Cove Rangers vs Queen's Park 07.01.23

MATCH REPORT

The team secured a massive victory thanks to a late double from super-sub Leighton McIntosh and maintained their one hundred percent record this season under the Balmoral Stadium floodlights; three wins out of three now in midweek cinch Championship fixtures.

The two previous meetings had seen the sides sharing twelve goals, but on a freezing night, and with a strong wind whipping across the pitch, the early signs were this might be a less explosive affair.

Accies did threaten early on, after de Bolle played a 1-2 and cut the ball back into the path of Andy Ryan, but from six yards, the striker’s sidefooted shot cannoned off the crossbar.

Cove were struggling to get Charlie Gilmour and Blair Yule involved in the match, but from a Longstaff freekick, Hamilton were under pressure, eventually scrambling the ball to safety. We came agonisingly close soon after. Luis set Max Johnston free down the right and the full-back’s cross found Fyvie at the back post. His clever looping header looked destined for the net, but Fulton made a fingertip save.

Cove Rangers

(4-4-2)

McKenzie; Johnston, Sanders, Reynolds, Scully; Longstaff, Yule, Gilmour (Masson 34), Fyvie; Megginson (c) (McIntosh 82), McDonagh

Substitutes

Gourlay, Towler, Ross, McClelland, Vigurs, Leitch, Dunne

Goalscorers

McIntosh (84, 87) Booked Yule (43) Fyvie (50) Megginson (61) McDonagh (75)

Hamilton (4-2-3-1)

Fulton; Doyle, Owens, O’Reilly, Shiels; Martin, Mimnaugh (One 87); Winter (Tiehi 59), de Bolle, Smith; Ryan Substitutes

J. Smith, Easton, Zanatta, McGinn, Newbury, Forsyth, Morgan Booked Mimnaugh (61) Doyle (68)

Referee

Euan Anderson

Attendance 695

Five minutes into the second half, Hamilton nearly broke the deadlock. Andy Ryan capitalised on a slip and sent in a curling twenty-three yard effort which McKenzie managed to push away, and then with Smith fastening on to the rebound, big Stu was quick to react, and make another important save.

Just before the hour mark, we so nearly took the lead following a thrilling counter-attack. Luis Longstaff ran free over halfway then set Johnston racing off down the touchline. Max’s pinpoint cross found the head of Gerry McDonagh, but the striker’s angled header, which looked goal bound, bounced inches wide of the back post, with Fraser Fyvie arriving just too late.

Jim McIntyre made a substitution in the 82nd minute, sending on Leighton McIntosh for captain Megginson, and the new man was to make the most sensational of impacts.

He had barely been on the park when Masson swung a corner in from the right, and McIntosh found space in the box to angle the ball beyond Fulton and inside the far post.

If that came as a huge relief, less than three minutes later the Cove fans were in ecstasy. McIntosh gathered on the left just outside the box, weaved across the line away from a couple of defenders, and then reversed a low drive beyond the keeper into the bottom corner to secure the points.

“

…the Cove fans were in ecstasy.”

MATCH REPORT

It was the worst possible start to the New Year as Caley Thistle shrugged off the loss of the first goal to romp to victory with veteran Billy McKay helping himself to a hat-trick.

With Charlie Gilmour and Shay Logan out injured, and Max Johnston recalled from his loan by Motherwell, Jim McIntyre was forced into making two changes. Scott Ross took over at rightback, Fraser Fyvie replaced Gilmour at the heart of the midfield, and last week’s super sub, Leighton McIntosh, started on the left.

The opener came in the twenty-first minute after a succession of Cove corners. The first two were taken by Longstaff on the right, the second of which saw Ram head over his own crossbar. Fyvie took the third, from the left, and his perfect inswinging delivery found the head of Jack Sanders who powered it into the net.

We might have had a second just two minutes later when McIntosh ran and passed into the box, but Megginson was crowded out. Fyvie then had a shot blocked and McIntosh tried his luck, but his effort from the edge of the box took a deflection and Ridgers was able to gather.

Out of the blue Caley Thistle levelled. Scott Ross was penalised for a challenge and when Welsh swung the free-kick in from the Inverness left, Billy McKay dived full length to head past McKenzie from six yards.

Inverness CT (4-3-2-1)

Ridgers; Carson, Devine, Ram (Strachan 86) Delaney; Welsh, Hyde; Henderson (Cairns 81), Doran (Thompson 81), D. MacKay (Boyd 74); McKay (Nicolson 81)

Substitutes

C. MacKay, Oakley

Goalscorers McKay (32, pen 44, 64), Devine (40), MacKay (50), Ross (og 52) Cove Rangers (4-4-2)

McKenzie; Ross, Sanders, Reynolds (McClelland 46), Scully; Longstaff, Yule, Fyvie, McIntyre; Megginson (c), McDonagh (Masson 34)

Substitutes Gourlay, Towler, Vigurs, Leitch, Dunne

Goalscorers Sanders (21)

Booked Ross (22), Sanders (44), Scully (69)

Referee Craig Napier

Attendance 2,052

The home side went in front five minutes before the break with a goal of utter simplicity. A long free-kick was sent in from the centre circle and Danny Devine ran away from his marker to volley home.

Soon after it was 3-1. McKay got his head to a cross from the right and the ball struck Jack Sanders’ outstretched arm. The referee was quick to award the penalty, the central defender was booked, and Billy McKay sent McKenzie the wrong way from the spot.

Within three minutes of the restart, a defensive calamity saw Caley Thistle extend their advantage.

Stuart McKenzie played the ball across the box, Sanders couldn’t reach it, and Daniel MacKay raced away from Scott Ross before guiding his shot beyond the keeper from deep inside the box. McClelland attempted to clear but could only hammer the ball into the roof of the net.

In no time at all, it was five, and again the concession of the goal was selfinflicted. Once more, we could not deal with a long pass into the box, Stuart came out but failed to gather, and with Daniel MacKay causing havoc, the ball deflected off Scott ROSS and into the net.

The team were clearly shell-shocked but tried to fight their way back into the game, and Fraser Fyvie should have reduced the arrears in the fifty-fifth minute. He made space for himself

inside the box, but from ten yards shot at Ridgers who deflected the ball over for a corner.

That was to be a rare foray forward and Caley Thistle continued to pick us off at will.

A cross from the right found Aaron Doran free and his angled header beat McKenzie, hit the post, and sat up perfectly for Billy McKay to slide in to complete his hat-trick.

Caley Thistle made a succession of substitutions in the closing stages and thankfully the game petered out with no further damage incurred.

“

… delivery found the head of Jack Sanders who powered it into the net.”

NEW YULE CONTRACT

kids, and they’re not just team-mates, they’re friends. That helped to make the decision an easy one.

“It was a frustrating start to the season for me personally, missing the first ten games, but I’ve enjoyed being back in the side, and was delighted to sign the new contract.”

Blair Yule gave the club a major preChristmas boost when he followed his long time team-mate, Connor Scully, in pledging his future to the club.

The midfielder has spent the best part of a decade with Cove Rangers, interrupted only by a brief spell at Arbroath, and has now agreed a new contract which will take him through to the summer of 2025.

Blair says it was not a difficult decision to commit to the extended deal:

“I always wanted to stay here; it was just a case of getting things tied-up. I’m happy at the club, we’ve enjoyed a successful run in recent years, so the thought of starting all over again elsewhere wasn’t appealing.

“It helps that I’m playing alongside a group of boys I’ve known since we were

Chairman Keith Moorhouse is pleased to have tied Yule up for another couple of years:

“You saw just how valuable Blair is to the team when he had that long injury layoff at the start of the season. We missed his drive and energy, and it has been a major plus having him back.

“So, it is great news that he’s signed the new deal, and that he will be here for at least two more seasons.

“It also gives us that continuity, and emphasises the importance of having that spine of local boys. Maintaining that identity is a non-negotiable for everyone at this club.”

“I always wanted to stay here; it was just a case of getting things tied-up.”

Principal Club Partner Principal Stadium Partner

Official Club Partners

Club Partners

FAREWELL

Since the last home game against Hamilton, we have bid farewell to two loan signings who made a big impact at Balmoral Stadium in recent months.

Both Max Johnston and Jack Sanders –who have been recalled by Motherwell and Kilmarnock respectively – proved to be excellent additions, each becoming an automatic first team pick.

They played twelve matches for the club, Jack becoming a stalwart at the heart of the defence, while Max formed an exciting partnership with Luis Longstaff down the right flank. Such was his form that he earned his first Scotland under-21 cap in November, making a scoring debut against Iceland.

While their spells at Cove Rangers were relatively short, the pair made a significant contribution to our Championship campaign, and we wish them well in their future careers.

Another loan signing, Charlie Gilmour, will also be unavailable for the second half of the season after suffering a serious ankle injury in the victory over Hamilton just before Christmas.

After joining us from St Johnstone, Charlie settled in quickly and became the beating heart of the midfield, instantly striking up an important understanding with Blair Yule when the latter returned from his spell on the sidelines.

Charlie will be missed both on the pitch and in the dressing room where he quickly became a popular team-mate. Everyone at the club would like to pass on their best wishes for as speedy a recovery as possible for the twenty-three year old.

12.07.22 Albion Rovers PSC A 1 - 2 16.07.22 Livingston PSC H 1 - 2 19.07.22 Kelty Hearts PSC H 2 - 3 23.07.22 Inverness CT PSC A 1 - 1 30.07.22 Raith Rovers SPFL Champ H 2 - 0 06.08.22 Morton SPFL Champ A 1 - 0 13.08.22 Inverness CT SPFL Champ A 4 - 1 20.08.22 Ayr SPFL Champ H 1 - 2 27.08.22 Queen’s Park SPFL Champ A 2 - 1 03.09.22 Hamilton SPFL Champ H 2 - 2 17.09.22 Partick Thistle SPFL Champ A 2 - 2 24.09.22 Raith Rovers SPFL Trust Trophy H 0 - 1 01.10.22 Arbroath SPFL Champ H 2 - 0 04.10.22 Dundee SPFL Champ H 3 - 1 08.10.22 Raith Rovers SPFL Champ A 3 - 0 15.10.22 Inverness CT SPFL Champ H 0 - 1 22.10.22 Ayr SPFL Champ A 2 - 2 29.10.22 Hamilton SPFL Champ A 4 - 4 05.11.22 Queen’s Park SPFL Champ H 2 - 0 12.11.22 Arbroath SPFL Champ A 1 - 1 19.11.22 Morton SPFL Champ H 1 - 2

Date Fixture Competition

Score 26.11.22 Dunipace Scottish Cup H 7 - 0 03.12.22 Partick Thistle SPFL Champ H 1 - 1 23.12.22 Hamilton SPFL Champ H 2 - 0 02.01.23 Inverness CT SPFL Champ A 6 - 1 07.01.23 Queen’s Park SPFL Champ A14.01.23 Raith Rovers SPFL Champ H21.01.23 Ayr Scottish Cup H28.01.23 Ayr SPFL Champ H04.02.23 Partick Thistle SPFL Champ A18.02.23 Arbroath SPFL Champ H25.02.23 Morton SPFL Champ A04.03.23 Dundee SPFL Champ H11.03.23 Queen’s Park SPFL Champ H18.03.23 Raith Rovers SPFL Champ A25.03.23 Ayr SPFL Champ A01.04.23 Partick Thistle SPFL Champ H08.04.23 Hamilton SPFL Champ A15.04.23 Inverness CT SPFL Champ H22.04.23 Arbroath SPFL Champ A29.04.23 Dundee SPFL Champ A05.05.23 Morton SPFL Champ H -

FESTIVE FRIENDS

Cove Rangers were delighted to join all others in the SPFL by taking part in the league’s Festive Friends project. The scheme, set up by the SPFL Trust, aimed to offer a little help and support to elderly people in communities across the country, and to bring some cheer at what can be a difficult time for many.

Clubs were asked to identify and contact some of the most vulnerable people living locally, and to deliver hampers packed with Christmas items. Our secretary, Duncan Little, made numerous trips to supermarkets to gather provisions, and he, other staff members, and our friends from the Altens branch of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service drove around Cove handing them over.

Duncan said it was a small gesture, but one which meant everything to the people he spoke to:

“It was quite emotional, there were tears from some, knowing that they hadn’t been forgotten, and everyone was so thankful for the hampers. The problem in some cases was getting away to deliver the next one, as people just wanted to chat, and to reminisce about football!”

“I am so happy that we were able to brighten up Christmas a bit for lots of old folk who might otherwise have had to go without.

“It’s an important service, and I could see just how much it meant to the people we visited.”

Images of 2022

Celebrating the League One title win in April

Connor Scully celebrates goal of the month winner v Dundee in October

Mitch Megginson scores 200th Cove goal v Hamilton in October

Leighton McIntosh scores late v Hamilton in December to end 2022 in style

Stuart McKenzie Testimonial in July

Mitch Megginson scores first Championship goal v Raith Rovers in July

CAPTAIN’S VIEW

I would like to begin by wishing all CRFC supporters a Happy New Year. 2022 was a very successful one for the club, and we are hopeful that we can give you many more joyful moments throughout the coming year.

Unfortunately, we started 2023 with an extremely poor result against Inverness. On behalf of the team, I must apologise for Monday’s poor performance.

We are obviously not used to that kind of defeat, it is not something that happens often as a Cove player, and it is not something that we want to see ever again either. Following that, the board decided it was the right time to change the manager.

I am disappointed to see Jim McIntyre go, I liked and got on well with him, but we all know that football is a result-based business, and that difficult decisions sometimes have to be taken.

It was fortunate that Paul Hartley was available, and I look forward to working with him again. We had a great spell under Paul, won two league titles, and it was a successful time both for the team and for me personally.

He knows the bulk of the squad, understands the club, and will, I am sure, bring some new faces in. When there is a change of manager, it always adds a bit of excitement, and that is added to given the relationship many of us previously had with Paul.

Now it’s all about hitting the ground running again and trying to bounce back from what happened in Inverness.

Throughout the season we have not lost many goals from good team play, it has mainly been down to individual errors, so we really need to cut that out in order to start picking up points.

It was a sore one to take, and I’m sure the fans felt it also. We have high standards in our squad, and none of us want that to happen again.

It is up to everyone in the team now to repay the supporters by improving on Monday’s display and getting a result against the league leaders this afternoon. “

...we had a great spell under Paul, won two league titles, and it was a successful time”

That will be no easy task, as we have experienced over the last two seasons. We know it will be a tough match, but we take confidence from our last meeting with them, when Scully scored a brace to give us a 2-0 victory.

Furthermore, throughout the course of the season we have been much stronger at home, so we must look to use that to our advantage.

After the Christmas period it is just about putting points on the board as the end of the season comes around quickly, so for us, it is crucial we pick up something in every game we play from here on, so that we can start looking up the table.

With everyone out to impress the new manager, there will be an added edge, and I hope we can quickly brush aside the disappointment in the Highlands and get back to performing as we know we can.

Mitch Megginson

COYCR!

DIFFERENT LEAGUE

Scottish League 1

Winners

‘21-’22

Highland League Winners ‘00-’01, ‘07-’08, ‘08-’09, ‘12-’13, ‘15-’16, ‘17-’18, ‘18-’19

Runners-up ‘89-’90, ‘92-’93, ‘94-’95, ‘95-’96, ‘09-’10, ‘11-’12, ‘16-’17

Highland League Cup Winners

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

Aberdeenshire Shield Winners ‘90-’91, ‘00-’01, ‘08-’09, ‘17-’18.

Runners-up ‘94-’95, ‘12-’13, ‘15-’16

Aberdeenshire Centenary Cup Runners-up ‘86-’87

Scottish League 2 Winners ‘19-’20

Scottish Qualifying Cup (North) Winners ‘90-’91, ‘00-’01 Runners-up ‘88-’89, ‘91-’92, ‘01-’02, ‘03-’04

Aberdeenshire Cup Winners

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

Aberdeenshire & District League Winners ‘00-’01, ‘08-’09, ‘10-’11, ‘11-’12, ‘12-’13, ‘14-’15 Runners-up ‘06-’07

Inter-League Trophy Winners ‘01-’02

Cove Rangers

Manager - Paul Hartley

1Stuart McKenzie

2Shay Logan

3Evan Towler

4Connor Scully

5Scott Ross 6Morgyn Neill

7Gerry McDonagh

8Blair Yule 9Mitchel Megginson (C) 10Jamie Masson

11Leighton McIntosh 14Charlie Gilmour 15Kyle McClelland 16Iain Vigurs 17Luis Longstaff 19Rhys Thomas 20Robbie Leitch 21Balint Demus

22Cieran Dunne 23Kyle Gourlay 24Fraser Fyvie 26Mark Reynolds

Queen’s Park

Manager - Owen Coyle

1Calum Ferrie 2Jason Naismith

3Tommy Robson 4Lee Kilday (C) 5Charlie Fox 7Louis Longridge 8Jack Thomson 10Josh McPake 11Dom Thomas 12Jake Davidson 14Lewis Moore 15Max Gillies 16Cameron Bruce 17Jacques Heraghty 18Calum Biggar 19Scott Williamson 21Grant Savoury 22Aaron Healy 23Simon Murray 25Alex Bannon 27Patrick Jarrett 42Malachi Boateng 47 David Boateng 66Stephen Eze

Today’s referee - David Dickinson

Today’s assistant referees - Steven Traynor & Alastair Taylor