Cove Rangers FC Matchday Programme – vs. Annan Athletic 07.10.23

vs ANNAN ATHLETIC

Saturday 7th October ‘23 • 3pm KO

Match

Matchball

H Sat 21st Oct, ‘23 Cove Rangers v Montrose cinch League One

H Sat 28th Oct, ‘23 Queen of the South v Cove Rangers cinch League One

H Sat 4th Nov, ‘23 Cove Rangers v Hamilton cinch League One

A Sat 11th Nov, ‘23 Kelty Hearts v Cove Rangers cinch League One

LEAGUE TABLE

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MATCH REPORT

Cove Rangers

Kelty Hearts

2

2

cinch League One

Sat 16th September ‘23

Balmoral Stadium

Despite a much improved performance, the team had to settle for a draw against their visitors from Fife, defensive lapses allowing Kelty to move into a 2-0 lead before captain Mitch Megginson rescued a point with a double, including a serious contender for goal of the season.

With Blair Yule having made his return last weekend and Fraser Fyvie fit again after an eight-month absence, Paul Hartley made four changes for what was the first ever league meeting between the sides.

Blair and Fraser both started and there were recalls for Cameron Stewart and Jacob Jones. Gillingham, Darge, Gallagher and Williamson dropped to the bench.

Kelty were to snatch an early lead. Owens delivered from the left and two visiting players were unmarked as the ball came in. Biabi got a flick to it, pulling an outstanding save out of Nick Suman. From the resultant corner, there was more poor defending as first O’Ware then Adam CORBETT were given free headers. Suman superbly saved the initial effort but could do nothing as the full back nodded home from close range.

The team responded positively as McGowan and Megginson combined to make headway, the ball being played out to Yule. His infield pass teed-up Mark Reynolds who let fly from twenty-five yards, but his effort was charged down.

Jacob Jones was enjoying his comeback and played a lovely ball over the top for Rumarn Burrell to run on to, but the striker was crowded out.

After good link-up between Burrell, McGowan and Jones, the full back’s cross found Yule at the back post, but his shot was deflected for a corner, and from Scully’s resultant delivery, Blair headed wide.

Jones had an excellent cross cleared and a low angled shot blocked, then Fyvie drove well over from thirty yards.

It was all Cove, but out of nothing, Kelty went 2-0 ahead. As they countered, Billy OWENS played the ball forward, Biabi laid it off, and the defender ran free of his marker to shoot home off the inside of the back post.

The home side finally got a foothold with six minutes of the half left, and it was a goal of the highest quality. Fyvie swung in a corner which Gourlay punched out.

Fraser gathered it again and played a pass infield towards Scully, who moved it to the right with a clever flick. Mitch MEGGINSON controlled the ball then unleashed an unstoppable shot high past the keeper.

The players began the second half in similarly dominant fashion, Gourlay having to save at Megginson’s feet, then after a good move involving half the team, Scully shot over from twenty-five yards.

We finally got a richly deserved equaliser a couple of minutes later.

Scully took a short corner to Fyvie, who drove into the box and sent in a powerful angled shot which Gourlay beat away.

Sena got first to the rebound and his effort struck the arm of one of the Kelty defenders. Referee McFarlane pointed immediately to the spot.

After a delay as the visitors protested the award, Mitch MEGGINSON stepped up to confidently sent the ball high beyond Gourlay’s despairing reach.

Yule fired over at the back post, then Fyvie took a touch rather than shoot and he was closed out. Kelty were defending with their lives, Cove launching wave after wave of attacks, and we so nearly grabbed the lead in the eighty-sixth minute.

McGowan lifted a superb ball over the top for Williamson to run on to, and just as Scott was setting himself to shoot, the substitute was cynically brought down by Jason Thomson, who was instantly red-carded.

As the match moved into a lengthy period of stoppage time, Williamson had a fine effort saved by Gourlay low at the post, then soon after, from a Megginson pass, Scott turned and shot, the keeper beating the ball away to safety.

“Kelty were defending with their lives, Cove launching wave after wave of attacks...”

Cove Rangers (3-5-2)

Suman; Sena, Stewart, Reynolds; Yule (Connell 83), McGowan, Fyvie (Williamson 77), Scully, Jones; Megginson (c), Burrell

Substitutes

Demus, Gillingham, Ochmanski, Darge, Mykyta, Gallagher

Goalscorers

Megginson (35, pen 52)

KELTY HEARTS (4-5-1)

Gourlay; Corbett (Cameron 59), Thomson, O’Ware, B. Owens; O’Donnell (L. Owens 87), Lyon, Tidser, Cunningham, McCluskey; Biabi (Daramola 66)

Substitutes

Hunter, Campbell

Goalscorers

Corbett (3), B. Owens (35)

Booked

McCluskey (20), Cunningham (50), Corbett (52)

Booked Thomson (87)

Referee

Dan McFarlane

Attendance

431

MATCH REPORT

A late own goal spared Cove blushes as Edinburgh blew their chance of a first win of the season. We had led early on thanks to Rumarn Burrell but fell out of the game and the bottom side, having come from behind, looked set for victory until suffering late heartbreak.

With only long-term absentees Luke Strachan and Josh Kerr counted out, manager Paul Hartley named an unchanged line-up from last week’s much improved performance in the draw with Kelty Hearts.

We took the lead in the seventh minute. Mark Reynolds strode forward from halfway, and with the space opening up in front of him, shot low and hard from thirty yards. The ball skidded off the damp surface, and McAdams did well to make the save, but he could only push the ball out, and the alert Rumarn BURRELL was first to react to net from close range, his sixth goal of the season.

Edinburgh City 2 Cove Rangers

2

cinch League One

Sat 23rd September ‘23

Meadowbank Stadium

The home side were back on level terms soon after.

Battling with Shanley outside the box, Jones was adjudged to have fouled the striker and was booked by referee Stuart. Murray curled in the free kick from the right and Danny HANDLING found the freedom to glance an angled header inside the far post.

Reynolds was proving to be a major attacking threat for us, breaking from deep and taking the game to the home side. His latest foray forward very nearly resulted in Cove regaining the lead when his pass found Burrell who was sent crashing to the ground twenty yards out. Fraser Fyvie stepped up and his freekick, expertly curled over the wall, flew inches wide of the left post with McAdams beaten.

We were dominating in this period of the game, springing attack after attack. Fyvie again came agonisingly close when his angled effort flew over the keeper, but bounced just wide, then the midfielder set up Megginson whose shot from inside the box cleared the bar.

Paul Hartley made a half-time switch, Will Gillingham replacing Sena in central defence.

Cove looked set to take the lead when Yule found Burrell running free into the box. The striker took possession, cleverly dragged the ball away from MacDonald, then clipped it over the keeper, but Hamilton appeared from nowhere to clear off the line.

Within seconds we were behind.

Ryan SHANLEY gathered some twenty yards out, took a few paces, then curled his shot beyond Suman and into the far corner.

“...Mitch Megginson shot over before City were presented with another glaring opportunity.”

With the game in its final quarter, the manager made two more changes as Williamson and Connell replaced Yule and Burrell. They switched to a 4-3-1-2 at that point, Stewart moving out to right back and Megginson operating behind the two substitutes. Soon after, Tyler Mykyta took over from McGowan.

Williamson twice came close, but Edinburgh should have killed us off in the ninetieth minute when Offord ran away from Reynolds and raced in on goal. Rather than shoot low, he attempted the chip, and Suman saved.

City were to pay for that seconds later. Kyle Connell whipped the ball in from the left and Jack WILKIE headed past his own keeper for an unlikely equaliser.

In a frantic conclusion, Mitch Megginson shot over before City were presented with another glaring opportunity. Will Gillingham misread a long ball forward and his header back fell well short.

Shanley ran on to it and curled his shot beyond Suman, but against the left post. There was one last opening for us, Scully’s effort from the edge of the box comfortably saved.

EDINBURGH CITY (3-5-2)

McAdams; Hamilton, Fontaine (c) (Mercer 46), MacDonald (Wilkie 79); Ewen, Murray (Leitch 32), Handling, Spence, Crane; McLean (Offord 72), Shanley

Substitutes

Quate, Stirling, Mahon, Jacobs, Gormley

Goalscorers

Handling (18), Shanley (59)

Booked Spence (83)

COVE RANGERS (3-5-2)

Suman; Sena (Gillingham

46), Stewart, Reynolds; Yule, (Williamson 69), McGowan (Mykyta 76), Fyvie, Scully, Jones; Megginson (c), Burrell (Connell 69)

Substitutes

Demus, Ochmanski, Darge, Gallagher

Goalscorers Burrell (7), Wilkie (OG 90)

Booked Jones (17), Stewart (25)

Referee Peter Stuart

MATCH REPORT

Stirling Albion

2

2 Cove Rangers

cinch League One

Sat 30th September ‘23

Forthbank Stadium

Down to ten men following the second half sending-off of Mitch Megginson, Cove secured the draw in stoppage time, Fraser Fyvie and Connor Scully combining for a goal of the highest quality.

Albion had led at half time thanks to Greig Spence’s fine finish, Megginson levelling early in the second from the penalty spot. Stirling bundled home their second after Nick Suman – who was outstanding all evening – had saved Spence’s spot kick, but the dramatic ending saw the team head north with a deserved point.

Without long-term injury absentees Luke Strachan and Josh Kerr, manager Paul Hartley made two enforced changes. Illness kept Mark Reynolds out of the side while Blair Yule, who had been nursing a niggle, was fit enough only for a place on the bench. Will Gillingham returned in central defence and Kyle Connell was handed his first league start of the season.

On a damp, greasy pitch, the only grass surface in the division, Cove made the brighter start, Jones forcing a corner in the opening minute. That came to nothing, but we should have been in front soon after. Having carved through the Stirling midfield, Megginson threaded a superb ball into the penalty area for Burrell to run on to. Rumarn got in front of his marker, but his low angled shot skidded inches wide of the far post.

In the twenty-first minute, slack defending very nearly cost us dear.

which Scully could only get a toe to. It fell for Kieran Moore who took a touch, then unleashed a low long range effort, Nick Suman diving full length to his right to make a superb one-handed save.

Cove responded well, Burrell and Megginson linking on the right before the captain drove into the box. His low angled shot was well held by Currie.

The home side did however make the breakthrough in their next attack. A pass chipped forward by Milne found a large gap in our defence, Gillingham stretched to try to intercept, but got only the slightest of touches, and Greig SPENCE gathered the ball, composed himself, and finished well with a low shot just inside the post.

We came close to levelling with five minutes of the half remaining. Sena burst down the right and fed the ball to Burrell who made for the bye-line and stood up an inviting cross. Connell rose highest, and his looping header appeared netbound, only for McLean to get back to clear it off the line.

The equaliser soon after the restart.

Fyvie and Megginson combined on halfway before Mitch played a clever ball down the right for Burrell. He took on Cummins, raced past him, and crossed deep into the box. The ball was gathered by Connell, who chipped an

Cameron Stewart played a poor ball out

excellent delivery into the six yard box where Banner bundled Megginson to the ground. Referee Napier, in a good position, was quick to point to the spot.

Albion protests were prolonged, but when they settled down, Mitch MEGGINSON stepped up confidently and placed his penalty down the middle of the goal, out of reach of the diving Currie.

Out of nowhere, the home side suddenly regained the lead from a highly dubious penalty. Sena clearly played the ball when challenging Spence, but the referee again awarded a spot kick.

Suman superbly saved Spence’s effort, the striker tried to force home the rebound, but it fell to Adam CUMMINS who bundled the ball into the net.

Our task became harder two minutes later when we were reduced to ten men. With Cove on the attack, Megginson got involved in a tangle with McGregor in the box and was immediately red-carded.

Stirling should then have killed us off, Moore blazing high over from twelve yards after a cut back from the left found him in acres of space.

Despite being a man down, we were still holding our own, and Sena forced a corner on the right. Scully swung it in, Burrell got a flick, and Gillingham tried to force it in at the back post, but could only divert the ball wide.

Nick Suman then pulled off a world class double save. When the ball came in from the right, substitute Dunsmore connected with a powerful volley. Nick beat that away, but Milne looked certain to net from the rebound. He headed goalwards from close range, but the keeper somehow got across his line to claw the ball to safety.

The ten men dug deep in the closing stages, playing the better football and probing for an equaliser, and as the game moved into the second minute of stoppage time, it finally came thanks to a quality goal.

Fraser Fyvie collected the ball ten yards inside the Albion half, looked up, and played a precision long pass into the box. Connor SCULLY had made the run, and when the ball arrived, he met it perfectly with his left foot, hooking it beyond the despairing Currie to secure a deserved point.

“...as the game moved into the second minute of stoppage time, it finally came thanks to a quality goal.”

STIRLING ALBION (4-4-2)

Currie; McGeachie, McGregor, McLean (c), Cummins; Moore, Cooper (Miller 87), Milne, Banner; Spence (Thomson 80), Wilson (Dunsmore 90)

Substitutes

Weir, Clark, Wyles, Curtis

Goalscorers

Spence (28), Cummins (65)

Booked

Currie (49), Miller (89)

COVE RANGERS (4-2-3-1)

Suman; Sena, Stewart, Gillingham (Yule 84), Jones; McGowan, Scully; Burrell, Fyvie, Connell (Williamson 72); Megginson (c)

Substitutes

Demus, Ochmanski, Darge, Mykyta, Gallagher

Goalscorers

Megginson (pen 49), Scully (90)

Sent off Megginson (69)

Referee Craig Napier

Attendance

635

16 SEASON 23/24 STATS

Management Sponsors

Player Sponsors

Paul Hartley Gordon Young Tam Ritchie

1. Nick Suman

2. Jacob Jones

10. Rumarn Burrell

11. Kyle Connell

14. Luke Strachan

4. Connor Scully

5. Mouhamed Niang

8. Blair Yule

9. Mitch Megginson

7. Paul McGowan

15. Arron Darge

6. Will Gillingham

Advertising opportunities

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To register interest for sponsorship, contact Angela Bruce: abruce@coverangersfc.com

16. Iain Vigurs

21. Balint Demus

27. Cameron Stewart

17. Josh Kerr

22. Mark Gallagher

28. Rio Davidson-Phipps

29. Scott Williamson

18. Tyler Mykyta

24. Fraser Fyvie

26. Mark Reynolds

20. Myles Gaffney

19. Dayshonne Golding

Unfortunately, I will be sitting this one out after last week’s red card at Stirling, a decision which left me bewildered.

For me, there was nothing in it. I was battling away with the left back and the centre half, as I normally do, and there was the usual crack and banter between us; it’s a physical game. I’ve spun to go into the box, McGregor pulled me, I’ve pushed him away to get into a good position, and he’s gone down holding his face.

Violent conduct has never been part of my game, it’s just not in my persona and I would never condone anything like that. If I had done anything, I would hold my hands up and take the punishment, but I’m an honest boy, I have been throughout my career, and I did nothing to try to hurt him.

I asked the referee why he was sending me off and he just said I had squared up to the defender. You don’t get a proper explanation. I’ve watched it back, you can see there’s nothing there, and it was annoying that he seemed to make such a quick decision.

As a striker, you spend ninety minutes getting kicked all over the park, and you just have to accept it. I do put myself about, and you have to get stuck into your opponents to survive out there, but there are boundaries, and I certainly wouldn’t cross them.

This season I’ve been pretty calm, which was a conscious decision. I’d only had two yellows and I’ve generally not got involved with the refs, which hasn’t always been the case before. I’m quite passionate out there, especially when I’m playing for Cove, and I’ve had silly bookings in the past, but I’ve been cutting that out, so that makes the red card even more frustrating.

After leaving the pitch, I was standing outside the dressing room trying to listen to what was going on, and when I heard the roar, it was quite loud, and I feared the worst. It was brilliant to hear Scully’s name coming over the tannoy.

Over the piece, it was a decent point, and once again we played some really good football. We’ve been starting games well, then we seem to go quiet, and we need to extend that, to keep doing what we were.

We do need to tidy things up at the back, but that comes from everyone, the whole team defending as a unit.

It has been great having Blair Yule back, and Fraser Fyvie too. You see the quality these guys have, and they make such a difference. I’ve known Fraser since we played under-8s, I know how good he is, and we have to get him on the ball as much as possible.

This afternoon rounds off the first quarter of the league campaign and it’s important we get the win. I feel as if that would be a just reward for some of the football we’ve been playing.

It is going to be so frustrating not being out there helping the boys. I’m worse as a spectator than I am out on the pitch, that’s for sure. I don’t like it at all! I will be sitting up there, hiding away in a corner of the stand and trying not to get too involved, but I will be right behind the boys.

Three points would be great, and I’m sure the team can get them.

Mitch COYC!

CRFC GOLF DAY 2023

The club staged its 2023 golf day at Royal Aberdeen last week, with the dinner at The Chester Hotel to follow.

The event, sponsored by Balmoral and in association with ACE, was a huge success, with the weather holding up to allow the golfers to enjoy what is a wonderful stretch of links.

The winners of the tournament, using the Texas Scramble format, with a remarkable net score of 53 (-18) was the Balmoral team of Gary Yeoman, Paul Mitchell, Dave McGinlay and David Wilson. The trophy was presented by Balmoral Chairman, Sir Jimmy Milne.

Cove Rangers would like to thank all the companies who bought teams and supported the event.

The date for next year’s golf day has already been set for Friday, September 27th, 2024.

Anyone interested in joining us should contact: abruce@coverangersfc.com

PAUL HARTLEY

This afternoon brings the curtain down on the first quarter of the league season, and we are all desperate to round it off with a win.

The 2-2 draw with Stirling Albion was our third in a row, and we need to start chalking up a few victories.

I thought we played some good stuff last week, gave away a couple of bad goals, but once again we created chances and were a real force going forward, particularly after we went down to ten men.

What we’re seeing on the pitch is a reflection of how we train, and it’s what we want to see on matchdays. We need to keep that going, we’re a real threat, and it’s enjoyable to watch. I know it’s the sort of football the Cove fans like to see. Earlier in the season, we had lots of possession but weren’t creating the opportunities and that’s changed.

Our play in the opposition half is as good as anyone else in the league.

We have to stop conceding though, I know that. It’s down to individual errors and we have to cut them out. It’s about taking responsibility, being a good team-mate; the players don’t mean it, but it’s happening too often, and it has to stop.

Self-belief is important, you’ve got to trust in the process and do the right things. The last three or four games we have seen some excellent football and we should have got more points out of them. We need to turn those draws into wins.

The players have been brave on the ball, we showed that last week when we were up against it, and the boys displayed great character and resilience to get another late one.

It was great to see Connor Scully finding the net again after a bit of a barren spell, and it was a really good goal. We always try to encourage our midfielders to get forward, to break the lines, and after a really patient build-up it was a superb ball from Fraser Fyvie, and an excellent finish.

It shows the value of having experience and quality in the team. Fraser, Connor, Paul McGowan, Blair Yule; they all played their parts as we fought back and those older players are so important when it comes to helping the younger ones, particularly when you’re up against it.

I would also like to mention Nick Suman, who was really good last week and pulled off some brilliant saves. That will be important for his confidence going forward.

We will be without Mitch Megginson this afternoon, and that’s disappointing; he’s our captain and we’ll miss him, but it gives someone else the opportunity to step in. I have spoken before about the talent and options I have in the front line; this is the chance for some of those players, the ones who feel they should be getting more starts, to step in and prove it.

Getting a win today is the main objective, and if we do that, suddenly it’s a four match unbeaten run with another home game to come, against Montrose in a fortnight’s time.

Enjoy the game!

Paul Hartley

“...this is the chance for some of those players...to step in and prove it.”

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Richard has pioneered work with charities, community hubs, befriending and foodbank groups, raising over £200,000 in the last 24-months to help worthy causes and individuals facing challenging times.

If you would like an opportunity to me et with him and discuss any matters that you feel he can be of assista nce with , please contact Richard on 07977 399 537 or email rbrooks@aberdeencity.gov.uk

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Annan Athletic

Manager - Peter Murphy

1 Ethan Mitchell

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