Cove Rangers FC Match Programme — vs. Raith Rovers 30.07.22 by coverangersfc

v Raith Rovers Balmoral Stadium

30.07.22 — 3pm KO

BALMOR AL GROUP Proud sponsors of BALMORAL STADIUM

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

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v Raith Rovers

Balmoral Stadium

30.07.22 — 3pm KO

Features

Kelty Hearts Match Report Inverness Caledonian Thistle Match Report New Partnerships CRFC Season 2021-22 Review

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Regulars Upcoming Fixtures

Club Information

Club Partners

View from The Dugout

Player and Management Sponsorship

Season 22/23 statistics

Captain’s View

Club Honours

Today’s Team Lines

Match sponsor

Matchball sponsor

25 YEARS 1997-2022

Upcoming Fixtures

H Sat 30th July, 2022

Cove Rangers v Raith Rovers

cinch Championship

A Sat 6th Aug, 2022

Morton v Cove Rangers

cinch Championship

A Sat 13th Aug, 2022

Inverness CT v Cove Rangers

cinch Championship

H Sat 20th Aug, 2022

Cove Rangers v Ayr United

cinch Championship

League Table cinch Championship

PTS

Arbroath

Ayr United

Cove Rangers

Dundee

Hamilton Academical

Inverness CT

Morton

Partick Thistle

Queen’s Park

Raith Rovers

50/50 WINNER! The 50/50 winner at the Kelty Hearts match was 110807, won by Angela Bruce.

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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 - Jim McIntyre

Assistant Manager - Jimmy Boyle Fitness Coach - Tam Ritchie

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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

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.

Kelty Hearts Match Report

Cove Rangers 2 Kelty Hearts 3

Scottish League Cup Tues 19th July

Balmoral Stadium

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Kelty Hearts Match Report

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Our hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Premier Sports Cup for the first time were dashed with a second successive home defeat, and a performance the manager described as “Not good enough.” Trailing 2-0 thanks to counter-attack goals from Agyeman and McNab, Cove would have been three down but for a superb Kyle Gourlay save from an Austin penalty. Fraser Fyvie restored home hopes with a looping header, but Kelty regained their two-goal cushion when Austin finished off another speedy break. Sub Robbie Leitch added to his catalogue of spectacular finishes, and with the game in its dying embers we were denied a clear penalty when Reynolds was hauled to the ground in the box. Jim McIntyre’s options were limited by injury with Jamie Masson joining Blair Yule on the treatment table, so the boss was able to name only four outfield substitutes. Our visitors arrived at Balmoral Stadium in search of their first goal and points of the campaign and very nearly scored in the opening seconds, Agyeman flashing an angled drive just wide of the far post. Fyvie hit back for Cove, firing in a dangerous cross which Martin knocked out for a corner. Another cross from the midfielder was cleared desperately at the back post by Philp, and from the resultant Logan throwin, Scully fed Fyvie. He fired towards goal, but the effort was blocked by Martin, sparking muted claims for a penalty. Mitch Megginson then got in on the act. His deflected shot spun across the box, but from a wide angle Leighton McIntosh couldn’t quite dig out the cross, and it was diverted for a corner. Iain Vigurs swung the ball in, and Neill’s header soared wide of the back post.

Kelty Hearts Match Report

Cove were getting more into the game, but always looked vulnerable to the counter, and Evan Towler recovered well to deny Agyeman. The opening goal was, however, only delayed by seconds. From a more central position, AGYEMAN turned away from his marker and curled a well-judged right foot effort beyond the reach of Gourlay’s despairing left hand. Before we could recover, it was 2-0. Barjonas intercepted a Megginson pass in midfield and drove at the home defence. Cardle and Austin exchanged passes then fed in McNAB, whose finish matched his expertly timed run. In the 29th minute, we finally got a foothold in the game. Mitch fed the ball through to McIntosh, his first cross was blocked, but the second found the mark, and FYVIE rose to send a perfectly judged looping header into the top corner. Kelty mounted the next attack of the match and were handed a golden opportunity to extend their lead. Barjonas surged through the middle of the park and laid the ball into the path of Robbie McNab. As the midfielder set himself to shoot, the retreating Iain Vigurs sent him tumbling to the ground for a clear penalty. Nathan Austin stepped up confidently and smashed his kick low and hard, only to be denied by Kyle Gourlay who made a superb stop down by his left post. Cove started the second half strongly; Fyvie, Megginson and Towler putting together a fine move before Vigurs’ thirty-yard first time effort was saved by Jamieson.

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Kelty Hearts Match Report

Reynolds was yellow carded for pulling down the energetic McNab, then as play surged up the other end Megginson controlled the ball on his chest, but saw his shot charged down. The captain fired in another effort which was deflected out for a throwin, and soon after, Scully’s pass teed-up Logan, but Shay’s long range drive soared over the bar. It was to be Cove’s last serious attempt for almost twenty minutes, and in between, Kelty moved 3-1 in front. Peggie and McNab linked-up and the midfielder’s shot was snuffed out by Reynolds, but the Fifers maintained the momentum, and after a 1-2 with Cardle which ripped apart the home defence, AUSTIN finished in composed fashion from just inside the box. As the game moved into the closing stages, lightning illuminated the sky over Balmoral Stadium, thunder rumbled ominously, and the heavens opened; the weather mirroring the dark feelings of the home fans. With hope petering away, substitute Robbie LEITCH stepped up to the mark to continue his impressive start to the campaign. After good work by Fyvie, the forward controlled the ball and unleashed an unstoppable strike across Jamieson and inside the far post. The players pushed desperately for a leveller, and should have been handed the opportunity deep into stoppage time. Rory McAllister won a corner which Vigurs swung into the box, and with the ball heading his way, Reynolds was blatantly wrestled to the ground in plain sight of the referee. In the melee which followed, Logan attempted an overhead kick and

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caught Mark on the side of his head. The shot was saved; the defender required attention from both physios, and the club doctor. As he was eventually being led down the tunnel, the final whistle blew to end hopes of emerging from the group.

“ Fyvie rose to send a perfectly judged looping header into the top corner” Cove Rangers: (4-2-1-3) Gourlay; Logan, Neill, Reynolds, Towler; Vigurs, Scully; Fyvie; McIntosh (Leitch 77 mins), McDonagh, (McAllister 65 mins), Megginson Substitutes: McKenzie, Ross, Thomas Goalscorers: Fyvie (29 mins), Leitch (87 mins) Booked: Reynolds, Fyvie, Scully, Vigurs Kelty Hearts: (4-2-1-3) Jamieson; Philp, Forstor, Martin, Peggie; Barjonas, Tidser; McNab; Agyeman, Austin (Owens 86 mins), Cardle (Reilly 77 mins) Substitutes: Hill, Barbour, Campbell Goalscorers: Agyeman (16 mins), McNab (23 mins), Austin (71 mins) Referee: Duncan Williams Attendance: 486

Inverness Caledonian Thistle Match Report

Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1 Cove Rangers 1

Scottish League Cup Sat 23rd July

Balmoral Stadium

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A much improved performance saw the team round off our Premier Sports Cup campaign with a merited draw in Inverness where the home side collected the bonus point after prevailing in the penalty shoot-out. Roddy MacGregor had given Caley Thistle a 13th minute lead, but that was quickly cancelled out by a superb first goal of the season from Mitch Megginson. There were plenty chances created by both sides, but neither could grab a second before the final whistle, and Scott Allardice settled matters after Fraser Fyvie saw his spot-kick saved by Mark Ridgers. Jim McIntyre had made two changes from the defeat against Kelty Hearts, and altered his formation to allow Megginson to adopt a more familiar central striking role. Scott Ross returned to the back four in place of Morgyn Neill while Robbie Leitch, after his scoring appearance as a substitute in midweek, took over from Gerry McDonagh. The home side, full of confidence after three straight wins in the group, saw plenty of the ball in the early stages and almost fashioned an opportunity in the opening minutes. Oakley and MacGregor linked up in midfield to free Shaw on a menacing run into the box, but Evan Towler was alert, and put in a strong challenge to avert the danger.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle Match Report

Cove looked to hit back quickly, and McIntosh gathered and switched play, but Fyvie’s attempted cross was blocked for a corner. Iain Vigurs swung the ball in, but Deas rose highest to clear, and as Caley Thistle looked to counter-attack, Mitch Megginson tripped MacGregor to earn the game’s first yellow card in the sixth minute. Inverness looked bright and pacy in attack with Daniel MacKay, MacGregor and Shaw seeing plenty of the ball, and it was the latter two who combined for the game’s opening goal. Oakley dropped deeper to gather, held off the challenge and fed Shaw. The right winger checked inside and delivered a pinpoint cross, and MacGREGOR timed his run to perfection to head past Kyle Gourlay from ten yards. It took just five minutes for Cove to get back on level terms. Fyvie sent in a corner from the left which Deas could only partially clear. Vigurs got on to the bouncing ball and when it fell to MEGGINSON, the captain swivelled and produced a clever finish with the outside of his right foot, stabbing the ball round the home defence and inside Ridgers’ right post, leaving the keeper flatfooted. Back came Caley Thistle in what was becoming a very open match. Harper fed the ball in from the left and Oakley held off Ross before slipping a clever pass in towards the edge of the box. Shaw tried to bundle his way into the penalty area, but the ball ran away from him, and Kyle Gourlay raced off his line to gather. The Cove number one was called into action again soon after. With the home side exerting more sustained pressure, Vigurs took too long on the ball at the edge of the box and Daniel MacKay nipped it

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away before firing in a powerful shot. Gourlay dived to his right to save well and divert the ball to safety. The second half began quietly with neither side able to construct a serious attack. It wasn’t until the 54th minute that Inverness came closest to doing so when Deas fed Allardice, who in turn laid it off to Carson, but his chipped ball ran away from Shaw and out for a goal kick. Megginson won a Cove free kick on the left which was taken quickly by Iain Vigurs. Mitch was on to it in a flash and his attempted cross was deflected for a corner. Fyvie delivered it deep, Mark Reynolds found space at the back post to return the ball into the danger area, but from six yards out, Vigurs could only head over the bar. Seconds later, Leitch found McIntosh, but his shot was charged down by Deas.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle Match Report

Megginson pushed wide to try to set up another attack but was fouled by Duffy. Vigurs’ inviting delivery flew across the box, and McIntosh’s shot was diverted wide for a corner. Inverness made a double switch as the match moved into its final quarter with Samuels and Billy McKay replacing Oakley and Daniel MacKay, and soon after, veteran Aaron Doran took over from Duffy after the full-back suffered a head injury in an aerial challenge. Two of the substitutes were to the fore as Caley Thistle very nearly regained their advantage. Doran found space to roll in McKay, but the striker’s low effort flashed just wide of the far post. The Northern Irishman had an even better chance seconds later. Samuels’ pace took him to the bye line and his low cross evaded Scully’s lunge, but McKay – just six yards out – failed to control it and Fyvie was able to clear. Jim McIntyre made his first change with twelve minutes remaining, Gerry McDonagh on for McIntosh, and Caley Thistle made their fourth, Steven Boyd taking over from Shaw. Boyd very nearly made an instant impact, firing in a ferocious 25-yard drive which Gourlay repelled, pulling off an excellent save to push the ball for a corner.

“ Cove achieved third place in the table, matching our best finish in the six years the club has been playing in this competition.”

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It was to be the last significant effort of the game, the 1-1 draw being enough to ensure Caley Thistle’s progress to the last sixteen. In the penalty shoot-out, Boyd, Samuels and Harper all netted for Inverness, with Megginson and Leitch replying for us. Fraser Fyvie stepped up to take the third, but his low effort was too central, allowing Ridgers to make the stop. Billy McKay and Shay Logan both scored, so it was down to the impressive Allardice, and he made no mistake with a confident finish. Caley Thistle topped the group, while the point Cove gained guaranteed third place in the table, matching our best finish in the six years the club has been playing in this competition. Inverness Caledonian Thistle: (4-4-1-1) Ridgers; Duffy (Doran 73 mins), Delaney, Deas, Harper; Shaw (Boyd 78 mins) Carson, Allardice, D. MacKay (Samuels 67 mins); MacGregor; Oakley (McKay 67 mins) Substitutes: C. MacKay, Hyde, Cairns, Nicolson Goalscorers: MacGregor (13 mins) Booked: Oakley, Samuels Cove Rangers: (4-1-4-1) Gourlay; Logan, Ross, Reynolds, Towler; Scully; Leitch, Fyvie, Vigurs, McIntosh (McDonagh 78 mins); Megginson Substitutes: McKenzie, Neill, McAllister, Thomas Goalscorers: Megginson (18 mins) Booked: Megginson, Fyvie, Ross, Towler Referee: Alan Newlands Attendance: 1,020

New Partnerships

NEW commercial partnerships announced

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The club is delighted to announce four new commercial partnerships for the 2022-23 season. Aberdeen Altens Hotel joins as our new leisure partner with Gym Rental Company returning as training wear partner. Xeretec officially come on board after working closely with the club for a number of years as IT partner, and XIC also join as our print partner. Those agreements follow in the wake of the recently announced tie-up with The McGinty's Group who now have the contract for matchday hospitality and catering. We look forward to working with them all in the campaign ahead, along with our existing partners, who have provided loyal backing in recent years: Greaves Sports, Peace Coaches, TicketCo and Design and Code. Thanks are also due to our principal stadium partner Balmoral and our principal club partner ACE. Director Darren Anderson says the support of these companies will play a major role in helping Cove Rangers to maintainthe success we have enjoyed on the park for the past few seasons: “It really is invaluable to have this kind of help from the business community. It’s not just a financial agreement, all our partners provide expertise and advice across the board. “We have formed partnerships in the true sense of the word and have built strong and lasting relationships with all who have backed the club. “We look forward to that continuing in the coming years.”

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Club Partners

Principal Club Partner

Official Club Partners

Principal Stadium Partner

CRFC Season 2021-22 Review

Season 2021-22 Review The season got off to a disappointing start with no indication last summer of the excitement that lay ahead. A last-minute goal meant Stirling Albion garnered all three points in the Premier Sports Cup opener at the Balmoral, and that was followed by defeats at Tynecastle and Balmoor. The players regrouped, and a highly impressive humbling of Championship side Caley Thistle raised spirits ahead of the league campaign. That began with a home draw against Falkirk – Rory McAllister leaving the bench to net his first of the season late on – then a defeat against another of the likely promotion rivals; Queen’s Park taking control after Fraser Fyvie was sent off just before half time.

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CRFC Season 2021-22 Review

Mitch Megginson plundered a hat-trick as the side claimed its first league win, East Fife blown away in a 5-2 stroll, and he added another goal a week later in a 3-1 success at Dumbarton. The momentum was halted by a 2-1 reversal against Clyde, and after a less than inspiring penalty shoot-out win over Stenhousemuir in the Challenge Cup, Montrose travelled north to claim a point in a 1-1 draw which saw Blair Yule red carded. Three straight victories followed. McAllister’s late penalty saw off Peterhead, Morgyn Neill claimed his first for the club with an even later goal to beat Airdrieonians, and Rory bagged a treble at Alloa, an encounter which saw the home side reduced to ten men in the first minute after a shocking Niang challenge on Shay Logan. Albion Rovers were swept aside in the Challenge Cup, but that was followed by the most disappointing result of the season, a 4-2 loss against an East Fife team which would finish bottom of the table. That was on October 16th; it would be the last time Paul Hartley’s men would taste defeat in their League One campaign. Clyde were beaten 3-0, there were draws against Queen’s Park and Montrose, and then Cove Rangers went into overdrive, chalking up nine successive victories to move to the top. Among the highlights of that run was a stunning winner from

Stuart McKenzie whose clearance bounced over the head of keeper Brett Long to secure a 1-0 win at Balmoor. The side had also made progress in the Challenge Cup – a 5-1 stroll against Rangers B – and the Scottish Cup, McAllister’s late equaliser securing a replay at Palmerston in which Queen of the South were humbled 3-0 thanks to a late Megginson double. That had set up a trip to Easter Road where the team matched Hibernian all the way, losing only in extra-time to a Kevin Nisbet finish. The next three league matches produced just three points, but included draws at home to Airdrieonians and Queen’s Park which proved important, and Megginson and Fyvie grabbed the goals which beat Falkirk to all but put an end to their promotion hopes. Late strikes were a hallmark of the season, and Rory McAllister got another at Alloa to secure a 2-2 draw in a match in which we were two down inside the first twenty minutes. The Challenge Cup adventure ended in disappointment, a 1-0 loss to Queen of the South in the semi-final, but the team responded in brilliant fashion, reeling off three straight league victories. Harry Milne and Mitch each scored twice in the 5-2 thumping of Peterhead; Harry was

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CRFC Season 2021-22 Review

controversially sent off against Clyde, but the ten men strolled to a 4-1 success, Mark Reynolds netting his first for the club; and the unbeaten league run was extended to twenty matches with a crucial 2-1 win over Montrose at Links Park. It was the start to four tough away games, and the next two were drawn, with the first of those particularly decisive. By the end of March, it was a two-way battle for the title with Cove holding a five-point advantage over Airdrieonians. The pair went head-to-head in Lanarkshire and the Diamonds looked set to snatch a massive win after taking an early lead. With the seconds ticking down, and after a quickly taken corner, Iain Vigurs swung in a cross from the right. It was headed out, bounced up perfectly, and Fraser Fyvie unleashed an unstoppable 25-yard volley over home keeper Max Currie. The following Sunday, Leighton McIntosh snatched an even later leveller at Firhill against Queen’s Park, but the lead was down to three points as Airdrie had beaten East Fife the previous day. The pressure was mounting, but the players responded superbly, and Milne grabbed a second half double at Falkirk as Montrose and Airdrieonians fought out a 2-2 draw. The advantage was restored with just three matches to go. After a frustrating first half, Alloa Athletic were despatched 3-0 with Fyvie adding two more to his impressive goal tally. Airdrie had thrown away a two-goal

lead over Dumbarton, and for eighteen minutes it seemed the title was about to be secured, only for the Diamonds to grab a late, late winner. It was a long week, but on Saturday, April 16th the players had the chance to tie things up against Dumbarton. They dominated the game, but the visitors held firm until the 75th minute when Shay Logan fed a pass into the box and Megginson found himself with a yard of space. The captain controlled the ball, turned away from two defenders, and rifled a low shot across the keeper and inside the far post to spark an explosion of joy from the dugout and among the 1,645 crowd packed inside the Balmoral. The celebrations went on long into the night and might have had an impact a week later as the team trailed 2-0 early on at East Fife, but they showed the resilience they displayed all season long, Mitch scored another double, and Mark Reynolds netted the last goal of the campaign to extend the unbeaten league run to a remarkable twenty-six matches. Cove Rangers were heading to the Championship, Paul Hartley was named cinch League One Manager of the Year, and Mitch Megginson recognised as cinch Player of the Year, as well as ending up top league scorer across all four divisions of the SPFL. It truly was a season to remember, and the perfect way to mark the club’s centenary.

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View from The Dugout

JIM MCIntyre Welcome to Balmoral Stadium for what has been the eagerly anticipated kick-off to the club’s first ever season in the cinch Championship. I have watched the development of Cove Rangers from the outside over the years and been impressed by how far they have come. What’s about to unfold is the reward for all the hard work that has been put in. It is only six weeks since I took on the manager’s job, and I can see why the club has been so successful. We may be parttime, but the mentality here is a full-time, professional one, and everyone, from top to bottom, will be pulling in the same direction as we look to make our mark in the second tier of Scottish football. It will not be easy; we all know that. The Championship is always a fiercely contested division, I know that from past experience, and we’ll be up against betterfunded sides packed with players who know the league insideout. Every week is going to be a stiff challenge; there genuinely will be no easy games. But I have total confidence in my team, and I see no reason at all why we cannot compete. There are talented guys here who have proved themselves at even higher levels, and we have that core of players who have been here for years, and have forged a strong bond.

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View from The Dugout

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“ Everyone, from top to bottom, will be pulling in the same direction as we look to make our mark in the second tier of Scottish football.” That will be a major strength in the coming months, and make no mistake, while this will be a step up for some, they have proved in the past they are more than capable of performing at this level. The biggest frustration for me has been the difficulty in adding quality to the squad. I have been working tirelessly trying to bring in new players, and on a number of occasions I have believed a deal has been done, only for it to fall through at the last minute. The two major factors are geographical, and the fact we’re part-time, and those are obstacles we have to overcome, but I will continue making the calls, and we will get the right players in to help the boys. The squad has been working hard in training, and we did get a lift from how we performed in Inverness last weekend, against a team I expect to be right in the hunt for the title. We matched them toe-to-toe, and that reinforced my belief that we can hold our own in this division. It all begins against Raith Rovers, another team under new management, and one which pushed all the way for the playoffs at the end of last season. There has been a growing sense of anticipation this week, and I feel sure my players are ready for the challenge. Enjoy the game! Jim McIntyre

Player and Management Sponsorship

Goalkeepers

Stuart McKenzie

Kyle Gourlay

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

Defenders

Shay Logan

Evan Towler

Scott Ross

LOCAL , NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ROAD HAULAGE

ABERDEEN 01224 – 781698 WWW.MGSLOGISTICS.CO.UK

Management

Morgyn Neill

Mark Reynolds

Jim McIntyre

Jimmy Boyle

Tam Ritchie

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

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Midfielders

Connor Scully

Blair Yule

Jamie Masson

Iain Vigurs

Robbie Leitch

Fraser Fyvie

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

Strikers

Gerry McDonagh

Mitchel Megginson

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

Leighton McIntosh

Season 22/23 statistics Date

Fixture

Competition

H/A

Score

12.07.22

Albion Rovers

PSC

1-2

16.07.22

Livingston

PSC

1-2

19.07.22

Kelty Hearts

PSC

2-3

23.07.22

Inverness CT

PSC

1-1

30.07.22

Raith Rovers

SPFL Champ

06.08.22

Morton

SPFL Champ

13.08.22

Inverness CT

SPFL Champ

20.08.22

Ayr

SPFL Champ

27.08.22

Queen's Park

SPFL Champ

03.09.22

Hamilton

SPFL Champ

10.09.22

Dundee

SPFL Champ

17.09.22

Partick Thistle

SPFL Champ

01.10.22

Arbroath

SPFL Champ

08.10.22

Raith Rovers

SPFL Champ

15.10.22

Inverness CT

SPFL Champ

22.10.22

Ayr

SPFL Champ

29.10.22

Hamilton

SPFL Champ

05.11.22

Queen's Park

SPFL Champ

12.11.22

Arbroath

SPFL Champ

19.11.22

Morton

SPFL Champ

03.12.22

Partick Thistle

SPFL Champ

17.12.22

Dundee

SPFL Champ

24.12.22

Hamilton

SPFL Champ

02.01.23

Inverness CT

SPFL Champ

07.01.23

Queen's Park

SPFL Champ

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Date

Fixture

Competition

H/A

Score

14.01.23

Raith Rovers

SPFL Champ

28.01.23

Ayr

SPFL Champ

04.02.23

Partick Thistle

SPFL Champ

18.02.23

Arbroath

SPFL Champ

25.02.23

Morton

SPFL Champ

04.03.23

Dundee

SPFL Champ

11.03.23

Queen's Park

SPFL Champ

18.03.23

Raith Rovers

SPFL Champ

25.03.23

Ayr

SPFL Champ

01.04.23

Partick Thistle

SPFL Champ

08.04.23

Hamilton

SPFL Champ

15.04.23

Inverness CT

SPFL Champ

22.04.23

Arbroath

SPFL Champ

29.04.23

Dundee

SPFL Champ

05.05.23

Morton

SPFL Champ

Season 22/23 statistics

#COYC

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Name

Appearances

Goals

Position

Yellow

Red

Stuart McKenzie

Kyle Gourlay

Scott Ross

Morgyn Neill

Mark Reynolds

Shay Logan

Evan Towler

Connor Scully

Blair Yule

Jamie Masson

Fraser Fyvie

Iain Vigurs

Robbie Leitch

Gerry McDonagh

Mitchel Megginson

Leighton McIntosh

Rory McAllister

Captain’s View

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It has been a tough pre-season, the boys have all been working hard for the past month or so, but this is the day we have all been looking forward to since we clinched the League One title. We’ve had a couple of warm-up matches, and the four League Cup ties, and although we were disappointed not to get out of the group, it has all been about getting ready for this afternoon against Raith. We matched a strong Caley Thistle team last weekend; we took real positives from that game. We’re still learning how the gaffer wants us to play, he’s still learning about us, so it was nice to come out of that match feeling a bit more upbeat. From my point of view, it was great being in a more familiar position against Inverness. I’m happy to play wherever the manager asks me to, but it was nice to play through the middle again. When I play there, I feel I’m going to score goals as I did on Saturday. That’s my bread and butter, and it was great to get up and running for the season. It’s going to be a proud moment for me today. I led the team into League Two, led then into League One, and now I’ll have the chance to lead them into the Championship as well. I played at this level six years ago and left to join Cove, and that was always my ambition. Maybe there was bit of naivety, but I believed we could do it. Speaking to the Chairman back then, he was certainly ambitious, and given the quality we have here, there was no reason why we shouldn’t make that step up. It’s probably come a little bit sooner than I’d have thought it would be, but when you look at the mentality we have here, the ability to grind out wins over the past few seasons, it’s maybe not such a surprise.

Captain’s View

“ There’s always something special about the first game of the season. It’s crazy.” Quite a few of the guys haven’t played at this level before, but I have no doubts they can cope with the demands and prove just how good they are. The anticipation has been mounting as we’ve counted the days down. There’s always something special about the first game of the season. It’s crazy, always the same, there’s no tempo to it, it’s all guns blazing, and you’re trying to catch your breath from the first minute to the last. I don’t know why, but it’s the same every time. It’s probably just the excitement of the occasion. We all know it’s going to be a gruelling campaign, a long hard season. There’ll be ups and downs, we’re not going to get it all our own way like we have in the last few years. We’re going to have to fight hard for everything we get. But we’re a close-knit group, we know what’s needed, and we’ll get our heads down and work for it. We won’t be winning as many games as we’ve been used to, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be trying to. Whatever happens, it’s going to be another memorable season, and your support will be vital to us; I know you’ll be with us every step of the way. COYCR! Mitch Megginson

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Club Honours

Scottish League 1 Winners:

‘21-’22

Scottish League 2 Winners:

‘19-’20

Highland League Winners: Runners-up:

‘00-’01, ‘07-’08, ‘08-’09, ‘12’13, ‘15-’16, ‘17-’18, ‘18-’19 ‘89-’90, ‘92-’93, ‘94-’95, ‘95-’96, ‘09-’10, ‘11-’12, ‘16-’17

Scottish Qualifying Cup (North) Winners:

Runners-up:

‘90-’91, ‘00-’01 ‘88-’89, ‘91-’92, ‘01-’02, ‘03-’04

Highland League Cup Winners: Runners-up:

‘94-’95, ‘99-’00, ‘04-’05, ‘14-1’5, ‘16-17, ‘18-’19 ‘90-’91, ‘92-’93, ‘95-’96, ‘97’98, ‘05-’06, ‘07-’08, ‘11-’12

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Aberdeenshire Cup Winners:

Runners-up:

‘01-’02, ‘10-’11, ‘18-’19 ‘92-’93, ‘94-’95, ‘16-’17, ‘17-’18

Aberdeenshire Shield Winners:

‘90-’91, ‘00-’01, ’08-’09, ‘17-’18

Runners-up:

‘94-’95, ‘12-’13, ‘15-’16

Aberdeenshire & District League Winners: Runners-up:

‘00-’01, ‘08-’09, ‘10-’11, ‘11-’12, ‘12-’13, ‘14-’15 ‘06-’07

Aberdeenshire Centenary Cup Runners-up:

‘86-’87

Inter-League Trophy Winners:

‘01-’02

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Today’s Team Lines

Cove Rangers

Raith Rovers

Manager - Jim McIntyre

Manager - Ian Murray

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 14 16 19 20 21 23 24 26

1 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 16 17 19 20 22 23 25 26 27 28 29 30

Stuart McKenzie Shay Logan Evan Towler Connor Scully Scott Ross Morgyn Neill Gerry McDonagh Blair Yule Mitchel Megginson (C) Jamie Masson Leighton McIntosh Ross Draper Iain Vigurs Rhys Thomas Robbie Leitch Balint Demus Kyle Gourlay Fraser Fyvie Mark Reynolds

Jamie MacDonald Liam Dick Ross Millen Brad Spencer Aidan Connolly Ross Matthews Jamie Gullan Lewis Vaughan Dario Zanatta Tom Lang Sam Stanton Robbie Thomson Luke Mahady Scott Brown Ethan Ross Dylan Easton Aaron Arnott Kieran Mitchell Quinn Coulson Kyle Bow Greig Young Adam Masson

Today’s referee - Matthew MacDermid Today’s assistant referees - Dougie Potter & Brian Christie Team lines sponsor

Cove Rangers FC Match Programme — vs. Raith Rovers 30.07.22

Articles inside

View from The Dugout

Club Information

Captain’s View

Club Partners

Today’s Team Lines