UNCOVERED — Cove Rangers v Dumbarton 23.04.22 by coverangersfc

Cove Rangers v Dumbarton cinch League One

23.04.22 — 3pm KO

Cove Rangers v Albion Rovers

SPFL Trust Trophy

09.10.21 — 3pm KO

BALMOR AL GROUP Proud sponsors of BALMORAL STADIUM

Balmoral Comtec Balmoral Tanks Balmoral Business Park ACE Winches BLAZE Manufacturing Solutions Friends of ANCHOR www.balmoral-group.com

02 03

— Contents Cove Rangers FC Matchday Programme Dumbarton: 23.04.22 — 3pm KO Match sponsor

Matchball sponsor

Features

ALLOA ATHLETIC MATCH REPORT ALLOA ATHLETIC REACTION PICTURES FROM THE PITCH FANS CLUB TOGETHER Regulars Upcoming fixtures

Club information

Club partners

View from the dugout

Player and Management sponsorship

Season 2021/22 statistics

Captain’s view

Club honours

Today’s team lines

08 20 24 32

— Upcoming fixtures

A Sat 23rd Apr, 2022

East Fife v Cove Rangers

cinch League One

— League table cinch League One

PTS

Cove Rangers

Airdrieonians

Montrose

Queen’s Park

Falkirk

-5

Alloa Athletic

-12

Clyde

-17

Peterhead

-6

Dumbarton

-23

East Fife

-37

50/50 WINNER! The 50/50 winner at the Alloa Athletic match was 107756, won by Tim Milne.

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, Richard Forbes & Gordon Taylor Football Manager - Paul Hartley

Assistant Manager - Gordon Young Fitness Coach - Tam Ritchie

06 07

Goalkeeping Coach - Derek Soutar

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

Search ‘Get Sky Sports’ Sky Sports available on Sky Glass or with compatible Sky Q or + box. Requires Ultimate TV Subscription (currently £26pcm). Further terms apply. Over 400 games: based on 128 Premier League games; 228 English Football League games (includes 80 red button matches); up to 48 Scottish Professional Football League games; and up to 44 Women’s Super League matches shown across the football season from 31 July 2021 to 29 May 2022.

ALLOA ATHLETIC 0 COVE RANGERS 3

cinch League One Sat April 17th @ Balmoral Stadium

08 09

— Alloa Athletic Match Report

COVE’S UNBEATEN RUN REACHES 24 GAMES Fraser Fyvie and Harry Milne shared the scoring in the second half as we eventually saw off the Wasps in our cinch League One clash in front of a bumper 1,281 crowd at Balmoral Stadium. Midfielder Fyvie brought his tally for the season to an impressive 13 goals – eight of them in the league – with a well taken double. Left-back Milne provided the icing on the cake by nodding home the third right at the death as we stretched our unbeaten run in the league to 24 games and left ourselves needing a victory from our final two fixtures to confirm promotion up to the Championship.

10 11

— Alloa Athletic Match Report

It was far from an easy win though, with Alloa enjoying the best of the play in early part of the game and creating some good chances. Keeper Stuart McKenzie made crucial saves at 0-0, with his defenders chipping in by making vital clearances, including one off our line by Mark Reynolds. It underlined just how much of a team effort it has been all season to get us to the stage we are at right now. Mitch Megginson in for the injured Rory McAllister was the only change from the previous weekend, which meant Fyvie having to play further forward. His two goals, and the fact he was voted man-ofthe-match by sponsor Dan Cahill, emphasised how key he was on a day when we were never really at our best, but got the job done. We almost went ahead in the sixth minute, when Blair Yule crossed to Milne and his diving header from the edge of the six yard box was deflected wide by an Alloa defender. McKenzie made an excellent save three minutes later to deny Alloa the opener. Daniel Church crossed the ball in from the left and Connor Sammon’s eight yard header would have gone in if McKenzie hadn’t managed to push the effort wide of his right post. McKenzie also held an 18-yard shot from Stefan Scougall as the visitors made it clear, with the pressure off them, they were happy to make a game of it. Scougall also tested McKenzie with a curling corner from the right, with the big keeper punching the ball clear from under his crossbar.

12 13

— Alloa Athletic Match Report

14 15

We threatened again in the 23rd minute, when Morgyn Neill knocked the ball into the path of Milne and his low shot from the edge of the area was held by Alloa keeper Peter Morrison. Neill showed his class at the other end two minutes later, when he made a vital headed clearance just as Sammon waited to pounce on a cross from Scougall. Scougall took the resulting corner and his cross bounced off the top of the crossbar, although McKenzie had the effort covered anyway. We were better in the latter stages of the half and unlucky not to score in the 38th minute, after Fyvie had fed the ball up to Megginson. The striker’s shot was blocked by a defender and Milne’s effort off the rebound also cannoned off Morrison and went inches wide. We were unfortunate again in the 40th minute, after McKenzie’s long kick was collected by Fyvie. He fed the ball wide to Shay Logan and when he whipped it back across Megginson prodded it wide of the front post. Logan broke forward again two minutes later to deliver another great cross and Milne’s header hit a defender before going wide. Fyvie took that corner and found Neill and his 10-yard header was just a fraction wide of keeper Morrison’s right post. McKenzie made another save early in the second period, from a MacIver shot, before being forced to make another top drawer one, in the 54th minute.

>>>

— Alloa Athletic Match Report

Mohamed Niang broke into our area, on the Alloa right, but McKenzie was quick off his line to make a vital block at the striker’s feet. McKenzie and Reynolds were the Cove heroes in the 55th minute. The keeper did well to get a hand to a clever lob by MacIver and that gave Reynolds the time he needed to get back and complete the clearance by nodding the ball away before it could cross the line. The value of those heroics was underlined when we went ahead a minute later – with Reynolds involved in that too. He played the ball down the left wing to Milne and his cross was deftly directed into the far corner of the Alloa net by Fyvie. Milne marauded down the left again on the hour and Megginson’s effort from the full-back’s cross was going in until it struck Andy Graham and rebounded to safety. Reynold’s popped up wide left, in the 67th minute, and his brilliant cross reached Fyvie, but his eight yard header was well saved by Morrison. The reaction from the Cove Rangers fans to the news nearest rivals Airdrieonians were drawing 2-2 with Dumbarton let the players know the title would be theirs if the scores stayed the same, but there was to be a dramatic finale to the afternoon. McKenzie made another crucial save from a Mark Durnan effort, in the 72nd minute, just before Blair Yule missed a glorious chance to make things more comfortable. Fyvie and Megginson combined to get the ball to Yule, but the midfielder steered his 14-yard shot wide of Morrison’s right post.

>>>

16 17

— Alloa Athletic Match Report

Fyvie made the points safe with another fine finish in the 83rd minute. Good possession play ended with Connor Scully unselfishly slipping the ball to Fyvie, when he could have had a go himself, and the former Aberdeen and Hibs man gave Morrison no chance from 12-yards. Fyvie was denied his hat-trick with just two minutes to go, when Morrison just managed to deflect the midfielder’s shot on to the inside of his left post, with the ball then going across the face of the Alloa goal to safety instead of going in. The third goal we deserved finally arrived in the last minute. Substitute Jamie Masson crossed from the left and Milne raced in ahead of the Alloa defenders to power a great header home. When the final whistle sounded, there was an agonising wait before it was confirmed Airdrieonians had scored late to win 3-2, which means it’s now all down to what we do in our final two league games.

18 19

Cove Rangers: McKenzie, Neill, Milne, Scully, Ross (Masson 83), Yule, Megginson, Vigurs, Fyvie, Logan, Reynolds. Subs: McIntosh, Adeyemo, Leitch, Gourlay, Fotheringham. Alloa Athletic: Morrison, Graham, Howie, Durnan, Niang, Robertson, Scougall, Church, MacIver (Boyd 82), Sammon, Henderson. Subs: Burt, Armstrong, Cawley, King, RileySnow, O’Donnell. Referee: Craig Napier.

— Alloa Athletic Reaction

ALLOA ATHLETIC REACTI Harry Milne has revealed the secret of his success in front of goal for Cove Rangers this season - a lucky pair of new football boots. Left-back Harry scored his sixth goal of the campaign in our 3-0 cinch League One victory over Alloa Athletic at Balmoral Stadium. Harry said: “My old boots split one night at training, so I replaced them with a cheap pair I bought at a sports shop in Aberdeen. Since then, I have suddenly been managing to score on a regular basis. They have been lucky boots, they certainly seem to be doing the trick. The system we play helps too. It allows me to get forward, into areas where I can affect the game in a positive way. I got the goal and an assist, so I was very happy with that.” The victory maintained our five point lead over secondplaced Airdrieonians, with two games to play. Another win today, over Dumbarton at Balmoral, would see us crowned League One champions and secure promotion up to the Championship.

>>>

ION

20 21

— Alloa Athletic Reaction

“ ...competing at this level is totally different. It’s a big step up, but we are willing to do whatever we need to see the job through.” Harry would be thrilled if we could achieve that, even more so because his is one of the group of players who also helped the club gain promotion from the Highland League up into the SPFL three years ago. But he warned they won’t be taking anything for granted against the Sons this afternoon. Harry said: “We know this is going to be another very tough game for us. Every side we face at Balmoral sets themselves up to test us and it will be up to us to find a way to overcome that. The big positive is it’s all in our own hands. It’s been that way for some time now, but it’s seems a lot more real now that we are closer to the end of the season. But we know it’s still not mathematically impossible for Airdrie to win it. Until it is, we need to stay focussed and keep working as hard as we have done the whole season. We will be aiming to go into the next game with a positive attitude and a willingness to do keep working hard. We are all well aware of what the prize is if we can get the win we need. It would mean a lot to a lot of the guys, myself, Blair Yule, Connor Scully and a good few others. We loved the experience of winning Highland League titles and Aberdeenshire Cups, on Wednesday nights, things like that. But competing at this level is totally different. It’s a big step up, but we are willing to do whatever we need to see the job through.”

22 23

— Pictures from the Pitch

PICTURES FROM THE PITCH Club photographer Dave Cowe is the man who has kept you in the picture during the course of our cinch League One campaign. As we prepare for our last home game, against Dumbarton this afternoon, we have chosen a selection of Dave’s excellent images to tell the story of our season so far. Dave has done an outstanding job and his efforts have been appreciated by everyone at Cove Rangers.

24 25

>>>

— Pictures from the Pitch

— Fans Club Together

32 33

FANS CLUB TOGETHER Cove Rangers fan Michael Anderson says being assaulted after our recent match at Airdrie will never put him off travelling to cheer on his team. Michael was knocked unconscious and suffered broken teeth following the unprovoked attack, as he was making his way on the the Cove supporters’ bus after our 1-1 cinch League One draw with the Diamonds at the Excelsior Stadium. Michael, who is now one the mend, said: “What happened was horrible, but it would never stop me making the effort to cheer on Cove Rangers. I was back on the bus for our next away match, at Falkirk, and I’ve already booked my seat on the bus going to our final game, away to East Fife. I love the club and will continue to go to as many games as a I can.” Michael has been overwhelmed by the kindness shown to him in the wake of the attack. That included manager Paul Hartley and team captain Mitch Megginson presenting him with a signed team shirt ahead of last weekend’s league clash with Alloa Athletic.

A group of Airdrie fans also raised £1,800 to help pay for dental treatment Michael needed to his injuries. The fund raising for Michael Anderson was organised by Colin Telford, who runs the Airdrie fans podcast ‘Only the Lonely.’ Any surplus money will be donated to cancer charities chosen by Michael’s fiancé, who recently had treatment for lymphoma. Michael said: “I’ve really appreciated the kindness that has been shown to me. It was particularly nice to see so many of the Airdrie fans making donations and underlining how disgusted they were about what happened to me. I will obviously treasure the Cove shirt and it was great to get the chance to chat to Paul and Mitch. But the thing that would please me most would be Cove winning the league and being promoted. I would love to see us competing in the Championship next season.”

STOP BALL WATCHING. START PLAYING.

Rip-roaring power. Spellbinding control. Jaw-dropping accuracy. The new Mitre Delta Max SPFL. Prepare to mesmerise.

Mitre.com

— Club partners

Principal Club Partner

Principal Stadium Partner

Official Club Partners

34 35

— View from the dugout

PAUL HARTL It’s been an enjoyable season so far. Our home form has been absolutely terrific and we would want to make this our last game of this campaign at Balmoral Stadium. But we never take anything for granted. The players have to make sure they do what they have done for the majority of the season, which has been perform to their maximum levels. They know that is the only way we will have any chance of getting the result that we want this afternoon. Dumbarton aren’t going to come up here and roll over. If I were the opposition manager, I would be emphasising to my players that there is no way we want to be listening to a party going on in the other dressing room at the end of the match. Dumbarton will make it tough for us, as they have in every meeting this season. But, as I said before, if we keep doing what we have been doing then we are capable of taking the three points. They are going to have to be earned, as will the right to be able to claim we have gone through and entire league campaign unbeaten at home. We are on game 17 now, but the players will have to give it one final push if that is to become 18 without defeat.

36 37

LEY

>>>

— View from the dugout

>>> I can only thank every single member of our playing squad for their contributions up to this point. They have been absolutely brilliant since we got back together for pre-season. Their application to work, their positive attitude, strong mentality, desire and the high quality of their play has been much appreciated. To have remained unbeaten in 24 league games since October says more than I ever could about just how much our lads have put their bodies on the line for our club. I’ve also appreciated the efforts of my backroom staff, they have also been brilliant. Any club that wants success needs staff who are willing to work as hard as the players to achieve it. They are the ones who have to set the standards and my staff have certainly done that. They all have different specialties but as far as I’m concerned they are the best at what they do. Kit manager Adrian Thomson, coach Gary Hake, our physios Donal Gallagher and Eilidh McGregor and club doctor David Fowler, they have all put in an unbelievable amount of effort over the course of the campaign. The same goes for our fitness coach Tam Ritchie, who is an amazing man and a real master of his craft. Goalkeeping coach Derek Souter has also been a huge asset, as a coach but also because he is a real character who has been great for the dressing room. I also have to mention our video analyst Ryan Docherty and Derek Carr, the scout who runs the rule over our opponents every week. Their work is the sort that often goes unmentioned, but it plays a huge part in ensuring the players are properly prepared for every game. Finally, thanks go to my assistant manager, Gordon Young. He’s one of the best people that I have ever worked with. Footballing wise Gordon there are few better in the game and I we have such a fantastic working relationship, one that I hope will continue for a long time.

38 39

“ I would ask you one final favour. That you lend us your voices like you have never done before as we get closer to the finishing line.”

— View from the dugout

40 41

>>>

Thanks must also go to the board of directors, for helping us ensure the team we put out there was as strong as it possibly could be. It’s the time of the season when you also have to think about the contributions made by the club’s sponsors and the army of people, many of whom are unpaid volunteers, who do their bit to help the club, mainly because they have a passion and a love for Cove Rangers. I’m talking about our secretary Duncan Little, commercial manager Angela Bruce, security officers Bill Ogilvie and John Morgan, the people who man the gates, those who act as stewards to look after fans while they are inside Balmoral, the list is huge. Some of them have dedicated years of their lives to Cove Rangers. That’s underlined by the fact we say goodbye today to George and Rhonda Allan, who have given a combined total of 68 years service to the club in the corporate department. They are a remarkable couple and I wish them well in their retirement. My final thank you goes to the Cove Rangers fans. The backing we receive, home and away, is always first class. I know you will be out in force again this afternoon, in the hope of witnessing something historic for Cove Rangers. I would ask you one final favour. That you lend us your voices like you have never done before as we get closer to the finishing line. Like I said it has been a proper team effort so far, but we need that to continue because there is still work to be done. Enjoy the game. Paul Hartley

— Player and management sponsorship

MANAGEMENT Paul Hartley

Gordon Young

Tam Ritchie

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

GOALKEEPERS Stuart McKenzie

Kyle Gourlay

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

DEFENDERS Harry Milne

Scott Ross

Ryan Strachan

LOCAL , NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ROAD HAULAGE

ABERDEEN 01224 – 781698 WWW.MGSLOGISTICS.CO.UK

Jevan Anderson

Shay Logan

Morgyn Neill

Mark Reynolds

42 43

MIDFIELDERS

Fraser Fyvie

Connor Scully

Blair Yule

Jamie Masson

Iain Vigurs

Robbie Leitch

Kai Fotheringham

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

FORWARDS Mitchel Megginson

Leighton McIntosh

Rory McAllister

Ola Adeyemo

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

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

— Season 2021/22 statistics

Previous 21/22 data available on previous match programmes Date

Fixture

Game H/A

F A Starting

Starting

Starting Starting

Starting

02/01/2022

Peterhead

SPFL1

S.McKenzie1

M.Neill

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

L.McIntosh

R.McAllister (J.Anderson)

R.Leitch (O.Adeyemo)

F.F

08/01/2022

Clyde

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

R.Strachan

B.Yule

L.McIntosh (F.Robertson)

R.McAllister

J.Anderson

I.Vigurs1

R.L (J.

15/01/2022

Montrose

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson (L.McIntosh)

R.McAllister1

I.Vigurs (C.Scully)

F.F

20/01/2022

Hibernian

0 1

K.Gourlay

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan (J.Anderson)

B.Yule

M.Megginson

J.Masson (M.Reynolds)

L.M (R.

29/01/2022

Dumbarton

SPFL1

2 2

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully1

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

R.McAllister1

I.Vigurs

F.F

05/02/2022 Airdrieonians

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne1

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

R.McAllister (J.Masson)

I.Vigurs

F.F (K.

12/02/2022

Queen’s Park

SPFL1

0 0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully (J.Masson)

S.Ross

B.Yule (K.Fotheringham)

M.Megginson

L.McIntosh (R.McAllister)

I.Vigurs

F.F

19/02/2022

Falkirk

SPFL1

2 0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson1

I.Vigurs

F.F

26/02/2022

Alloa Athletic

SPFL1

2 2

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully (K.Fotheringham)

S.Ross (L.McIntosh)

B.Yule

M.Megginson (O.Adeyemo)

J.Masson (R.McAllister)

I.Vigurs

F.F (R.

01/03/2022

Queen of the South CC

0 1

K.Gourlay

M.Neill

C.Scully (L.McIntosh)

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

R.McAllister

I.Vigurs

R.Leitch (J.Masson)

F.F (O

05/03/2022 Peterhead

SPFL1

5 2

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne2

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson2 (K.Fotheringham)

R.McAllister1 (R.Leitch)

I.Vigurs

12/03/2022

Clyde

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

B.Yule (L.McIntosh)

M.Megginson1 (R.Leitch)

R.McAllister (O.Adeyemo)

I.Vigurs

F.Fyvie1

S.L (J.

19/03/2022

Montrose

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson1 (L.McIntosh)

R.McAllister (J.Masson)

I.Vigurs

F.Fyvie1

S.L

26/03/2022

Airdrieonians

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne (L.McIntosh)

C.Scully (R.McAllister)

S.Ross

B.Yule (J.Masson)

M.Megginson

I.Vigurs

F.Fyvie1

S.L

03/04/2022 Queen’s Park

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

C.Scully (J.Masson)

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson (R.Leitch)

R.McAllister

O.Adeyemo (L.McIntosh)

F.Fyvie

S.L

09/04/2022

Falkirk

SPFL1

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne2 (J.Masson)

C.Scully (O.Adeyemo)

S.Ross

B.Yule

R.McAllister (L.McIntosh) (R.Leitch)

I.Vigurs

F.Fyvie

S.L

16/04/2022

Alloa Athletic

SPFL1

3 0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne1

C.Scully

S.Ross (J.Masson)

B.Yule

M.Megginson

I.Vigurs

F.Fyvie2

S.L

23/04/2022

Dumbarton

SPFL1

30/04/2022 East Fife

44 45

tarting

Starting

Sub

Referee

AS1

AS2

Fyvie

S.Logan

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

K.Gourlay

Mike Roncone

Michael Banks

Barry Reid Elliott Husband Powton

Leitch .Masson)

S.Logan

J.Masson

O.Adeyemo

F.Robertson

K.Gourlay

Steven Reid

David Doig

Fyvie

S.Logan (J.Anderson)

C.Scully

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

Matthew MacDermid

Alastair Mather

Andy Milne

McIntosh .McAllister)

F.Fyvie (R.Leitch)

R.McAllister

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

M.Reynolds

Euan Anderson

Drew Kirkland

Michael Banks

Fyvie

M.Reynolds

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

Alan Muir

Jonathan Bell

George King

Fyvie .Fotheringham)

M.Reynolds

R.Strachan

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

Barry Cook

Graham Chambers

Brian Christie

Fyvie

M.Reynolds

R.Strachan

J.Masson

R.McAllister

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

Alan Newlands

Paul O’Neill

Scott Anderson

Fyvie1

M.Reynolds

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

Colin Steven

Stuart Stevenson

Paul McAvinue

Fyvie .Leitch)

M.Reynolds

L.McIntosh

R.McAllister1

O.Adeyemo1

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

Peter Stuart

George King

Ross Clark

Fyvie O.Adeyemo)

M.Reynolds

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

S.McKenzie

David Dickinson

Alastair Mather

Steven Traynor

Fyvie O.Adeyemo)

M.Reynolds

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

Gavin Duncan

David McKniff

Scott Leslie

Logan .Masson)

M.Reynolds1

J.Masson

L.McIntosh1

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

Craig Napier

Stuart Stevenson

Andrew McWilliam

Logan

M.Reynolds

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

David Dickinson

Graham Chambers

Paul McAvinue

Logan

M.Reynolds

R.Strachan

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

R.McAllister

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

Gavin Duncan

Graeme Leslie

Michael Bonner

Andrew McWilliam

Craig Macrae

Logan

M.Reynolds

R.Strachan

J.Masson

L.McIntosh1

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

Graham Grainger

Logan

M.Reynolds

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

Chris Graham

Alastair Mather

Andy Gimble

Logan

M.Reynolds

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

Craig Napier

Craig Ferguson

Gordon McCabe

ATT

— Season 2021/22 statistics

#CRFCLIVE

46 47

Name

Appearances

Goals

Position

Yellow

Red

Stuart McKenzie

Kyle Gourlay

Harry Milne

Scott Ross

Ryan Strachan

Morgyn Neill

Jevan Anderson

Shay Logan

Mark Reynolds

Rhys Thomas

Connor Scully

Blair Yule

Jamie Masson

Kai Fotheringham

Fraser Fyvie

Iain Vigurs

Ross Draper

Robbie Leitch

Mitchel Megginson

Leighton McIntosh

Rory McAllister

Ola Adeyemo

— Captain’s view

’S VIE

AIN T P A

48 49

“ While we are all well aware of the prize on offer if we can beat Dumbarton this afternoon, none of us will be taking that for granted.”

Having played for the Sons, I know they will come here determined to get a positive result that they can take into what remains of their campaign. We have managed to remain unbeaten in our last 24 league games because we have found a way of remaining fully focussed on the job in hand. We have learned that you must treat every opponent in cinch League One with respect - and caution - because every game presents a big challenge. You only need to look at how our 3-0 victory over Alloa Athletic last weekend unfolded for a reminder off that. Our keeper Stuart McKenzie made two top class saves when the scoreline was still 0-0. Had we gone 1-0 or 2-0 down who knows how that match might have turned out? Thankfully, Stuart did his bit and we went on to claim all three points, thanks to another two excellent goals from Fraser Fyvie and a header from Harry Milne. I must add that Stuart has been doing that sort of stuff all season, but it often goes unnoticed because we have gone on to win the games. In fact, it’s something he has done since I joined the club six years ago, when we were still in the Highland League. The shut-out against Alloa was Stuart’s 18th of the season, which is a fantastic record.

>>>

— Captain’s view

He also had the most clean sheets when we won the League Two title two years ago and it was the same last season, when we missed out on promotion at the play-off stage. You need a top class goalkeeper if you are to have any hope of succeeding at SPFL level and Stuart is certainly among the best I have been fortunate to play alongside. Stuart would be the first to give some of the credit for the run of shut-outs to the guys playing just in front of him and that would be the correct thing to do. We are also blessed with a very talented group of central defenders. Morgyn Neill has been rock solid all season, as have Scott Ross, Ryan Strachan, Mark Reynolds and Jevan Anderson, who always impressed when he played and would have made more appearances were it not for injuries. Morgyn, Scott and Mark also made vital interceptions at crucial stages of the Alloa game, and they will no doubt be called upon again this afternoon. The knowledge we have such a reliable back line means we go into every game more confident we can get the results that we want. As this could be my final column this season, I want to say a special thanks to the Cove Rangers fans for the excellent backing you have given us. Even when you were outnumbered at some away grounds, you always made yourselves heard and I can assure you it was appreciated by everyone in our dressing room. You have also been brilliant at Balmoral Stadium, it was great to see more than 1,200 turn out for the Alloa game.

>>>

50 51

— Captain’s view

>>>

52 53

Hopefully there will be another big crowd here this afternoon and I can assure you we will be doing everything in our powers to make it a memorable occasion for you. I must also give thanks to manager Paul Hartley, his coaching staff and the rest of the backroom team for their efforts through the campaign. The fact we have so few injuries with only two games to play is a testament to how hard they have worked to keep us fit and healthy. Thanks also go to our kit manager Adrian Thomson, whose humour in the dressing room has been a big asset, team secretary Duncan Little, security officer Bill Ogilvie and Gordon Smart, who drives the bus to our away games. I speak on behalf of all the Cove Rangers players when I say we have really appreciated all that you have done to help us be ready for every match. I want to finish by wishing George and Rhonda Allan a happy retirement. You will have already read plenty about them having given a combined total of 68 years service to the club and this being their last match working on the catering side. It’s amazing to think George and Rhonda were working for the club when my father, Mike, played for Cove Rangers! They are a lovely couple and will be missed by all of us. CYCR! Mitch Megginson

— 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

54 55

— Today’s team lines

Cove Rangers FC Manager - Paul Hartley

Dumbarton FC Manager - Stevie Farrell

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 19. 20. 21. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 9. 10. 11. 12. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 22. 26. 27. 29.

Stuart McKenzie Morgyn Neill Harry Milne Connor Scully Scott Ross Ryan Strachan Blair Yule Mitchel Megginson (C) Jamie Masson Leighton McIntosh Rory McAllister Ross Draper Jevan Anderson Iain Vigurs Ola Adeyemo Rhys Thomas Robbie Leitch Balint Demus Kyle Gourlay Fraser Fyvie Shay Logan Mark Reynolds Kai Fotheringham

Sam Ramsbottom Ryan McGeever Paddy Boyle Edin Lynch Gregor Buchanan Stuart Carswell Conner Duthie Kalvin Orsi Eoghan Stokes Ross MacLean Kieran Wright Joe McKee Carlo Pignatiello Stephen Bronsky Kris Syvertsen Paul Paton Callum Wilson Sam Muir Gregg Wylde Joshua Oyinsan Adam Hutchinson George Stanger

Today’s referee - Lorraine Watson Today’s assistant referees - SAlastair Mather, Billy Baxter Team lines sponsor