of the squad that played in their last season in the Highland League are also still there. It shows they are taking things step by step - and also rewarding those who have done well for the club. The latter will ensure good players still want to go to Cove and I’m sure there are even better things to come for the club in the years ahead.

If I’ve got symptoms or I’m to take a test – for work or rate’s high in my area – I’ll d So we can keep moving forward and get back together again.

m asked if the do it. NHSinform.scot

— View from the dugout

PAUL HARTL I will begin by extending a warm welcome to the players and coaching staff of Falkirk FC on their visit to Balmoral Stadium. Our League One clash is certainly the match of the day as far as the SPFL goes this afternoon. I would also like to express thanks to our players for ensuring we are going into this match with a place in the top half of the division when it splits, already secured. When the season kicked off, I made it clear our aim was simply to gain as many points as we could to ensure we remained in League One. To have guaranteed a top five finish - with two games still to play ahead of the split - is a testament to the dedication and determination shown by the players over the course of what has been the strangest of all campaigns. Playing without fans has been tough enough, especially at Balmoral Stadium, where the backing we received from the Cove Rangers supporters played a huge part in helping us win League Two last term.

>>>

LEY

26 27

— View from the dugout

>>>

The players have also had to contend with two shutdowns - but on both occasions they showed real professionalism to return as fit as they could possibly be, which won’t have been easy. Let’s not forget they are all part-time, so twice had to train on their own over periods of several weeks. To a man, they did what they had to and it meant my coaching staff and I could focus more on ensuring they were ready to return to actually playing games in the little time we had available to do that, particularly after the second shutdown. That played a huge big part in us also being able to face Falkirk unbeaten in our last seven league games, a run that stretches back to when we won away to Forfar Athletic on Boxing Day. The really pleasing part of that is every player in the squad has played a part in the run. With the games condensed into a short space of time, we have done our best to rotate the squad to keep players fresh and cope with any injuries. So well done to the players for still managing to maintain the consistency in results required to get us to where we are now in what is a very tough league. As was the case when the campaign began, there will be no bold predictions coming from our camp about what happens next. We are the new side in the division and just happy to be in the top half with the opportunity to be part of what looks like being an exciting end to the campaign. Stay safe and enjoy the game. Paul Hartley

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— Player and management sponsorship

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30 31

MIDFIELDERS Connor Scully

Broque Watson

Blair Yule

Jamie Masson

Connor Smith

Seb Ross

Fraser Fyvie

Kevin Hanratty

Gordon Campbell

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Rory McAllister

— Season 2020/21 statistics

Date

Fixture

Game

H/A

Starting

Sta

BFC

S.McKenzie

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

D.Higgins1

10/10/2020

Hibernian

13/10/2020

Brora Rangers

A.Liv (J.Se

BFC

S.McKenzie

T.Leighton (S.Ross)

H.Milne

C.Scully

B.Watson

D.Higgins

R.McAllister1 (A.Livinsgtone)

A.Livingstone

J.Semple1

17/10/2020

J.Bro (B.Yu

East Fife

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

H.Milne

C.Scully (Seb Ross)

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson2 (R.McAllister)

J.Masson

L.McIntosh1

D.Hig

24/10/2020

Peterhead

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

H.Milne1

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson1 (R.McAllister)

J.Masson

L.McIntosh (B.Watson)

D.Hig

31/10/2020

Partick Thistle

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson (Seb Ross)

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

D.Hig (R.G

07/11/2020

Forfar Athletic

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson2

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

R.Mc (B.W

10/112020

Dundee

BFC

S.McKenzie

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson (R.McAllister)

J.Masson

L.McIntosh (B.Watson)

A.Livingstone

J.Semple (R.Graham)

Seb (C.S

14/11/2020

Forfar Athletic

BFC

S.McKenzie

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Watson (J.Semple)

M.Megginson

R.McAllister1

A.Livingstone

Seb Ross

R.Gr

21/11/2020

Falkirk

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson

L.McIntosh

R.McAllister (B.Watson)

A.Liv (J.Se

28/11/2020

Airdrieonians

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson

J.Masson1

L.McIntosh

R.Gr

05/12/2020

Montrose

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson

L.McIntosh

R.McAllister (B.Watson)

A.Liv (J.Se

12/12/2020

Dumbarton

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson

J.Masson1

L.McIntosh

R.Gr

19/12/2020

Clyde

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

H.Milne

C.Scully

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson2

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

D.Higgins

Seb (R.M

26/12/2020

Forfar Athletic

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

H.Milne

R.Graham

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

M.Megginson1

R.Mc

02/01/2021

Peterhead

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

H.Milne

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

R.McAllister1

R.Gr

09/01/2021

Alloa Athletic

S.McKenzie

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan1

B.Yule

M.Megginson

J.Masson1

R.McAllister1 (L.McIntosh)

R.Gr

20/03/2021

Partick Thistle

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

C.Scully (B.Watson)

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson1

J.Masson

L.McIntosh (R.McAllister)

A.Livingstone

R.Graham

F.Fyv

27/03/2021

East Fife

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

S.Ross (K.Ngwenya)

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson

J.Masson (Seb Ross)

L.McIntosh (K.Hanratty)

A.Livingstone (R.McAllister)

R.Graham

C.Sm (B.W

30/03/2021

Airdrieonians

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule (B.Watson)

M.Megginson (C.Smith)

L.McIntosh (R.McAllister)

Seb Ross (J.Masson2)

R.Graham

F.Fyv

04/03/2021

Rangers

S.McKenzie

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Watson (L.McIntosh)

M.Megginson (R.McAllister)

J.Masson (K.Hanratty)

D.Higgins

A.Livingstone

R.Graham

C.Sm

06/04/2021

Clyde

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

C.Scully1

R.Strachan

B.Watson (K.Hanratty)

B.Yule

R.McAllister

Seb Ross (C.Smith)

R.Graham

F.Fyvie

C.Lo

10/04/2021

Dumbarton

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson

L.McIntosh (C.Smith)

R.McAllister1

A.Livingstone

R.Gr

17/04/2021

Falkirk

SPFL1

20/04/2021

Montrose

SPFL1

Name

Appearances

Goals

Position

Yellow

Red

Stuart McKenzie

Balint Demus

Harry Milne

Scott Ross

Ryan Strachan

Daniel Higgins

Adam Livingstone

Ross Graham

Cammy Logan

Kieran Ngwenya

Connor Scully

32 33

arting

Starting

Sub

Referee

AS1

AS2

ATT

vingstone emple)

R.Graham

T.Leighton

B.Watson

R.McAllister

J.Semple

J.Brown

B.Demus

Euan Anderson

Ross Macleod

Chris Graham

own ule)

R.Graham

S.Ross

B.Yule

L.McIntosh

B.Demus

Duncan Williams

Paul Mcavine

Graham Chambers

ggins

J.Semple (B.Watson)

B.Watson

R.McAllister

A.Livingstone

Seb Ross

J.Brown

R.Graham

B.Demus

Gavin Ross

Stuart Hodge

Ian Hart

ggins

J.Semple (Seb Ross)

B.Watson

J.McAllister

A.Livingstone

Seb Ross

J.Brown

R.Graham

B.Demus

Alan Newlands

Michael Banks

Elliott Husband Powton

ggins Graham)

A.Livingstone (R.McAllister1)

B.Watson

R.McAllister

J.Semple

Seb Ross

H.Ritchie

J.Brown

R.Graham

B.Demus

D. Lowe

Graham McNeillie

Ross Clark

cAllister1 Watson)

R.Graham

B.Watson

A.Livingstone

J.Semple

Seb Ross

H.Ritchie

J.Brown

B.Demus

Scott Lambie

Michael Banks

Steven MacDonald

Ross Scully)

J.Brown (H.Ritchie)

C.Scully

B.Watson

R.McAllister

H.Ritchie

R.Graham

B.Demus

Craig Napier

Graham McNeillie

Michael MacDermid

raham

F.Fyvie (J.Brown)

H.Milne

J.Semple

J.Brown

B.Demus

Duncan Williams

Gary Hilland

Eddie Ferguson

vingstone emple)

F.Fyvie

B.Watson

J.Semple

Seb Ross

J.Brown

R.Graham

B.Demus

David Dickinson

Graham Chambers

Kevin McElhinney

raham

F.Fyvie

B.Watson

R.McAllister

A.Livingstone

J.Semple

Seb Ross

J.Brown

B.Demus

Graham Grainger

Ralph Gordon

Duncan Nicolson

vingstone emple)

F.Fyvie

B.Watson

J.Semple

Seb Ross

J.Brown

R.Graham

B.Demus

Lloyd Wilson

Stuart Stevenson

Keiran Trayner

raham

F.Fyvie

B.Watson

R.McAllister

A.Livingstone

J.Semple

Seb Ross

J.Brown

B.Demus

Alan Newlands

Michael Banks

Duncan Nicolson

Ross McAllister)

F.Fyvie

B.Watson

R.McAllister

A.Livingstone

J.Semple

J.Brown

R.Graham

B.Demus

David Dickinson

Alastair Mather

Alan Proctor

cAllister

F.Fyvie

D.Higgins

A.Livingstone

Seb Ross

C.Scully

J.Semple

B.Watson

B.Demus

David Lowe

Graham McNeillie

Calum Doyle

raham

F.Fyvie

C.Scully

D.Higgins

Seb Ross

B.Demus

Peter Stuart

Drew Kirkland

Colin Drummond

raham

F.Fyvie

L.McIntosh

Seb Ross

B.Demus

C.Smith

C.Logan

David Dickinson

Ross MacLeod

Gordon McCabe

vie

C.Logan (C.Smith)

B.Watson

D.Higgins

R.McAllister

Seb Ross

C.Smith

B.Demus

Steven Reid

Graham Chalmers

David McKiff

F.Fyvie

C.Scully

B.Watson

D.Higgins

R.McAllister

Seb Ross

C.Logan

K.Ngwenya

K.Hanratty

B.Demus

Mike Roncone

John McCrossan

Ross Anderson

vie

K.Ngwenya (C.Logan)

B.Watson

J.Masson

D.Higgins

R.McAllister

A.Livingstone

C.Smith

C.Logan

K.Hanratty

B.Demus

Peter Stuart

Ross MacLeod

Steven Taylor

mith

F.Fyvie

R.Strachan

B.Yule

L.McIntosh

R.McAllister

Seb Ross

C.Logan

K.Ngwenya

K.Hanratty

B.Demus

Kevin Clancy

Dougie Potter

Gary Hilland

ogan

K.Ngwenya

S.Ross

D.Higgins

A.Livingstone

C.Smith

K.Hanratty

B.Demus

Matthew MacDermid

Ross MacLeod

Chris Newman

raham

F.Fyvie

B.Watson

D.Higgins

Seb Ross

C.Smith

C.Logan

K.Ngwenya

K.Hanratty

B.Demus

David Lowe

Craig Ferguson

Greig Haynes

Name

Appearances

Goals

Position

Yellow

Red

Blair Yule

Broque Watson

Jamie Masson

Fraser Fyvie

Kevin Hanratty

Seb Ross

Connor Smith

Mitchel Megginson

Rory McAllister

Leighton McIntosh

mith Watson)

PTAIN

’S VIE

— Captain’s view

34 35

IT’S PLEASING THAT WE ARE FACING FALKIRK TODAY WITHOUT THE PRESSURE OF STILL NEEDING TO SECURE OUR PLACE IN THE TOP FIVE BEFORE LEAGUE ONE SPLITS NEXT WEEK. There was no split planned when the season began, it was something all of the teams were left having to contend with when we returned from the last lockdown. I’m pleased it has worked out that we will be in the top half, with an opportunity to maybe even gain promotion, when we face our final four matches after the split. We are right to feel proud about that. Despite what some of the pundits were saying in the summer, we knew this campaign would be the toughest many of us have faced in our careers. As you can see by the majority of the results in League One, every game is a battle and they are often decided by the narrowest of margins. To get to where we are now has taken a lot of hard work. We’ve also had to learn quickly about what is needed to win - or certainly not lose - games at this level. When we experienced a run of disappointing results not long before the last shutdown, I spoke about the need for us to show we could be more streetwise. Doing well in this league isn’t always down to playing good football, it’s also about being dogged and knowing when to dig in to get the results you want.

>>>

— Captain’s view

>>>

The manner of last weekend’s 1-0 win over Dumbarton underlines what I mean. Thanks to some resolute defending by our opponents, we had to be patient until we eventually made the breakthrough, but we got there in the end. That was also our seventh league game without defeat, which further suggests we have adjusted to the demands of what I would argue is the most competitive of all four SPFL divisions. There is more hard work to come if we want to end our season positively too, but that is something we have shown we are willing to take on. I want to end on a topic that certainly caught my eye this week. The SPFL board are due to meet on Monday to discuss whether Highland League champions Brora Rangers and Lowland League winners Kelty Hearts will be able to take part in the Pyramid Play-offs at the end of the season. As the captain of the last side to gain promotion to the SPFL via that route, I hope things end with Brora and Kelty at least being given the chance to follow in our path. I must stress this is my view, not that of my club, but it was disappointing that didn’t happen last season. There has been debate over whether Brora and Kelty should miss out again because they were voted as champions of their divisions after a low number of games had been played. But it would be wrong to punish them for events that were outside their control. Despite their lack of match time, both clubs are willing to have a go at taking part in what would be the biggest four games in their histories. The Pyramid Play-offs were brought in to offer encouragement to sides who show ambition and I know Brora and Kelty are just two of a number of clubs who would be assets to the SPFL. It’s vital every effort is made to keep that pathway open. CYCR! Mitch Megginson

36 37

— Club honours

Scottish League 2 Winners: 2019-20

Aberdeenshire Cup Winners: 2001-02, 2010-11, 2018-19

Highland League Winners: 2000-01, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2012-13, 201516, 2017-18, 2018-19

Runners-up: 1992-93, 1994-95, 2016-17, 2017-18

Runners-up: 1989-90, 1992-93, 1994-95, 1995-96, 2009-10, 2011-12, 2016-17 Scottish Qualifying Cup (North) Winners: 1990-91, 2000-01 Runners-up: 1988-89, 1991-92, 2001-02, 2003-04 Highland League Cup Winners: 1994-95, 1999-2000, 2004-05, 2014-15, 2016-17, 2018-19 Runners-up: 1990-91, 1992-93, 1995-96, 1997-98, 2005-06, 2007-08, 2011-12

Aberdeenshire Shield Winners: 1990-91, 2000-01, 2008-09, 2017-18 Runners-up: 1994-95, 2012-13, 2015-16 Aberdeenshire & District League Winners: 2000-01, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2014-15 Runners-up: 2006-07 Aberdeenshire Centenery Cup Runners-up: 1986-87 Inter-League Trophy Winners: 2001-02

38 39

— Today’s team lines

Cove Rangers FC Manager - Paul Hartley

Falkirk FC Managers - David McCracken and Lee Miller

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 16. 19. 20. 21. 22. 24. 25. 26. 27.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 24. 25. 33. 38. 72. 99.

Stuart McKenzie Tom Leighton Harry Milne Connor Scully Scott Ross Ryan Strachan Broque Watson Blair Yule Mitchel Megginson (C) Jamie Masson Leighton McIntosh Daniel Higgins Rory McAllister Adam Livingstone Seb Ross Rhys Thomas Ross Graham Balint Demus Connot Smith Fraser Fyvie Cammy Logan Kieran Ngwenya Kevin Hanratty

Team colours Blue jerseys Blue Shorts White Socks

Robbie Mutch (GK) Scott Mercer Paul Dixon Ben Hall Mark Durnan Gary Miller Josh Todd Blair Alston Aidan Keena Anton Dowds Aidan Connolly Morgaro Gomis Lewis Neilson Akeel Francis Robbie Leitch Conor Sammon Euan Deveney Aidan Laverty Charlie Telfer Blair Sneddon Kai Fotheringham Jay Cantley (GK) Sean Kelly Callumn Morrison Kyle McClelland Lee Miller

Team colours Red jerseys Navy shorts Navy Socks

Today’s referee - David Dickinson Today’s assistant referees - Paul O’Neill, Colin Drummond

UNCOVERED — Cove Rangers v Falkirk 17.04.21

Articles inside

Club partners

Club information

View from the dugout

Captain’s view

Today’s team lines