Cove Rangers v Falkirk
cinch League One
19.02.22 — 3pm KO
— Upcoming fixtures
— League table
Cove Rangers FC
Balmoral Stadium
Wellington Circle, Altens
Aberdeen, AB12 3JG
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
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
SPIDERS SHARE - Third
Third DRAW FOR COVE
It was a frustrating afternoon at Balmoral Stadium yesterday, as we were held to a draw against Queen’s Park, despite Luis Longstaff receiving an early sending off for the visitors, and constant pressure on the Queen’s defence.
The midfielder was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in the first half, for two fouls on left-back Harry Milne. Despite having the man advantage, our continuous waves of attack were dealt with well by the Queen’s defence, who battled all afternoon to prevent us from breaking the deadlock.
Manager Paul Hartley made one change to the side that drew 1-1 with Airdrieonians last week, replacing Rory McAllister with Leighton Mcintosh in the starting line-up.
The visitors started brightly, and in the 7th minute, Longridge twisted in and out of Yule and Ross, which Neill halted by fouling the midfielder near the lefthand touchline.
Smith whipped the cross in, but the strong wind held the ball up, allowing the Cove defence to easily deal with the free-kick and clear to safety.
Our first opportunity of the match came in the 10th minute – Scott Ross found Vigurs down the righthand side, who cut inside on his left and whipped an inviting cross into the Queen’s box. McIntosh rose highest to flick a header towards the back post, but his effort went just wide of the target, and was just out of reach for the onrushing Connor Scully at the back post.
Longride continued to look dangerous as he cut in from the right past Milne and unleashed a shot from range in the 13th minute, but thankfully he dragged his shot well wide of McKenzie’s goal.
The visitors continued to press, and in the 15th minute, Smith sent a dangerous cross towards Longstaff in the centre, which Milne was able to head behind for a corner, although only narrowly wide of McKenzie’s right post, which left the home fans breathing a sigh of relief.
Thomson was booked in the 18th minute, after bringing down Megginson right on the edge of the penalty box. Vigurs stepped up to take the resulting free-kick, but his powerful strike sailed wide of Ferrie’s goal.
We continued to push forward, and had two chances in the 22nd minute to open the scoring. The first of the two chances fell to Fraser Fyvie, who had a low shot blocked by Kilday in the box. The ball dropped to the edge of the area, and Milne was allowed space to send a shot at goal, but unfortunately he fired well over.
Yule found himself in the space 25 yards from goal in the 24th minute, but his effort was easily gathered by Ferrie. Moments later, Luis Longstaff picked up the first of his two bookings, for scything down Milne as he looked to go on one of his driving runs down the left-hand side.
We went close again on the half hour mark, as Scully forced Kilday to clear the ball out for a throw-in to the left of the Queen’s penalty box. Vigurs took quickly, finding Milne in the area who brought down well under pressure but again couldn’t find the target.
Queen’s Park were reduced to 10 men in just the 34th minute of the match.
Harry Milne was the man causing the visitors problems, as he picked up the ball in his own half and looked to drive up the pitch, but was brought down by the already booked Longstaff, leaving the referee with no choice but to send the winger for an early bath.
We looked to take advantage of the extra man instantly from a corner. Vigurs played short to Scully who clipped a shot goalward, but Ferrie was alert at his near post to punch away from goal, and Queen’s cleared the ball to safety.
We continued to try and break the deadlock before the break, but Ferrie was on hand for Queen’s to firstly hold a Megginson shot from the edge of the area, before getting down well to hold a dangerous driven cross from Milne, denying us the opportunity of gaining a lead before the half-time whistle went.
We began the second half on the front foot, creating an opportunity within a couple of minutes of the restart. Reynolds picked up the ball just inside the Queen’s Park half, and drove forward with the ball, but his shot from 30 yards flew well over the crossbar.
We pressed from the resulting goal-kick, and Vigurs latched onto a slack pass out from the back, before playing wide to Scully, but his low driven cross was well held but Ferrie.
In the 50th minute, Scott Ross was brought down by Connor Smith as he advanced down the right.
Vigurs looked to catch the Queen’s team off guard by playing a short free-kick to Fyvie who played a delightful cross to Morgyn Neill, but his powerful bullet header went narrowly over the bar.
In the 56th minute, the ball dropped to Mitch Megginson on the edge of the box, but his snap-shot deflected off a Queen’s defender and trickled just wide of the goal.
Milne, who was voted Man-of-the-Match by sponsors Scot Grip International, again forced Ferrie into a great save on the hour mark. He cut inside and found McAllister in the box, who returned to the Milne as he burst into the box, attempting to recreate last week’s goal versus Airdrieonians.
Unfortunately, Ferrie was able to dive and hold Milne’s awkward half-volley which looped up off the ground towards the far corner.
The visitors were fortunate not to be reduced to 9 men in the 67th minute, after Fox fouled McAllister off the ball as we broke forward looking to open the scoring, however, the referee opted to only book the defender.
We continued to pin the visitors back, and Blair Yule had an excellent chance to open the scoring with just 20 minutes to go, as he wriggled his way out of pressure in the corner. He found space in the Queen’s box and set up to curl a shot into the far corner beyond Ferrie, but sliced his effort high and wide of the goal.
The visitors sat in and looked to threaten on the counter, and did just that in the 78th minute. Jai Quitongo broke down the right wing, and fired a cross into the heart of the Cove penalty area.
Substitute Connor McBride got on the end of the cross and fired an effort towards goal, which may have ended up in the back of the net had it not been for Ross being on hand to block the net bound strike.
Our biggest chance of the match came just 3 minutes from the end of the game.
Harry Milne made a great tackle on the half-way line and drove forward down the left-hand wing as he did all game. He sent in a low cross towards Rory McAllister, but his shot was blazed over the bar from 10 yards.
In added time, both Reynolds and Quitongo were booked, as the two had a coming together after Reynolds easily dealt with a long ball forward.
We continued to keep the ball in the final few minutes, but the Queen’s Park defence stayed strong and didn’t allow us to carve out any late chances, meaning the game ended goalless at Balmoral Stadium.
Cove Rangers:: McKenzie, Neill, Milne, Scully (Masson 64), Ross, Yule (Fotheringham 75), Megginson, McIntosh (McAllister 58), Vigurs, Fyvie, Reynolds.
Subs: Strachan, Anderson, Adeyemo, Leitch, Gourlay.
Queen’s Park: Ferrie, Robson, Kilday, Longridge (McBride 46), McHugh (Quitongo 66), Brown (Darcy), Fox, Thomson (Davidson 46), Doyle, Smith (Reid 70), Longstaff.
Subs: Grant, Moore, Heraghty, Biggar
Referee: Alan Newlands.
QUEEN’S PARK REACTION
Left-back Harry Milne was disappointed not to take advantage of the extra man as we were held to a 0-0 draw by Queen’s Park at Balmoral Stadium.
The Spiders were reduced to 10 men after just 34 minutes as midfielder Luis Longstaff received two bookings in quick succession, bringing down Harry on both occasions. However, play and penning the visitors back for the whole of the second half, we were unable to break the deadlock, and finished the game all-square.
Harry said: “Queen’s Park started quite quick, but we managed to absorb a lot of the pressure. We grew into the game as it went on. Obviously they were reduced to 10 men early on, we had a lot of the ball after this, but in the final third we weren’t good enough.
We needed to recycle the ball a bit more, move the ball better and quicker, and we also needed to take our chances. They obviously sat a bit deeper following the sending off, so it made it harder to get in behind them.
It was frustrating to have the extra man advantage for so long and not being able to find the breakthrough. You’ve got to credit their resilience – defensively they were very good.
“We want to get back to winning ways.”
When it was 11v11, after we soaked up the initial pressure, we started to find a little bit of space and we got forward. But after the sending off it started to become a bit more difficult as their whole team was sitting behind the ball, and this made it tough to break them down.
I don’t think we were under any pressure at all in the second half, but it was disappointing not to find the breakthrough and come away with all three points.”
Harry was voted Man-of-the-Match by sponsors Scot Grip International, the second week in a row the left back has received the award.
He said: “I feel like I’m playing well at the moment. I just want to help contribute to the team and help to get results. It’s good to be recognised for my performances, but ultimately I’m disappointed not to get the win.”
On this afternoon’s meeting with Falkirk, Harry said: “We want to get back to winning ways. It’s going to be a tough game, they have obviously strengthened and recently brought in Leigh Griffiths. We always have good games against Falkirk, we seem to put on good performances when we play against them. But they are always tough encounters.
It’ll be no different next week; we will need to play to our best if we want to come away with all three points.”
WILLIE GARNER
Willie Garner was the first of many trophy winning former Aberdeen players to play for Cove Rangers at Highland League level.
After picking up Scottish Championship and Scottish League Cup winners’ medals as a Dons player, Willie went on to help the club win a further five honours while working as Alex Ferguson’s assistant manager at Pittodrie. Willie, who also played for Celtic, looks back on his time with us.
You joined Cove Rangers in 1986, after your spell working alongside Alex Ferguson at Pittodrie, how did that move come about?
I have to start by saying being sacked from my job with Aberdeen came as a huge shock. The manager had just come back from leading Scotland at the 1986 World Cup finals in Mexico (Alex Ferguson had been asked to step in temporarily after Jock Stein’s tragic death during the qualifying rounds).
I had been tasked with making sure everything was organised for Aberdeen’s pre-season during his absence and had also signed a couple of players on contracts. We had won both domestic cups the previous season, and five trophies in total while I was there as a coach, and was looking forward to the challenge of helping Aberdeen build on that. Getting the sack was a real blow.
Alex was straight with me, he said he wanted to bring Archie Knox back as his assistant so I had to accept his decision. One day I was the assistant manager of Aberdeen, the next I was filling in forms to sign on at the brew (unemployment office). I had a young family at the time, so it was a real worry because I had been involved in football since I was a teenager.
I will be eternally grateful to Gordon Hutcheon (our vice-chairman in 1986), who stepped in and offered me the opportunity to be involved at Cove Rangers. Gordon phoned me and suggested I come to Cove, he added that it would be the ideal stop-gap until I got my head around what had just happened
and decided what I wanted to do in the long term. I came up to Allan Park for a chat with Gordon and Alan McRae (the club chairman in 1986) and they made it clear how much they would love to have me at the club.
Tommy Cummings was the manager and he added that he would be delighted to have someone with my experience because it was Cove’s first season in the Highland League.
I was still only 31, I had actually retired from playing full-time at the age of 27 because I was offered the player/manager job at Alloa Athletic. It was heartening seeing how keen Cove were to have me involved in such a historic season for them. Gordon and Alan also created a job for me to help make up the earnings I had lost because I had left the Dons.
Gordon was a very forward thinking man and said it was vital Cove Rangers had a commercial manager if the club was to have any chance of progressing to where they eventually wanted to be. This was in 1986 remember, a time when a Highland League side employing someone in that sort of role was pretty rare.
Gordon was very enthusiastic and encouraged me by saying he was sure it would work out because I was already well known to the business community in Aberdeen. My main task was to go and secure as much sponsorship as possible to help the club cope with what was a huge step up at that stage.
Did you enjoy playing in the Highland League for Cove Rangers?
I have only happy memories of doing that. Cove had a very young side, so I enjoyed doing what I could to help them deal with what was always going to be a tough first season at that level.
Big Andy Paterson was my defensive partner and he was an outstanding player. I had a lot of good contacts in the game, so I actually organised for Andy to have a trial down at Coventry City because I was convinced he had what was needed to succeed at the top levels.
The move didn’t happen, which was a shame, but it was no surprise too see Andy go on and become a massive player for Cove Rangers. It was a big step for me to take, after being where I was in the game with Aberdeen. But I was grateful that Gordon and Alan gave me the chance to remain in the game at what was a low point in my career.
My biggest regret is that I never helped Cove win any trophies while I was with them. We did very well for our first season in the Highland League.
The set-up at Allan Park helped, none of our opponents like playing us there because of the size of the pitch and its proximity to the advertising hoardings. I knew it was never going to be a long term thing on the playing side.
Tommy started leaving me out because he was looking to bring through more good youngsters and I accepted it was time to move on again. Like I said, I only pleasant memories of my time with Cove and will always wish the very best for the club.
One thing that is often overlooked is that you launched the first ever Cove Rangers coaching school for youngsters in the area, how did that go?
It was a summer coaching school and something I really enjoyed. I suggested to Alan and Gordon that it might be a good way to generate some extra revenue during the close season and also strengthen the club’s links to the Cove community.
We had loads of kids signing up and there were some very good ones too. Former Aberdeen midfielder David Rowson was among the ones who went on to enjoy a decent career in the game.
It was good for Cove too because they needed to look at getting involved at youth level if they wanted to succeed in the years ahead. Gordon and Alan already knew that, so they were very supportive.
Gordon was an amazing person, who would have done anything to help Cove Rangers. He even provided an office at his company, in Chapel Street, for me to work from. Gordon provided me with a car and had me out and about looking for sponsors, selling sweeper tickets, you name it. He also encouraged me to organise a fundraising dinner at the Tree Tops Hotel.
They wanted someone different to be the main speaker, so I managed to secure Wallace Mercer, who had once tried to sign me for Hearts. Unfortunately, Wallace didn’t do as well as we hoped, but we made a lot of money and I’m glad the club has continued organising a fundraiser every year since.
You have been to Balmoral Stadium a few times since we made the step up to the SPFL, what do you think of the set-up at Cove now?
It’s magnificent, but that’s come as no surprise to me. Gordon and Alan were already talking about moving to a new stadium and eventually competing in the Scottish Leagues when I was there.
The people who have followed them into the boardroom have obviously shared the same ambitions and it’s amazing to see them where they are now.
They have managed to secure a top class manager in Paul Hartley and he has built up a very strong squad, with the right balance of youth and experience.
Moving to Balmoral Stadium was something that needed to be done if they were to really make their mark at SPFL level. When you look at their position, they have done great, but I can only see even better to come for the club.
START PLAYING.
Rip-roaring power. Spellbinding control. Jaw-dropping accuracy. The new Mitre Delta Max SPFL. Prepare to mesmerise.
PAUL HARTLEY
I will begin by praising our players for the effort they have put in already this season.
To have suffered only three defeats in the 25 cinch League One games played so far is tremendous. The consistency in our results underlines the quality in our squad - and their collective determination to do well for our club.
It has been very hard work too and more of that is ahead if we are to get the result we would like against this afternoon’s visitors to Balmoral Stadium, Falkirk. They have been boosted by the appointment of a new management team and the signing of Leigh Griffiths.
HARTLEY
—
>>>
Falkirk are also full-time and come here on the back of a good performance and victory away to Alloa Athletic, so it’s going to be another tough game for us.
It’s the latest of what has been a very testing run of fixtures, with our last two also against full-time opponents, Airdrieonians and Queen’s Park. Those ended in draws, which I’m never ever totally satisfied with. We are, however, at the stage of the campaign where getting points on the board is vital.
I want three every time, but if you can’t do that then you need to make sure you find a way to come away with one. That has to be aim as we head into what is going to be a very challenging run-in to our league campaign.
Enjoy the game.
Paul Hartley
“The consistency in our results underlines the quality in our squad...”
MANAGEMENT
DEFENDERS
GOALKEEPERS
Paul Hartley
Gordon Young
Harry Milne
Ryan Strachan
Shay Logan Morgyn Neill
Mark Reynolds
Scott Ross
Ritchie
Stuart McKenzie
Kyle Gourlay
Jevan Anderson
To
Blair Yule
Jamie Masson
Fraser Fyvie
Connor Scully
Rory McAllister
Ola Adeyemo
Mitchel Megginson
Leighton McIntosh
Iain Vigurs
Robbie Leitch
Kai Fotheringham
— Season 2021/22 statistics
#CRFCLIVE
CAPTAIN’S WEIV
“The possibility that Scotland international Leigh Griffiths could line up for Falkirk against us this afternoon underlines just how competitive cinch League One is this season.”
We are all well aware of what Leigh has achieved in the game. Like every other member of the Tartan Army, I was celebrating when he scored those two remarkable free-kicks against England a few years ago.
He also helped Celtic to numerous trophy wins during his time with them. Leigh is the latest of a growing list of players who have moved to our division directly from Premiership clubs.
Most of the clubs in our division have plundered Scotland’s top division for recruits and it has raised the standards considerably. That’s good for spectators, but not so good for those of us hoping to win the actual games.
We did it last summer, when we signed Shay Logan and Iain Vigurs, and followed that by bringing Mark Reynolds to Balmoral Stadium during the last transfer window. It means every player in the division knows they have to be at their best every week. If you allow standards to drop you are in danger because every opponent has at least one player in their ranks capable of taking advantage.
This is also the third home game in a row for us against full-time opposition, so we are under no illusions about what needs to be done if we are to get the result we want.
— Captain’s view
>>>
The previous two games, against Airdrie and Queen’s Park, finished in draws. Some sides might be pleased with at least remaining undefeated against two teams competing alongside them at the top end of the division, but not us. When you play for Cove Rangers it’s all about winning and you always leave pitch feeling disappointed if we haven’t managed to do that.
The clash with Airdrie was a classic game of two halves and a share of the spoils was probably a fair outcome. But we were pretty upset that we didn’t take more from the clash with Queen’s Park, especially with them having a player sent off in the first half.
You have to give them credit for the way they set themselves up after that, but we felt we should still have done more create scoring opportunities.
We are at the stage of the season where every point on the board is invaluable. We know how important it is that we get back to winning ways and accept the only way that is going to happen is with hard work and determination.
It’s something we know we are capable of, we managed to record nine league wins in a row earlier in the campaign. But the fact runs like that are so rare is a reminder of how evenly matched the teams are in this division.
CYCR!
Mitch Megginson
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, 2005-06, 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
—
Cove Rangers FC Manager - Paul Hartley
1. Stuart McKenzie
2. Morgyn Neill
3. Harry Milne
4. Connor Scully 5. Scott Ross
6. Ryan Strachan
8. Blair Yule
9. Mitchel Megginson (C)
10. Jamie Masson
11. Leighton McIntosh
13. Rory McAllister
14. Ross Draper
15. Jevan Anderson 16. Iain Vigurs
17. Ola Adeyemo
19. Rhys Thomas 20. Robbie Leitch
21. Balint Demus
23. Kyle Gourlay
24. Fraser Fyvie
25. Shay Logan
26. Mark Reynolds
27. Kai Fotheringham
Falkirk FC Head Coach - Martin Rennie
1. Robbie Mutch
2. Ryan Williamson 3. Paul Dixon
5. Aaron Taylor-Sinclair 6. Gary Miller
7. Callumn Morrison 8. Steven Hetherington 9. Leigh Griffiths 10. Aidan Nesbitt 11. Craig McGuffie 12. Paddy Martin 13. Luke Holt 14. Jamie Wilson 15. Leon McCann 16. Seb Ross 17. Keaghan Jacobs
18. Samuel Ompreon 19. Anton Dowds
20. Blair Sneddon 21. Charlie Telfer
22. Brad McKay 23. Ben Weekes
24. Cammy Williamson
25. Mackenzie Lemon
27. Jaze Kabia 30. Jevon Mills
44. Paul Watson
Today’s referee - Colin Steven
Today’s assistant referees - Stuart Stevenson, Paul McAvinue
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