UNCOVERED — Cove Rangers v Montrose 15.01.22

Cove Rangers v Montrose cinch League One 15.01.22 — 3pm KO

Cove Rangers v Albion Rovers

SPFL Trust Trophy

09.10.21 — 3pm KO

BALMOR AL GROUP Proud sponsors of BALMORAL STADIUM

Balmoral Comtec Balmoral Tanks Balmoral Business Park ACE Winches BLAZE Manufacturing Solutions Friends of ANCHOR www.balmoral-group.com

02 03

— Contents Cove Rangers FC Matchday Programme Montrose: 15.01.22 — 3pm KO Match sponsor

Matchball sponsor

Features

CLYDE MATCH REPORT CLYDE REACTION JOE HARPER INTERVIEW DOUBLE AWARD SCOOP

08 18 22 32

Regulars Upcoming fixtures

04

Club information

06

Club partners

37

View from the dugout

38

Player and Management sponsorship

42

Season 2021/22 statistics

44

Captain’s view

48

Club honours

52

Today’s team lines

53

— Upcoming fixtures

A Thu 20th Jan, 2022

Hibernian v Cove Rangers

Scottish Cup

A Sat 29th Jan, 2022

Dumbarton v Cove Rangers

cinch League One

H Sat 5th Feb, 2022

Cove Rangers v Airdrieonians

cinch League One

A Sat 12th Feb, 2022

Queen’s Park v Cove Rangers

cinch League One

— League table cinch League One

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

Cove Rangers

21

14

4

3

43

19

24

46

Montrose

21

10

9

2

36

17

19

39

Airdrieonians

20

12

2

6

33

22

11

38

Queen’s Park

18

6

9

3

32

19

13

27

Falkirk

19

7

4

8

27

30

-3

25

Clyde

19

6

5

8

23

34

-11

23

Peterhead

20

6

4

10

28

32

-4

22

Alloa Athletic

20

5

6

9

27

34

-7

21

Dumbarton

20

5

3

12

27

44

-17

18

East Fife

20

3

4

13

21

46

-25

13

50/50 WINNER! The 50/50 winner at the East Fife match was 99159, won by Terry Cobban Snr.

04 05

Together we can make a difference Talking saves lives No matter your club colours, everyone can support Scotland’s second team - FC United to Prevent Suicide.

Become a fan

@_FCUnited unitedtopreventsuicide.org.uk

spfltrust.org.uk/trophy

– 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, Richard Forbes & Gordon Taylor Football Manager - Paul Hartley

Assistant Manager - Gordon Young Fitness Coach - Tam Ritchie

06 07

Goalkeeping Coach - Derek Soutar

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

Search ‘Get Sky Sports’ Sky Sports available on Sky Glass or with compatible Sky Q or + box. Requires Ultimate TV Subscription (currently £26pcm). Further terms apply. Over 400 games: based on 128 Premier League games; 228 English Football League games (includes 80 red button matches); up to 48 Scottish Professional Football League games; and up to 44 Women’s Super League matches shown across the football season from 31 July 2021 to 29 May 2022.

cinch League One Saturday December 8th @ Broadwood Stadium

CLYDE 0 COVE RANGERS 1

08 09

— Clyde Match Report

Cove claim a solid seven point lead A screamer of a comeback goal from Iain Vigurs was enough to edge us past The Bully Wee in a close fought cinch League One encounter at Broadwood Stadium.

Midfielder Vigurs secured the three points with a stunning strike in the 70th minute to secure our eighth league win on the trot, even though we were never at our best.

Strong defending – keeper Stuart McKenzie didn’t have meaningful save to make in the whole match – made sure that goal was enough to see us end the afternoon seven points clear of second placed Montrose, who we entertain at Balmoral Stadium next Saturday.

10 11

>>>

— Clyde Match Report

Vigurs returned for the first time since suffering an injury in the middle of December as we were again forced to make changes because of other injuries, with skipper Mitch Megginson and midfielder Fraser Fyvie among those sidelined.

Vigurs was involved immediately, firing a corner over from the left in the second minute that was just cleared before it reached the head of Ryan Strachan.

The ball broke out to Vigurs again and this time his cross was grabbed under the crossbar by home keeper Neil Parry.

Chances were few in the first half after that, although we dominated possession. Clyde threatened in the eighth minute, when Adam Livingstone sent a 20yard shot wide.

We broke to the other end, where Leighton McIntosh knocked the ball into the path of Rory McAllister, but his 25-yard drive sped wide of Parry’s right post.

Our best chance of the half came in the 15th minute, when Shay Logan sent a free-kick over from the right for Morgyn Neill to send a diving header, from the edge of the six-yard box, inches wide.

We had a penalty appeal rejected by referee Steven Reid in the 22nd minute, when Harry Milne appeared to be tripped as he tried to collect a pass from McAllister.

>>>

12 13

— Clyde Match Report

14 15

Milne was clearly upset when the match official instead chose to book him for simulation.

McAllister was also booked soon afterwards, for a foul on Matthew Elsdon. The referee had his book out again in the 35th minute, to caution Morgaro Gomis after he had fouled Robbie Leitch.

Clyde had the best opportunity of the half, in the 38th minute. Rob Jones fed the ball in from the left and Ally Love should have done better than head wide from the edge of the six-yard box.

Vigurs started our next attack, with a pass to Blair Yule, who turned cleverly before blasting a 22-yard shot wide. Clyde’s Kevin Nicoll was booked in the 42nd minute, for a foul on Vigurs.

The home side’s only shot on target came in the 43rd minute, although McKenzie had no problems gathering a long-range effort from Livingstone.

We were far better in the second period and always looked the most likely to eventually break the deadlock.

Logan created our first opportunity with a cross, from wide on the right, but Neill didn’t connect properly with his header and that left Parry with an easy save. Milne then broke down the opposite wing and crossed to Leitch, who saw his low shot held by Parry.

>>>

— Clyde Match Report

McAllister won a free-kick 25-yards out, in the 56th minute. The striker took the kick himself, but McAllister’s shot was saved by Parry.

Clyde broke forward immediately and Livingstone saw his 10-yard shot go well wide. Logan powered up the park just after the hour, but his 22-yard drive sped over the Clyde crossbar.

We finally got the break our more adventurous approach deserved in the 70th minute. Vigurs latched on to the ball just outside the Clyde area and then appeared to play it off a home defender before latching on to the rebound to curl a brilliant shot beyond the reach of the diving Parry.

It was a goal worthy of winning any game – and it did just that thanks to our lads standing strong against a barrage of high balls into our box in the latter stages.

The closest Clyde came to scoring was when Rob Jones met a Livingstone cross to send a looping header over the bar, in the 82nd minute, but otherwise we managed the game calmly to secure another deserved win.

Clyde: Parry, Docherty, Elsdon, Page, Rumsby, Livingstone, Gomes, Nicoll (Cuddihy 46), Andrew (Tade 66), Love (Trialist 75) Jones.

Subs: Bradleyhurst, Munro, Balatoni, Mortimer.

Cove Rangers: McKenzie, Neill, Milne, Strachan, Yule, McIntosh (Robertson 75), McAllister, Anderson, Vigurs, Leitch (Masson 70), Logan.

Subs: Gourlay, Adeyemo.

Referee: Steven Reid.

16 17

— Clyde Reaction

18 19

CLYDE REACTION Midfielder Iain Vigurs praised his team-mates for racking up yet another clean sheet as we beat Clyde 1-0 in our cinch League One clash at Broadwood Stadium.

It was the sixth time in the last seven league games that we have managed to keep our goal intact. Stuart McKenzie’s 11th shut-out, in 20 league appearances, means he has now recorded more clean sheets than any other keeper in all four SPFL divisions.

Iain, who scored the winner against the Bully Wee, admitted that has been crucial over the course of the campaign. He said: “You build the foundations of a winning team from the back. Not conceding goals is vital because this a very tough league, with a lot of the games tending to be very close fought.”

Iain was particularly impressed by the quality of our defending at Broadwood, which ensured our hosts were unable to get a meaningful strike on target in the whole 90 minutes.

“They put a bit of pressure on us near the end, with the two big boys up top,” said Iain, who made his comeback against Clyde after having been sidelined since suffering an injury playing against Alloa Athletic at Balmoral Stadium on December 18.

But those clean sheets have been kept because the boys have been defending our box very well. Stuart has been very commanding in goal, Ryan (Strachan) and Morgyn (Neill) have been immense and all of the others who have come in have been excellent as well.

>>>

— Clyde Reaction

“ Our confidence is sky-high after eight wins on the trot, but we know we need to keep it going.”

When they are playing so well it gives us a greater confidence to go forward and look to cause problems at the other end. We know if we keep doing that - and create opportunities for the strikers there is a fair chance we will get the results that we want.”

It was Iain, of course, who came up with the goal on this occasion, when he curled a shot home from the edge of the Clyde area. He is delighted he was able to deliver the killer blow on an afternoon when we weren’t in top form.

Iain said: “It was very pleasing to get the three points after not playing at our best. It was also nice, personally, to get another goal. Once the ball fell to me at the edge of their box, I felt I had a decent chance.

I didn’t intend to play a one-two off their player, but when the ball fell back to me again there was only one place I was going to put it - and that was into the far corner. I could have hit five players and then gone in, I don’t care as long as we get the three points.

Montrose dropping points made the win even bigger ahead of playing them. Before my goal, it looked as if it wasn’t going to happen, but we managed to dig it out.

Our confidence is sky-high after eight wins on the trot, but we know we need to keep it going.”

20 21

— Joe Harper Interview

22 23

JOE HARPER Aberdeen legend Joe Harper knows a thing or two about strikers. He netted a record 205 goals during two spells with the Dons and also starred up front for Scotland, Morton, Everton and Hibs.

A regular visitor to Balmoral Stadium, we asked the former King of the Beach End for his verdict on our inform strike duo, Mitch Megginson and Rory McAllister.

Mitch and Rory have scored a combined total of 31 goals in all competitions this season - but has that been enough to impress one of Scottish football’s greatest ever penalty box poachers?

Read on and find out….

— Joe Harper Interview

>>>

You have seen Cove Rangers play a few times this season, what are your thoughts on the strike partnership between Rory McAllister and Mitch Megginson?

I have been really impressed by the way those two work together. Mitch is such a quick, skillful and clever striker. His attributes go well with those of Rory, who is obviously bigger and stronger, great in the air and holds the ball up well.

They work really well as a partnership and that’s great for Cove because a lot of clubs nowadays tend to have only one guy up front who is relied upon to score goals on a regular basis.

Their partnership is clearly the best in League One, but I would challenge anyone to point out a better one in either of the two divisions above them as well.

24 25

Rory is the elder of the two, has it surprised you to see him do as well as he has at this late stage of his career?

Not in the slightest, Rory is a player I admired long before he came to Cove Rangers. I remember going to watch him play for Brechin City against Aberdeen in a pre-season friendly, which must have been about a dozen years ago now. Rory scored twice and was the best man on the park that day.

I wrote in my column for the Evening Express that Aberdeen should go back and sign him from Brechin, which I believe they did try to do. I had also heard of Rory previously, when he joined the Dons as a teenager.

I enjoy chatting to the coaching staff at Pittodrie about any emerging talents and Rory was certainly one they held high hopes for. It didn’t work out for him at Aberdeen at that time, but there is absolutely no doubt Rory had the ability to play at the very highest level in Scotland.

He also had other opportunities to do that, but for his own reasons opted to continue playing in the lower divisions and his record has been amazing.

Rory is coming towards the end of his career now, but far from winding down he seems to be stepping things up a gear.

A lot of the best footballers tend to do that. They can see the finishing post is on the horizon, so put even more effort into training and playing to make sure they get the opportunity to keep going for as long as possible. I would have done the same had my own career not been cut short by a bad knee injury.

Nothing can ever replace the excitement of playing, especially when you are a striker scoring goals on a regular basis.

Rory clearly knows that and I’ve admired the way he has adjusted his game to ensure he can continue to make an impact with Cove.

When he left Peterhead, it wouldn’t have been unfair to say that Rory had lost something from his game, certainly some of the enthusiasm that had helped him do so well for them. He has rediscovered that with Cove and has been playing very well for a number of weeks now.

Rory knows he can’t do the same sort of running and chasing as he did when he was at the other end of his career.

You can see Rory thinks about his game a lot more and only makes the runs when he is sure it could lead to something.

He has also got better at using his strength to bring others, like Mitch, into the game rather than maybe trying to take people on to create shooting chances for himself, which he would have tended to do in the past.

Doing that could end up adding an extra two years on to Rory’s career. I’m delighted about that because I have never forgotten how down I felt when I was forced to stop playing.

When you have been a professional, you miss it more than anything else in your life. If Rory stays fit, that day is still a long way off for him and that would be good for him, but also great for Cove Rangers.

— Joe Harper Interview

And what of club captain Mitch?

Mitch is much like I was, he really thrives off playing alongside a partner like Rory, who does a lot of the often unnoticed, unselfish, work up front.

As I have already said, Rory holds the ball up well and his lay-offs are a dream for other strikers. But there would be no benefits from Rory doing that if the other striker doesn’t possess the intelligence to make good use of the effort the other has put in.

If only one of the strikers has that game intelligence you could end up both looking like fools because you end up losing possession and struggling to win games. Mitch has that game intelligence in abundance.

He also has two good feet, which is something I prided myself on during my own career. That was only because I spent hours as a youngster working to improve what was seen as the ‘weaker’ of my feet.

>>>

I suspect Mitch will have done something similar when he was young, which gives him the advantage of being able to control the ball - and make good use of it - with either foot.

I’ve said before that I felt Aberdeen should have persisted with Mitch a little longer when he was at Pittodrie when he was a youngster. On the few occasions when he did get the chance to play up front, you could see that Mitch had the potential to score goals and do well for Aberdeen.

Unfortunately, like Rory, he never really got the opportunity and ended up leaving to ensure he could get the chance to play regularly elsewhere. Also like Rory, Mitch has gone on to prove he can score goals and played a huge part in Cove Rangers being able to eventually gain promotion to the SPFL. Mitch has also kept the goals coming in the last three seasons, he is a very important player for Cove.

26 27

— Joe Harper Interview

How does the partnership between Rory and Mitch compare to any from your own career?

The highest compliment I can pay them is to say it’s pretty similar to the partnership I had with my old pal Drew Jarvie at Aberdeen. I get all the praise for having been Aberdeen’s record goal scorer, but I would never have been as successful as I was without Drew playing alongside me.

What is often overlooked is Drew also scored 131 goals for Aberdeen, which was a phenomenal return from a player who was never really seen as the club’s main striker. Our relationship up front was almost telepathic. I could tell when Drew had made a run into a dangerous area behind me, without ever having seen him, and it was the same the other way around.

I had a similar partnership with Stevie Archibald when he was at Aberdeen and also with Jim Forrest, when I first came to Pittodrie. But the one I enjoyed with Drew was over a lot more years, so has to be seen as the No.1. It worked perfectly because Drew, even though he wasn’t as big as Rory, was fearless and could unsettle even the toughest of defenders.

His use of the ball was also top class and I could never begin to give you a correct count for the amount of goals I scored on the back of his efforts.

Like Mitch, I enjoyed returning the compliment when I could.

28 29

A good example was the 1976 League Cup final, when we were chasing an equaliser after Celtic had taken the lead - from a dodgy penalty I must add!

When Arthur Graham got the ball wide he crossed it to me, beyond the far post.

I could have had a go myself, but instead opted to nod it back across goal for Drew to head home the equaliser instead. I hadn’t seen Drew making the great run that ensured he was unmarked at the other side of the six yard box, but my instincts told me he would be there.

That’s the sort of telepathic thing I’m talking about and I’m sure if you asked Rory and Mitch they would say the same sort of thing happens when they are playing together. I’ve seen evidence of it watching Cove Rangers this season, occasions when one or the other might have fancied having a go from a difficult position, but has instead set their partner up, even if they hadn’t actually seen where they were.

That’s because good strikers know other good strikers will make runs into the positions where they would instinctively go to to score goals themselves.

It’s not something that can be taught, it’s just natural and only happens when you are fortunate to have the right two strikers in the same team at the same time.

>>>

— Joe Harper Interview

“ It’s a modern football fairytale...”

And finally, how do you think Cove Rangers will do over the remainder of the season?

They are certainly capable of building on what has been a very positive first half of the campaign for them and gaining promotion to the Championship, which would be incredible when you consider where they were just a few years ago.

I used to go and watch Cove Rangers now again when I was at Aberdeen and they were still playing in the Amateur leagues.

I also played at Allan Park a few times and really admire the work a lot of people at the club have put in - over many years - to get them to where they are right now. To see them at the top end of League One, through the semi-final of a cup and looking forward to a clash with Hibs in the Scottish Cup is amazing.

It’s a modern football fairytale - and like a lot of people I can’t wait to see where the story is going to take Cove to next.

30 31

A really big thank you to all, for helping TLC Foodbanks distribute 100’s of meals throughout Christmas and the New Year. Without your help many isolated and vulnerable people would have been short of food and hygiene products over the festive season.

This is TLC’s 20th year of operation and we have now been able to reach over 100,000 people in the North-East. Your generosity and efforts have enabled TLC to make a continued difference in peoples lives.

Together we have achieved so much more than we could have ever done without you.

So from all of us at TLC, to all of you at Cove Rangers

HAVE A PROSPEROUS AND PROMOTION FILLED NEW YEAR and

T H A N K YO U !

Our Chairman Richard Brooks would like to particular thank some public servants/figures in the Cove, Kincorth, Altens and adjacent areas of our city, who have been a great encouragement to our team of volunteers at TLC and who have supported us in so many ways over the last few years, before and during the pandemic: Cllr Gordon Townson—who helped TLC foodbank establish itself in Garthdee, and initiate our distribution and warehousing location in Altens

Cllr Sarah Duncan—who helped TLC establish a distribution centre to help the people of Kincorth, expanding up the A92 as far as Stonehaven Mr Danny Cowie (Citrus Mix) - who has donated warehousing facilities in Altens through out the last decade Paul Lawrie OBE—who has sponsored our delivery service throughout the pandemic

TLC Chairman RICHARD BROOKS (with TLC Co-founder, Amy)

And finally, Cllr Douglas Lumsden MSP who has championed the North-East and the work of TLC both locally and nationally. A massive thank you! www.TLC.org.uk / www.RichardBrooks.org

— Double Award Scoop

It was a delightful double, double for Cove Rangers in the latest cinch League One monthly top manager and player awards.

Paul Hartley was voted the Glen’s Vodka top boss for December - after having also collected the award the previous month.

And midfielder Blair Yule was chosen as the cinch League One player of the month - following in the footsteps of club skipper Mitch Megginson - the November winner - and Rory McAllister, who was voted the division’s top player in October.

Paul and Blair were recognised for what was an outstanding month in which we won all four of our League One fixtures.

32 33

— Double Award Scoop

“You don’t get awarded these sort of things on your own in a team game.” >>>

We kicked things off with a 2-0 home win over Dumbarton, then beat Falkirk 3-0 away and ended the month with two home triumphs, 3-0 over Alloa Athletic and 4-2 over East Fife, to ensure we went into the New Year leading the table.

Our dream December also included a 3-0 Scottish Cup replay victory away to Championship side Queen of the South. Paul, as he did last month, dedicated the award to the players, coaching and backroom staff and the Cove Rangers fans, who had to make backto-trips to Dumfries and Falkirk during December.

Blair, who also netted his first SPFL goal for the club in the victory over East Fife, said: “I’m pretty pleased to have picked up this award, so want to thank my team-mates and everyone else at the club for helping to make it happen.”

“You don’t get awarded these sort of things on your own in a team game. It was also pleasing to finally score in the SPFL for Cove Rangers.”

“I got one when I played for Arbroath, so it was always a desire to get off the mark at this level with Cove too. Hopefully that goal proves to be only the first of many for me.”

34 35

STOP BALL WATCHING. START PLAYING.

Rip-roaring power. Spellbinding control.

Jaw-dropping accuracy. The new Mitre Delta Max SPFL. Prepare to mesmerise.

Mitre.com

— Club partners

Principal Club Partner

Principal Stadium Partner

Official Club Partners

36 37

— View from the dugout

PAUL HARTL I will open by extending a warm welcome to the players, staff and supporters of Montrose on their latest visit to Balmoral Stadium.

It’s fantastic that we are going into today’s game occupying the top two places in cinch League One. It’s a very tough league, which includes three full-time clubs, so it’s a testament to the standards shown by both of us so far that we have been able to be where we are moving into the second half of the campaign.

Montrose are unbeaten in their last 15 games and the previous two meetings between us ended in draws, so we know we can expect another very challenging encounter. Both of us also like to play good, attacking, football which can only be good news for those able to get into Balmoral this afternoon.

We have also been in good form, which was reflected by the fact we received the latest League One manager and player awards. While it’s nice to get those sort of awards, I always see them as an acknowledgment of the hard work we do as a team, by that I mean my coaching and medical staff, the players, the directors and everyone else who works at the club.

38 39

LEY

>>>

— View from the dugout

>>> I also dedicated this particular award to the Cove Rangers fans, for the exceptional effort they made to be with us during what was a busy December, which included back-to-back matches down in Dumfries and Falkirk.

Any side that hopes to be successful needs to have a loyal and vocal support and we certainly have that.

It was really pleasing to see the December player award going to our midfielder Blair Yule.

As I said when the awards were announced earlier this week, Blair is our Mr Consistent, who maintains the highest of standards, no matter what position he is asked to play in.

The target for all of us now is to see if we can be as successful in January as we were in December. We made a pleasing start, with tough victories away to Peterhead and Clyde, but we all accept we are going to have to dig deep again this afternoon if we want to keep that good run going.

Enjoy the game.

Paul Hartley

40 41

“ The target for all of us now is to see if we can be as successful in January as we were in December.”

— Player and management sponsorship

MANAGEMENT Paul Hartley

Gordon Young

Tam Ritchie

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

GOALKEEPERS Stuart McKenzie

Kyle Gourlay

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

Harry Milne

Scott Ross

Ryan Strachan

LOCAL , NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ROAD HAULAGE

ABERDEEN 01224 – 781698

DEFENDERS

WWW.MGSLOGISTICS.CO.UK

Jevan Anderson

Shay Logan

Morgyn Neill

42 43

MIDFIELDERS

Fraser Fyvie

Connor Scully

Blair Yule

Iain Vigurs

Robbie Leitch

Mitchel Megginson

Leighton McIntosh

Jamie Masson

FORWARDS

CRFC offer excellent advertising opportunities to organisations who are looking to share marketing messages, or to build their brand via one or more of our channels. Get in touch with our commercial team for further information.

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

Rory McAllister

— Season 2021/22 statistics Date

Fixture

Game H/A

F

A

Starting

Starting

Starting

Starting

Starting

Starting

Starting

Starting

Starting

10/07/2021

Stirling Albion

PSC

H

2

3

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne (R.Thomas)

S.Ross

R.Strachan (C.Scully)

B.Watson

B.Yule

R.McAllister (M.Megginson)

R.Draper

13/07/2021

Hearts

PSC

A

0

3

K.Gourlay

M.Neill

H.Milne (R.Thomas)

C.Scully (R.McAllister)

S.Ross (B.Watson)

B.Yule

M.Megginson

L.McIntosh

R.Draper

17/07/2021

Peterhead

PSC

A

1

3

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson1 (L.McIntosh)

D.Higgins (H.Milne)

R.McAllister (B.Watson)

R.Draper

20/07/2021

Inverness CT

PSC

H

3

1

K.Gourlay

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

B.Yule1

M.Megginson1

L.McIntosh1 (R.McAllister)

R.Draper

I.Vigurs

31/07/2021

Falkirk

SPFL1

A

1

1

K.Gourlay

M.Neill

H.Milne

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

R.Draper

I.Vigurs

R.Leitch (C.Scully)

07/08/2021

Queens Park

SPFL1

A

0

2

K.Gourlay

M.Neill (J.Anderson)

H.Milne

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson

L.McIntosh (R.McAllister)

I.Vigurs

R.Leitch (C.Scully)

14/08/2021

East Fife

SPFL1

H

5

2

K.Gourlay

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson3 (L.McIntosh)

R.McAllister1 (B.Watson)

I.Vigurs

21/08/2021

Dumbarton

SPFL1

A

3

1

K.Gourlay

M.Neill (J.Anderson)

H.Milne

C.Scully (L.McIntosh)

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson1

R.McAllister1

28/08/2021

Clyde

SPFL1

A

1

2

K.Gourlay

M.Neill

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson

R.McAllister1

J.Anderson (J.Masson)

04/09/2021

Stenhousemuir

CC

H

0

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

J.Masson

L.McIntosh (R.Leitch)

R.McAllister

11/09/2021

Montrose

SPFL1

H

1

1

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

C.Scully (H.Milne)

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

R.McAllister (L.McIntosh)

I.Vigurs

R.Leitch

18/09/2021

Peterhead

SPFL1

A

1

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

M.Megginson

J.Masson (R.Leitch)

R.McAllister1

I.Vigurs

25/09/2021

Airdrieonians

SPFL1

H

1

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill1

H.Milne

C.Scully (L.McIntosh)

S.Ross

M.Megginson

J.Masson (F.Robertson)

R.McAllister

I.Vigurs

02/10/2021

Alloa Athletic

SPFL1

A

3

1

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

S.Ross

B.Yule (L.McIntosh)

M.Megginson

R.McAllister3

I.Vigurs

F.Robertson (J.Masson)

09/10/2021

Albion Rovers

CC

H

4

1

K.Gourlay

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson1

L.McIntosh (O.Adeyemo)

R.McAllister2

16/10/2021

East Fife

SPFL1

A

2

4

S.McKenzie

1

M.Neill

C.Scully

S.Ross (R.Strachan)

M.Megginson

J.Masson (O.Adeyemo)

R.McAllister

I.Vigurs

R.Leitch1 (F.Robertson)

23/10/2021

Clyde

SPFL1

H

3

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

C.Scully

R.Strachan

M.Megginson

J.Masson (R.Leitch1)

R.McAllister

I.Vigurs

F.Robertson (B.Yule)

30/10/2021

Queen’s Park

SPFL1

H

3

3

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

C.Scully (H.Milne)

R.Strachan

M.Megginson1

J.Masson (L.McIntosh)

R.McAllister1

I.Vigurs

F.Robertson

06/11/2021

Montrose

SPFL1

A

0

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

S.Ross

R.Strachan

M.Megginson

J.Masson

R.McAllister (O.Adeyemo)

I.Vigurs

13/11/2021

Peterhead

SPFL1

H

3

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

S.Ross

R.Strachan1

B.Yule

M.Megginson2

J.Masson (R.Leitch)

R.McAllister (L.McIntosh)

20/11/2021

Airdrieonians

SPFL1

A

2

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson1 (F.Robertson)

J.Masson (F.Fyvie)

R.McAllister (L.McIntosh)

27/11/2021

Queen of the South SC

H

2

2

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne (J.Masson)

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

L.McIntosh (R.McAllister)

J.Anderson (S.Logan)

30/11/2021

Rangers B

CC

H

5

1

K.Gourlay

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross (R.Strachan)

B.Yule

M.Megginson1 (O.Adeyemo)

J.Masson1 (L.McIntosh)

I.Vigurs

04/12/2021

Dumbarton

SPFL1

H

2

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

C.Scully

S.Ross (J.Masson)

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson (L.McIntosh)

R.McAllister (F.Robertson)

I.Vigurs1

07/12/2021

Queen of the South SC

A

3

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson2 (J.Anderson)

J.Masson (O.Adeyemo

12/11/2021

Falkirk

SPFL1

A

3

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill1

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

R.McAllister1 (L.McIntosh)

I.Vigurs

18/12/2021

Alloa Athletic

SPFL1

H

3

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson1

J.Masson1 (R.Leitch)

R.McAllister1 (F.Robertson

26/12/2021

East Fife

SPFL1

H

4

2

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule1

M.Megginson1

J.Masson (R.Leitch1)

L.McIntosh1

02/01/2022

Peterhead

SPFL1

A

1

0

S.McKenzie1

M.Neill

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

L.McIntosh

R.McAllister (J.Anderson)

R.Leitch (O.Adeyemo

08/01/2022

Clyde

SPFL1

A

1

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

R.Strachan

B.Yule

L.McIntosh (F.Robertson)

R.McAllister

J.Anderson

I.Vigurs1

15/01/2022

Montrose

SPFL1

H

20/01/2022

Hibernian

SC

A

29/01/2022

Dumbarton

SPFL1

A

05/02/2022 Airdrieonians

SPFL1

H

12/02/2022

Queen’s Park

SPFL1

A

19/02/2022

Falkirk

SPFL1

H

26/02/2022

Alloa Athletic

(Cove win 4-2 on penalties)

SPFL1

A

05/03/2022 Peterhead

SPFL1

H

12/03/2022

Clyde

SPFL1

H

19/03/2022

Montrose

SPFL1

A

26/03/2022

Airdrieonians

SPFL1

A

02/04/2022 Queen’s Park

SPFL1

H

09/04/2022

Falkirk

SPFL1

A

16/04/2022

Alloa Athletic

SPFL1

H

23/04/2022

Dumbarton

SPFL1

H

SPFL1

A

30/04/2022 East Fife

1

1

g

)

)

)

o)

n)

o)

44 45 Starting

Starting

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Referee

AS1

AS2

ATT

I.Vigurs

F.Fyvie

C.Scully

M.Megginson

R.Thomas

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

-

Barry Cook

Craig Ferguson

Harry Bruce

298

I.Vigurs

F.Fyvie

B.Watson

R.McAllister

R.Thomas

S.McKenzie

-

-

-

-

-

Colin Steven

David McGeachie

Graham McNeillie

I.Vigurs

R.Leitch (F.Fyvie)

H.Milne

B.Watson

L.McIntosh

F.Fyvie

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

Matthew MacDermid

Ralph Gordon

Graham Chambers

R.Leitch (B.Watson)

F.Fyvie

B.Watson

R.McAllister

S.McKenzie

-

-

-

-

-

-

Chris Graham

Greame Leslie

Chris Hobbs

F.Fyvie (R.McAllister)

S.Logan

C.Scully

R.Strachan

B.Watson

D.Higgins

R.McAllister1

J.Anderson

-

-

-

Alan Newlands

George King

Andy Gamble

F.Fyvie

S.Logan

C.Scully

B.Watson

D.Higgins

R.McAllister

J.Anderson

S.McKenzie

-

-

-

Calum Scott

Scott Anderson

Chris Hughes

R.Leitch1 (J.Masson)

S.Logan

M.Neill

B.Watson

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

S.McKenzie

-

-

-

Euan Anderson

Steven Traynor

Gordon McCabe

I.Vigurs

R.Leitch1 (J.Masson)

B.Watson

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

S.McKenzie

-

-

-

-

Duncan Williams

Graham Chambers

Regan Wallace

I.Vigurs

R.Leitch1 (L.McIntosh)

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

S.McKenzie

-

-

-

-

-

-

Grant Irvine

Stuart Hodge

Duncan Nicolson

F.Fyvie

S.Logan

H.Milne

R.Strachan

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

-

Barry Cook

Steve Traynor

Craig Macrae

F.Fyvie

S.Logan

H.Milne

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

Matthew MacDermid

Drew Kirkland

Calum Doyle

F.Fyvie (L.McIntosh)

S.Logan

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

-

Gavin Duncan

Andrew McWilliam

Ian Hart

F.Fyvie (R.Leitch)

S.Logan

R.Strachan

B.Yule

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

F.Robertson

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

Peter Stuart

Alastair Mather

David McKniff

R.Leitch (F.Fyvie)

S.Logan

C.Scully

R.Strachan

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

F.Fyvie

K.Gourlay

-

-

Alan Muir

Andrew McWilliam

George King

R.Leitch (J.Masson)

F.Fyvie

J.Masson1

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

S.McKenzie

-

-

-

-

-

Graham Grainger

Graham McNeillie

Colin McAlpine

F.Fyvie

S.Logan

R.Strachan

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

L.McIntosh

F.Robertson

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

Scott Lambie

Gordon Crawford

Cameron Telfer

F.Fyvie

S.Logan

H.Milne

B.Yule

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch1

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

Barry Cook

Craig Ferguson

Brian Christie

F.Fyvie

S.Logan (B.Yule)

H.Milne

S.Ross

B.Yule

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

Graham Grainger

Steven Traynor

Paul McAvinue

F.Robertson (B.Yule)

F.Fyvie (R.Leitch)

C.Scully

B.Yule

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

Grant Irvine

Andy Milne

Gary Hilland

I.Vigurs

S.Logan (C.Scully)

C.Scully

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

F.Robertson

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

Calum Scott

Graham McNeillie

Brian Christie

J.Anderson

I.Vigurs

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

F.Robertson

F.Fyvie1

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

Craig Napier

Graham Chambers

Barry Reid

I.Vigurs1

F.Fyvie K.Gourlay

J.Masson

R.McAllister1

O.Adeyemo

S.Logan

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

Scott Lambie

Steven Traynor

Gordon McCabe

F.Fyvie2

S.Logan

R.Strachan

L.McIntosh1

O.Adeyemo

S.McKenzie

-

-

-

-

-

Mike Roncone

Andy Milne

Paul McAvinue

F.Fyvie1

S.Logan

H.Milne

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

F.Robertson

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

Chris Fordyce

Gary Hilland

Ross Nelson

L.McIntosh (R.McAllister)

F.Fyvie1

R.McAllister

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

-

-

-

-

-

-

Scott Lambie

Steven Traynor

Gordon McCabe

F.Fyvie

S.Logan

J.Masson

L.McIntosh1

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

F.Robertson

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

Calum Scott

Graham McNeillie

Chris Newman

I.Vigurs (L.McIntosh)

F.Fyvie

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

F.Robertson

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

Steven Reid

Alastair Mather

Jordan Cousland

R.McAllister (O.Adeyemo)

S.Logan

R.Strachan

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

Duncan Williams

Paul McAvinue

Terry Ormiston

F.Fyvie

S.Logan

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

-

-

Mike Roncone

Michael Banks

Barry Reid

R.Leitch (J.Masson)

S.Logan

J.Masson

O.Adeyemo

F.Robertson

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

-

Steven Reid

David Doig

Elliott Husband Powton

2

506

— Season 2021/22 statistics

#CRFCLIVE

46 47

Name

Appearances

Goals

Position

Yellow

Red

Stuart McKenzie

20

1

GK

0

0

Kyle Gourlay

10

0

GK

0

0

Harry Milne

24

0

DF

5

1

Scott Ross

24

0

DF

5

0

Ryan Strachan

16

1

DF

1

0

Morgyn Neill

29

3

DF

3

0

Jevan Anderson

8

0

DF

0

0

Shay Logan

19

0

DF

0

1

Rhys Thomas

2

0

DF

0

0

Connor Scully

27

1

MF

3

0

Blair Yule

27

2

MF

2

1

Jamie Masson

21

4

MF

2

0

Fraser Fyvie

24

7

MF

4

1

Iain Vigurs

25

3

MF

7

0

Finlay Robertson

10

0

MF

0

0

Ross Draper

5

0

MF

1

0

Robbie Leitch

21

5

MF

1

0

Mitchel Megginson

28

16

FW

6

0

Leighton McIntosh

25

4

FW

0

0

Rory McAllister

29

15

FW

5

0

Ola Adeyemo

0

0

FW

0

0

— Captain’s view

W

C

’S VIE

AIN T P A

48 49

“ We are all looking forward to what is clearly a massive game for us this afternoon.”

The current Covid regulations mean only 500 fans will be allowed inside Balmoral Stadium to watch it, which is a shame.

In normal circumstances, I’m sure a meeting between the two sides setting the pace at the top of cinch League One would have packed the place out.

Hopefully the Cove Rangers fans who are in attendance this afternoon will do their utmost to make themselves heard. They normally do, especially when we are on the road.

Similar vocal support this afternoon would help us in a match that is undoubtedly going to be one of the toughest we have faced all season.

Montrose are a top side and, like ourselves, have been on a great run of form. Nobody needs to tell us it will take a very high level of performance from us if we are to have any chance of getting the result we want.

In my last column, for the game against East Fife, I made a point of singing the praises of our midfielder Blair Yule by describing him as “the unsung hero of the first half of our campaign.” I was delighted to see Blair back that up by scoring his first SPFL goal for the club in that game.

The way he was engulfed by team-mates while he celebrated that goal underlined just how much everyone in our dressing room appreciates him as a player and as a person.

>>>

— Captain’s view

>>> So you can understand our delight when it was announced Blair had been voted the cinch League One player of the month for December.

As I know from my own experiences, these awards tend to go to strikers who have maybe managed to grab a few goals over the course of the previous month. So it was brilliant to see Blair buck that trend to receive some long overdue recognition.

Having missed the last two games, I been able to watch and admire the way Blair continues go about his business. To my eyes, he and Harry Milne were the stand out players for us in last weekend’s away win over Clyde. But that was only the latest in a long list of top class displays from Blair, we are very fortunate to have him in our squad.

Another who deserves praise for his performance at Broadwood Stadium is Jevan Anderson. He hasn’t enjoyed as much game time as he would probably have liked, mainly because of injuries. So full credit to him for coming back in against Clyde to deliver an exceptional shift to help us record what was our seventh clean sheet in our last eight league games.

It’s all about the next game now though. This is a huge one that will require a massive effort from all of us, on and off the park.

CYCR! Mitch Megginson

50 51

— Club honours

Scottish League 2 Winners: 2019-20

Aberdeenshire Cup Winners: 2001-02, 2010-11, 2018-19

Highland League Winners: 2000-01, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2012-13, 201516, 2017-18, 2018-19

Runners-up: 1992-93, 1994-95, 2016-17, 2017-18

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, 2005-06, 2007-08, 2011-12

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

52 53

— Today’s team lines

Cove Rangers FC Manager - Paul Hartley

Montrose FC Manager - Stewart Petrie

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

8.

9.

10.

11.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

23.

24.

25.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

26.

Stuart McKenzie Morgyn Neill Harry Milne Connor Scully Scott Ross Ryan Strachan Blair Yule Mitchel Megginson (C) Jamie Masson Leighton McIntosh Rory McAllister Ross Draper Jevan Anderson Iain Vigurs Ola Adeyemo Finlay Robertson Rhys Thomas Robbie Leitch Balint Demus Kyle Gourlay Fraser Fyvie Shay Logan

Allan Fleming Cammy Ballantyne Andrew Steeves Matthew Allan Kerr Waddell Terry Masson Graeme Webster Paul Watson James Keatings Lewis Milne Blair Lyons Sean Dillon Mark Whatley Craig Johnston Aidan Quinn Elijah Simpson Liam Callaghan Cammy F Ballantyne Aaron Lennox Craig Brown Martin Rennie Michael Gardyne Ross Matthews

Today’s referee - Matthew MacDermid Today’s assistant referees - Alastair Mather, Andy Milne Team lines sponsor