Cove Rangers v Ayr United – Scottish Cup – 21.01.23

MATCH REPORT

Morgyn Neill was the last gasp Cove hero as the side twice came from behind to snatch their first point of the new Paul Hartley era.

The big central defender’s back post header sparked scenes of celebration at the end of a game which had looked lost. Vaughan and Easton had given Raith the lead, Leighton McIntosh restoring parity in the first half with a coolly taken penalty.

Illness and injury had shaped the manager’s selection. Fraser Fyvie joined Shay Logan and Gerry McDonagh on the sidelines, and captain Mitch Megginson, who had been ill all week, was deemed fit enough only for a place on the bench.

McIntosh and Robbie Leitch were partnered up front, Kyle McClelland moved to right-back, Mark Reynolds returned from illness, and Brody Paterson was handed his Cove Rangers debut after international clearance finally came through. Kyle Gourlay was recalled in goal at the expense of Stuart McKenzie.

We had more of the ball in the very early stages, but it was Rovers who came close to opening the scoring when Dick’s cross found Vaughan free at the back post, but his looping header only just cleared the crossbar.

Cove responded when Scully – who would later be named man of the match – found Longstaff, and Luis quickly transferred the ball to Robbie Leitch, but

his cross from the right was gathered at the front post by MacDonald.

Leitch had a shot from the edge of the box blocked, and a dangerous Longstaff cross just failed to find a team-mate before Luis fired in another effort which the away defence charged down.

Raith forced a free-kick on the left which Easton whipped in, Gourlay getting an important touch to punch it clear, then Gullan shot just wide from sixteen yards.

Minutes later, Rovers snatched the lead. Dick and Easton were blocked off on the left, but the ball was fed infield. Spencer controlled it and rolled an inch-perfect pass into the box which Lewis VAUGHAN ran on to and cleverly chipped over Gourlay.

The lead lasted just three minutes.

Connor Scully clipped in a free-kick from thirty-five yards which Morgyn Neill rose to meet with his head only for Ryan Nolan to intercept with his raised arm.

“...the striker guided the ball into the other side of the net.”

— Raith Rovers Match Report

Referee Wilson pointed immediately to the spot. After a lengthy delay, Leighton McINTOSH stepped up confidently, and with MacDonald diving to his left, the striker guided the ball into the other side of the net.

From another Cove free-kick, Longstaff swung in an inviting ball, Kyle McClelland nodded it back to the edge of the box and Leitch unleashed a volley which the keeper clutched on his line.

After a defensive mix-up, Raith had another big chance, but Vaughan’s volley was shut down. The respite was however brief, and almost immediately they regained the lead. When the ball came in from the right, Scully tried to get a toe on it, but Dylan EASTON juggled it over the midfielder’s boot, then volleyed home from the edge of the box.

The visitors might have extended their advantage in the fifty-ninth minute when Easton set Vaughan clear, but the striker’s low angled shot rolled wide of Gourlay’s right post.

Paul Hartley threw on Megginson and Glass for Longstaff and Leitch, but it was Rovers who continued to look more dangerous, and Vaughan threatened again with a curling cross/shot from twenty yards which Gourlay did well to tip on to the bar and over.

Mitch had a shot blocked, then with the game moving into stoppage time, the skipper forced a corner after a penetrating run down the right.

Declan Glass took it, the ball was half cleared, but Scully was quick to react and with another of his acrobatic

overhead kicks, the midfielder returned the ball deep into the danger area. With the Raith defence scrambling to cover, Morgyn NEILL ran on to it and headed powerfully beyond MacDonald.

The big man – who less than two weeks ago seemed on his way out of the club – raced to the dugout in celebration, tumbling to the turf as he was engulfed by his jubilant team-mates.

After successive games in which the team had suffered so badly, the emotional release was entirely understandable.

It was with deep disappointment that we last week had to announce the return of Charlie Gilmour to his parent club, St Johnstone FC.

Charlie joined us on loan last August, making his debut against Ayr United, and went on to play sixteen games for Cove Rangers. He established himself as first choice pick and formed an impressive partnership with Blair Yule at the heart of the midfield.

Unfortunately, Charlie picked up a serious ankle injury during our win over Hamilton last month. Following a scan and assessment, it was determined the twenty-three year old required an operation, and will be out of action for a number of months. The decision was taken that he would be best served going back to McDiarmid Park to carry out his rehabilitation.

A popular figure in the dressing room, and a key performer on the pitch, Charlie will be missed by all of us at Balmoral Stadium, and we look forward to seeing him coming back to take in games later in the season.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish Charlie well in his recovery, and for his future career.

The club would also like to thank St Johnstone FC for their help and support.

CHARLIE GILMOUR

Principal Club Partner Principal Stadium Partner

Official Club Partners

Club Partners

— View from The Dugout

PAUL HARTLEY

This afternoon we welcome Ayr United on Scottish Cup duty, and there has been a real feeling of excitement around the stadium in the build-up to the tie.

I love the tournament, it was good to me as a player, and it would be great to enjoy a bit of success as a manager too.

We want to get through, there could be some massive moments ahead if we do, and although Ayr have been really good this season, and pose a real threat, we go into the game in a confident frame of mind after last week’s battling draw against Raith Rovers.

It was a nice feeling to get that last gasp goal to get what could be a vital point. It was looking as if we weren’t going to get anything, but the boys were really committed, and that fight and determination is going to be so important; every point is vital in this league.

I was pleased for Morgyn Neill, he hasn’t played much this season, but you can see what this club means to him, and he does love a goal celebration!

The mentality he and the rest of the players showed is going to be crucial as we move towards the closing stages of the season. I am well aware that they need help, that we need a bigger squad, and I am working hard to achieve that, but the transfer market can, at times, be a slow process.

Firstly, you have to look at what areas of the pitch we need to strengthen, then it’s a case of identifying people who are the right fit for the club. You have to be aware of the finances,

can we afford them? Then it’s a case of speaking to the agents and the player’s current club if he has one, or if they’re without one, you might have to get them in for a trial.

We need strong characters, you’re looking for someone with a good personality, then you have to weigh up what to offer. Is it a permanent deal, or maybe just a short term fix until the summer?

There is a list of players, but you have to always keep in mind that you might not get your first, or even second, choice. You need to have alternatives there that you can move on to.

Ideally, any signings will be boys that I know, or have worked with, or that I’ve come across generally in the game. Between myself, Gordon Young and Jimmy Boyle, and the Chairman and John Sheran, we know the market pretty well, and we’ve all got our contacts, so we’ve been putting that to good use.

It has been non-stop since I came back as we look to improve the squad because we are short of numbers, and I would hope that’s something we can rectify over the next couple of weeks. There’s no point in getting frustrated, I know how these windows work, and you just have to get on with it. In Scotland, a lot of the clubs are fighting for the same type of players, so that has to be factored in too. Sometimes, you just have to hope that you get lucky.

Every player that we bring in has to be able to help us over the next few months. Some might end up staying longer, but for now the focus is on this season and making sure we stay in the Championship. A wee cup run would also be very welcome! Enjoy the game!

Paul Hartley

“...fight and determination is going to be so important; every point is vital in this league”

Gordon Young Jimmy Boyle

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

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 H 0 - 6 14.01.23 Raith Rovers SPFL Champ H 2 - 2 21.01.23 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 A18.03.23 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 -

MORGYN NEILL

Football has a habit of throwing up unusual and unexpected twists, and it would be fair to say that is exactly what has happened to Morgyn Neill over the past couple of weeks.

Having spent most of the season on the bench, “My face just didn’t fit with the previous manager,” the big central defender suddenly found his life and career turned upside down with the reappointment of Paul Hartley.

Morgyn was on his way out of the club. In fact, he was sitting in the car park at Alloa Athletic’s Indodrill Stadium when the call came through to tell him the loan deal was off, and that his old gaffer wanted to keep him at Cove.

In his mind, Morgyn was already an Alloa player, but the moment he had that conversation, he knew what he wanted; to stay at Balmoral Stadium.

The Clackmannanshire club were understanding, as was their boss, Brian Rice, and once the deal had been scrapped, Neill was back in the fold:

“I never wanted to leave, everyone knows what this club means to me, and all I wanted was to be given the chance. I was never going to be in Jim McIntyre’s plans, and as a player, all you can do under those circumstances is to keep your head down, and keep working hard.

“That’s exactly what I did. I got on the minibus every Tuesday and Thursday; I never missed a training session, and I was doing extra work every Sunday with my Dad. Was it frustrating that I never got the chance to play? Of course it was, but I was there rooting for the boys every game, standing by the dugout trying to encourage them.

“I always still felt part of the squad, we’ve got a brilliant team spirit here, but

I was never going to get the chance to play, and that’s why I eventually agreed to the loan.”

Morgyn had flourished during Paul Hartley’s first spell in charge and was a near ever-present during the highly successful League One title-winning campaign. He was named in the official Team of the Year, and also picked up multiple individual awards.

Having played a major role in getting Cove Rangers up to the Championship, he was relishing the opportunity to help consolidate the club in the second tier, and while that chance was delayed, he now hopes to make the most of it.

Morgyn’s return to the side has brought highly contrasting emotions with the six-goal thumping at the hands of Queen’s Park followed by his dramatic late equaliser against Raith. He is back in

the side, and the manager says it is up to him to keep his place:

“I thought he had a good game last Saturday, even apart from his goal. He’s always likely to score, he popped up with a few for us last season, and he can be an important player. Obviously, I know him pretty well, I’ve put him back in and he knows what I want from him. He’s a wholehearted player and he’s got plenty to offer.

“He’s a good team-mate, a good lad, and he’s so committed to playing here.”

That was evident after the defeat to Queen’s. Still shellshocked, Morgyn nevertheless performed his man of the match duties in the Hospitality Lounge following the game, and speaking from the heart, he earned a standing ovation. What he does on the pitch will obviously be more important, but he was a wonderful ambassador for the club that

evening, and made it clear he will give absolutely everything to ensure we retain our Championship status.

the gaffer coming back in, it feels like a fresh start...”

“It has been a hard few months for me personally, but with the gaffer coming back in, it feels like a fresh start, and having been reassured that I’m in his plans, I’ll be giving everything for this club.

“I never leave anything on the park, I’ll be giving my all, I’ve always been like that, but this is the best changing room I’ve ever been in, and I’m just so happy that I’m still going to be here, doing what I can for this great club.”

“...with

CENTENARY BOOK

With the club’s centenary year drawing to a close at the end of 2022, the first official history of Cove Rangers FC is still available to buy.

The book, ‘100 YEARS COVE RANGERS

FC: A history of the club’s rise through the ranks of Scottish Football’ has been written by local journalist, Charlie Allan.

It is a fascinating and revealing journey across the decades which notes the existence of a team in Cove in the late 19th century, but explains why the club, as we know it, has been celebrating a significant milestone in 2022.

Drawing on press reports and club records, the narrative weaves through many challenging spells – including one season when Cove Rangers went ‘defunct’ – and tells how those in charge did everything they could to keep pushing forward.

There are in-depth chapters highlighting the key figures whose determination and ambition ultimately helped to bring success to Allan Park and Balmoral Stadium, interviews with players and staff past and present, and a chance to view previously unseen pictures from the Cove archives.

Four of the main driving forces behind the progression of the club – Honorary President Alan McRae, Chairman Keith Moorhouse, Director of Football

John Sheran and Secretary Duncan Little – were on hand for the launch in December, along with ex-players, Eric Watson and Graeme Park, midfielder Fraser Fyvie, and Terry Cobban of club sponsor ACE.

The book, which costs just £15, can be bought online at the Cove Rangers FC website, or from the club shop on matchdays.

FOX IN THE BOX

We were delighted this week to announce the signing of experienced goalkeeper Scott Fox.

Having begun his career at Celtic, from where he was loaned out to East Fife, Scott is best known for a decade in which he was first choice at Partick Thistle and Ross County, racking up well over three hundred appearances.

Such was his form and consistency at that time, Scott was called up to the Scotland squad by Gordon Strachan for matches against the USA and Norway.

He was most recently with Motherwell –where his career was interruptedby a serious cruciate injury –but left the Fir Park club by mutual consent just before Christmas. He played four games on loan with Queen of the South earlier in the season.

Manager Paul Hartley is delighted to have got Scott on board:

“I’ve known Scott since he was a kid at Celtic. He’s a great boy and a very good goalkeeper. At this stage of his career, he has a wealth of experience and he’s played a lot of games in the topflight and at Championship level.

“Scott is an organiser and a very good shot-stopper. I’m delighted to have got this deal over the line; he will be a valuable addition to the team.”

Scott, now thirty-five, has agreed an eighteen-month deal with the club, and is excited by the new challenge:

“I’ve experienced pretty much everything in my career. I’ve had liquidations and administrations, relegations and promotions, so I’m ready for anything. I’ve not played as much as I would have wanted to in the last couple of seasons, but I’m fit, I can train every day, and at thirty-five, I feel I’ve still got a good few years ahead of me.

“When I got the ACL injury, I did initially wonder if it was worth even trying to get back playing, but after a couple of weeks I got the fire back, and cracked on. The last loan I was on at Queen of the South didn’t work out as I would have hoped, but now I’m raring to go, and there’s that excitement about taking on a new challenge.

“All I want to do now is play as many games as I can and help Cove Rangers get the points we need to stay in this division.”

will

the

Scott

wear

number twelve shirt at Balmoral Stadium.

CAPTAIN’S VIEW

After the previous two results, it was pleasing to come away from last weekend’s match against Raith with a point, particularly after being behind twice in the game.

Raith are a good side, and we were missing a few bodies, so the boys had to put in a hard shift. The team showed great character to keep fighting until the very end, and we were rewarded for our hard work when Morgyn Neill equalised in the final moments.

It was fitting that Scoop got the goal in the end. He has had a frustrating time at Cove since the summer, but his attitude over the last six months has been second to none. He has never stopped working hard in training and he has continuously backed the others in the squad. You know that you will get 100% from him every week, he gives everything he has got, and that is exactly the type of player you need in your squad, particularly in this league.

Sometimes it can just take a little bit of luck or a change of management and these things can happen in football. He has persevered and been rewarded for it, so credit to him. To come up with the equaliser in the dying minutes of the game will have meant so much to Morgyn. He gives everything for the club, and you could see the emotion in his celebration!

We get a break from league action this week, so it gives us something different to think about, but last weekend’s result gives us some momentum to work with, and we will look to continue to improve on our performance.

It is a welcome break, as we can switch off from the pressures of picking up points for the week and focus on getting a run going in the Scottish Cup.

It will be a tough test, however, and we know we will have to be at our best if we want to progress against Ayr this afternoon.

We want to keep adding to the history of Cove Rangers.”

When we played down at Somerset Park in October there was nothing between the two sides and we came away with a draw.

If we are on it for the full 90 minutes and we play to the standards we have set in previous games where we have played the teams challenging for the league, then there is no reason why we can’t come away with a win.

As we have stepped up the leagues, we have realised we should be progressing further in these competitions. We want to keep adding to the history of Cove Rangers.

The further you progress, the greater the opportunity of playing in a lucrative tie, which is something everyone at the club would love, and that is certainly our aim.

COYCR! Mitch Megginson

“

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

1 Stuart McKenzie 2 Shay Logan 4 Connor Scully 5 Scott Ross 6 Morgyn Neill 7 Gerry McDonagh 8 Blair Yule 9 Mitchel Megginson (C) 10 Jamie Masson 11 Leighton McIntosh 12 Scott Fox 15 Kyle McClelland 16 Iain Vigurs 17 Luis Longstaff 19 Rhys Thomas 20 Robbie Leitch 21 Balint Demus 22 Cieran Dunne 23 Kyle Gourlay 24 Fraser Fyvie 25 Declan Glass 26 Mark Reynolds 28 Brody Paterson

Ayr United

Manager - Lee Bullen

1 Aidan McAdams 2 Jordan Houston 3 Patrick Reading 4 Jordan Houston 5 Sean McGinty 6 Andy Murdoch 7 Michael Moffat 8 Ben Dempsey 9 Dipo Akinyemi 10 Daire O’Connor 11 Jayden Mitchell-Lawson 14 Josh Mullin 15 Alex Kirk 16 Logan Chalmers 17 Nick McAllister 18 Brad Young 20 Michael Hewitt 21 Charlie Albinson 22 Mark McKenzie 23 Sam Ashford 25 Finn Ecrepont 26 Kinlay Bilham 27 Max Guthrie 28 Alex Jeanes 29 David Bangala 30 Fraser Bryden 31 Paul Smith 33 Carter Jenkins 34 Dario Viviani

Today’s referee - Matthew MacDermid Today’s assistant referees - Dougie Potter & Andrew McWilliam

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