UNCOVERED — Cove Rangers v Airdrieonians 08.05.21 by coverangersfc

Cove Rangers v Airdrieonians Scottish Championship Play-off 08.05.21 — 3pm KO

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— Contents

Cove Rangers FC Matchday Programme Airdrieonians: 08.05.21 — 3pm KO

Features

AIRDRIEONIANS MATCH REPORT AIRDRIEONIANS REACTION JOHN SHERAN’S INSIGHTS

06 16 18 Regulars

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

— League table

SPFL1

PTS

Partick Thistle

Airdrieonians

Cove Rangers

Montrose

Falkirk

East Fife

-2

Peterhead

-3

Dumbarton

-10

Clyde

-12

Forfar Athletic

-19

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 Saturday May 1st @ Balmoral Stadium

AIRDRIEONIANS 2 COVE RANGERS 0

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— Airdrieonians match report

Airdrie claim The Diamonds took the honours thanks to Calum Gallagher’s headed goal, early in second half, and Dean Ritchie’s late strike in our final League One fixture at Balmoral Stadium. We looked jaded throughout, which is understandable when you consider this was our fourth game in a week. Having said that, we still managed to hit the woodwork three times so could have taken something from the match. Instead we ended up failing to find the net at Balmoral Stadium for the first time at SPFL level, although it certainly wasn’t for the want of trying. All credit to Airdrie though. They were the livelier and hungrier side and earned a win that means they could yet pip us for second spot in the table with a home victory over Falkirk in midweek – which would ensure we face each other again in the play-offs! We could also finish second as well, as the saying goes, it will all come out in the wash once the results of Tuesday’s final group of League One fixtures are known.

>>>

m the win

08 09

— Airdrieonians match report

10 11

As for this 90 minutes, we can at least be comforted by the fact we know we are capable of much better. Six changes were made to the side that won 2-0 away to Montrose in midweek, with Connor Scully, Daniel Higgins, Rory McAllister, Seb Ross, Cammy Logan, Adam Livingstone all in from the start. We had also made a change in formation, with Higgins, Ryan Strachan and Ross Graham making up our three man central defence, but we simply never got close to the sort of levels we have come to expect this term. The early stages in particular were very low key, although Seb Ross did see his 20-yard shot saved by Airdrie keeper Max Currie in the fifth minute. Stuart McKenzie was also called upon in the 15th minute to finger-tip Paul McKay’s shot from a tight angle on the left over his crossbar. Airdrie threatened again in the 20th minute, when Kyle Connell crossed from the right and McKay sent his 12-yard header over. Gallagher also had a go from the edge of our area, his low shot went harmlessly beyond McKenzie’s right post, but it was really scrappy stuff from both sides. Livingstone broke forward from defence in the 22nd minute and his drop volley from around 20-yards went over the visitor’s crossbar. We tried again two minutes later, when Logan fed the ball in from the right to McAllister. The striker turned cleverly to get in a shot, from just inside the area, but the effort lacked power and was gathered by Currie.

>>>

— Airdrieonians match report

McKenzie stopped Airdrie snatching the lead in the 29th minute with an excellent save. Kyle Turner played the ball forward to Connell who then turned to fire a low 16-yard shot that was going in until McKenzie dived full length to divert the effort wide of his left post. Keeper McKenzie also did well to beat away a powerful shot from Turner after the corner resulting from his previous save had fallen into the path of the Airdrie man. Referee Chris Graham deserved credit for ignoring appeals for Mitch Megginson to be sent off after the striker and veteran Paul Paton clashed inside the Airdrie penalty area. Any contact looked accidental and the official sensibly chose to only speak to both players before the game resumed with a corner from Scully, on the right, which Graham nodded wide at the back post. The closest we saw to a goal in the first period was in the 42nd minute, when Higgins hammered in a shot from fully 30-yards that beat Currie but rebounded to safety off the outside of the Airdrie keeper’s right post. The half ended with McAllister attempting to curl a shot in from 18-yards, but it went wide of Currie’s left post. Airdrie brought Thomas Robert on for the restart and he made an instant impact. The Frenchman made a great run down

12 13

the left, in the 48th minute, and his well flighted cross was nodded home at the front post by Gallagher. Robert burst forward again on the other wing and when his cross was eventually knocked into the path of Connell his curling shot from 18-yards went wide of McKenzie’s left post. Callum Fordyce also sent a header over from Turner’s corner as Airdrie continued their strong start to the half. Despite the flurry of pressure from Airdrie, we were desperately unlucky again on the hour. Megginson set up McAllister for a shot from the edge of the area and Airdrie keeper Currie did well to push the effort on to the post and wide. We then made four changes, with Fraser Fyvie, Scott Ross, Broque Watson and Connor Smith all coming on to see if that could finally spark us into life. Almost immediately, Strachan tried his luck from distance after picking up a pass from Yule, but his shot was also saved by Currie. It was third time unlucky for us in the 72nd minute when we rattled the frame of the Airdrie goal yet again. Livingstone sent a cross over from wide out on the left and Watson saw his close range header rebound to safety off the outside of Currie’s left post. Airdrie then had another chance after

McKenzie had raced outside his area to clear a through pass. The ball fell to substitute Ally Roy and fortunately for us he showed a lack of composure as lofted it well wide from 25-yards. Turner also hit a shot wide in the 79th minute after the ball broke to him at the edge of the area as the Diamonds again threatened on the break. Airdrie sealed their victory in the final minute, after McKenzie managed to do well to parry yet another shot at his goal. Unfortunately for the keeper, the rebound fell to substitute Ritchie and he stayed calm to pick his spot from 14-yards and make sure Airdrie went away with the three points they deserved for their determination and effort. Cove Rangers: McKenzie, Scully (Fyvie 61), Strachan, Yule, Megginson, Higgins, McAllister, Livingstone (McIntosh 80), Seb Ross (Watson 61), Graham (Scott Ross 61), Logan (Smith 61) Substitutes: Hanratty, Demus. Airdrieonians: Currie, Paton (Thomson 86), McCann, P McKay, Fordyce, Walker (J McKay 79), Kerr, Turner, Gallagher (Roy 56), Carrick (Robert 46), Connell (Ritchie 86) Subs: McNeill, Sabitini, Stokes, Crighton Referee: Chris Graham

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— Club partners

Principal Club Partner

Principal Stadium Partner

Official Club Partners

MARC DARCY

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— Airdrieonians reaction

Manager Paul Hartley and midfielder Seb Ross spoke to the media after our 2-0 League One defeat by Airdrieonians at Balmoral Stadium.

Paul said: “I take responsibility because of the change I made to our shape. I was trying to freshen it up a wee bit because of the amount of games we’ve had. While I take full responsibility for that, we didn’t play as well as we are capable of and the players know that. I’m not going to criticise them though because they have been magnificent the whole season. Maybe sometimes you just need a wee wake-up call. We just didn’t have the energy levels or quality, it wasn’t a great day for us. It was our fourth game in a week and maybe it was just asking too much (of the players). Even though we hit the woodwork, we didn’t play well enough, Airdrie were just better than us. It’s a case of accepting that and moving on. We know we now have two huge games to look forward to. The players will get a welcome rest this week before we head into those. Our mentality will be better, we will dust ourselves down and we will be ready to go in the play-offs.”

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Seb said: “We’ve had a hectic schedule, one of the worst I’ve experienced in football, but that’s no excuse for how we played. We know we are capable of much better. The boys, like myself, who came in needed to grab the opportunity but, unfortunately, we didn’t. It had nothing to do with the schedule, we know we can do better. There is no point in dwelling on that though, we need to get it out of our memories because we have two massive games coming up. If someone had told us at the start that we would be involved in the play-offs we would have been delighted. We are excited by what is ahead and will do all that we can to take the club up to the Championship. We have shown grit and determination to get results when we needed right through the season and accept we are going to have to do that again.”

— John Sheran’s insights

JOHN SHERAN Cove Rangers football director John Sheran shares his thoughts on us making it to the play-offs for promotion to the Championship.... and his memories of when he managed us in play-offs three times as we battled to get up into the SPFL. On what has been achieved already this season To find ourselves in the play-offs for the Championship, when you look at where we were just over two years ago, is an amazing feat. The players and management team deserve every bit of credit for doing that, very much against the odds and in a season that has been full of unexpected obstacles.

>>>

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— John Sheran’s insights

SEASON 2015-16 LEAGUE 2 PLAY-OFF Semi-final Cove Rangers 0 Edinburgh City 3 Edinburgh City 1 Cove Rangers 1

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We were on our knees by the time we got to that play-off. The battle with Formartine United, Fraserburgh and Brora Rangers for the Highland League title had been very intense. We had played something like 55 games because we had also done well in the cup competitions, including taking on Motherwell in the Scottish Cup. We had a lot of replays in the Scottish Cup as well. It meant we had lost a few key players because of injuries by the time we finally got around to playing the play-off. Darryl Nicol, our top scorer, was also playing with a groin injury when he really should have been sidelined as well. His attitude was typical of the lads we had then, even though they were on their last legs they were eager to give it a go to see if we could make it up to the SPFL because it was something everyone at the club had dreamed about. Because the squad was so stretched, we decided to go and attack Edinburgh

in the first game in the hope of maybe building up a lead that would be too much for them to recover from in the return. Unfortunately, they stung us with a goal on the break and killed us off over the course of that game. It hurt, but we learned a lot that day. We still went into the second game with the belief we could get something early and maybe make them nervous. It was pretty even for the first half, but they broke away and scored again, so that was that. We had a right go, we even stuck Eric Watson up front, but we were drained after the effort that had been put in over the season and fell short. It was far from a wasted experience though. It was clear we would need to add more depth - and quality - to the squad if we were to have a better chance of succeeding if we made the play-offs again. That’s exactly what we did.

>>>

— John Sheran’s insights

SEASON 2017-18 LEAGUE 2 PLAY-OFF Semi-final

Final

Cove Rangers 4 Spartans 0

Cove Rangers 0 Cowdenbeath 0

Spartans 2 Cove Rangers 1

Cowdenbeath 3 Cove Rangers 2

The feeling that we were robbed of what we felt we deserved from the play-offs that year remains strong to this day.

Those were massive blows because all three of them had been in tremendous form. We also had so many games to play again.

Once again, we had lost key players because of injuries. Sam Burnett and Grant Campbell had suffered cruciate ligament injuries and were ruled out for the rest of the season. We then played played Brora Rangers a couple of weeks before the play-offs and Ryan Strachan did his ankle ligaments.

On the Saturday before we faced Spartans, the Lowland League gave them a day off. The Highland League made us play, away to Wick. We debated whether to field a weakened side, but made the correct decision to field the strongest we still had to maintain momentum going into the play-off.

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The boys were fantastic at Wick, we won 3-1, and we were in the prefect frame of mind for the clashes with Spartans. We were outstanding in the first leg and managed the game down there really well too. Despite the injuries, we were really confident and looking forward to taking on Cowdenbeath in the final. When I look back now, we really should have got the tie done and dusted in the first leg at Inverurie, despite the fact they had the luxury of a week off to prepare while we played Spartans on the Tuesday. We played really well, we created loads of chances, so a 2-0 or 3-0 win would have been fair reflection on that 90 minutes at Harlaw Park. It was very much a make-shift side, so I was proud of how they played and still felt confident we could finish the job down at Central Park. Unfortunately, that day in Cowdenbeath ended up being the most painful experience I’ve ever had in football. How we felt about some of the stuff that happened that day has been well documented. The most I’m willing to say now is that we left Central Park convinced we didn’t get a fair crack of the whip. It was a shame because we had shown real character to come from behind to get our noses in front.

better team and had certainly played the better football. The second half didn’t go as planned though. I still find it impossible to believe Cowdenbeath’s winning goal was allowed to stand. The four match officials should have seen our keeper, Stuart McKenzie, being rugby tackled to stop him making the save, but they didn’t. That was very disappointing. Passions were high after that and we were castigated because we ended up getting players sent-off. But when you view the footage, which I did along with the SFA’s disciplinary committee, none of the Cove Rangers players did anything that would have merited further punishment. It was hard coming back up the road that day. We had pre-arranged our player-ofthe-year awards for that night. It was a mistake because it was a horrible experience making the lads sit through that when all we really wanted to do was go home and privately reflect on the events of that day. When I looked at them that day I made a personal vow that we would never put them - or the other people at the club through that sort of pain again.

When we came in at half-time we were delighted because we felt we were the

>>>

— John Sheran’s insights

SEASON 2018-19 LEAGUE 2 PLAY-OFF Semi-final

Final

East Kilbride 1 Cove Rangers 2

Cove Rangers 4 Berwick Rangers 0

Cove Rangers 3 East Kilbride 0

Berwick Rangers 0 Cove Rangers 3

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What happened at Cowdenbeath left us determined to go that one step better. The big problem was that we needed to win the Highland League first - and that was far from certain. Brora Rangers pushed us all the way until the last few games. Unfortunately, I had a personal drama to endure after our final league game, against Inverness Clachnacuddin. We did our trophy presentations after that one - proof that we had learned from the previous summer. I then woke up on the Sunday morning, went for a shower and then - bang - the next thing I knew I was recovering from a heart attack in hospital. I was always confident the team could cope without me. I had a fantastic management team in Graeme Mathieson and Roy McBain, we had already done a lot of work together to prepare for the play-offs. We made sure we had people, including Paul Hartley, watching East Kilbride and Berwick Rangers. Graeme and Roy knew what needed to be done and deserve enormous credit for the way they led the team through both play-offs. The players also deserve credit, they knew how much promotion would mean to the club and made sure nothing got in their way as they went about achieving that.

The first game against East Kilbride took place the Saturday after I had suffered my heart-attack, so I wasn’t allowed to even travel. I kept in touch on the phone and through Twitter, despite the best efforts of my wife and family to make sure I didn’t get too excited. They made me sit on the settee and watch the movie Rocketman, but my mind was always on what was happening down the road. I came to see the boys at training before the second game, but accepted I had to stay away from that too. There was still a job to be done, I didn’t want to be about the place and maybe risk distracting anyone in any way. I decided to go to the first game against Berwick. I was convinced we would beat them and go up. We had done our homework and knew their heads were down. Our performance at Balmoral Stadium was one of the best I’ve ever seen from a Cove Rangers team. From the moment Sam Burnett scored the first goal I knew our wait for promotion was about to end. Graeme and Roy kept driving them on and I was so proud to see them virtually kill the tie off in the first match. I was given the all-clear to go to Berwick, which I will always be grateful for. It was an amazing day.

>>>

— John Sheran’s insights

Everyone remembers the 3-0 win, but my abiding memory is the bit of crucial defending from Ryan Strachan and Scott Ross, early on, that prevent an almost certain goal for Berwick. We then went up the park and scored our opener - and the rest is history. It was a fantastic day for everyone at the club. It was hard not being able to properly join in the celebrations after the final whistle but I was permitted to go down to our dugout for the last 15 minutes, which meant a lot to me. I felt so proud of the players - and pleased for all the people at the club, who had worked hard over many years hoping to eventually see Cove Rangers playing at SPFL level.

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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 would like to welcome everyone involved with Airdrieonians back to Balmoral Stadium for what is their second visit inside a week. As was the case the last time, we can expect a very competitive match. I will start by acknowledging the part all of my staff have played in getting us to the play-offs. Working with my assistant, Gordon Young, is always a joy. He is different class on the training pitch. Fitness coach Tam Ritchie and I go back a long way, so I knew he would be a big asset. He has played a key part in ensuring the players stayed fit in what has been the most challenging season they have probably faced in their careers. Darragh Bourke, who helps Tam on match days and training nights, has also done a great job. It was huge boost to secure Alan Combe to come in and help the goalkeepers and our strong defensive record is proof of that. We have Gary Hake too, I know I’m lucky to have such a talented coaching team. All of the coaches have appreciated the support of Adrian ‘Edzer’ Thomson, our new kit manager, who certainly adds to the atmosphere in the dressing room.

>>>

LEY

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— View from the dugout

Security officer Bill Ogilvie and secretary Duncan Little have also been invaluable, as have our match analysts, Ryan Docherty and Derek Carr. The biggest thank-you off all has to go to our two physiotherapists, Donal Gallagher and Eilidh McGregor. The amount of work they have put in over the season has been incredible. It has involved giving up a lot of their own time too - Donal is at the stadium almost every evening treating players to help get them fit for the next game. Donal and Eilidh have shown real commitment and dedication and we wouldn’t have as many players to choose from at this stage were it not for their efforts. It’s the players who deserve the most plaudits though. They have worked hard over the 22 game league season. It has been a stop-start season too. We have come through a pandemic and also had to cope with playing in front of empty stadiums. That hurt every club financially, but the lack of atmosphere has been hard on the players as well. The actual amount of games we had to play was cut back - and we ended with having to play four extremely challenging ones inside the space of a week right at the very end. I’m very proud of the players for the way they have handled everything and maintained the desire to compete in what is a very tough league.

They never moaned, they just got on with their business and made sure they were ready to go when required. If someone had offered us a play-off place at the start of the season we would have grabbed it with both hands. I’m delighted we now have the opportunity, over the next two games, to set up what would be an amazing end to the campaign. We’re not there yet though. The players don’t need me to tell them our opponents this afternoon will be just as determined to come out on top. It’s good that we’ve had a break in the lead-up to this one, it means the players will be fresh and ready, but they still have a big challenge ahead of them. I know they will give it their best shot though, just as they have done throughout the season. Stay safe and enjoy the game. Paul Hartley

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MIDFIELDERS Connor Scully

Broque Watson

Blair Yule

Jamie Masson

Connor Smith

Seb Ross

Fraser Fyvie

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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

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

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

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

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

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

S.McKenzie

C.Scully (B.Watson)

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson

D.Higgins

R.McAllister

A.Livingstone (L.McIntosh)

Seb Ross (F.Fyvie)

R.Gr (C.S

08/05/2021

Airdrieonians

SCPF

11/05/2021

Airdrieonians

SCPF

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

(

36 37

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

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

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

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

raham Smith)

C.Logan (S.Ross)

S.Ross

B.Watson

L.McIntosh

C.Smith

F.Fyvie

K.Hanratty

B.Demus

Chris Graham

Alastair Mather

Chris Phillips

mith Watson)

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

PTAIN

’S VIE

— Captain’s view

38 39

“IT’S BEEN A TOUGH SEASON - BUT THE HARDEST PART IS STILL AHEAD OF US.” The excitement we are all feeling about taking part in the play-offs to gain promotion to the Championship is tempered by the knowledge that, once again, there will be no fans inside Balmoral Stadium today. I have tremendous memories of the way our fans backed us when we came through the Pyramid Play-offs a couple of years ago. The Cove Rangers Blue and White Army really drove us on in what was the biggest challenge in the club’s history at that time. That has been eclipsed by what lies ahead of us now. It would have been brilliant to have that fan power again this afternoon in what we know is going to be a huge test against a side who are very much in form. We won’t be able to hear our fans this afternoon, but we know you will still be backing us with all of your hearts while watching the game live on Cove Rangers TV. We have also appreciated the messages of support we have received from supporters since confirming our place in the play-offs. On behalf of the players, I want to thank each and every one of you who made the effort to do that. It’s looking more hopeful that fans will finally be allowed back into stadiums next season. We will be doing all that we possibly can to give the Cove Rangers supporters the opportunity to be watching Championship football if and when that does happen. It’s something that we are going to have to earn though.

>>>

— Captain’s view

>>>

This has been the most competitive season I’ve experienced as a footballer. Every match has been closely contested and the fact the play-off positions weren’t decided until the very last day underlined that. With two weeks to go, any one of five sides could still have ended up as the Champions. In the end, that honour went to Partick Thistle, who went on a great run of wins. The four of us who are now in the play-offs can still be very proud of what we have achieved. It has been the strangest of seasons too, with all of us having to deal with shut-downs and a flurry of fixtures right at the end to ensure it could be completed. It’s been exhausting at times too because you knew you had to give your all in every match if you were to have any hope of taking any points. I can assure we have welcomed the short break we had in the lead up to facing Airdrieonians this afternoon. Hopefully that will help us perform at our very best - because we know anything less than that won’t be good enough. Our opponents come here having beat us at Balmoral Stadium only last week. They also underlined their quality by going on to claim second spot in the table too by beating Falkirk, who many had tipped to be champions at the start of the season, to claim second spot. It’s been a tough season - but the hardest part is still ahead of us. CYCR! Mitch Megginson

40 41

— 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

42 43

— 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 Red shorts Red Socks

Today’s referee - David Dickinson Today’s assistant referees - Andrew McWilliam, Gordon Crawford

UNCOVERED — Cove Rangers v Airdrieonians 08.05.21

Articles inside

Captain’s view

View from the dugout

Club partners

Today’s team lines

Club information