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— Upcoming Fixtures

‘23

H Fri 5th May, ‘23

50/50 winner!

The winner of the 50/50 Half Time Draw at the Partick Thistle game on April 1st was Christine Fraser. The winning ticket number was 131603 and Christine collected £500.

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— Caley Thistle Head to Head

We have not enjoyed the best of fortunes against Caley Thistle this season, with a draw in the group stages of the League Cup and three defeats so far in the Championship.

Our first visit north was in late July last year. Having lost our second and third games, the side could no longer qualify for the knockout stages, but the tie was seen as good preparation for the league opener the following week.

Roddy MacGregor gave Inverness an early lead, but Mitch Megginson quickly cancelled that out, and the match, which either side might have snatched, ended in a 1-1 draw. The home side picked up the bonus point in the penalty shoot-out with a 5-3 success.

— Caley Thistle Head to Head

We were back in the Highland capital three weeks later on Championship business, but found ourselves 2-0 down within half an hour. Robbie Leitch pulled one back straight after the interval, and Iain Vigurs might have levelled, forcing a fine save out of Mark Ridgers, but with Cove pushing forward, gaps were inevitably being left, and Caley Thistle scored twice late on for a convincing 4-1 victory.

In the next meeting, in mid-October, Megginson looked to have given us an early lead only for his effort to be incorrectly disallowed for offside. Within minutes, Steven Boyd had netted what would be the only goal of the game. Cove dominated possession for large parts of the match, and came close on a number of occasions, but Inverness held out, and our luck was summed-up when Leighton McIntosh was harshly red-carded near the end.

The most recent encounter came at the start of 2023 and it was a game which was to shape the remainder of the campaign.

“ ...it was a game which was to shape the remainder of the campaign.”

We went ahead through Jack Sanders, but were 3-1 down by the interval, and 6-1 behind with little more than an hour played. The following day, Jim McIntyre was relieved of his duties, and Paul Hartley took over, but the defeat seemed to derail our season, and the after-effects have lingered in the last few months.

If we are to keep alive our hopes of survival, a first win of the campaign over Caley Thistle will be required this afternoon.

MATCH REPORT

Hamilton 1 Cove Rangers 1

cinch Championship

Sat 8th April

Balmoral Stadium

Luis Longstaff’s first goal of the campaign gave us hope in what had been dubbed a ‘must win’ game, but the lead lasted just a few minutes, and despite some big chances in the second half, the boys were unable to secure what would have been a massive victory in Lanarkshire.

In addition, Paul Hartley was forced to make a series of substitutions as Blair Yule, Scott Fox and Miko Virtanen all limped from the pitch.

In the bright Lanarkshire sunshine Cove made the better start and were seeing plenty of the ball in the opening stages without being able to create any clear cut chances.

Hamilton’s first attack came in the fourth minute, Lewis Smith winning a free-kick twenty yards out, but Connor Smith’s angled strike was easily gathered by Scott Fox.

We continued to enjoy the bulk of the possession with Cieran Dunne and Luis Longstaff prominent on the wings, but the home defence proved resolute and blocked a series of crosses. Connor Scully had our first effort on goal in the eighth minute, his twenty-five yard shot comfortably saved by Fulton.

Dunne then won our first corner, and after Longstaff rolled a low ball to Scully, the midfielder chipped an excellent ball across the area. Blair Yule rose highest, but guided his header from six yards over the bar.

— Hamilton Match Report

The team continued to press and came close in the seventeenth minute. Jackson Longridge found Dunne in the box from a throw-in on the left, Cieran cleverly made space and clipped a cross to the back post, but with Longstaff lurking, Tumilty scrambled the ball behind for a corner.

Blair Yule then crumpled to the ground after making a block challenge to prevent Hamilton from breaking away. Following treatment from physio, Aimee Clark, he limped to the touchline before signalling he would attempt to continue.

“... it had been a committed opening period from the team...”

Having bravely attempted to play on, Yule then had to admit defeat and was replaced by Miko Virtanen.

Within seconds, Ashley-Seal burst through the middle, shrugging off the challenge of Mark Reynolds, and as Fox dived to make the save, the giant hitman clattered into the keeper. The referee immediately blew for a free-kick, but Cove lost a second player to injury, Kyle Gourlay coming on for his stricken team-mate.

Accies nearly broke the deadlock in first half stoppage time. A ball from the right was headed across the box by O’Reilly and took a big deflection. As it bounced beyond

Gourlay, Longridge was quickest to react, racing back to clear off the goal-line.

Despite having lost two key men to injury, it had been a committed opening period from the team during which the defence had looked more solid than of late. The only disappointment was the failure to create any clear openings at the other end.

Hamilton did just that early in the second half when Martin clipped a ball over the top for Lewis Smith to run on to. With Gourlay having initially sped from his line, then stopped, the winger had time, but could only nudge a weak effort straight at the keeper.

It was then our turn to threaten, and after a switch of play, Longstaff fired in a cross from the right. O’Halloran got above his marker, but could not make proper contact, and his header flew wide of the post.

Minutes later, we did make the breakthrough. Luis LONGSTAFF gathered on the right, cut in past one defender, changed direction into the box, and having made a yard of space, fired a low angled drive into the bottom corner for his first goal of the season.

The lead was to last less than five minutes. From a short corner, De Bolle’s cross hit the arm of Shay Logan, and referee Roncone pointed to the spot. Connor SMITH sent Gourlay the wrong way with a confidently struck penalty.

The luck continued to go against us with Miko Virtanen the latest player to require treatment, the Finn suffering a broken wrist while making a challenge in midfield. After a lengthy stoppage, he left the field to be replaced by Iain Vigurs, with Tony Weston taking over from Cieran Dunne.

Both sides then spurned big chances to go in front.

Hamilton had the first opportunity when Stephenson raced in behind the back line, but Scott Ross did enough to put him off, and Kyle Gourlay was able to save the shot with his foot.

Longstaff then sent in a cross which O’Reilly headed up into the air. Scully got to the bouncing ball ahead of the defenders, but couldn’t quite make full contact, and his effort bobbled into the side-netting.

The game was now wide open, and Cove created two big openings. Vigurs and Longstaff combined, Megginson took a touch and teed-up Scully, but Connor was stretching, and when he got his shot away, it was quickly charged down.

Next, it was Longstaff and Megginson linking up, freeing McIntosh to run deep into the box, but his low cross was grabbed by Fulton.

In the third minute of stoppage time Megginson found McIntosh, and Leighton’s flick into space saw Tony Weston racing over the halfway line. He jinked past a challenge into the area and fired low and hard at the near post, Fulton saving the shot for a corner.

Vigurs took that, driving a dangerous ball low into the area. Reynolds diverted it goalwards and Mitch Megginson got a flick, but his instinctive effort soared just over the bar.

It was to be our last attempt on goal, the draw leaving the team two points adrift at the foot of the table with just four games remaining.

Hamilton (4-1-4-1)

Fulton; Sparrow, O’Reilly, McGowan, Tumilty; Martin; L. Smith, (Zanatta 62), Lawson, De Bolle (Stephenson 62), C. Smith; Ashley-Seal

Substitutes

J. Smith, Easton, Spence, Winter, Owens, McGinn

Goalscorers

C. Smith (Pen 61)

Booked Tumilty (33)

Cove Rangers (4-4-2)

Fox (Gourlay 42); Logan, Ross, Reynolds, Longridge; Longstaff, Yule (Virtanen 36), (Vigurs 73), Scully, Dunne (Weston 73); O’Halloran (McIntosh 65), Megginson (c)

Substitutes

Naismith, Neill, Glass

Goalscorers

Longstaff (57)

Booked

Virtanen (50), Longridge (53), Scully (78), Ross (90), Vigurs (90)

Referee

Mike Roncone

Attendance

1,157

PAUL HARTLEY

Last weekend’s performance at New Douglas Park was a much improved one, more like what I’ve been asking the team to produce, but it was typical of the way things have gone for us that we conceded a needless penalty, and suffered a succession of injuries which look like decimating the squad for the run-in.

It was so disappointing not to see the game out. We played a lot of good football, controlled the match for large parts, and went in front thanks to an excellent goal which was very well taken by Luis Longstaff. I was delighted for him. It shouldn’t have taken until now to score his first of the season, but it was well deserved, and he put in a strong performance.

We looked more threatening against Accies, and we were solid defensively. Scott Ross did really well on his comeback from illness, and I felt comfortable, but we switched off for their corner and conceded the penalty as a result.

Not taking all three points was a blow, but what hurt even more was losing key players to serious injury.

Having already lost Fraser Fyvie and Brody Paterson long-term, that will be the end of the season for Miko Virtanen and Blair Yule too. I’m especially gutted for Blair. Having missed half of the campaign because of ankle and heel injuries, that’s his knee gone now, and his absence has been felt throughout. Hopefully he will get himself fully fit again over the summer and be raring to go again in July.

Scott Fox’s concussion means he is out for at least this game, and that has led to us again having to recall Balint Demus from his loan spell at Buckie Thistle.

“...an excellent goal which was very well taken by Luis Longstaff.”

And with Mark Reynolds and Leighton McIntosh also struggling this week, it has not been an easy task getting ready for the Caley Thistle game. Even if those two make it, we are having to patch a side together, which is hardly ideal at any time, but especially so given the situation we find ourselves in.

Despite all that, the performance last week was positive, and we have to make sure we can build on it.

There is no point in feeling sorry for ourselves; that would get us nowhere. The crippling injury list is just another obstacle for us to overcome, and we have to try to stay as upbeat as we possibly can.

When you get hit hard, as we have been, it is all about the response and how you bounce back. After a torrid time, the players showed me energy and a competitive spirit last weekend, as well as some very good football.

At this stage it is all about attitude and mentality, and we need to get both right.

On the outside, everyone probably now has us down as the team which will be relegated, and I get that, but we cannot afford to let that kind of thinking creep in.

I genuinely still have belief in the boys, and if we can perform as I know we are capable of – despite the list of injuries – then I still firmly believe we can retain our place in the Championship.

Enjoy the match!

Paul Hartley

Management

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Gordon Young Jimmy Boyle

20. Jackson Longridge

Tam Ritchie

28. Brody Paterson

6. Morgyn Neill

12. Scott Fox

3. Jason Naismith

4. Connor Scully

8. Blair Yule

24. Fraser Fyvie

9. Mitchel Megginson

11. Leighton McIntosh

16. Iain Vigurs

17. Luis Longstaff

25. Declan Glass

14. Miko Virtanen

27. Gime Touré

19. David Bangala

18. Tony Weston

—

CAPTAIN’S VIEW

Despite not coming away from Hamilton with all three points, the team must look to take the positives from our 1-1 draw with Accies last weekend.

It was a proper team performance. Everyone was giving their all for each other and for the club. I felt like we controlled most of the game, particularly in that first 45 minutes, and the opening goal from Luis was no less than we deserved. It was great to see him net his first goal for the club, and hopefully that can give him an extra boost going into the final few games.

Defensively, we looked organised and solid, and Scott Ross commanded the back line on his return from illness, but disappointingly, we switched off for one moment, and we were punished for it.

However, it was a result which stopped the run of consecutive defeats, and it is a point gained, which could be crucial come the end of the season. The last few weeks have been tough, but the squad we have got are determined, and will fight until the very end. Putting an end to that dismal run is hopefully the spark we need to end the season on a high.

“ It was a proper team performance. Everyone was giving their all for each other and for the club.”

This afternoon we welcome Inverness Caley Thistle to Balmoral Stadium. We all know what happened the last time we faced this afternoon’s opponents, but that is in the past now. Whilst the team is determined to go out there and make up for that poor performance in the Highlands, it is important that we stay focused on the current task at hand, and fight for the three points to improve our position in the league table.

Unfortunately, we will be missing a number of key players this afternoon due to injuries sustained during last weekend’s match. Whilst it is disappointing to see them miss out, it gives other boys who have been on the bench in recent weeks the chance to step in and make a difference. We have a squad full of talented players, and those coming in will be desperate to make an impact on the outcome of today’s match and our season as a whole.

“

We have a squad full of talented players, and those coming in will be desperate to make an impact on the outcome of today’s match...”

Finally, it is our penultimate home game of the season. As I have mentioned previously, the backing of the support has been great this season, and it is important that we all stick together in these last few matches. It is crucial that we make the most of our last two home fixtures in order to achieve our aim of staying in the division, and your support can make all the difference.

COYCR!

Mitch Megginson

INJURIES

Every club has to contend with injuries throughout the campaign, it is part and parcel of the game; all you can hope for is that the absentee list does not become too crippling, and that not too many key players are out for lengthy periods.

Unfortunately, that has not been the case here at Balmoral Stadium this season, and the catalogue of injuries we have suffered has had a massive bearing on our fortunes.

It began in pre-season when Blair Yule felt his ankle flare up before the friendly with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. He had to withdraw from the starting line-up and it would not be until mid-September that we would see him in action.

Towards the end of January, the midfielder then suffered a heel problem which sidelined him for nine more games, and he was only in the second match of his latest comeback when he injured his knee making a tackle against Hamilton last week.

In Blair’s absence, Charlie Gilmour had been a mainstay at the heart of the team, but he suffered an injury while being challenged in December’s win over Hamilton, and the resultant operation on his knee ended his time at the club. Charlie went back to parent club St Johnstone to recuperate.

Fraser Fyvie missed two months in the autumn before returning in November, but

that was to be short-lived, and after being the victim of a strong tackle against Queen’s Park at the start of January, he too required a knee op which brought the curtain down on his season. Fraser has played in fewer than half of our matches in 2022/23.

Brody Paterson was one of Paul Hartley’s first signings after returning to the club, the left-back joining on loan from Hartlepool. After just three matches, Brody injured his ankle in training which meant another season-ending operation.

In the first half of the campaign, Kyle McClelland also suffered a serious knee injury, and as a result played just ten matches during his spell on loan from Hibernian.

Throughout the campaign, most members of the squad have been counted out at some stage, and it is notable that with thirty-nine games having been completed, not a single player has been ever-present.

Connor Scully has missed just the one – out injured for the loss to Dundee at the start of March – while only four other players: Mark Reynolds, Luis Longstaff, Mitch Megginson and Leighton McIntosh have made more than thirty appearances. Of that quartet, Mark and Leighton have

both been on the treatment table this week, and Scott Fox will be absent this afternoon after suffering a concussion injury at Hamilton.

Also missing will be Miko Virtanen. Having replaced Blair Yule at New Douglas Park, the Finn broke his wrist in a fall and he too has seen his season ended prematurely.

“There have been many contributory factors to what has been a difficult season”

There have been many contributory factors to what has been a difficult season, and no-one at the club is attempting to hide away from the fact that some have been self-inflicted, and that mistakes have been made.

But, particularly as a part-time club, you have to hope that the luck will even itself out over the year, and that simply has not happened for Cove Rangers in our debut Championship campaign.

Among the walking wounded, and on the absentee list for this afternoon, is popular midfielder Miko Virtanen.

Having replaced the injured Blair Yule at Hamilton last week, the Finn was himself forced from the pitch after making a run of the mill tackle. Scans at Wishaw General Hospital would later confirm Miko had snapped the radius bone in his forearm and fractured several others, an injury which has ended his season.

A temporary cast has been put on and he faces an operation next week, but he knows his contribution to the cause is over:

“It was so frustrating. I make those kind of challenges all the time, but on this occasion I obviously fell awkwardly, and could see right away the damage I had done.

“The ironic thing is that I’ve been back at full fitness since joining Cove, I’ve featured in every game, but the first time I return to Hamilton, where I did have injury issues previously, I go and do that.

“I haven’t been given any time scale for the recovery, they won’t know for sure until they put the arm and wrist back together again, but it has counted me out, and it is going to be so difficult being in the stand while the boys fight to keep us in the Championship.”

The freak accident suffered by Miko sums up the luck the club has experienced for much of the campaign, and has also put on hold his hopes for an extended stay at

Balmoral. Having signed until the end of the season, the Finn knows contract talks will now be put on hold; there are weightier matters which must take precedence:

“I know the club has to be fully focused on trying to stay up, so I’m not even thinking about my personal situation right now. All I can do is hope that I have done enough in the matches I’ve played to convince the manager that I should be part of his plans.

“I just need to concentrate on getting fit again, then wait and see what the future holds. Once the arm has recovered, I’ll be putting in the hard work to prepare for next season, whether that’s at Cove or somewhere else.