UNCOVERED — Cove Rangers v Alloa Athletic 16.04.22

Cove Rangers v Alloa cinch League One

16.04.22 — 3pm KO

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02 03

— Contents Cove Rangers FC Matchday Programme Alloa: 16.04.22 — 3pm KO Match sponsor

Matchball sponsor

Dan Cahill

Features

FALKIRK MATCH REPORT FALKIRK REACTION A COVE LOVE STORY ERIC WATSON INTERVIEW

08 18 22 26

Regulars Upcoming fixtures

04

Club information

06

Club partners

31

View from the dugout

32

Player and Management sponsorship

36

Season 2021/22 statistics

38

Captain’s view

42

Club honours

46

Today’s team lines

47

— Upcoming fixtures

A Sat 23rd Apr, 2022

Dumbarton v Cove Rangers

cinch League One

A Sat 30th Apr, 2022

East Fife v Cove Rangers

cinch League One

— League table cinch League One

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

Cove Rangers

33

20

10

3

66

30

36

70

Airdrieonians

33

19

8

6

59

34

25

65

Montrose

33

14

14

5

49

29

20

56

Queen’s Park

33

11

17

5

48

31

17

50

Falkirk

33

11

7

15

44

51

-7

40

Alloa Athletic

33

10

9

14

43

52

-9

39

Clyde

33

8

12

13

36

54

-18

36

Peterhead

33

9

8

16

42

49

-7

35

Dumbarton

33

8

7

18

44

66

-22

31

East Fife

33

5

8

20

28

63

-35

23

50/50 WINNER! The 50/50 winner at the Clyde match was 106381, won by Alan Dykes.

04 05

– Club information

Cove Rangers FC

T 01224 392111 F 01224 392859

Balmoral Stadium Wellington Circle, Altens Aberdeen, AB12 3JG

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.

FALKIRK 0 COVE RANGERS 2 cinch League One Sat April 9th @ Falkirk Stadium

08 09

— Falkirk Match Report

Bairns left crying at home Harry Milne’s second half double secured a throughly deserved victory over the Bairns in our cinch League One clash at the Falkirk Stadium.

Full-back Milne stepped up to the plate to ensure we grabbed what could be a massive victory despite the loss of main striking duo – skipper Mitch Megginson and Rory McAllister – because of injuries.

Those two have shared 40 goals this term, so it was obviously a concern to have to attempt to beat our full-time hosts without them.

All credit to the rest of the players, they shrugged off that double set-back, controlled the game from start to finish and claimed the three points thanks to Milne’s second double of the season.

Megginson, scorer of 21 so far, was ruled out by the injury that forced him to retire early from last weekend’s 1-1 draw away to Queen’s Park.

10 11

— Falkirk Match Report

12 13

That was bad enough, but we then also lost 19-goal McAllister, who appeared to suffer a calf injury and was forced off after just nine minutes of the meeting with the Bairns.

Our lads didn’t panic though.

In actual fact, they totally outplayed Falkirk and remained patient until the breakthrough they needed finally came.

Milne and midfielder Iain Vigurs were back in the starting line-up after missing the game with Queen’s Park because of injury and illness.

Our first effort at goal came after just two minutes, when Fraser Fyvie collected Milne’s thrown-in from the left and turned to fire a 20-yard shot off target.

Falkirk keeper Robbie Mutch blocked a shot from Fyvie in the fourth minute, although the midfielder had actually strayed offside.

McAllister initially pulled up and and required treatment after just six minutes.

The striker came back on, but pulled up again and had to be replaced by Leighton McInstosh in the ninth minute.

Falkirk had a decent chance in the 12th minute, when Steven Hetherington fed a pass through to Leigh Griffiths and he missed the target with a first time volley.

We were in full control after that though.

— Falkirk Match Report

Blair Yule had a go from distance, but his shot lacked power and was easily gathered by Mutch.

We pushed forward again in the 22nd minute for Mark Reynolds to send a chip into the Falkirk area, where McIntosh steered a 14-yard header wide.

Mutch made a great save in the 26th minute, beating away McIntosh’s shot from the edge of the area, after Vigurs had cut the ball back from the left.

Connor Scully was the next to have a go, with his low 20-yard shot gathered by the diving Mutch.

Mutch also held McIntosh’s shot, from a very tight angle on the left, as we continued to probe for the opener, but it was still all square at the interval.

Our patience was rewarded in the second half, but only after Milne was harshly booked for a foul on Charlie Telfer, in the 49th minute.

Griffiths took the free-kick, but his effort from 20-yards flew well off target.

The breakthrough we thoroughly deserved came in the 54th minute.

Vigurs smuggled the ball back to Logan, out on the right, and when he crossed it to the back post fellow full-back MILNE was there to get up above his marker to direct a six yard header back across the face of the goal into the net.

>>>

14 15

— Falkirk Match Report

MILNE made it 2-0 on the hour with a brilliant strike, for what was his fifth goal of the campaign.

Keeper Mutch rolled the ball out to Telfer and Milne quickly nipped in to dispossess the Falkirk man then lashed an unstoppable 20-yard shot high into the net.

Milne’s afternoon ended in the 72nd minute, when he also pulled up with an injury and was replaced by Jamie Masson, with Ola Adeyemo, also coming on for Connor Scully.

Falkirk substitute Jaze Kabia had their best chance so far soon afterwards, but sent his eight yard header, from a Williamson cross, over from 10-yards.

Falkirk’s only effort on target, in the 83rd minute, was kept out by a brilliant save

by Stuart McKenzie.

Griffiths looked certain to score with his six yard header, off a Williamson cross, until McKenzie dived full length to his right to push the ball to safety.

Griffiths also poked a shot wide in the 93rd minute.

16 17

There was no further drama though as we extended our unbeaten run in the league to 23 games.

The news Montrose had drawn with nearest challengers Airdrieonians, to send us five points clear at the top of the table with three to play, added to the joy among the players as they went to celebrate in front of the noisy band of Cove Rangers fans inside the stadium.

Falkirk: Mutch, R Williamson, Dixon, Taylor-Sinclair, Miller, Morrison (Nesbit 83), Hetherington, Griffiths, McGuffie, Jacobs, Telfer (Kabia 67) (Malcolm 93).

Subs: Holt, Wilson, McCann, Ross, Lemon.

Cove Rangers: McKenzie, Neill, Milne (Masson 73), Scully (Adeyemo 73), Ross, Yule, McAllister (McIntosh 9) (Leitch 86), Vigurs, Fyvie, Logan, Reynolds.

Subs: Gourlay, Fotheringham.

Referee: Chris Graham.

— Falkirk Reaction

FALKIRK REACTION

18 19

Cove Rangers defender Scott Ross is delighted to have completed a tough run of away fixtures with 2-0 cinch League One victory over Falkirk at the Falkirk Stadium.

The win over the Bairns came on the back of 1-1 draws on the road to Airdrie and Queen’s Park as well as a 2-1 triumph over Montrose at Links Park.

“To come through what has been the toughest month of the entire campaign unbeaten is something we are very proud of,” said Scott.

“In any league, when a team has to go and play away to the sides sitting second, third, fourth and fifth most people would have been expecting something to give.

“So all credit to the lads, we have stuck together and got the job done.”

Scott is also pleased we managed to record our 15th league shut-out of the campaign at Falkirk.

He praised keeper Stuart McKenzie for doing his bit by making a great save, from a Leigh Griffiths shot, late in the game.

“Clean sheets are important in a league as tough as this one is,” he said.

“We know if we don’t concede we have the players at the other end who will more often than not get the goals we need to go on and win.

“Clean sheets are a real team effort though.

“At Falkirk, the guys in the middle of the park and further forward worked extremely hard to limit the chances they had near our goal.

>>>

— Falkirk Reaction

“The shot late on from Griffiths was Falkirk’s only one on target.

“He didn’t score because Stuart made an unbelievable save, something he’s been doing all season.

“Stuart was on course for coming off having had little to do while recording his latest clean sheet, so he will probably be happier he had that save to make!

“The fact he was able to make it, after spending the bulk of the game as a spectator, shows how good his concentration levels are and how good a keeper he is.”

Left-back Harry Milne scored twice in the second half to secure the three points.

That was after top scorer Rory McAllister was forced off injured after just nine minutes - to watch the rest of the game alongside strike partner Mitch Megginson, who had been ruled out by injury.

Scott said: “We needed someone else to make up for their absence and deliver the goals and it was no surprise that ended up being Harry.

“He is an unbelievable talent, who worked tirelessly during his 70 minutes or so on the pitch.

“He powered up and down the park, defending when needed and causing them problems with his runs into the back of their defence.

“It was great to see his efforts rewarded with the two goals.

“The second was a great finish but, as a defender, I’m sure he would have been happier with the header for the first one.

‘Harry timed his run perfectly then beat a guy three or four inches taller than him in the air to direct his header into the corner.

20 21

“It was a brilliant finish.”

The victory sent us five points clear of second placed Airdrieonians with three games to play, starting with this afternoon’s clash with Alloa Athletic at Balmoral Stadium.

It also extended our unbeaten run in League One to 23 games.

Scott said: “We are in a good position, but there is work still to be done.

“The teams we have still to play all have their own reasons to want the three points, so we know we will have to be at our very best to keep our unbeaten run going.”

— A Cove Love Story

TWO COVE LOVE BIRDS

22 23

Where do I begin.

To tell the story of how great a love can be…

Those two opening lines, from the theme music for the 1970 movie classic Love Story, pretty much sum up the lives of Cove Rangers’ two love birds, George and Rhonda Allan.

They met through their work for Cove Rangers more than 30 years ago, got married and have rarely been apart since.

George and Rhonda are finally set to retire at the end of this season after a combined total of 68 years service to the club, the latter part of that as hosts to guests and VIP visitors in Balmoral Stadium’s corporate lounge and boardroom.

George, 75, joined us in July 1986, after responding to an appeal for volunteers to help out after we made the step up into the Highland League.

Rhonda, 68, followed in 1990, serving behind the bar at the now defunct Cove Rangers Social Club.

Both admitted the thing they treasure most from their decades working for the club is the fact it led to them becoming husband and wife.

Rhonda said: “We found each other, which is why we will be leaving with heavy hearts.”

That sentiment was echoed by George, who added: “Absolutely, that is the thing we shall treasure the most.

“The club has been such a huge part of our lives since the day we met - but is also the reason we met.”

>>>

— A Cove Love Story

George’s daughter, Wendy, also works in the hospitality lounge, but she will be flying the family flag alone after our final home game this season.

“We didn’t care though, it was an exciting time to come into the club and it was great because we went on to enjoy a lot of success.”

Rhonda said: “Unfortunately, we’re not as young as we used to be, so decided it was time to step aside and give others the opportunity have a go at the jobs we have enjoyed all these years.”

Rhonda came into the picture when she arrived at the once highly popular social club, having previously been a long serving staff member at the Aberdeen Sportsman’s Club.

Rhonda’s sons - Alex and Robbie - are also avid supporters of the club.

“It was only part-time because I was also still working for Town and County, who I was with for 21-years,” said Rhonda.

George began working for Cove Rangers on the same day as equally long serving club secretary - and now stadium manager - Duncan Little.

“We have both seen and done a lot over the years,” said George.

“It all started with us going to watch Cove Rangers at Allan Park, in the season when we were playing in the Junior League.

“We saw an advert on the wall asking if anyone was willing to volunteer to work at the turnstiles, or help out in any way possible.

“It was clear changes would be needed to deal with the demands of playing in the Highland League.

“Duncan and I offered our services and that was that.

“If there was a job that needed done I’ve probably had a go at it at some stage.

“Alan McRae (the then club chairman) used to reward us - with one free nip at the bar after the game!

“George came in about 10pm one night to buy a drink and that was the day my life changed for ever.”

George said: “I had been bowling down in Stonehaven, we just got chatting and haven’t stopped since.

“We’ve had 30 years of very happy marriage thanks to that chance encounter.”

George and Rhonda have taken care of as well as met a whole host of famous names over the years, including Sir Rod Stewart, Sir Alex Ferguson, Harry Redknapp, Gary Lineker and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Rhonda said: “We have also worked with some great people.

24 25

“George always says ‘if you aren’t happy at your work, then the gate is never shut, you are welcome to walk back out through it.

“We always turned up though because we just love the club and were always happy to do whatever we could to help.”

Rhonda had the honour of serving the very last pie every sold from the hut at Allan Park.

She said: “Working in the pie shop was great fun - apart from the day a man streaked naked across the pitch to win a bet.

“He came running right up to the pie shop, none of us knew where to look!”

The duo also did their bit during the three years we were forced to play on the road while waiting for Balmoral Stadium to be completed.

Rhonda said: “Everybody had to muck in at that time.

“We had to take boxes and all sort of stuff - tea pots, kettles, you name it, up to the grounds we used for home games so that we could still entertain guests in the manner they were used to.”

Both enjoyed being the faces of the club when opposing directors or celebrity guests came to games.

George and Rhonda also loved meeting some for the sporting stars who have spoken at our annual fund raising dinners.

Rhonda said: “I got a wee bit star-struck when I won the 50-50 draw at one and was right beside Gary Lineker - and got a wee kiss!

“I was like a little kid again.

“Harry Redknapp was also lovely, we have been so lucky.”

When asked to pick out a highlight from their time with Cove their surprising choice was the night current chairman Keith Moorhouse broke into song!

George said: “We had just won the treble in the Highland League and everyone had returned to the social club to celebrate.

“When Keith picked up the microphone we thought it was to make a speech - instead he started singing the Frank Sinatra classic ‘My Way.’ “He was absolutely brilliant - maybe we will be able to persuade Keith to sing it once again for us on our final day!”

— Eric Watson Interview

Eric Watson Former Cove Rangers captain Eric Watson is coming to the end of his first season as player/manager of Junior side Montrose Roselea.

The most decorated player in our history, Eric speaks about his new role in football and share his thoughts on seeing Cove competing for promotion into the Championship.

26 27

Are you pleased to see your old club battling it out at the top of league one?

Very much so, they have been on an amazing run.

It’s hard to belief it’s only just over three years since I was captaining the club in the Highland League.

To go from that to where they are right now reflects tremendous credit on the management team and the players.

I was impressed enough when they won League Two in the first season after stepping up and followed that by reaching the promotion play-offs last time.

To back that up by remaining among the clubs at the top of League One this season has been an amazing effort.

I’ve been fortunate to see a few of their games and Cove have looked very good.

The squad still contains a nucleus of the players who were with you when we beat berwick rangers in may 2019, to secure promotion to the spfl. How do you feel about that?

I’m very proud of those guys and of the way they have worked to prove they are more than capable of competing at SPFL level.

I was always confident they would.

Every Saturday I look at their team to see who has started and more often than not about seven of them were also with us down at Berwick on that historic day.

There was never ever any doubt Stuart McKenzie, Scott Ross, Ryan Strachan and Mitch Megginson would be in there because they already had a history of performing well at higher levels.

What really pleases me is seeing Blair Yule, Connor Scully and Harry Milne emerging as key members of the team too.

I’ve watched them come right through, from when they were just very young boys.

I know Blair also had a spell with Arbroath, but he has really blossomed over these last three years with Cove.

He is so athletic, fast and so fit, that was always going to happen.

I watched the recent cup game against Queen of the South on television and Blair was absolutely immense and I know he has been producing performances like that almost every week.

>>>

— Eric Watson Interview

>>>

“ It’s been a real rollercoaster so far, but also a good learning curve.”

How pleased would you be if cove could eventually secure promotion to the championship?

I would celebrate that as much as any other Cove Rangers fan.

It would be impossible not to retain a passion for the club when you played for Cove as long as I did.

It would be almost unbelievable to see them up in the second tier of the Scottish game.

It would be brilliant if it could happen this season because I know it’s the club’s centenary year.

It will happen though because it has been the main ambition at Cove for a number of years.

Another promotion would give them a new headache, over whether they need to go full-time or became a hybrid club, with some part-time and some fulltime players.

But you can be sure all that has already been discussed.

Whenever it happens, I will take a lot of satisfaction from knowing I was among those who did their bit to help the club get there.

I was there for a lot of years and loved winning trophies and giving my all in every game for Cove Rangers.

Are you enjoying your first crack at football management?

It’s been a real rollercoaster so far, but also a good learning curve.

I feel one of my main strengths is manmanagement, motivating players in the same manner as I tried to when I was captain of Cove Rangers.

That was tough to implement early on though because we had loads of injuries and almost everyone and their dog at the club has contracted Covid at one stage or another.

Some players have had it twice - and a couple three times - so it’s been hard to get a squad out at times.

Just when you think you are getting back up to a full squad you turn up, as we did for the recent game against Banks o’ Dee, to discover you only have 13 guys fit.

It has meant asking boys to play out of position or return to the side when still not fully fit.

It’s certainly not the way I would have wanted my first taste of management to be, but I accept it’s has been the same for every other club over the last couple of years.

Hopefully things will be a lot calmer as far as Covid is concerned from here on and I will be able to do things more in the manner that I would like.

28 29

You are 40 now, do you still plan to keep playing as well as managing?

I will certainly be having a right go at it.

Everyone I speak to tells me the thing they miss the most is playing, so I’m going to keep going for as long as I possibly can.

My appearances this season have been restricted by a calf injury.

It will be a case coming back for preseason and doing my bit then assessing where I am in the pecking order.

I accept I can’t go on for ever and we have some really talented young defenders at the club.

But I will only be chosen on merit, as manager I will always do what is best for the club.

I’m sure there would be a lot of fans at Highland League clubs delighted to see me back doing that!

It’s obvious Dee going out would increase the chances of that.

They have been a level above everyone else at Junior level for a number of years now.

There will be at least three or four teams, Hermes, Culter, Bridge of Don, already licking their lips at the prospect of taking over from them.

We have competed pretty well with them this season, so if we recruit well in the summer I would like think we could be in the mix too.

It will be a very competitive league because the opportunity to go up to another level will be attractive to everyone.

Any thoughts on maybe returning to cove rangers as manager sometime in the future?

That’s something you would never hear me rule out, I would never close the door on going back in any capacity because the time at Cove was the most enjoyable of my career.

But I doubt if that’s likely be as team manager.

It looks as if Banks O’Dee, the junior champions for the last five seasons, are destined for promotion to the highland league. Do you see that as an opportunity to maybe follow them and manage at that level too?

The pathway they are on makes it more probable that if they do ever need a successor to Paul Hartley he would need to have the same sort of experience of managing at the highest levels as he has.

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— Club partners

Principal Club Partner

Principal Stadium Partner

Official Club Partners

30 31

— View from the dugout

PAUL HARTL It’s great to be back at Balmoral Stadium after what were four very tough games on the road.

I want to thank you, the Cove Rangers fans, for the backing you gave us at those and at every match this season.

We are unbeaten so far at home and the supporters have played a huge part in that.

You have consistently turned out in big numbers and got behind the team, from the first minute to the last.

I must give a special mention to the hardy band of Cove Rangers fans who have also travelled the length and breadth of the country - and gone above and beyond to make themselves heard, despite often being vastly outnumbered.

It will have been costly to go to the 18 away league games played so far as well as to cup ties in places such as Dumfries and Easter Road.

Our fans were always there though, making lots of noise and helping the players deliver a string of good performances.

The sight of some of them wearing masks with the image of my face on them was unexpected, but I really appreciated that as well as the backing our fans have given me since I came to the club.

32 33

LEY

>>>

— View from the dugout

>>> The efforts made by our supporters is always mentioned by the players, they really do get inspired by it.

It’s why, whenever we score a goal or win a game, the players always make a point of going across to the area where our fans are to express their gratitude.

We are coming towards the end of the campaign now so all I can ask of our fans is, keep up the good work.

It would be particularly helpful if we could get an extra-special backing at this afternoon’s cinch League One meeting with Alloa Athletic.

The club has done its bit by reducing ticket prices in the hope of persuading even more people to come along to what is a huge game for us.

If you could lend us your voices again then it would help the players in what is going to be another very difficult fixture for us.

I have the greatest of admiration for Alloa manager Brian Rice and he will send out a team that is well organised and capable of getting a positive result if we aren’t at the very top of our game.

It’s good that we go into today’s meetings unbeaten in our last 23 league games.

The players deserve special praise for their outstanding efforts in the last four of those in particular. To come away with two wins and two draws, against the four sides immediately beneath us in the league table, is a testament to the character and determination within our squad.

As pleasing as our run in the league has been, we have achieved nothing yet.

The players don’t need me to remind them there is still work to be done.

Enjoy the game.

Paul Hartley

34 35

“ I must give a special mention to the hardy band of Cove Rangers fans who have also travelled the length and breadth of the country”

— 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

36 37

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

Previous 21/22 data available on previous match programmes Date

Fixture

Game H/A

F A Starting

Starting

Starting

Starting

St

B.Yule

L.McIntosh

R.McAllister (J.Anderson)

R.Leitch (O.Adeyemo)

02/01/2022

Peterhead

SPFL1

A

1

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

08/01/2022

Clyde

SPFL1

A

1

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

R.Strachan

B.Yule

F.F

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.L (J.

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

F.F

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

L.M (R

H.Milne

C.Scully1

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

R.McAllister1

I.Vigurs

05/02/2022 Airdrieonians

SPFL1

H

1

1

S.McKenzie

F.F

M.Neill

H.Milne1

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

R.McAllister (J.Masson)

I.Vigurs

12/02/2022

Queen’s Park

SPFL1

H

0

0

F.F (K.

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully (J.Masson)

S.Ross

B.Yule (K.Fotheringham)

M.Megginson

L.McIntosh (R.McAllister)

I.Vigurs

19/02/2022

Falkirk

SPFL1

H

2

F.F

0

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

S.Ross

R.Strachan

B.Yule

M.Megginson1

I.Vigurs

26/02/2022

Alloa Athletic

SPFL1

A

F.F

2

2

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully (K.Fotheringham)

S.Ross (L.McIntosh)

B.Yule

M.Megginson (O.Adeyemo)

J.Masson (R.McAllister)

I.Vigurs

01/03/2022

Queen of the South CC

F.F (R.

H

0

1

K.Gourlay

M.Neill

C.Scully (L.McIntosh)

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson

R.McAllister

I.Vigurs

R.Leitch (J.Masson)

F.F (O

1

Starting

Starting Starting

Starting

Starting

05/03/2022 Peterhead

SPFL1

H

5

2

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne2

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson2 (K.Fotheringham)

R.McAllister1 (R.Leitch)

I.Vigurs

F.F (O

12/03/2022

Clyde

SPFL1

H

4

1

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne

C.Scully

B.Yule (L.McIntosh)

M.Megginson1 (R.Leitch)

R.McAllister (O.Adeyemo)

I.Vigurs

F.Fyvie1

S.L (J.

19/03/2022

Montrose

SPFL1

A

2

1

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

C.Scully

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson1 (L.McIntosh)

R.McAllister (J.Masson)

I.Vigurs

F.Fyvie1

S.L

26/03/2022

Airdrieonians

SPFL1

A

1

1

S.McKenzie

M.Neill

H.Milne (L.McIntosh)

C.Scully (R.McAllister)

S.Ross

B.Yule (J.Masson)

M.Megginson

I.Vigurs

F.Fyvie1

S.L

02/04/2022 Queen’s Park

SPFL1

H

1

1

S.McKenzie

C.Scully (J.Masson)

S.Ross

B.Yule

M.Megginson (R.Leitch)

R.McAllister

O.Adeyemo (L.McIntosh)

F.Fyvie

S.L

09/04/2022

Falkirk

SPFL1

A

2

0

S.McKenzie

H.Milne2 (J.Masson)

C.Scully (O.Adeyemo)

S.Ross

B.Yule

R.McAllister (L.McIntosh) (R.Leitch)

I.Vigurs

F.Fyvie

S.L

16/04/2022

Alloa Athletic

SPFL1

H

23/04/2022

Dumbarton

SPFL1

H

SPFL1

A

30/04/2022 East Fife

M.Neill M.Neill

tarting

38 39

Starting

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Sub

Referee

AS1

AS2

Michael Banks

Barry Reid

Fyvie

S.Logan

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

-

-

Mike Roncone

Leitch .Masson)

S.Logan

J.Masson

O.Adeyemo

F.Robertson

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

-

-

Steven Reid

David Doig

Elliott Husband Powton

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

McIntosh R.McAllister)

F.Fyvie (R.Leitch)

R.McAllister

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

M.Reynolds

-

-

-

-

Euan Anderson

Drew Kirkland

Michael Banks

Fyvie

M.Reynolds

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

Alan Muir

Jonathan Bell

George King

Fyvie .Fotheringham)

M.Reynolds

R.Strachan

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

-

Barry Cook

Graham Chambers

Brian Christie

Fyvie

M.Reynolds

R.Strachan

J.Masson

R.McAllister

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

-

Alan Newlands

Paul O’Neill

Scott Anderson

Fyvie1

M.Reynolds

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

J.Anderson

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

-

-

Colin Steven

Stuart Stevenson

Paul McAvinue

Fyvie .Leitch)

M.Reynolds

L.McIntosh

R.McAllister1

O.Adeyemo1

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

Peter Stuart

George King

Ross Clark

Fyvie O.Adeyemo)

M.Reynolds

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

S.McKenzie

-

-

-

-

-

David Dickinson

Alastair Mather

Steven Traynor

Fyvie O.Adeyemo)

M.Reynolds

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

Gavin Duncan

David McKniff

Scott Leslie

Logan .Masson)

M.Reynolds1

J.Masson

L.McIntosh1

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

Craig Napier

Stuart Stevenson

Andrew McWilliam

Logan

M.Reynolds

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

David Dickinson

Graham Chambers

Paul McAvinue

Logan

M.Reynolds

R.Strachan

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

R.McAllister

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

-

Gavin Duncan

Graeme Leslie

Michael Bonner

Andrew McWilliam

Craig Macrae

Alastair Mather

Andy Gimble

Logan

M.Reynolds

R.Strachan

J.Masson

L.McIntosh1

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

Graham Grainger

Logan

M.Reynolds

J.Masson

L.McIntosh

O.Adeyemo

R.Leitch

K.Fotheringham

K.Gourlay

-

-

-

Chris Graham

ATT

— Season 2021/22 statistics

#CRFCLIVE

40 41

Name

Appearances

Goals

Position

Yellow

Red

Stuart McKenzie

32

1

GK

1

0

Kyle Gourlay

12

0

GK

0

0

Harry Milne

35

5

DF

6

2

Scott Ross

37

0

DF

9

0

Ryan Strachan

19

1

DF

1

0

Daniel Higgins

1

0

DF

0

0

Morgyn Neill

43

3

DF

7

0

Jevan Anderson

10

0

DF

0

0

Shay Logan

25

0

DF

0

1

Mark Reynolds

13

1

DF

3

0

Rhys Thomas

2

0

DF

0

0

Connor Scully

41

2

MF

4

0

Broque Watson

5

0

MF

1

0

Blair Yule

41

2

MF

3

1

Jamie Masson

31

4

MF

2

0

Kai Fotheringham

4

0

MF

0

0

Fraser Fyvie

38

11

MF

6

1

Iain Vigurs

37

3

MF

9

0

Finlay Robertson

10

0

MF

0

0

Ross Draper

5

0

MF

1

0

Robbie Leitch

28

5

MF

1

0

Mitchel Megginson

41

21

FW

9

0

Leighton McIntosh

35

6

FW

1

0

Rory McAllister

42

19

FW

7

0

Ola Adeyemo

12

1

FW

0

0

— Captain’s view

W

C

’S VIE

AIN T P A

42 43

“ I was always confident someone else in the squad would come forward and do what was needed to help us come away with a positive result.”

You are probably fed up hearing me saying it, but there is absolutely no chance of any of us getting ahead of ourselves as we move closer to the end of the season.

It’s great to be facing Alloa Athletic this afternoon five points clear at the top of cinch League One, but we have achieved nothing yet.

As is always the case, we will look no further forward than this next 90 minutes and doing everything that is needed to help us come away with a positive result.

To do anything else would be foolhardy, especially in this league, where the margins between winning and losing tend to be very slender most weeks.

It’s great this next match is at Balmoral Stadium, after a run of four very difficult games away from home.We have a fantastic home record and an equally fantastic support, which we can only hope will work in our favour.

Unfortunately, I was injured so missed last weekend’s great win at Falkirk. I was a wee bit worried when Rory McAllister was then forced to go off injured very early on in the game at the Falkirk Stadium. I must emphasise the ‘wee bit’ in that statement.

Rory and I have scored 40 goals between us this season, but I was always confident someone else in the squad would come forward and do what was needed to help us come away with a positive result. It’s been like that the whole campaign.

Week after week, players other than Rory and myself have popped up and scored vital - and often spectacular - goals just when they were needed most.

Fraser Fyvie has done it regularly, with his astonishing late equaliser at Airdrie an obvious highlight.

Leighton McIntosh followed that with an even later leveller away to

>>>

— Captain’s view

>>> Leighton McIntosh followed that with an even later leveller away to Queen’s Park, two goals that could prove to have been invaluable when we are looking back at the end of the campaign.

Morgyn Neill, Ryan Strachan, Iain Vigurs, Blair Yule, Mark Reynolds, Connor Scully, Jamie Masson, Robbie Leitch, Ola Adeyemo - the list of those to have found the net covers almost every outfield player.

Even keeper Stuart McKenzie has scored a vital one, when we were up at Peterhead.

Shay Logan and Scott Ross are the only regulars who have still to get on the scoresheet, something they have been getting a wee bit of stick for. With three games to go the pressure is definitely on those two!

Last weekend, it was Harry Milne who stepped up to the plate, with two different, but extremely well taken goals.

It’s always particularly pleasing when I see Harry, Blair or Connor hogging the headlines for playing a key part in a victory. That’s because we all know they have come right up through the ranks with Cove Rangers, from youth level to now playing for the club in League One. The Cove Rangers fans rightly sing about them being “one of their own.” I know it would mean a lot to all three if they could help Cove Rangers get to where the club has never been before.

But, like myself, Harry, Blair and Connor know the right to do that will have to be earned, starting from the first blow of the referee’s whistle this afternoon.

CYCR! Mitch Megginson

44 45

— Club honours

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

46 47

— Today’s team lines

Cove Rangers FC

Alloa FC

Manager - Paul Hartley

Manager - Brian Rice

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

8.

9.

10.

11.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

19.

20.

21.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

28.

31.

36.

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

PJ Morrison Scott Taggart Daniel Church Craig Howie Andy Graham Mark Durnan Kevin Cawley Jon Robertson Ben Armour Alan Trouten Steven Boyd Stefan Scougall Ross MacIver Adam King Jordan Armstrong Conor Sammon Mouhammed Niang Cameron O’Donnell Keir Burt Euan Henderson Blaise Riley-Snow David Hutton Devan McColl

Today’s referee - Craig Napier Today’s assistant referees - Craig Ferguson, Gordon McCabe Team lines sponsor