UNCOVERED — Cove Rangers v Airdrieonians 05.02.22

Cove Rangers v Airdrieonians cinch League One

05.02.22 — 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 Airdrieonians: 05.02.22 — 3pm KO Match sponsor

Matchball sponsor

Features

DUMBARTON REPORT DUMBARTON REACTION MARK REYNOLDS INTERVIEW WELCOME KAI FOTHERINGHAM Regulars Upcoming fixtures

04

Club information

06

Club partners

35

View from the dugout

36

Player and Management sponsorship

40

Season 2021/22 statistics

42

Captain’s view

46

Club honours

50

Today’s team lines

51

08 20 24 32

— Upcoming fixtures

H Sat 12th Feb, 2022

Cove Rangers v Queen’s Park

cinch League One

H Sat 19th Feb, 2022

Cove Rangers v Falkirk

cinch League One

A Sat 26th Feb, 2022

Alloa Athletic v Cove Rangers

cinch League One

H Tue 1st Mar, 2022

Cove Rangers v Queen of the South

SPFL Trust Trophy

— League table cinch League One

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

Cove Rangers

23

15

5

3

46

21

25

50

Airdrieonians

23

13

4

6

39

27

12

43

Montrose

23

11

9

3

38

19

19

42

Queen’s Park

21

6

12

3

35

22

13

30

Clyde

23

7

8

8

29

39

-10

29

Falkirk

22

8

4

10

32

35

-3

28

Peterhead

22

6

6

10

29

33

-4

24

Alloa Athletic

22

5

7

10

29

37

-8

22

Dumbarton

22

6

4

12

31

46

-15

22

East Fife

23

3

5

15

21

50

-29

14

50/50 WINNER! The 50/50 winner at the Montrose match was 100718, won by Gary Davidson.

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.

DUMBARTON 2 COVE RANGERS 2 cinch League One Sat January 29th @ moreroom.com Stadium

08 09

— Dumbarton Match Report

DUMBARTON DUE

10 11

EL ENDS IN DRAW

>>>

— Dumbarton Match Report

We were denied the victory our second half fightback deserved by what can only be described as a mistake by referee Alan Muir.

The official awarded an 83rd minute spot-kick to the Sons when Fraser Fyvie knocked the ball away from Carlo Pigniatiello, just before Dumbarton player fell to the turf.

Video evidence clearly shows Fyvie made no contact with his opponent, so he was rightly furious the penalty was awarded, although the referee could have done with some help from assistant Daniel McFarlane, who was better positioned to see what had actually happened.

Dumbarton skipper Stuart Carswell converted the penalty to secure a point for them, but it was clear from the way our lads continued to debate the decision with the officials well after the final whistle had sounded that they felt extremely hard done by.

Carswell had also scored when Dumbarton were awarded the softest of penalties in the 38th minute to ensure we went in at the interval a goal behind.

We battled back though and a Rory McAllister penalty and fine finish by Connor Scully looked to have given us the three points our total domination of the second period would have merited.

It was painful to see that taken away in the manner that it was, but we at least maintained our long unbeaten run in cinch League One, which stretches back to October.

Conditions were very tricky at the moreroom.com Stadium, with a bumpy, heavily sanded pitch, and a howling and extremely chilly gale making things difficult for both sets of players.

12 13

— Dumbarton Match Report

14 15

We had the wind at our backs in the first half, but it was more of a hindrance than a help, although we had a couple of decent early chances. McAllister laid the ball off for Mitch Megginson to poke a shot wide after just two minutes.

That was followed by Fyvie sending Scully clear on the left to lash a shot across the face of the Dumbarton goal.

Home defender Paddy Boyle’s poor clearance then went to Blair Yule, but his effort from 18-yards was held by keeper Sam Ramsbottom. Fyvie also saw a powerful effort beaten clear by Ramsbottom as we did our best to deal with the challenging pitch and weather conditions.

Harry Milne was next up, when he sent a header from a well flighted Iain Vigurs free-kick over the bar from eight yards. Milne was the hero at the other end in the 22nd minute, when he made a vital headed clearance after Ross MacLean had crossed the ball in from the right.

Dumbarton were far better after that and forced Stuart McKenzie to make what proved to be the best save of the match in the 24th minute. The big keeper dived full length to his left to push MacLean’s net-bound 16-yard shot behind for a corner.

MacLean had another chance in the 27th minute, but blasted his close range volley over the crossbar.

Dumbarton missed a glorious opportunity to open the scoring in the 30th minute. MacLean managed to nod the ball across the face of our goal to the unmarked Connor Duthie, but he could only head wide from inside the six yard box.

>>>

— Dumbarton Match Report

The first of Dumbarton’s two debatable spot-kicks came in the 38th minute.

MacLean fell as he was attempting to squeeze the ball past Morgyn Neill, deep inside our area, out on the Dumbarton left. Referee Muir immediately pointed to the spot and waved away any protests before Carswell hammered his effort beyond McKenzie.

Maclean also had a 20-yard shot saved by McKenzie as the Sons attempted to increase their lead before the interval.

Playing against the wind in the second period clearly suited us, because we totally dominated after the turnaround. We began with Vigurs curling a 20-yard free-kick around the Dumbarton defensive wall for Ramsbottom to make a decent diving save.

We equalised from the spot in the 51st, thanks to the intervention of far side referee’s assistant George King.

McAllister was convinced Boyle had handled the ball as he burrowed his way into the Dumbarton box, but referee Muir waved play on until King signalled for the offence from his stance on the far touchline.

McAllister gave Ramsbottom no chance as he claimed his 17th goal of the season from the spot.

We went ahead in the 54th minute from a great move that began with Milne finding Yule out on the right with a tremendous cross-field pass. Ramsbottom tried to punch the midfielder’s cross clear, but the ball fell to Scully and he calmly steered an eight yard shot into the net.

We were unlucky not to make it 3-1 in the 64th minute, when Mark Reynolds saw his header cleared off the line after Vigurs had sent a corner over from the right.

16 17

>>>

— Dumbarton Match Report

18 19

The chances came thick and fast for us after that. Megginson was denied by a last gasp defensive challenge in the 68th minute, just before McAllister met a Yule cross and sent a six yard header inches over the crossbar.

The best opportunity fell to Scully, in the 71st minute. McAllister and Megginson combined well to get the ball to the midfielder, but Scully sliced his shot from the edge of the six yard box wide of the Dumbarton goal.

We still looked as if we would win though until referee Muir pointed to the spot again, after Fyvie had cleared the ball away from Pignatiello. Carswell was happy to accept the opportunity to ensure things finished all square, but it was a frustrating end to the afternoon for our lads.

Dumbarton: Ramsbottom, Pignantiello, Boyle, Bronsky, Buchanan, Duthie, Carswell, Paton, Wylde (Wilson 78), Oyinsan (Orsi 67), Maclean.

Subs: O’Neill, McKee, Stokes, Lynch, Hutchison.

Cove Rangers: McKenzie, Neill, Milne, Yule, Scully, Ross, Reynolds, Vigurs, Fyvie, McAllister, Megginson.

Subs: Masson, McIntosh, Anderson, Adeyemo, Leitch, Gourlay.

Referee: Alan Muir.

— Dumbarton Reaction

DUMBARTON REACTION

20 21

Midfielder Connor Scully is disappointed he didn’t grab the chance to kill off Dumbarton when we were ahead of them in our cinch League One clash at the moreroom.com Stadium.

Connor scored his second goal of the campaign as we fought back from being 1-0 behind to lead 2-1 early in the second period. He had a glorious opportunity to put us 3-1 ahead when Sons keeper Sam Ramsbottom could only palm a Blair Yule cross out into his path, in the 71st minute, but steered his shot wide of the target.

That meant a late, disputed, penalty from home skipper Stuart Carswell was enough to give them a share of the spoils, although drawing 2-2 did mean we are now unbeaten in 13 league games.

Connor said: “It was probably an easier chance than the one I scored, which makes it more annoying. It was a great cross from Blair and it’s shame I couldn’t get as good a connection as I did when I scored the goal.

If we had gone two goals ahead at that stage I couldn’t see them coming back, unfortunately we didn’t. We came away with a point though and it could end up being a very valuable one when we look back at the end of the season.”

We went it at the interval trailing to another strike from Carswell which also came from the penalty spot - and Connor is relieved we were able to respond positively in the second period.

>>>

— Dumbarton Reaction

“ We came away with a point though and it could end up being a very valuable one when we look back at the end of the season.”

He said: “None of us were happy with how we had done in the first 45 minutes, we weren’t at the races at all. We were far better in the second half though. We dominated possession and created a lot of good chances and I feel we were the ones who would have deserved to come away with all three points.”

Referee Alan Muir awarded Dumbarton’s late spot-kick after Fraser Fyvie had cleared the ball away from Carlo Pignatiello in the 83rd minute. The video footage of the incident shows that Fyvie played the ball cleanly, but Connor refused to criticise the match officials.

“I would rather not comment too much about that,” said Connor.

“The ref has a job to do and it looked dubious, but he had just a split second to make his decision. These things happen in football, so there is no point in dwelling on it.

What you need to do is try to use any disappointment you feel about how a game might have gone to fire you up to see if you can do better in the next one. Even more so because the next one for us is against Airdrie, who, like ourselves, are fighting for positions at the top end of the table.

It’s a massive game, but then again every game in this league is massive, you never get any easy ones. We accept we are going to have to be at our very best for the whole match if we are to have any chance of getting the result we want. We can’t afford to be a bit off it, which was certainly the case for the first 45 minutes down at Dumbarton.”

22 23

— Mark Reynolds Interview

MARK REYNOL

LDS

24 25

As recent signing Mark Reynolds prepares to make his home debut this afternoon he reveals playing for Cove Rangers had been on his agenda for a long time.

>>>

— Mark Reynolds Interview

Have you found it easy to settle in at Balmoral Stadium?

Yes, we have a really good bunch of lads and they have made me feel very welcome. I knew a lot of the players anyway, from either playing against them or having them as team-mates when I was with Aberdeen.

I was also well aware of the excellent facilities at Balmoral Stadium, I’ve been to a few games since it opened. The training has also been excellent, but I knew that would be the case with the gaffer (Paul Hartley) and Gordon Young in charge.

Gordon also coached you when you were both at Motherwell, was being reunited with him one of the things that persuaded you to come to Cove Rangers?

Very much so because I owe Gordon a lot for the way he helped me develop when I was a youngster at Fir Park. He was my youth coach when I first joined Motherwell at the age of 11 and I also worked with him when he was put in charge of their Youth Academy.

He worked closely with my father, Brian, who is still among the coaching staff at Motherwell. Thanks to the excellent coaching and guidance I received from Gordon - at what is the most impressionable stage of any players’ development - I have been able to go on and enjoy a fantastic career.

Gordon has also enjoyed a very interesting career, which has included coaching abroad and at international level. I’m delighted both of our roads have led to us being reunited again at Cove.

26 27

Gordon is an excellent coach, but also a great character, there is never a dull moment when he is around! Hopefully I can help him - and the club enjoy some success before I eventually stop playing.

You had offers to sign for full-time clubs when you left Dundee United, so what was it that convinced you coming to Cove Rangers was the better option?

The way I would like to answer that is to say playing for Cove Rangers at some stage of my career has always been on my agenda.

Throughout my time at Aberdeen I kept an eye on how Cove were progressing as a club and everyone in the game knew they were ambitious and determined to make the step up to the SPFL some day.

I didn’t know when I would get the opportunity to join the club, I’m just delighted it finally came along at a stage when I feel I can still be an asset to Cove.

The journey they have been on the last three years or so has been a pretty fantastic one. But I knew before I came here that they had ambitions to go as high as they possibly could in the Scottish game.

“ ...playing for Cove Rangers at some stage of my career has always been on my agenda.” >>>

— Mark Reynolds Interview

It’s driven by the chairman (Keith Moorhouse), but he’s backed up by a host of amazing, passionate, people behind the scenes. They include Terry Cobban, of main sponsors ACE. Terry is one of the most generous people I have ever met. He was my shirt sponsor throughout my time at Pittodrie and has become a dear friend over the years.

Since he got involved with the club, Terry had been constantly asking me when he was finally going to be able to see me in a Cove shirt. He got a taste of that when Dundee United, Cove Rangers and Raith Rovers joined together to raise funds to fight a bid to block them being promoted a couple of years ago, when the Covid pandemic first brought football to a halt.

Terry sent me the Cove shirt I wore to meet the group who had taken part in a sponsored walk from Balmoral Stadium to Tannadice. I was delighted to wear it , but was secretly hoping I would be doing so for real at some stage.

Terry has told me he is delighted it has finally happened and it’s the least he deserves for all the help he has given to me over many years.

I also know Cove’s commercial manager, Angela Bruce, from the time when she

was at Aberdeen, and everyone knows what a fantastic job she has done. Right through the club, they have people who are dedicated and focussed on doing their bit to help Cove be successful and that’s before we even mention the manager and his coaching staff.

Some people did question why I would choose to go part-time when I had offers not to, eyebrows were definitely raised.

But I just knew this was the right move for me because I’m still hungry for success, even though I’m at the latter stages of my career.

I didn’t want to just sign for the sake of playing things out for the final two or three years. I wanted to be challenged and being trusted to help Cove continue their quest to go to even higher levels than they are at now really excited me.

The move also allows me to prepare for a career in engineering once I do stop playing - and lets my family stay in Aberdeen. I’m a Motherwell boy, but the north-east is very much my home now.

My sons are Aberdonians and we love staying in the area, so it was the perfect move for me in every way.

28 29

“ I’m a Motherwell boy, but the north-east is very much my home now.” >>>

— Mark Reynolds Interview

PRIZE GUYS: Dundee United’s Declan Glass, who spent a spell on loan to us, Cove Rangers fan Ian Yule and Mark Reynolds, then captainof United, outside Tannadice in 2020. Ian led the group from the club who took part in a sponsored walk from Balmoral Stadium to Dundee that summer.

30 31

You played in the Scottish Cup defeat by Hibs and 2-2 league draw at Dumbarton, what was your verdict on both games?

What are your thoughts about possibly making your home debut against Airdrieonians?

That we put in two very strong performances.

We were desperately unlucky not to take Hibs to penalties, which would have been a big achievement when you consider Cove Rangers were playing in the Highland League a short time ago.

I’m very excited because you always want to make a good first impression and there will be Cove Rangers fans here today who weren’t at the previous two games.

We were also very unfortunate to only come away with a point from the meeting with Dumbarton. I would rather not speak about the penalty decisions that were made, I will leave that to those who were at the game and saw what happened.

But the fact we were all annoyed not to take three points underlines the standards that have been set at Cove. It could end up being a valuable point, but winning is everything at this club.

I’ve noticed there were crowds of 499 at Cove’s last two home games, but I’m sure the turnout will be bigger than that for the meeting of the top two sides in our division!

It’s a massive game for both of us and nobody really needs to tell us we will need to be at our very best to take anything from it.

— Welcome Kai Fotheringham

KAI FOTHE

32 33

ERINGHAM Dundee United forward Kai Fotheringham is in the Cove Rangers squad today after joining us on loan for the remainder of the season.

Kai, 18, is one of the most highly rated youngsters to come through the Tannadice club’s youth academy, having first joined United at the age of 14. He made his first team debut for United in October 2020, in a 6-2 League Cup victory over Brechin City.

Kai made his Premiership debut against St Mirren just over a year ago before spending the second half of last season on loan to League One Falkirk, playing twice against us in that campaign. He scored the winner when the Bairns knocked Championship Arbroath out of last season’s Scottish Cup. The Scotland under-16 international was also loaned to Championship side Raith Rovers at the start of this season, making 16 appearances and scoring once for the Kirkcaldy club. Kai follows in the footsteps of Dundee United team-mates Declan Glass, Ross Graham and Archie Meekison, who also enjoyed loan spells with us.

Everyone at Cove Rangers would like to welcome Kai to the club and wish him well during his time at Balmoral Stadium.

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— Club partners

Principal Club Partner

Principal Stadium Partner

Official Club Partners

34 35

— View from the dugout

PAUL HARTL I would like welcome the staff, players and supporters of Airdrieonians to Balmoral Stadium for what is without doubt the game of the day in cinch League One. We’ve been involved in a few of those already, which is good for the players. I’m confident it will be a great spectacle for the supporters because it’s a meeting between two very attack minded sides.

We go into this one undefeated at home so far this season, but we know what has gone before counts for nothing when the first whistle sounds this afternoon.

Airdrie are a good team, they have recruited well and have a very strong squad, so will come here believing they can take something from the match.

The players know it will take a top class performance to continue our good run of results. They will need to perform to their maximum levels, which they have done time and time again throughout the campaign so far.

The players have set very high standards, in training and matches, to ensure we are in the pleasing position that we are in right now. That’s because they have recognised you need to be at your best to win games in this league, which I warned from the outset was highly competitive.

36 37

LEY

>>>

— View from the dugout

>>> We’ve collected 28 points from our last 10 league games, which is a fantastic return. The challenge ahead of the players this afternoon is to keep those standards high so that we have the best opportunity to gain as many points as possible. We have 13 league games left, but we never look any further ahead than the next one.

I have to thank our supporters for the huge part they have played in helping us do as well as we have at Balmoral Stadium so far. When it was confirmed that supporters would be allowed back into games I predicted it would be of huge benefit to us.

Last season was terrible for the players because they feed off the backing they receive from the stands and terraces. Our fans have been particularly vocal this season, both here and on our travels, and the players have repaid that by giving them plenty to shout about. This will be another afternoon when it would be great if our fans could make their presence known.

I will end by welcoming loan signing Kai Fotheringham to the club. We appreciate Dundee United giving us the opportunity to work with yet another of their promising young players.

Declan Glass, Ross Graham and Archie Meekison all did well during their loan spells with us and we are confident it will be the same with Kai. I’m a great fan of the loan system because it gives us the chance to work with talented players as well as the welcome challenge of ensuring when they do return to their parent clubs they are better equipped for the next stage of their careers.

Enjoy the game.

Paul Hartley

38 39

“ Our fans have been particularly vocal this season... and the players have repaid that by giving them plenty to shout about.”

— Player and management sponsorship

MANAGEMENT Paul Hartley

Gordon Young

Tam Ritchie

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

GOALKEEPERS Stuart McKenzie

Kyle Gourlay

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

DEFENDERS Harry Milne

Scott Ross

Ryan Strachan

LOCAL , NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ROAD HAULAGE

ABERDEEN 01224 – 781698 WWW.MGSLOGISTICS.CO.UK

Jevan Anderson

Shay Logan

Morgyn Neill

Mark Reynolds

40 41

MIDFIELDERS

Fraser Fyvie

Connor Scully

Blair Yule

Jamie Masson

Iain Vigurs

Robbie Leitch

Kai Fotheringham

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

FORWARDS Mitchel Megginson

Leighton McIntosh

Rory McAllister

Ola Adeyemo

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

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

— 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

1

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson (L.McIntosh)

R.McAllister1

I.Vigurs (C.Scully)

20/01/2022

Hibernian

SC

A

0

1

K.Gourlay

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan (J.Anderson)

B.Yule

M.Megginson

J.Masson (M.Reynolds)

29/01/2022

Dumbarton

SPFL1

A

2

2

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully1

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

R.McAllister1

I.Vigurs

05/02/2022 Airdrieonians

SPFL1

H

12/02/2022

Queen’s Park

SPFL1

H

19/02/2022

Falkirk

SPFL1

H

26/02/2022

Alloa Athletic

SPFL1

01/03/2022

Queen of the South CC

(Cove win 4-2 on penalties)

A H

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)

)

42 43 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

F.Fyvie

S.Logan (J.Anderson)

C.Scully

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

Matthew MacDermid

Alastair Mather

Andy Milne

L.McIntosh (R.McAllister)

F.Fyvie (R.Leitch)

R.McAllister

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

M.Reynolds

-

-

-

-

Euan Anderson

Drew Kirkland

Michael Banks

F.Fyvie

M.Reynolds

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

Alan Muir

Jonathan Bell

George King

2

506

— Season 2021/22 statistics

#CRFCLIVE

44 45

Name

Appearances

Goals

Position

Yellow

Red

Stuart McKenzie

22

1

GK

0

0

Kyle Gourlay

11

0

GK

0

0

Harry Milne

27

0

DF

5

1

Scott Ross

27

0

DF

6

0

Ryan Strachan

18

1

DF

1

0

Morgyn Neill

32

3

DF

4

0

Jevan Anderson

10

0

DF

0

0

Shay Logan

20

0

DF

0

1

Mark Reynolds

2

0

DF

0

0

Rhys Thomas

2

0

DF

0

0

Connor Scully

30

2

MF

4

0

Blair Yule

30

2

MF

2

1

Jamie Masson

22

4

MF

2

0

Fraser Fyvie

27

7

MF

5

1

Iain Vigurs

27

3

MF

7

0

Ross Draper

5

0

MF

1

0

Robbie Leitch

22

5

MF

1

0

Mitchel Megginson

31

16

FW

7

0

Leighton McIntosh

27

4

FW

0

0

Rory McAllister

30

17

FW

6

0

Ola Adeyemo

0

0

FW

0

0

— Captain’s view

W

C

’S VIE

AIN T P A

46 47

“ We are all excited by the prospect of facing Airdrieonians this afternoon.”

It’s the second home league game in a row for us to have featured the sides sitting first and second in cinch League One. We managed to edge through the last one, against Montrose, and know the meeting with Airdrie will be just as tough, if not tougher. But give me that any day. Every player relishes the challenge of competing at the top end of whatever division they are in.

We are where we want to be in our league at the moment, but accept it’s going to take a lot of hard work and determination for us to stay there.

Airdrie, like Montrose, will come here with a game plan designed to make it tough for us as they attempt to become the first to beat us at Balmoral Stadium, in the league this season. We are very proud of that home record and of how we have done here since making the step up to the SPFL three years ago.

We set our sights on making Balmoral a bit of a fortress for us, but the longer we go without losing here the more opponents will be fired up to beat us.

We are certainly hoping we avoid the sort of injury problems we encountered in the first 45 minutes against the Gable Endies!

Thankfully, we still found a way to win what was without doubt one of the most competitive games we have faced all season. A big part of that was some really high quality defending from us.

>>>

— Captain’s view

>>> A lot is written about the fact we are a pretty high scoring side, with myself and Rory McAllister regularly praised for the goals we get. But I can assure you every one of us who play up front appreciate just how well we have done at the other end of the park, from the very first game of the campaign.

We have recorded more clean sheets than any other side in our division - despite the fact injuries, illness and suspension have denied us consistency in selection as far as our defence has been concerned. That underlines the quality of the lads we have competing for the defensive positions and they know they will need to deliver their A-game again today if we are to have any hope of maintaining our good form.

The same goes for the Cove Rangers supporters here this afternoon. We have really appreciated the backing we have received at every game so far. When we have needed you most, you have always been there, doing your best to push us on through the difficult moments ever side experiences from time to time.

It is vital that continues because we still have a lot of big games to play, in what we know is probably the most competitive of all the SPFL divisions.

CYCR! Mitch Megginson

48 49

— 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

50 51

— Today’s team lines

Cove Rangers FC Manager - Paul Hartley

Airdrieonians FC Manager - Ian Murray

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

8.

9.

10.

11.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

19.

20.

21.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

1.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

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 Rhys Thomas Robbie Leitch Balint Demus Kyle Gourlay Fraser Fyvie Shay Logan Mark Reynolds Kai Fotheringham

Max Currie (GK) Brody Paterson Josh Kerr Luke Lyons Callum Fordyce Rhys McCabe Scott Agnew Calum Gallagher Dylan Easton Callum Smith Dean Ritchie Jordan Allan Matty McDonald Craig Watson Patrick Pyott Jay Cantley (GK) Scott Walker Kyle MacDonald Adam Frizzell Salim Kouider-Aïssa Gabby McGill Scott McGill

Today’s referee - Barry Cook Today’s assistant referees - Graham Chambers, Brian Christie Team lines sponsor