MATCH REPORT

Arbroath 0

Cove Rangers 1 cinch Championship

Sat 22nd April

Gayfield Stadium

Our long wait for a victory came to an end at just the right time at Gayfield a fortnight ago, as the boys snatched all three points from what was a tight encounter on a cold blustery day.

The goal came late and in the wake of a bold substitution by manager Paul Hartley. He took off Cieran Dunne and put Morgyn Neill on up front in a move which was to pay immediate dividends. Luis Longstaff cut in from the right, and his powerful shot was deflected wide for a corner. Iain Vigurs curled in the delivery, and big Morgyn met it flush with his forehead, Arbroath keeper Derek Gaston unable to prevent the ball from crossing the line.

Neill peeled away to celebrate with the sizeable travelling support, everyone well aware of the potential importance of his goal. In keeping with what had been a solid defensive display, the players comfortably saw the game out, claiming three points which could be vital in our bid for survival.

Abroath (4-2-3-1)

Gaston; Banks, Little, O’Brien (c), Hetherington; Balde (Allan 90), Gold (Tait 79); Stewart, McKenna, Dow (Linn 57); Hilson

Substitutes

Gill, Jacobs, Komolafe, Olusanya, Ben El-Mhanni, Bitsindou

Booked

McKenna (61)

Cove Rangers (4-4-2)

Fox; Naismith, Ross, Reynolds, Longridge; Longstaff, Vigurs, Scully, O’Halloran (Dunne 30) (Neill 81); Megginson (c), McIntosh (Weston 45)

Substitutes

Gourlay, Bangala, Glass

Goalscorers

Neill (84)

Booked

Megginson (41), Naismith (45), Longridge (64)

Referee

Matthew MacDermid

Attendance

2,451