17 minute read
Club Information
Cove Rangers FC
Balmoral Stadium Wellington Circle, Altens Aberdeen, AB12 3JG T 01224 392111 F 01224 392859 coverangersfc.com
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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 - Jim McIntyre Assistant Manager- Jimmy Boyle Fitness Coach - Tam Ritchie
Goalkeeping Coach - Derek Soutar Head of Youth Development - Gary Hake Performance Analyst - Ryan Docherty Physios - Donal Gallagher & 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 Head of Media & Communications - Richard Gordon
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Albion Rovers 1 Cove Rangers 2
Premier Sports Cup Tues 12th July Reigart Stadium
Two stunning strikes from Robbie Leitch and Connor Scully ensured we were able to battle back from a goal down to win our opening Premier Sports Cup Group G fixture at the Reigart Stadium.
Leitch lashed home the equaliser just before the interval after Mark Reynolds had the misfortune to net the own goal that had given League Two Rovers the lead on the half hour. Scully then secured the three points from a brilliantly created, as well as executed, second goal.
The tie ended in bizarre fashion, with referee Stuart Luke ruling out a cheekily taken Rory McAllister penalty to prevent a wider winning margin.
On a glorious sunny, summer’s night in Coatbridge the first chance of note came in the sixth minute, when Fraser Fyvie fed a free-kick in from wide on the right and Leitch steered a 10-yard shot wide of the front post.
Scully then had a flashing header from the edge of the six yard box brilliantly saved by home keeper Jack Leighfield. Both sides continued to create chances during what was a lively start to the game with Mitch Megginson and Leighton McIntosh coming closest for Cove, but it was the home side who were to take the lead in bizarre circumstances.
Reilly fired a corner from the left and Reynolds, attempting to clear the ball, managed only to direct a header low into the corner of his own net.
Our eye-catching leveller came in the 42nd minute. Fyvie’s corner from the left was cleared out into the path of Leitch and he gave Leighfield no hope with a screamer of an angled right foot shot from the edge of the penalty area.
McIntosh and Fyvie might have nudged Cove in front early in the second half, but it was Scully who would do so in some style in the 66th minute.
A long ball out of the Cove defence was deftly flicked back by McDonagh to Megginson, just outside the Albion area. Without hesitation, the Cove skipper laid the ball off perfectly for Connor to control on the run before turning to unleash a spectacular shot beyond Leighfield from just outside the box.
After both sides made changes, Cove slackened off in the latter stages and it almost proved costly. Albion scorned a glorious chance to equalise when Reilly broke into the area, but got into a tangle with team-mate Amaury Testa, who eventually poked his shot wide from inside the six-yard box.
It then took a top-notch save from Kyle Gourlay to deny Rovers the leveller as he stretched to touch Barry Duncan’s eighteen-yard shot over the crossbar.
The late drama continued when Wilson battered his close range shot off the face of the Cove bar from the resulting corner, which was followed by Gourlay grabbing a header from Ayrton Sonkur right on his line.
Then came the curious ending. Albion defender Sonkur was adjudged to have tripped Logan inside the area, and a dubious penalty was awarded. McAllister paused his run-up while taking the kick, and as Leighfield dived one way, the Cove striker calmly rolled the ball in at the other side.
Referee Luke chalked the effort off, judging the striker had duped the keeper illegally, although countless similar penalties have been permitted in the past. McAllister appeared as bemused as the rest of us as he wandered off down the tunnel at the end, but thankfully the decision had no bearing on the final result.
Albion Rovers (4-1-4-1): Leighfield; Fernie, Fagan, Sonkur, Malcolm; Fleming; Reilly, Wilson, Kidd (Dolan 62), Roberts (Testa 76); Paton (Duncan 62).
Subs: McColl, Sandberg.
Cove Rangers (4-4-2): Gourlay; Logan, Ross, Reynolds, Towler; McIntosh (Masson 60), Fyvie, Scully, Leitch; McDonagh (McAllister 73), Megginson (Vigurs 67).
Subs: McKenzie, Neill, Thomas.
Referee: Stuart Luke Attendance: 268
Livingston 2 Cove Rangers 1
Premier Sports Cup Sat 16th July Balmoral Stadium
It was to be a disappointing afternoon against our Premiership visitors who despite being down to ten men and trailing to an Iain Vigurs wonder-strike, rallied in the second half to plunder all three points at Balmoral Stadium.
Livi looked to be up against it when Esmael Goncalves saw red for kicking-out at Scott Ross, and faced an uphill struggle when Vigurs fired Cove ahead on the stroke of half-time, but they made the most of slack play by the home side and levelled through Ayo Obileye before Nicky Devlin finished superbly to win the match with time running out.
Jim McIntyre had made three changes from the midweek victory at Cliftonhill with Stuart McKenzie in goal for Kyle Gourlay, Morgyn Neill getting a run out in central defence in place of Mark Reynolds, and Iain Vigurs returning to the holding role in midfield at the expense of Leighton McIntosh.
The early exchanges saw both sides getting attacks in with Leitch threatening for Cove and good defending by Scott Ross preventing Nouble from getting his shot in for the visitors. Stuart McKenzie did well to punch clear a Kelly free-kick and then saved confidently from Nouble.
Our best early opening came when McDonagh and Megginson combined, and when Mitch laid the ball off to his left, Connor Scully ran on to it, shooting just wide from seventeen yards.
The game looked to be swinging Cove’s way when Goncalves was sent-off for a piece of petulance which might have cost his side dear. The GuineaBissau striker was involved in a tussle with Scott Ross, kicked out at the defender, and again as Ross fell to the ground. Willie Collum was quickly on the scene and showed a deserved straight red.
Shay Logan was prominent throughout the half and dug out some inviting crosses from the right, but Livi defended solidly and were able to prevent any clear goalscoring opportunities.
The visitors countered through Montano who ran from his own eighteen-yard box to deep inside the home half, and with Cove scrambling to close down, fed Bahamboula, but from a tight angle the attacker shot wide of the far post.
Minutes later Fyvie’s long diagonal found Logan, but the rampaging full-back failed to connect with a team-mate in the box. The opening goal was, however, only delayed by seconds.
Scott Ross switched play from the centre circle, Leitch gathered and rolled a pass through for Fyvie, whose shot was diverted for a corner. Fraser played it short to Logan and when the cross was headed out by a Livi defender, Vigurs was quickest to react, controlling the ball then firing the sweetest of strikes beyond Konovalov and into the bottom corner.
Livingston levelled soon after then interval. A scramble in the Cove box saw Shinnie and Anderson both attempting to make the breakthrough, but it was Obileye who got the final touch, and the ball bobbled agonisingly away from McKenzie’s clawing fingers into the bottom corner.
The home players were quick to try to regain the lead with Logan, Leitch and Fyvie all probing, and Vigurs continuing to try to unlock the away defence. He did so in the 51st minute and Leitch fired in a dangerous low cross which Montano deflected for a corner. Connor Scully then cracked in a strong shot from the edge of the box which the keeper dived to hold.
Seconds later came a clear opportunity when Scully nipped in behind the away defence, but as he tried to fashion a chance to shoot, Fyvie arrived on the scene, and in the ensuing mix-up Fitzwater hacked the ball to safety.
Scully and McDonagh linked-up after the midfielder had controlled a bouncing ball, and the lay-off found Megginson who gathered, created a yard of space and unleased a powerful strike which forced Konovalov into a diving save.
As the match moved towards the final ten minutes there were chances at both ends. McDonagh had a shot blocked for Cove while good covering by Towler forced Devlin to shoot over the bar.
Jim McIntyre threw on Rory McAllister and Leighton McIntosh in a bid to secure the winner, but it was the top-flight visitors who were to snatch the allimportant goal in the 88th minute.
Scully got caught out in midfield and the ball broke to Omeonga. The midfielder surged forward and played an inch-perfect pass into the path of Devlin, and with McKenzie coming out to close down the angle, the full-back smashed the ball high into the top corner.
There was one last chance for Cove, but Morgyn Neill just failed to find McIntosh with his pass over the top.
COVE RANGERS (4-1-4-1): McKenzie; Logan, Ross, Neill, Towler; Vigurs; McDonagh (McAllister 79), Fyvie, Scully, Leitch (McIntosh 84); Megginson.
Subs: Gourlay, Masson, Thomas, Reynolds. Goalscorer: Iain Vigurs (45).
LIVINGSTON (4-3-3): Konovalov; Devlin, Fitzwater, Obileye, Montano; Pittman, Kelly (Omeonga 72), Shinnie (Holt 85); Bahamboula (Anderson HT) Bitsindou (85), Goncalves, Nouble.
Subs: Maley, Longridge, Brandon, Mullin, Holt, Cancar Goalscorers: Ayo Obileye (48), Nicky Devlin (88).
Sent off: Esmael Goncalves (25).
Referee: Willie Collum Attendance: 797
robbie When a manager leaves a club, it is often said the players left behind are split into three distinct categories. One group is disappointed to see the old boss depart, another simply takes it on leitch the chin, while a third consists of players who were getting limited game time and see the change as an opportunity to relaunch their careers. One man who falls into that final category at Balmoral Stadium is Robbie Leitch.
20 21
Having arrived at the club last summer, the midfielder started just eleven league matches as Cove clinched the title, and with it, Championship football for the first time. More often than not, Robbie came off the bench or failed to make it on to the pitch.
Despite that, the twenty-four year old grabbed five goals in that triumphant League One campaign and richly deserved his winner’s medal.
“I felt I contributed quite well up until January, but after that it was tough breaking into the team. I couldn’t really complain, the boys who were playing were different class, and they made sure I still felt part of it. I’ve never known a club where the players get on so well and that helped me not get too frustrated.”
Having found it difficult to regularly get into Paul Hartley’s side, it has been a different story for Robbie since the arrival of Jim McIntyre. He has been involved in all five matches, starting four, and has already found the net twice, in the rout of Gala Fairydean and the wonder-strike which brought Cove back into the game at Cliftonhill last midweek.
“I managed to get away on holiday at the end of last season, and after that I really got my head down and worked hard all summer. I’d been told by the previous manager just to come back as fit as I could, and that’s what I did.
Then we heard Paul was leaving, and there was a bit of uncertainty. I’d never worked with Jim McIntyre, but I spoke to a few boys who knew him at Queen of the South, and they told me he was big on fitness, which suits me down to the ground.”
Robbie’s career began when he signed his first fulltime contract at the age of sixteen with Motherwell, where his dad, Scott, was academy director. It was Jonatan Johansson who was in charge of the under20s, and it was a good time for the teenager as part of what was an impressive group of young talent.
“I played alongside the likes of Dom Thomas, Allan Campbell and David Turnbull, and we had a good team. We won the Scottish Youth Cup in 2016 and I learned so much in those early days.”
Robbie scored that evening at Hampden, in a 5-2 win over Hearts.
He failed to make the breakthrough at Fir Park, but took another important step on his career ladder when he joined Burnley. It was to be another learning experience for Robbie, and after eighteen months he moved back to Scotland with St Mirren. That was in 2017-18, the season Saints won the Championship under Jack Ross, and again the youngster found it tough getting game time.
“Jack was brilliant with me, but with the team playing so well he said it would be best for me to go out on loan.
I joined Queen’s Park, which was the right decision, and I enjoyed working with Gus MacPherson, who was mental, but a really good manager.”
Then came a surprise move to Croatian side NK Novigrad, but Robbie suffered a serious blow, an ACL injury which kept him on the sidelines for a full season.
Robbie battled back to full fitness and joined Falkirk in 2019. Initially, under Ray McKinnon, he again struggled to get into the team, but when Lee Miller and David McCracken took over as joint managers, the forward finally got a sustained run of matches.
“They were brilliant. They trusted me, they gave me the opportunity to play. That really built up my confidence.”
And then, just when Robbie felt his career was properly getting on track, COVID struck, and football went into cold storage.
“I was one of the lucky ones. I’d signed a contract extension, so I was furloughed and at least still getting paid. I know boys who all but had their careers finished, they didn’t have clubs, and that was so tough for them.”
There had been a brief loan spell at Forfar, but when the game got going again in the delayed 2020-21 campaign, Robbie was very much a key part of the Falkirk squad, amassing more than thirty appearances.
That caught the attention of then Cove Rangers boss, Paul Hartley, and when the opportunity arose to move to Balmoral Stadium, Robbie had no doubts.
“It was an exciting prospect. I knew the club had big ambitions, and having played against them, that they were a good side. I saw it as a great opportunity, and I’m delighted to be here.”
Football runs in the Leitch family. Robbie’s dad, Scott, carved out an impressive career in playing, coaching and management, while his older brother, Jack, has racked up more than 200 games with Airdrieonians, Peterhead and his current club, Stirling Albion. Jack also works as a coach with the Hearts youth teams, something which has benefitted Robbie.
“Jack’s really into the coaching, and to be fair, he’s really good at it. It’s a major interest for him and he’s taken me for a few one-to-one sessions, which has been a great help.”
Like his team-mates, Robbie has to juggle a full-time job with his football, which means early starts laying artificial turf for SGS around central Scotland.
When we spoke, he had just finished his shift, was about to grab a late lunch, and then head off to meet assistant manager, Jimmy Boyle, who drives the southernbased players up to Cove for training sessions twice a week.
“At least I can get a sleep in the minibus,” laughs Robbie. “It is demanding, but I love being with the boys, and being part of such a great club makes it all worthwhile.”
So, what are the ambitions for the coming season?
“The manager has told me he wants goals, assists and a big contribution. I’m not sure what my best position is, I’m quite versatile, I can play wide left or right, or through the middle, and I hope that will help keep me in the side.
“We want to be fully ready when the league starts against Raith Rovers in a couple of weeks. It’ll be important to get off to a good start in the Championship, and with the squad we’ve got, I believe one hundred percent we can do that.”
For now, Cove have to round off their Premier Sports Cup campaign and Robbie hopes to play his part as the club attempts to reach the knockout stages of the competition for the first time ever.
Friends of Anchor
The club was delighted to recently announce a tie-up with local charity, Friends of ANCHOR, which will see the FoA logo displayed on the team shirts throughout the 2022/23 season.
Last year the sleeve advertising was given over to the NHS and the board of directors was keen to again offer it up free of charge to a deserving cause.
With Cove Rangers celebrating the club’s centenary and Friends of ANCHOR marking its 25th anniversary, the collaboration fits well for both parties.
Since 1997, Friends of ANCHOR has offered free, direct support for anyone receiving treatment for cancer or a haematology illness in the North-east of Scotland, and also provides funding for cutting-edge medical equipment and pioneering research, helping the NHS to diagnose, treat and care for people locally.
Every penny raised or donated goes to the cause as the charity’s operating costs are fully covered by Balmoral Group in Aberdeen.
Friends of ANCHOR director Sarah-Jane Hogg said: “We were bowled over when we heard the news from Cove Rangers. Cancer impacts the lives of so many families and this latest support from the club allows us to push forward in our relentless goal to bring the very best for those we know and love receiving care in the ANCHOR Unit.”
Pictured: (L-R) Keith Moorhouse, Cove Rangers FC Chairman Sarah-Jane Hogg, Fundraising & Development Director, Friends of ANCHOR Mitch Megginson, Cove Rangers FC Captain Lesley Finnie, Director of Training, ACE Group
Cove chairman, Keith Moorhouse, says it is a pleasure to be able to help out,
“I am well aware of the incredible work done by Friends of ANCHOR, and I’m thrilled that the club can, in some small way, show our backing. My wife, Colleen, has been receiving treatment for cancer for the past couple of years, and as a family we are indebted to the charity for the support they have given us”
Club sponsor ACE is right behind the decision, with managing director, Terry Cobban, certain a worthy recipient has been chosen, “We came to agreement immediately and I am overjoyed and honoured to be able to share the shirts with such a deserving charity.”
There are plans to further extend the link between Cove Rangers FC and Friends of ANCHOR with various fundraising ventures currently being explored.
