03 MATCHDAY 50/50 TICKETS
The half-time 50/50 tickets are available from the 50/50 Stand beside the Home Pie Hut!
Not only will you be in with a chance to win a cash prize, but your ticket also gives you 10% off at Sea Salt + Sole –valid on matchday only
50/50 DRAW WINNER
The half-time draw at the Peterhead match was claimed by a Alistair Donald with winning ticket number 174385.
HAMILTON ACADEMICAL MATCH REPORT
COVE RANGERS 2 - 1 HAMILTON ACADEMICAL
The team returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Hamilton Academical at Balmoral Stadium, thanks to a powerful opener from David Eguaibor and a moment of brilliance from Mitch Megginson. Despite coming under heavy pressure after the break, a disciplined defensive display secured our first home league win of the season.
Manager Paul Hartley made two changes to the side beaten in midweek, as Robbie Mutch returned in goal and Mitch Megginson came back from injury. Balint Demus and Mackenzie Strachan moved to the bench.
From the first whistle, Cove controlled proceedings and forced Hamilton back, although it was the visitors who threatened first. After six minutes, a ball in behind found O’Hara, but the forward dragged his low effort narrowly wide - an early warning sign.
Cove responded well, and on 10 minutes a slick passing move released David Eguaibor in the box, the striker squaring for Megginson who fired inches past the far post. Emslie then cut in from the left and forced Smith into a save before David Eguaibor turned sharply on the edge of the area but fired over as we pushed for an opener.
Mutch was called into action shortly before the half-hour mark, holding well from Hendrie’s deflected long-range effort, before Smith produced a superb save at the other end to deny Eguaibor from 10 yards.
The breakthrough finally arrived on 38 minutes. A sweeping switch of play from Emslie found Blair Yule, who cushioned a first-time pass into D.EGUAIBOR. He held off Loughrey before smashing beyond Smith to make it 1–0.
Hamilton hit back almost immediately - Robinson teed up OliShaw, who curled a stunning finish in off the crossbar to level the match on 40 minutes.
06 HAMILTON ACADEMICAL MATCH REPORT
But Cove restored the lead before the interval with a sensational strike from MEGGINSON. From 25 yards, the captain took aim and rifled into the top-right corner - a finish of real quality to send Cove in ahead at the break.
It was the visitors who started the second half with purpose. In the 51st minute, Smith shot just wide after good build-up play down the right involving Shaw.
Cove remained dangerous on the counter, and McAllister went close when he rose highest to meet Emslie’s cross, but his header lacked direction.
Appeals for a penalty were waved away when Harrington appeared to handle inside the box, much to the frustration of the visiting support.
Hamilton then had a huge chance in the 59th minute as Robinson nodded a delivery at the back post to Shaw, who somehow fired wide from six yards.
Cove’s resilience continued to be tested, and with 15 minutes remaining, Mutch produced a brilliant fingertip save to deny Bradley’s curling effort, keeping us in front.
On 78 minutes, Emslie found space behind the defence; his cut-inside and low delivery almost found David Eguaibor, whose header drifted narrowly wide.
The striker almost sealed the result moments later, racing clear one-on-one, but Smith spread himself well to block at his feet.
Despite Hamilton controlling long spells of the second half, the team defended resolutely, showing real grit and character to protect their lead and see out a vital victory.
COVE RANGERS: (4-2-3-1)
Mutch; Bisland (Mylchreest 83’), J.Eguaibor, Parker, Harrington; Yule, O’Donnell; McAllister, Megginson (C) (Strachan 62’), Emslie; D. Eguaibor
Substitutes: Demus, Mylchreest, Donaldson, Milnes
Scorers: D. Eguaibor (38’), Megginson (43’)
Bookings: Megginson (58’)
HAMILTON ACADEMICAL: (4-2-3-1)
Smith; Hutton, Loughrey, Kilday, Hendrie (McKinstry 82’); Robinson (C) (McLuckie 82’), MacDonald; O’Hara, Smith, Bradley; Shaw
Substitutes: Marks, Newbury, Morgan, Eadie, MacKinnon
Scorers: Shaw (40’)
Bookings:
Referee: Graham Grainger
Attendance: 463
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12 25/26 SEASON STATS
Date
15/07/2025
19/07/2025
22/07/2025
26/07/2025
02/08/2025
09/08/2025
12/08/2025
16/08/2025
23/08/2025
26/08/2025
30/08/2025
06/09/2025
13/09/2025
20/09/2025
23/09/2025
27/09/2025
04/10/2025
11/10/2025
18/10/2025
25/10/2025
01/11/2025
08/11/2025
11/11/2025
Fixture
TheSpartans Falkirk Brechin
Queen’sPark
QueenoftheSouth
Stenhousemuir
TheSpartans
Montrose
Peterhead
DundeeB
HamiltonAcademical
Elgin
InvernessCThistle
AlloaAthletic HibernianB
KDMTrophy
Date
27/12/2025
03/01/2026
10/01/2026
24/01/2026
31/01/2026
07/02/2026
14/02/2026
21/02/2026
28/02/2026
07/03/2026
14/03/2026
28/03/2026
18/04/2026
25/04/2026
02/05/2026 Fixture
HamiltonAcademical
AlloaAthletic QueenoftheSouth
Stenhousemuir
HamiltonAcademical
Management Sponsors
Player Sponsors
18 A VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT
WelcometoBalmoralStadiumforthis afternoon’sWilliamHillLeague1clashwith AlloaAthletic.It’sanotherimportantgame forus,andthemessageallweekhasbeen aboutbuildingconsistencyand continuingtheprogresswe’veshownin recentperformances.
Ithoughttherewereplentyofpositivesto takefromlastweekend.Westartedthe matchwell,controlledlargespells,and thegoalswescoredcamefromexactly thetypeoffootballwe’vebeenworking hardtoproduce.Forperiods,itfeltlike vintageCove-confident,aggressive,and withrealqualityinthefinalthird.
Afterthebreakwehadtoadapttoa differentrhythmfromtheopposition,but weremainedcomposed.Westayed disciplinedinourshape,managedthe gameintelligently,andtookadvantage whenthespacesopenedup.Defensively, wewereresolutewhenputunderpressure andwedidn’tgiveanythingaway cheaply,whichissomethingwe’vespoken aboutatlength.
Thatsaid,therearestillareasweknowwe canimprove.Someofourtransitions couldhavebeenquickerandtherewere momentswhereweneededtobesharper inpossession,particularlyinkeyattacking situations.Buttheresponse,attitudeand work-ratefromthesquadwasexactly whatIwantedtosee,andthatgivesus somethingtobuildon.
Todaypresentsanotherbig challenge.GamesagainstAlloa arealwaystightandoftendecided bysmalldetails.They’reawell drilledsideanddangerousin transition,soweneedtobefully switchedonthroughout.Ifwestay aggressive,staytogetherand makethebigmomentscount,like wedidlastweekend,I’mconfident wecangettheoutcomewe’re lookingfor.
Amajorboostforusinrecent weekshasbeenthereturnoftwo importantplayers.GettingMitch Megginsonbackoutonthepitch lastweekwashugeforthegroup. He’sbeendoingitforthisclubfora numberofyears-atopplayer,a leader,andhisgoalwas outstanding.Hemadethe differenceforus,andhavinghim backgiveseveryonealift.We’ve alsowelcomedMikeyDoyleback intotraining.He’sabigcharacter inthedressingroomandareal leaderwithinthegroup,sohaving himavailableforselectionagainis amassivepositive.
Asalways,yoursupportmakesa difference,particularlyinmoments whenweneedtodigdeep.Stick withus,getbehindthelads,and we’llgiveeverythingtogetanother winontheboard.
Enjoythegame.
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22 CLUB HONOURS
Scottish League 1
Winners 21/22
Highland League
Winners
Runners-Up
Scottish Qualifying Cup (North)
Winners
Runners-Up
Highland League Cup
Winners
Runners-Up
Aberdeenshire Cup
Winners
Runners-Up
Aberdeenshire Shield
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Runners-Up
Scottish League 2
Winners 19/20
‘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
‘90-’91,‘00-’01
‘88-’89,‘91-’92,‘01-’02,‘03-’04
‘94-’95,‘99-’00,‘04-’05,‘14-’15,‘16-’17,‘18-’19
‘90-’91,‘92-’93,‘95-’96,‘97-’98,‘05-’06,‘07-’08,‘11-’12
‘01-’02,‘10-’11,‘18-’19
‘92-’93,‘94-’95,‘16-’17,‘17-’18
‘90-’91,‘00-’01,‘08-’09,‘17-’18
‘94-’95,‘12-’13,‘15-’16
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