UNCOVERED — Cove Rangers v Montrose 05.12.20

Cove Rangers v Montrose Scottish League 1 05.12.20 — 3pm KO

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— Contents

Cove Rangers FC Matchday Programme Montrose — Saturday December 5th 2020 — ­ Sponsored by Ace Features

AIRDRIEONIANS MATCH REPORT JOHN SHERAN INTERVIEW VIRT-YULE CHRISTMAS CRACKER ANDY GIBSON Q&A CRFC TV COMPETITION

06 14 18 20 26 Regulars

Upcoming fixtures & league table

04

Club information

05

Club partners

25

View from the dugout

28

Player and Management sponsorship

32

Season 2020/21 statistics

34

Captain’s view

36

Club honours

40

Today’s team lines

41

— Upcoming fixtures

A Sat 12th Dec, 2020

Dumbarton v Cove Rangers

Scottish League 1

H Sat 19th Dec, 2020

Cove Rangers v Clyde

Scottish League 1

A Sat 26th Dec, 2020

Forfar v Cove Rangers

Scottish League 1

H Sat 2nd Jan, 2021

Cove Rangers v Peterhead

Scottish League 1

— League table

SPFL1

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

Falkirk

6

4

2

0

12

4

8

14

Cove Rangers

6

4

1

1

10

3

7

13

Airdrieonians

6

3

1

2

12

6

6

10

Partick Thistle

6

3

1

2

7

5

2

10

Montrose

6

2

1

3

11

13

-2

7

Dumbarton

6

2

1

3

4

6

-2

7

Peterhead

6

2

0

4

5

8

-3

6

Clyde

5

2

0

3

4

10

-6

6

Forfar Athletic

6

1

2

3

5

10

-5

5

East Fife

5

1

1

3

5

10

-5

4

04 05

— Club information

Cove Rangers FC Balmoral Stadium Wellington Circle, Altens Aberdeen, AB12 3JG

T 01224 392111 F 01224 392859 coverangersfc.com Twitter / Facebook / Instagram @coverangersfc

Honorary President Alan McRae Directors Keith Moorhouse - Chairman Graeme Reid - Vice Chairman/Financial Controller Duncan Little - Secretary/Stadium Manager John Sheran - Director of Football Darren Anderson Grant Moorhouse Safety Officers John Morgan & Bill Ogilvie Committee Michael Coull, Mike Pirie, Richard Forbes & Gordon Taylor Football Manager - Paul Hartley

Assistant Manager - Gordon Young Fitness Coach - Tam Ritchie

Goalkeeping Coach - Alan Combe

Head of Youth Development - Gary Hake Performance Analyst - Ryan Docherty

Physios - Donal Gallacher & Eilidh McGregor Kit Manager - Adrian Thomson Club Doctor - David Fowler

Commercial Manager - Angela Bruce Media Officer - Charlie Allan

Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer - Kate Dean Club Chaplain - Dougie Simpson

Club Photographers - Dave Cowe, Richard Forbes

06 07

AIRDRIEONIANS 1 COVE RANGERS 1 Scottish League 1 Saturday Nov 28th @ Penny Cars Stadium

— Airdrieonians match report

diamonds in the rough

08 09

Jamie Masson made a scoring return as we were held to a 1-1 draw by the Diamonds in our League One clash at the Penny Cars Stadium.

Midfielder Masson, back from serving a two game ban, showed great composure to fire us into the lead in the 26th minute.

Leighton McIntosh then missed a great chance to make it 2-0 during what was a highly impressive first half hour from us as we teased and tormented our full-time hosts with some top class passing football.

Airdrieonians were better in the second period and got back on level terms thanks to a stunning strike from former Montpellier winger Thomas Robert.

They also hit the woodwork twice, but we also had other chances on what ended up being a highly entertaining encounter.

The fact our lads looked dejected to come away with only a point from our first competitive visit to Airdrie underlined how far we have come as a club over the last few years, but we can be pleased to still be well placed in the battle for the top spots in the division.

Defender Ross Graham also returned from the start but was hardly called upon as we totally dominated from the off.

Masson was involved immediately, firing a 20 yard free-kick into the home defensive wall that was so powerful Airdrie defender Josh Kerr needed treatment after heading the effort clear.

Mitch Megginson was inches away from getting on the end of

“...we teased and tormented our full-time hosts with some top class passing football.� >>>

— Airdrieonians match report

“The midfielder was coolness personified...” >>>

Harry Milne’s deflected cross from wide on the left as we kept up the pressure. Airdrieonians forward Robert was correctly booked in the 14th minute for simulation after being tackled by Connor Scully.

Fraser Fyvie started our next attack with an excellent long cross-field pass to send Leighton McIntosh away on the right but his cross was too strong as it flashed across the face of the Airdrie goal.

The home side finally posed a threat, on the 20th minute, when Roberts found space at the edge of the area to hit a powerful shot wide of Stuart McKenzie’s right post.

We went ahead in the 26th minute thanks to a really top class, footballing goal. A slick move up the park ended with McIntosh laying the ball off brilliantly into the path of Megginson, who then raced down the right towards the byline before firing a low cross over beyond the far post to Masson.

The midfielder was coolness personified as he took the ball down then picked his spot in the far corner of the net from around eight yards.

It should have been 2-0 in the 33rd minute when Masson found the unmarked McIntosh from a corner on the left but the striker could only poke his shot wide of the far post. If we had gone two up at that stage it would have been difficult to see the Diamonds recovering.

Fyvie then sent Scott Ross away on the right with a well weighted pass and his cross was headed off target by the overlapping Milne.

10 11

— Airdrieonians match report

>>>

Airdrieonians finally got a shot on target in the 38th minute, when Dale Carrick saw his drop volley parried to safety by McKenzie.

Megginson sent a 20 yard shot off target in our next attack as we attempted to regain the lead.

Robert was fortunate to avoid a second yellow just before the break when he seemed to go down too easily in our area after being challenged by McIntosh.

Skipper Megginson had an even better chance in the 73rd minute when Ross crossed the ball in from the right but his 10 yard header was held by Currie.

The fact the Frenchman went on to claim the equaliser showed how key that decision was. Referee Graham Grainger was content to award a corner, which Robert took, from the Airdrie left.

We were unfortunate again in the 78th minute when McKenzie’s long clearance was flicked on by Fyvie to McIntosh and his shot rebounded to safety off the legs of Currie.

His cross reached Sean Crighton at the far post but his powerful six yard header was kept out by an excellent one handed save by McKenzie.

Airdrieonians hit the woodwork for the second time, in the 82nd minute, when Euan Cornell’s shot from a tight angle on the left came back off the bar.

We were unlucky not to add to our lead just after the restart when a sweeping move ended with McIntosh laying the ball off to Fyvie and his 16 yard shot was kept out by a brilliant block from Leon McCann.

We looked the stronger side as the game moved into the latter stages and Fyvie saw a net-bound 15-yard shot blocked, deep into injury-time, as the Diamonds held out for a share of the spoils.

Airdrieonians were even unluckier in the 48th minute when Carrick’s shot from the edge of the area beat McKenzie but rebounded to safety off the crossbar.

Airdrieonians: Currie, McCann, Kerr, Crighton, Fordyce, McKay, Gallagher (Connell 46), Robert (Stokes 85), Sabatini, Carrick (Thomson 77), Walker (Ritchie 77).

Subs: Hutton, , O’Reilly, Hughes.

Fyvie went close again a minute later when his low 16-yard shot was pushed wide by diving home keeper Max Currie.

Airdrieonians equalised in the 57th minute when Robert was given too much space on the ball and he lashed an unstoppable 19 yard shot into the top corner.

Cove Rangers: McKenzie, Scott Ross, Milne, Graham, Strachan, McIntosh, Yule, Fyvie, Scully, Masson, Megginson.

Subs: Watson, McAllister, Livingstone, Semple, Seb Ross, Brown, Demus.

Referee: Graham Grainger.

12 13

— John Sheran Interview

John

14 15

n Sheran FOOTBALL Director, and former manager, John Sheran will be rooting for Cove Rangers when we play Montrose in this afternoon’s League One encounter at Balmoral Stadium.

But having made more than 300 appearances for our visitors in the 1980s - as a no-nonsense centre-back - John understandably has a bit of a soft spot for the Gable Endies.

His efforts were rewarded with a place in the Montrose Hall of Fame, so it was only natural that we should ask John to tell us about his glory days at Links Park.

>>>

— John Sheran Interview

>>>

How did you feel when Montrose announced you had been inducted into their hall of fame?

It was a fantastic honour, one that I didn’t really expect to happen. There are some fantastic players on their list, so it was great to know they thought I deserved to be alongside them.

What was the highlight of your time at links park as a player?

That’s easy, winning the Second Division title in 1985. It was the first time the club had ever won a league title. We just had a fantastic team, and group of people, at that time.

then, we were careering down single track roads and were in a few close scrapes The tensions were eased by the usual pranks you see when footballers get together.

I can’t say too much, what I will say I have always been wary of eating anything out of a biscuit box after seeing what happened to the one at Montrose after Les Barr had got his hands on it!

Tell us what you remember about the day you clinched the title?

We had the chance to win it the week before but got hammered 4-1 by Queen’s Park. Thankfully, our next match was at Links Park, against Stenhousemuir.

The spell between 1984 to 1988 was pretty special and we showed how good a team we were by also doing well up in Division One, which was packed with full-time sides at that time.It was a great time to be a Montrose player.

We drew that 0-0 to secure the point we needed and then the celebrations began.

It was a special day for all of us.

(John modestly forgot to add he also scored seven goals in that title winning season and was voted as the club’s player of the year).

When people see the pictures from that day they mistakenly think I was the team captain because I’m the one pictured running about with the trophy.

I feel very lucky to have played for Montrose.

I went there when I was only 18, so the club will always be close to my heart.

But that was only because once I got my hands on it nobody could get it off me! It was a long but extremely memorable day.

Being so young, I treated the trips up and down the road from Aberdeen to play as a bit of an adventure. Those trips on the mini-bus were a real education at times.

There was no dual carriageway back

Ron Marquis, the kit man, is still with the club now, he would confirm that.

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Do you still keep in touch with any of your old Montrose team-mates?

Yes, we are all still the best of pals. We have regular meetings down in Montrose, enjoying a few shandies, and maybe the odd glass of wine, talking about the good old days. I also play golf regularly with a few of them.

The ones I probably see the most of are Alan Lyons, Martin Allan and Les Barr, down in Dundee. Mike Milne, Bobby Street, Raymond Charles, there’s lots of people I became close to. We do our best to keep in touch because we were together during a pretty special period of our lives.

The last time I was at Montrose for a former players day 68 of us turned up. It’s really good to be able to do things like that.

You also managed Montrose, what are your memories of that?

I was on the coaching staff for about five years, first as assistant manager (to Kevin Drinkell) and the rest as manager. We did okay, although we never really had the finances to go and compete as well as we would have liked. We did manage to win the Forfarshire Cup (in 2002).

We beat Dundee and Dundee United on the road to lifting that, which was very pleasing. I would have liked to have done a lot better, but we just couldn’t compete when it came to paying the wages needed to attract better players to Montrose at that time.

I left in 2004 but really enjoyed my time and the experience certainly helped when I was eventually asked to take over at Cove Rangers.

What are your thoughts about now seeing Cove Rangers competing in the same division as Montrose?

It’s something that makes me feel very proud. We had this dream from about 2006 onwards and a lot of people put in a lot of time and effort to make it a reality.

I was pleased to have been involved on the coaching side when we finally gained promotion up into the SPFL. The club has continued to progress from that and it’s exciting to see us now competing in the same division as Falkirk and Partick Thistle as well as Montrose, Peterhead and Forfar Athletic.

I have to add that I’m pleased to see Montrose are doing well too. It’s always been tougher for the part-time clubs but Montrose have always been well run and will make it very tough for us this afternoon.

My allegiance is with Cove now though, so I’m obviously hoping we can get the better of them.

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— Andy Gibson Q&A

Andy Gibson Former Aberdeen striker Andy Gibson has been playing an important role in the efforts to keep the Cove Rangers fans informed while they are unable to get into the Balmoral Stadium.

Andy will be seated at the back of the Alan McRae Stand supplying the OPTA statistics that are used by the media, including Sky Sports and the BBC, in their reports and follow-ups to matches.

Andy was also their man-in-the stand last term, so it seemed fitting to ask him to explain what he does - and to ask his opinion on how we are shaping up since joining the SPFL.

20 21

Everyone in the Alan McRae stand can see and hear you speaking away on match days, what are you doing?

I work for OPTA stats and my task is to tell them about everything that happens in every Cove game played at the Balmoral Stadium. I start by supplying the teams and formations and then describe all of the action from the first minute to the last.

The company are based in Dublin and I’m on the phone the whole game telling my copy taker on the other end who has passed the ball to who, whether it was a long or short pass and where on the pitch the pass has been made.

I have to give that sort of detail for everything that happens, bookings, throw-ins, corners and, of course, goals scored. It’s intense at times and very hard work but I really enjoy it.

So what do OPTA do with all of that information?

It is used to provide a statistical analysis of the game. Those stats are then listed or turned into graphics, which gives fans added value. They are also used by managers and coaches when they look back on the games.

played at decently high levels.

Former Aberdeen defender Brian Mitchell does the games at Pittodrie and Mark Perry, who played for the Dons and Cove Rangers, is the man on duty when Peterhead are playing at home.

I love the fact it helps to keep me involved.

I get to see live games of football every couple of weeks and I feel very fortunate, particularly during these challenging times.

It also gives me the chance to see some of my former teams and catch up with some of the people I have worked with over the years.

Did you ever play against Cove Rangers?

A couple of times, with Aberdeen. One of them was in the Aberdeenshire Cup final, at Allan Park. Willie Miller was managing Aberdeen’s reserve side at that time, which gives you an idea of how long ago it was.

I managed to score a couple of goals and we won the cup, despite the fact the pitch at Allan Park was never the greatest.

Games against them were always tough.

OPTA have someone doing exactly the same as I do at every senior ground in the UK every weekend. The majority of the analysts, like myself, have previously

>>>

— Andy Gibson Interview

>>>

You first started covering Cove games last season, have you liked what you have seen?

Very much so. You only need to look at the set-up at Balmoral Stadium to see they are a club with ambition. They have the ideal set-up and the right people in the right places to keep pushing the club forward.

Out on the pitch, they have been simply outstanding, everything is professionally run and they have set very high standards.

The fact I have yet to see Cove drop a league point at Balmoral says it all.

That is an amazing home record for any club, never mind one that was still playing in the Highland League the season before last. That is something manager Paul Hartley and the players are right to feel proud about.

You also played for Partick Thistle, Peterhead and Forfar Athletic, who are all competing with Cove in league one this term. How do you feel we compare to those clubs?

Cove have beaten all three of them so far, so you have to say very favourably. It’s been an amazing start for a team playing at League One level for the first time.

I’m a great believer in saying once you have a bit of a momentum going in the right direction it’s easier to keep it going.

There was a lot of pressure on Cove coming into the campaign but they have taken

22 23

that in their stride because they have the experience of doing so well last season.

The people at Cove won’t thank me for staying so at this stage, but I wouldn’t rule out them going on to win the league.

I would be surprised if they don’t at least make it to the play-offs.

I was at Peterhead when we climbed up a couple of divisions. We were then just a penalty shoot-out from going up again.

Cove definitely have the potential to do the same. It is obviously going to get tougher as the season progresses.

Partick and Falkirk are full-time and you would expect them to handle the demands of things like injuries and suspensions. But I would argue that Cove are the strongest part-time side in there. Just look at the quality of the players they have.

They have a really good mix of youth and experience with the likes of Stuart McKenzie, Ryan Strachan and Rory McAllister alongside Harry Milne, Adam Livingstone and Ross Graham. That’s before we even mention Mitch Megginson, who really should be playing at a higher level.

I’ve also been highly impressed by what I’ve seen of Leighton McIntosh, he will be an important player for Cove. They have a strong bench most weeks, which can be a real asset at this level. It means the manager has the option to change things if he feels the need. A lot of the other clubs don’t have as many options in reserve.

Let’s not forget they played their early games without the injured Fraser Fyvie, who has played at the very highest levels.

They should have nothing to fear as they compete with Partick and Falkirk. I spoke to the Partick assistant manager after their match here and he admitted everyone in the league is wary of Cove Rangers - and they should be.

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— Club partners

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— View from the dugout

PAUL HARTL I would like to extend a warm welcome to the players, management team and officials of Montrose on their visit to Balmoral Stadium this afternoon for our meeting in League One. We are anticipating a very tough test against opponents who have impressed me every time I have watched them. Montrose manager Stewart Petrie and his staff have done an excellent job.

They have put together a strong squad and their team play some impressive, attacking football.

We will need to be at our very best if we want to compete and maintain our excellent home record since stepping up into the SPFL. It’s certainly good to be back at our own place after what were two very tough away games, at Falkirk and Airdrie.

I was delighted with the way the players applied themselves in both games against full-time opponents. With a bit more good fortune we could have come away with more points than we did, but it’s vital that we apply ourselves in the same manner in every game because there are no easy ones in this division and the majority of the League One results so far this season back that up, just look at last weekend..

>>>

LEY

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— View from the dugout

>>>

While we were drawing 1-1 with Airdrie, Montrose were unfortunate to lose by a single goal to Partick Thistle and Peterhead were edged out 1-0 by Forfar Athletic. The weekend before that we lost 1-0 to Falkirk, Montrose went down 3-2 at Clyde, Airdrie won 3-1 at Forfar, Partick Thistle overcame East Fife 2-0 and Peterhead beat Dumbarton 1-0.

It’s like that most weeks, you rarely see anyone winning by huge margins. It’s a constant reminder of just how competitive the division is and why we never look any further forward than the challenge that our next match presents. You have to prepare properly and remain fully focused when the winning margins are so narrow. At the time of writing, we will have the comfort of facing Montrose with a fully fit squad to choose from.

Defender Daniel Higgins returned to full training this week after a spell sidelined by a hamstring injury. That’s a huge bonus because, as I have repeatedly said, this will be a campaign when every single player will be required to play their part.

We have a very busy run of six tough league matches between now and the start of January. Our programme will be even busier after that because we will also have at least one Scottish Cup tie - hopefully more - thrown into the mix before the campaign is due to conclude at the start of May. Having a full strength squad would clearly help us navigate our way through all of that.

Stay safe and enjoy the game.

Paul Hartley

30 31

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— Season 2020/21 statistics

Date

Fixture

Game

(H/A)

F

A

Starting

Starting

Starting

Starting

Starting

Starting

Starting

Starting

Starti

10/10/2020

Hibernian

BFC

H

1

2

S.McKenzie

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

D.Higgins

Brora Rangers

BFC

A

2

2

S.McKenzie

T.Leighton (S.Ross)

H.Milne

C.Scully

B.Watson

D.Higgins

R.McAllister1 (A.Livinsgtone)

A.Livingstone

J.Semple

17/10/2020

East Fife

SPFL1

H

3

1

S.McKenzie

H.Milne

C.Scully (Seb Ross)

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson2 (R.McAllister)

J.Masson

L.McIntos

24/10/2020

Peterhead

SPFL1

A

0

2

S.McKenzie

H.Milne1

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson1 (R.McAllister)

J.Masson

L.McIntos (B.Watso

31/10/2020

Partick Thistle

SPFL1

H

1

0

S.McKenzie

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson (Seb Ross)

J.Masson

L.McIntos

11/07/2020

Forfar Athletic

SPFL1

H

3

0

S.McKenzie

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson2

J.Masson

L.McIntos

11/10/2020

Dundee

BFC

A

0

3

S.McKenzie

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson (R.McAllister)

J.Masson

L.McIntosh (B.Watson)

A.Livingstone

J.Semple (R.Graha

14/11/2020

Forfar Athletic

BFC

H

1

0

S.McKenzie

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Watson (J.Semple)

M.Megginson

R.McAllister1

A.Livingstone

Seb Ross

21/11/2020

Falkirk

SPFL1

A

0

1

S.McKenzie

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson

L.McIntosh

R.McAllist (B.Watso

28/11/2020

Airdrieonians

SPFL1

A

1

1

S.McKenzie

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson

J.Masson1

L.McIntos

05/12/2020

Montrose

SPFL1

H

12/12/2020

Dumbarton

SPFL1

A

19/12/2020

Clyde

SPFL1

H

26/12/2020

Forfar Athletic

SPFL1

A

01/02/2021

Peterhead

SPFL1

H

16/01/2021

Partick Thistle

SPFL1

A

23/01/2021

East Fife

SPFL1

A

02/06/2021

Airdrieonians

SPFL1

H

13/02/2021

Clyde

SPFL1

A

20/02/2021

Dumbarton

SPFL1

H

27/02/2021

Falkirk

SPFL1

H

03/06/2021

Montrose

SPFL1

A

13/03/2021

Peterhead

SPFL1

A

20/03/2021

Partick Thistle

SPFL1

H

27/03/2021

Forfar Athletic

SPFL1

H

04/03/2021

Dumbarton

SPFL1

A

04/10/2021

East Fife

SPFL1

H

17/04/2021

Falkirk

SPFL1

A

20/04/2021

Clyde

SPFL1

H

24/04/2021

Airdrieonians

SPFL1

A

05/01/2021

Montrose

SPFL1

H

13/10/2020

Name

Appearances

Goals

Position

Yellow

Red

Stuart McKenzie

10

0

GK

0

0

Balint Demus

0

0

GK

0

0

Tom Leighton

1

0

DF

0

0

Harry Milne

8

1

DF

2

0

Scott Ross

10

0

DF

2

0

Ryan Strachan

8

0

DF

0

0

Daniel Higgins

5

1

DF

0

0

Adam Livingstone

6

0

DF

1

0

Ross Graham

7

0

DF

1

0

Connor Scully

10

0

MF

1

0

Blair Yule

9

0

MF

2

1

34 35

ing

Starting

Starting

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Subs

Referee

AS1

AS2

ATT

s1

A.Livingstone (J.Semple)

R.Graham

T.Leighton

B.Watson

R.McAllister

J.Semple

J.Brown

B.Demus

-

-

Euan Anderson

Ross Macleod

Chris Graham

0

e1

J.Brown (B.Yule)

R.Graham

S.Ross

B.Yule

L.McIntosh

B.Demus

-

-

-

-

Duncan Williams

Paul Mcavine

Graham Chambers

-

sh1

D.Higgins

J.Semple (B.Watson)

B.Watson

R.McAllister

A.Livingstone

Seb Ross

J.Brown

R.Graham

B.Demus

-

Gavin Ross

Stuart Hodge

Ian Hart

0

sh on)

D.Higgins

J.Semple (Seb Ross)

B.Watson

J.McAllister

A.Livingstone

Seb Ross

J.Brown

R.Graham

B.Demus

-

Alan Newlands

Michael Banks

Elliott Husband Powton

-

sh

D.Higgins (R.Graham)

A.Livingstone (R.McAllister1)

B.Watson

R.McAllister

J.Semple

Seb Ross

H.Ritchie

J.Brown

R.Graham

B.Demus

D. Lowe

Graham McNeillie

Ross Clark

0

sh

R.McAllister1 (B.Watson)

R.Graham

B.Watson

A.Livingstone

J.Semple

Seb Ross

H.Ritchie

J.Brown

B.Demus

-

Scott Lambie

Michael Banks

Steven MacDonald

0

e am)

Seb Ross (C.Scully)

J.Brown (H.Ritchie)

C.Scully

B.Watson

R.McAllister

H.Ritchie

R.Graham

B.Demus

-

-

Craig Napier

Graham McNeillie

Michael MacDermid

-

s

R.Graham

F.Fyvie (J.Brown)

H.Milne

J.Semple

J.Brown

B.Demus

-

-

-

-

Duncan Williams

Gary Hilland

Eddie Ferguson

0

ter on)

A.Livingstone (J.Semple)

F.Fyvie

B.Watson

J.Semple

Seb Ross

J.Brown

R.Graham

B.Demus

-

-

David Dickinson

Graham Chambers

Kevin McElhinney

-

sh

R.Graham

F.Fyvie

B.Watson

R.McAllister

A.Livingstone

J.Semple

Seb Ross

J.Brown

B.Demus

-

Graham Grainger

Ralph Gordon

Duncan Nicolson

-

Lloyd Wilson

Stuart Stevenson

Keiran Trayner

Name

Appearances

Goals

Position

Yellow

Red

Broque Watson

7

0

MF

0

0

Jamie Masson

7

1

MF

3

1

Jordon Brown

3

0

MF

0

0

Fraser Fyvie

3

0

MF

0

0

Jamie Semple

7

1

MF

0

0

Seb Ross

5

0

MF

0

0

Hamish Ritchie

1

0

MF

0

0

Mitchel Megginson

9

5

FW

0

0

Rory McAllister

8

4

FW

0

0

Leighton McIntosh

9

1

FW

2

0

PTAIN

’S VIE

W

CA

— Captain’s view

36 37

I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO THE COVE RANGERS FANS...

You may not actually be at our games at the moment, but you are still very much part of the journey we are on in this, our second season playing at SPFL level.

I speak for all of the lads when I say we really miss having you in the stands and terraces, especially when we are playing at the Balmoral Stadium. I understand why that has to be the case, but it’s still strange walking out to empty stadiums.

As we saw last season, our fans were always there in big numbers and made themselves heard. You yearn for the interaction with the fans, particularly when it comes to celebrating goals and victories. That doesn’t mean we aren’t aware of just how much our fans are still there for us.

Many of you have bought season tickets and individual match tickets so that you can see our games live on Cove Rangers TV. We look on you as our invisible 12th man and have spoken regularly about our desire to do well for you.

We would give anything to make you as happy as possible until the time finally comes when you are all able to return to watching live games again.

Nobody can guarantee we will win every week, but what we can promise you is we will give our all in our attempts to make that happen.

>>>

— Captain’s view

We will certainly need to be at our very best if we are to take anything off Montrose this afternoon. They are like ourselves in many respects. The majority of the Montrose squad have been together for a while so they are a pretty tight bunch, with a strong team spirit.

As we have seen in recent cup meetings between us, they are also highly organised and play some good football. Montrose are also well established at the level we now find ourselves at, so we are going to have to be ready for a very tough game.

We are at least going into this meeting encouraged by how we performed for spells in our last two matches, away to Falkirk and Airdrie. We did very well in the first half of both games and with a bit more good fortune in front of goal could have come away with all six points.

Unfortunately, we collected just the one point, at Airdrie, because we allowed our opponents to have more say in the games in the second half.

Making it as difficult as we did for two of the full-time sides in our league was still a huge positive, but the final results were a timely reminder that we are now playing at a level where you must endeavour to be at your peak for the full 90 minutes or you will be made to pay.

The fact we are disappointed to only take a point from what are likely to be two of our toughest away games of the season is a reminder of the high standards we have set for ourselves. We want to win every game we play - but as I have said we also accept that will only happen if we work hard enough from the first whistle to the last.

CYCR! Mitch Megginson

38 39

— Club honours

Scottish League 2 Winners: 2019-20 Highland League Winners: 2000-01, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2012-13, 201516, 2017-18, 2018-19 Runners-up: 1989-90, 1992-93, 1994-95, 1995-96, 2009-10, 2011-12, 2016-17 Scottish Qualifying Cup (North) Winners: 1990-91, 2000-01 Runners-up: 1988-89, 1991-92, 2001-02, 2003-04 Highland League Cup Winners: 1994-95, 1999-2000, 2004-05, 2014-15, 2016-17, 2018-19 Runners-up: 1990-91, 1992-93, 1995-96, 1997-98, 200506, 2007-08, 2011-12

Aberdeenshire Cup Winners: 2001-02, 2010-11, 2018-19 Runners-up: 1992-93, 1994-95, 2016-17, 2017-18 Aberdeenshire Shield Winners: 1990-91, 2000-01, 2008-09, 2017-18 Runners-up: 1994-95, 2012-13, 2015-16 Aberdeenshire & District League Winners: 2000-01, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2014-15 Runners-up: 2006-07 Aberdeenshire Centenery Cup Runners-up: 1986-87 Inter-League Trophy Winners: 2001-02

40 41

— Today’s team lines

Cove Rangers FC Manager - Paul Hartley

Montrose FC Manager - Stewart Petrie

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

18.

21.

24.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

Stuart McKenzie Tom Leighton Harry Milne Connor Scully Scott Ross Ryan Strachan Broque Watson Blair Yule Mitchel Megginson (C) Jamie Masson Leighton McIntosh Daniel Higgins Rory McAllister Adam Livingstone Jamie Semple Seb Ross Jordon Brown Balint Demus Fraser Fyvie

Team colours Blue jerseys Blue Shorts White Socks

Allan Fleming Cammy Ballantyne Andrew Steeves Matty Allan Kerr Waddell Terry Masson Graham Webster Paul Watson (C) Lewis Hawke Russell McLean Lewis Milne Harry Cochrane Seán Dillon Ross Campbell Craig Johnston Aidan Quinn Iain Campbell Liam Callaghan Chris Mochrie Aaron Lennox Cammy Ballantyne Martin Rennie

Team colours White jerseys White shorts Black Socks

Today’s referee - Lloyd Wilson Today’s assistant referees - Stuart Stevenson, Keiran Trayner