Cove Rangers v Airdrieonians Scottish League 1 01.05.21 — 3pm KO
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02 03
— Contents
Cove Rangers FC Matchday Programme Airdrieonians: 01.05.21 — 3pm KO
Features
MONTROSE MATCH REPORT MONTROSE REACTION A CONVERSATION WITH KEVIN WEBSTER
06 16 18 Regulars
League table
04
Club information
05
Club partners
15
View from the dugout
26
Player and Management sponsorship
30
Season 2020/21 statistics
32
Captain’s view
34
Club honours
38
Today’s team lines
39
— League table
SPFL1
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
PTS
Partick Thistle
21
11
7
3
38
15
23
40
Cove Rangers
21
10
6
5
28
16
12
36
Airdrieonians
20
10
2
8
31
24
7
32
Falkirk
20
9
5
6
28
22
6
32
Montrose
30
7
6
7
28
30
-2
27
East Fife
20
9
3
8
26
29
-3
30
Peterhead
20
9
2
9
21
22
-1
29
Dumbarton
20
6
4
10
11
20
-9
22
Clyde
20
6
2
12
23
37
-14
20
Forfar Athletic
20
3
5
12
14
33
-19
14
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
Scottish League 1 Thursday April 29th @ Links Park
MONTROSE 0 COVE RANGERS 2
06 07
— Montrose match report
cove SET FOR PLAY-OFFS Goals either side of the interval from skipper Mitch Megginson secured victory in our League One encounter at Links Park on a proud night for the club. The win guarantees us a place in the Championship promotion play-offs – an astonishing achievement when you consider we were still a Highland League side just two seasons ago. The management team and players deserve every plaudit going for the parts played in what has been one of the most remarkable success stories in Scottish football in recent years. We went into this one still with a slim chance of winning the title, unfortunately that was killed off by Partick Thistle’s 5-0 victory over Falkirk at Firhill Stadium. With just one league game remaining before the play-offs, credit has to go to the players who have earned that right by playing exciting, attacking football for the bulk of the campaign. That was underlined by the sheer quality of our opening goal against the Gable Endies.
>>>
08 09
— Montrose match report
10 11
Our play-off place has also been secured in a tightly contested division containing three full-time clubs, in addition to the players having to battle through a tough programme of fixtures since returning from the last lockdown.
The ball broke out to Scott Ross and his cross was nodded over the bar by Megginson.
It is a testament to their levels of fitness that there was little evidence of fatigue as they went about dominating the match from start to finish.
The goal arrived just on the stroke of half-time – and it came from a fantastic passing move from one end of the park to the other. Keeper Stuart McKenzie started it with a ball out to Yule, who then laid it off to Fraser Fyvie.
We showed four changes to the side that drew with Partick at the weekend, with Kieran Ngwenya, Connor Smith, Daniel Higgins and Broque Watson all in from the start. Youngsters Ngwenya and Smith, like so many others, impressed in a fixture that we controlled from the off. They created our first chance, in the 12th minute, with some fine combination play on the left that led to Blair Yule sending a header over the bar from the edge of the Montrose box. Ngwenya then played the ball in from the left to Smith and he fired a 20-yard shot just over the Montrose goal. Smith was the architect of our next chance, in the 22nd minute, with a well weighted pass through to Megginson and his 22yard drive wasn’t too far off target. Montrose didn’t create any chances until the 26th minute, when Graham Webster managed to get in behind our defence to send an 18-yard lob off target. We were soon back on the attack for Watson to cut in from the right and hit a 15-yard shot that was blocked by a defender.
Montrose defender Cammy Ballantyne was booked in the 39th minute, for a foul on Megginson.
The midfielder’s low pass forward was deftly flicked on by Megginson to Leighton McIntosh, with the skipper then darting forward to collect the return before advancing into the Montrose area to drill a low 16-yard shot into the bottom corner. It was more of the same in the second period as we continued where we had left off. Megginson went close again in the 48th minute, when he skipped past three defenders during a run through the middle before hitting a low shot from the edge of the area wide of Montrose keeper Allan Fleming’s left post. Megginson’s persistence was rewarded with the second, in the 52nd minute. Smith’s cross from the left was missed by everyone as it sped across the area to Megginson and he kept his cool as he controlled the ball, skipped to his left then drilled it home from 16-yards.
>>>
— Montrose match report
>>>
Fyvie maintained our two goal advantage, just after the hour, when he was well placed to clear Russel McLean’s header off the line after Lewis Milne had fed a corner in from the left. It was the only time our otherwise rock-solid defence were really bothered. Home keeper Fleming then stopped us increasing our lead with marvellous double save. He beat away McIntosh’s powerful shot from the edge of the area and also did well to get to Watson’s net-bound effort from the rebound. Winger Watson appeared to be fouled as he attempted to latch on to the rebound from that save, but referee Alan Newlands waved away our claims for a penalty. Rory McAllister, who replaced Megginson after 68 minutes, was unlucky not to end the night with a hat-trick. He wasn’t too far off the mark with a curling shot from a tight angle on the right that went across the face of the Montrose goal and wide. McAllister also sent an 18-yard lob over the bar in the 87th minute and went even closer in the last minute with a powerful shot from the edge of the area that went inches wide of Fleming’s right. The game ended with Seb Ross passing to McAllister, who saw yet another effort go agonisingly wide, but getting no more goals did not take the shine off what was a top class team performance.
12 13
Montrose: Fleming, Cammy Ballantyne (MacFarlane 85), Steeves, Callaghan (Cammy F Ballantyne 56), Quinn (McGale 68), Dillon, Webster (Rennie 85), Milne, McLean, Masson, Mochrie (Antoniazzi 46). Subs: Allan, Campbell, Johnston, Lennox. Cove Rangers: McKenzie, Scott Ross, Strachan, Watson, Yule, Megginson (McAllister 68), McIntosh (Seb Ross 68) Higgins, Smith (Hanratty 77), Fyvie (Scully 77), Ngwenya (Livingstone 68) Subs: Graham, Logan, Demus. Referee: Alan Newlands.
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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
— Montrose reaction
MONTROSE REACTION
16 17
>>>
Young defender Kieran Ngwenya was pleased to have played his part in our 2-0 League One victory over Montrose at Links Park. The 18-year-old left-back, who is on loan to us from Aberdeen, impressed with his strong runs forward and powerful defending before having to go off during the second half after suffering a knock. “I’m really enjoying my time with at the club,” said Kieran. “The situation with the pandemic and everything meant it was important I got the opportunity to play regular competitive football. It was great to get some minutes in against Montrose and play my part in another clean sheet, which means a lot when you are a defender. League One is a great level for me to be tested as a player. You are playing under pressure every week, which is just what I need at this stage of my career. I try to get on the ball as much as I can and do my best to prove to the manager that I’m up to the challenge. I’m alongside some really good, experienced, players too, I’m learning off them every day. They are also a great bunch of lads, always up for a laugh. I’m delighted with the feedback I’ve had from the coaches with Aberdeen too, I’m still training with them every day. It’s great that the staff at Cove have helped with that by providing video clips and other information about how I have been playing, that has been much appreciated. It’s very pleasing we now have the play-offs to look forward to. Hopefully I will get to a play a part and that we can get promotion, which would be big for the club and for me on a personal level.”
— A conversation with Kevin Webster
KEVIN WEBSTER Kevin Webster reckons Cove Rangers are now in prime position to have the pick of all the best players north of Perth after making a flying start to life in the SPFL. Former Cove winger Kevin made his first visit to Balmoral Stadium to act as the co-commentator for CRTV’s live coverage of our League One clash with Partick Thistle. The 38-year-old Dundonian - a back-to-back Highland League title winner with Cove between 2007 and 2009 also played for SPFL clubs Montrose, Forfar Athletic and Arbroath during an impressive career. Kevin reckons Cove will now be the club most players in the lower divisions will be looking to join after seeing us win League Two last season and also finish in the top five in League One this term. “Cove are ideally located to pick up some of the very best players,” said Kevin. “They should certainly do well when it comes to Aberdeen. It’s a big city, with a lot of very good players who would love the opportunity to experience what it’s like at SPFL level.
18 19
>>>
— A conversation with Kevin Webster
If they don’t get that at Aberdeen then you can be sure they will be looking to Cove. In time, you might find they are choosing Cove instead of Aberdeen.” “There is no reason why there can’t be two top level sides in the Granite City, it’s certainly big enough. Cove will also be a huge attraction to players from surrounding areas, including further south. There’s not much difference between travelling from the likes of Perth or Dundee to Aberdeen or Glasgow. But where Cove hold the advantage is anyone going to them knows they will be joining a club that has shown real ambition. They have come into the SPFL and made a huge impact. That was helped when they appointed Paul Hartley as manager. It was a real statement of intent from the club. He enjoyed a fantastic career as a player and has also done well in management, so bringing him in underlined just how serious Cove are about wanting to make their mark in the SPFL.” Kevin was impressed by his first look around Balmoral Stadium and admitted he knew years ago that the club would eventually go on to bigger and better things. He said: “When I was there you could already see the club had ambitions to play at the very highest level - but what they have done since then is absolutely amazing. The new stadium is magnificent, probably the best in the lower divisions and I know they have plans to improve it even further. They have also built up a pretty powerful squad of players, many of them who could easily hold down a place at levels higher than League One. You can be sure they will be looking to add to that in the season’s ahead too, I’m really pleased to see my old club doing as well as they have so far.”
20 21
Kevin was a real fans’ favourite during his own time as a Cove Rangers player, after being signed by then manager John Sheran in 2008. “I was with Arbroath but also working in Aberdeen, so the travelling up and down the road on my own for games and training was really getting to me,” he said. “John offered me the chance to train at Cove to help me cope a bit better and I found I loved it so much I ended up signing for them instead. It led to one of the most enjoyable periods of my whole career. We won the two league titles, loads of cups and I have many great memories of my time at the club. We had great nights out too, because we had a group of real characters about the place at that time.” One particular team party has become legend at Cove. It was after we clinched one of those league titles, away to Wick Academy. Rumour has it Kevin ended up minus some clothes when the team bus paused for a break at Fochabers, on the way back down the road to Aberdeen. “I’m happy to confess now that some clothes were perhaps shed that night,” said Kevin, as he burst out laughing. You certainly wouldn’t get away with it nowadays because of all the social media stuff! That’s a blessing because when we had a reason to party, we went for it. I can’t remember everything that went on, it was a long time ago. But I can recall Jerry O’Driscoll and myself - and maybe one other - perhaps not being as fully clothed as we were on our arrival at Fochabers. “It was all harmless fun though and being such a close knit-bunch helped us to enjoy the success that we did.
>>>
— A conversation with Kevin Webster
Everybody got on and we had loads of real characters in that dressing room. We also had some fantastic players. Chief amongst them was Eric Watson, who was an unbelievable captain and outstanding defender. Eric could put the boot in when he needed to, but was never really given credit for just how great a footballer he was. I knew Eric before I came to Cove, he actually had a trial at Montrose when I was with them. Eric scored a hat-trick and I couldn’t believe we didn’t sign him. I think it might have had something to do with doubts over his temperament, Eric didn’t have the best of disciplinary records in the Junior leagues back then. Montrose’s mistake was Cove’s gain though because he ended up being a great servant to the club. “There was also a great family atmosphere at Cove, which started at the top with the board of directors and was enhanced by what John did with us as a group. You always had a sense that we were all in it together and it was good that also came across whenever we won anything - everyone was happy to enjoy it and show how much it meant to them. The players also appreciated the way we were looked after by the club. It was things like the quality of the buses used for away games and all the preplanning to make sure we never wanted for anything. People were happy to play for Cove because they knew they were well thought of and valued by everyone at the club.”
22 23
“ People were happy to play for Cove because they knew they were well thought of and valued by everyone at the club.”
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, management and officials of Airdrieonians on their visit to Balmoral Stadium for what is our final League One fixture of the campaign. As has been the case in every fixture so far at this level, we are expecting a very challenging and tough 90 minutes. I’m delighted we go into it having already secured a place in the Championship play-offs. I’m extremely proud of the players for having done that in what has been the most challenging season any of us have faced. We’ve had to cope with two lock downs and a physically draining end to the season, with matches coming thick and fast. The players have taken all of that in their stride and maintained a high level of performance to ensure we are where we are now. It’s already way more than we could ever have hoped for at the start of the season, when the aim was simply to finish in eighth position or above. Making the play-offs a little more than two years after we were still a Highland League club is something the players are right to feel pleased about. Even more so because they have done it in a league that contains three full-time clubs - and have lost just one of our encounters with them so far. That is because the players just keep battling and fighting, no matter how big the challenge placed in front of them.
>>>
LEY
26 27
— View from the dugout
I would also like to pay tribute to my coaching staff, who have worked tirelessly to ensure the players had the best opportunity to perform. I also have to say a huge thanks to our physios - Donal Gallagher and Eilidh McGregor - our match analyst team of Ryan Docherty and Derek Carr, kit manager Adrian Thomson, secretary Duncan Little and security officer Bill Ogilvie, who have done an unbelievable amount of work that isn’t seen by people outside the club.
I can assure you we have very much missed you too, especially when we have been playing at Balmoral Stadium. Many of you have done your bit by becoming members of CRFC Club 1922 and paying to watch our home games on Cove Rangers TV. Without your support we might not have been able to do as well as we have. We will be doing our very best to ensure when you can finally come back through the gates at Balmoral Stadium it will be to watch us playing in the Championship.
That has often included travelling to away games alone in their own cars to meet Covid protocols. They have been with us every step of the way, they have been magnificent.
We are some way from that yet - if I’ve learned anything from my time in football it’s never to look any further forward than the next match. That’s what we will be doing this afternoon.
Chairman Keith Moorhouse and the rest of directors also have our gratitude for the backing provided during what has been the most challenging year ever for the club. Despite no revenue coming in, they have made sure everything that was needed to help us compete at this level was there.
The players, thankfully, will then get a bit of a breather before the play-offs start a week today.
That includes providing the two 60 seat coaches needed so that the players could travel safely to games and the regular testing needed to allow us to take the field. Reaching the play-offs is our way of saying thanks to them. My final thank you goes to you, the Cove Rangers fans. It has been tough for you not being able to get to games and back us in our first season competing in League One.
Stay safe and enjoy the game. Paul Hartley
28 29
“ My final thank you goes to you, the Cove Rangers fans.”
— Player and management sponsorship
MANAGEMENT Paul Hartley
Gordon Young
Tam Ritchie
SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
Stuart McKenzie
Balint Demas
GOALKEEPERS
SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
Cammy Logan
Harry Milne
Scott Ross
SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
Ryan Strachan
LOCAL , NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ROAD HAULAGE
Kieran Ngwenya
SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
Daniel Higgins
Adam Livingstone
Ross Graham
SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE ABERDEEN 01224 – 781698
DEFENDERS WWW.MGSLOGISTICS.CO.UK
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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
ORWARDS
SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
Mitchel Megginson
Leighton McIntosh
CRFC offer excellent advertising opportunities to organisations who are looking to share marketing messages, or to build their brand via one or more of our channels. Get in touch with our commercial team for further information. To register Interest for sponsorship, contact: Angela Bruce - abruce@coverangersfc.com
Rory McAllister
— Season 2020/21 statistics
Date
Fixture
Game
H/A
F
A
Starting
Starting
Starting
Starting
Starting
Starting
Starting
Starting
Starting
Sta
BFC
H
1
2
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
A
2
2
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
H
3
1
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
A
0
2
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
H
1
0
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
H
3
0
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
A
0
3
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
H
1
0
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
A
0
1
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
A
1
1
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
H
1
2
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
A
0
1
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
H
2
3
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
A
1
0
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
H
1
0
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
SC
A
3
2
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
A
1
1
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
A
0
0
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
H
2
0
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
SC
A
0
4
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
A
1
1
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
H
1
0
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
H
2
0
S.McKenzie
C.Scully
S.Ross
R.Strachan
B.Yule
M.Megginson2
R.McAllister (Seb Ross)
R.Graham
C.Smith (L.McIntosh)
F.Fyv
20/04/2021
Montrose
SPFL1
A
0
1
S.McKenzie
C.Scully
S.Ross (B.Watson)
R.Strachan
B.Yule
M.Megginson (K.Hanratty)
R.McAllister (L.McIntosh)
R.Graham
C.Smith (Seb Ross)
F.Fyv
24/04/2021
Falkirk
SPFL1
A
2
2
S.McKenzie
C.Scully
S.Ross
B.Yule
M.Megginson1
L.McIntosh1
D.Higgins
A.Livingstone
Seb Ross (R.McAllister)
R.Gr
27/04/2021
Partick Thistle
SPFL1
H
2
2
S.McKenzie
C.Scully
S.Ross
R.Strachan1
B.Yule
M.Megginson
L.McIntosh
R.McAllister1 C.Smith)
A.Livingstone
R.Gr
29/04/2021
Montrose
SPFL1
A
2
0
S.McKenzie
S.Ross
R.Strachan
B.Watson
B.Yule
M.Megginson2 (R.McAllister)
L.McIntosh (Seb Ross)
D.Higgins
C.Smith (K.Hanratty)
F.Fyv (C.S
01/05/2021
Airdrieonians
SPFL1
H
Name
Appearances
Goals
Position
Yellow
Red
Stuart McKenzie
27
0
GK
1
0
Balint Demus
0
0
GK
0
0
Harry Milne
14
2
DF
3
0
Scott Ross
24
0
DF
3
0
Ryan Strachan
23
2
DF
1
1
Daniel Higgins
11
1
DF
2
0
Adam Livingstone
15
0
DF
1
0
Ross Graham
19
0
DF
3
0
Cammy Logan
5
0
DF
0
0
Kieran Ngwenya
5
0
DF
0
0
Connor Scully
24
1
MF
3
0
(
32 33
arting
Starting
Sub
Sub
Sub
Sub
Sub
Sub
Sub
Sub
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
0
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
0
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
0
cAllister1 Watson)
R.Graham
B.Watson
A.Livingstone
J.Semple
Seb Ross
H.Ritchie
J.Brown
B.Demus
-
-
Scott Lambie
Michael Banks
Steven MacDonald
0
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
0
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
0
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
0
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
0
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
0
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
0
vie
K.Ngwenya (C.Logan)
B.Watson
L.McIntosh
D.Higgins
A.Livingstone
Seb Ross
C.Logan
K.Hanratty
B.Demus
-
David Dickinson
Paul O’Neill
Colin Drummond
0
vie
C.Logan (A.Livingstone)
B.Watson
L.McIntosh
D.Higgins
A.Livingstone
Seb Ross
K.Ngwenya
K.Hanratty
B.Demus
-
Scott Lambie
Andrew McWilliam
Jonathan Bell
-
raham
F.Fyvie
B.Watson
R.McAllister
C.Smith
C.Logan
K.Ngwenya
K.Hanratty
B.Demus
-
-
Gavin Duncan
Graham McNeillie
Kevin McElhinney
-
raham
F.Fyvie
B.Watson
D.Higgins
Seb Ross
C.Smith
C.Logan
K.Ngwenya
K.Hanratty
B.Demus
-
Craig Napier
Ralph Gordon
Scott Anderson
0
vie Scully)
K.Ngwenya (A.Livingstone)
C.Scully
R.McAllister
A.Livingstone
Seb Ross
R.Graham
C.Logan
K.Hanratty
B.Demus
-
Alan Newlands
Graeme Leslie
Barry Reid
-
Chris Graham
Alastair Mather
Chris Phillips
-
mith Watson)
Name
Appearances
Goals
Position
Yellow
Red
Blair Yule
25
0
MF
2
1
Broque Watson
16
0
MF
0
0
Jamie Masson
17
4
MF
5
1
Fraser Fyvie
20
0
MF
5
0
Kevin Hanratty
5
0
MF
0
0
Seb Ross
15
0
MF
0
0
Connor Smith
10
0
MF
0
0
Mitchel Megginson
23
14
FW
5
0
Rory McAllister
24
8
FW
2
0
Leighton McIntosh
25
2
FW
3
0
PTAIN
’S VIE
W
CA
— Captain’s view
34 35
IT’S HARD TO EXPRESS HOW PROUD I FEEL TO BE THE CAPTAIN OF THIS GROUP OF COVE RANGERS PLAYERS. I grew up supporting this club, so it’s a dream to see us now with the opportunity to compete in the Championship play-offs. I gave up playing at Championship level to come to Cove, when we were in the Highland League. That’s because it was my dream to be back up there some day with Cove. The job’s not done yet - but thanks to the efforts of every single one of my team-mates we at least have that opportunity. I get a lot of the headlines for scoring important goals, but it really has been a team effort. Our keeper Stuart McKenzie, for instance, has played every minute of every match we have played since stepping up to the SPFL. Stuart has also made countless crucial saves that are often overlooked because we went on to win the games, he has been amazing. I can assure you I value having what I regard as the best keeper in League One behind me. Our squad is packed full of unsung heroes, who have all done their bit at some stage to ensure we qualified for the play-offs. They include Harry Milne and Jamie Masson, who are injured at the moment. They made massive contributions during what has been an extremely challenging campaign and it would be great if if we could eventually secure promotion for them. The hardest part, of course, has still to come. We are team that is used to winning titles, so we are disappointed we weren’t able to do that this season. But we can still take pleasure out of seeing where we have got to in such a sort spell of time since becoming an SPFL club.
>>>
— Captain’s view
>>>
On behalf of the players, I want to thank the coaching team and their backroom staff for all they that they have done to make sure we were able to compete as well as we have already. They are the ones who set out the training sessions and provide us with all of the information needed to ensure we go into every match believing we can win. They have all done an excellent job. The professional approach from them has filtered through to the players and we know we would never be where we are now if they weren’t doing all the stuff they do so well behind the scenes. I would like to give a special mention to our fitness coach, Tam Ritchie. His experience and skills have been invaluable this season, especially since we returned from the second lock-down. Having done everything in the game, Tam knew what we needed to do to cope with the demands put upon us. I don’t think I’ve ever been as fit as I am now and much of the credit for that goes to Tam. We have all particularly valued his advice on how to recover between games. The fact we able to perform as strongly at this stage of the season underlines the good work Tam does. He is one of the best coaches I have ever worked with.
Manager Paul Hartley won’t thank me for it, but I’m also going to thank him for his efforts. His record as a player and manager speaks for itself. All of us were delighted when the club announced he would be the one leading us in the SPFL and he has done a remarkable job over the last two seasons. The manager has been the driving force and taken us up to another level. We know he will continue to demand more, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Now all of that is out of the way, I will return to the challenge immediately in front of us today. It’s the old cliche of never looking any further forward than the next match. We want to finish second in the table to ensure we head into the play-offs in the most favourable position possible. Airdrie, however, are here needing the three points to help secure their playoff spot, so we are guaranteed another tough game. We have faced that challenge all season and will do our best to rise to it again. 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
Airdrieonians FC Manager - Ian Murray
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. 12. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 25. 26. 27.
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
Max Currie (GK) Kyle Turner Leon McCann Josh Kerr Sean Crighton Callum Fordyce Craig Thomson Paul McKay Calum Gallagher Ally Roy Thomas Robert Griffin Sabatini Dean Ritchie Harlain Mbayo Dale Carrick Kyle Connell Euan O’Reilly Scott Walker Andy McNeil (GK) Eoghan Stokes Pat Pyott Jack McKay Paul Paton
Team colours White jerseys White shorts White Socks
Today’s referee - Chris Graham Today’s assistant referees - Alastair Mather, Chris Phillips
