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50/50 winner!

The 50/50 winner at the Inverness match was Richard Clowney, the winning number was 131583. Richard collected £500.

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After the jubilation of winning the League One title and clinching a place in the Championship for this season, a summer of upheaval ensued.

Out of the blue, double title-winning manager, Paul Hartley, was off to Hartlepool with Jim McIntyre the man earmarked as his replacement.

As Jim began to assemble the squad he wanted, the Premier Sports Cup campaign kicked-off with a win over Albion Rovers, Connor Scully scoring a spectacular winner. It wouldn’t be his last eyecatching moment of the season.

Defeats to Livingston and Kelty Hearts ended hopes of qualifying from the group, but a draw in Inverness was a satisfactory way to end.

The League One flag was unfurled before the Championship opener, a 2-0 victory over Raith Rovers in which Mitch Megginson netted a double, but operating at the second tier of Scottish football was always going to be a big test, and so it was to prove over the next month with four successive defeats.

Jamie Masson scored with a magnificent strike and Leighton McIntosh was also on target as we twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Hamilton, and there was an even more notable comeback the following Saturday when Mark Reynolds struck twice late on to secure another 2-2, against Partick Thistle in Glasgow.

We fell at the first hurdle in the SPFL Trust Trophy, but maintained the league run with two outstanding wins in the space of four days. Scully scored a double to see off Arbroath, then repeated the feat in memorable fashion against Dundee, his acrobatic overhead kick clinching the SPFL Goal of the Month award. Mitch was also on target against the Dens Parkers, the team shrugging off the loss of the first goal to notch up a convincing 3-1 success.

Losses to Raith and Caley Thistle followed, then another comeback 2-2 draw in which Scully and Gerry McDonagh claimed equalisers against Ayr United. We seemed set for our first away win the next week but let slip a 4-1 lead at Hamilton in a match in which Mitch Megginson scored his 200th goal for the club.

“...2022 ended in happier fashion, Leighton McIntosh netting a double to see off Hamilton...”

It was Scully at the double again at the start of November, as the team beat Queen’s Park 2-0 in our first ever live televised TV match, and we backed that up by snatching what could prove to be a crucial point, Blair Yule netting in the last minute against Arbroath at Gayfield. A defeat against promotion chasing Morton was a disappointment, but the players shrugged that off by cruising

through to the Fourth Round of the Scottish Cup, McDonagh helping himself to four goals as Dunipace were swept aside 7-0.

Our penultimate game of the year was at home to Partick Thistle, and it was one which ended in heartbreak. With the side holding on for what would have been a massive win, the away goalkeeper, Jamie Sneddon, headed an equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

2022 ended in happier fashion, Leighton McIntosh netting a double to see off Hamilton, but the New Year was to bring turmoil and frustration. It began with a 6-1 thrashing in Inverness, a result which brought an end to Jim McIntyre’s time

as Cove manager, Paul Hartley returning after just seven months away.

A run of heavy defeats was not the ideal start to Paul’s second spell as boss, and he made a raft of signings as he attempted to revive our fortunes.

Morgyn Neill at least earned us a 2-2 draw against Raith Rovers with a last gasp header, and there was relief when Mitch Megginson secured an impressive win over Partick Thistle at the start of February, but that was followed by a ten game winless sequence.

The team was desperately unlucky not to take more points from encounters with Arbroath, Morton and Queen’s Park, but suffered another heavy defeat in Kirkcaldy, the 6-1 loss followed by a defeat in Ayr, which saw us drop into the relegation play-off place.

“On a cold blustery afternoon, the boys put in a strong defensive display, and with time running out, Paul Hartley threw on Morgyn Neill as a makeshift striker....”

Partick Thistle left Balmoral with all three points the following week, setting us up for a shoot-out in Hamilton. With the team now bottom, Luis Longstaff put Cove in front with a fine goal, only for Accies to equalise soon after from the penalty spot.

The following week saw promotion chasing Caley Thistle make the trip south, and again we took the lead, thanks to a superb Iain Vigurs free-kick, but once more the team let that slip, and two goals in four minutes saw Inverness snatch the points.

Having failed to win in ten, and with injuries ravaging the squad, we next faced a crucial head-to-head against Arbroath. On a cold blustery afternoon, the boys put in a strong defensive display, and with time running out, Paul Hartley threw on Morgyn Neill as a makeshift striker. Almost immediately, the big man got his head to a Vigurs’ corner to secure a hugely important victory.

That guaranteed the relegation battle would go to the final evening of the season, but the side still had an away encounter with Dundee to deal with, and the boys did so in impressive fashion, putting in an outstanding defensive display to record a first goalless draw of the season and a second successive clean sheet.

Having looked all but dead and buried, the four points gained on the road in the penultimate week of the campaign revived Cove’s hopes and ensured tonight will be a decisive, and no doubt nerve-wracking, ninety minutes.

MATCH REPORT

Arbroath 0 Cove Rangers 1

cinch Championship

Sat 22nd April

Gayfield Stadium

Our long wait for a victory came to an end at just the right time at Gayfield a fortnight ago, as the boys snatched all three points from what was a tight encounter on a cold blustery day.

The goal came late and in the wake of a bold substitution by manager Paul Hartley. He took off Cieran Dunne and

put Morgyn Neill on up front in a move which was to pay immediate dividends. Luis Longstaff cut in from the right, and his powerful shot was deflected wide for a corner. Iain Vigurs curled in the delivery, and big Morgyn met it flush with his forehead, Arbroath keeper Derek Gaston unable to prevent the ball from crossing the line.

Neill peeled away to celebrate with the sizeable travelling support, everyone well aware of the potential importance of his goal. In keeping with what had been a solid defensive display, the players comfortably saw the game out, claiming three points which could be vital in our bid for survival.

Abroath (4-2-3-1)

Gaston; Banks, Little, O’Brien (c), Hetherington; Balde (Allan 90), Gold (Tait 79); Stewart, McKenna, Dow (Linn 57); Hilson

Substitutes

Gill, Jacobs, Komolafe, Olusanya, Ben El-Mhanni, Bitsindou

Booked

McKenna (61)

Cove Rangers (4-4-2)

Fox; Naismith, Ross, Reynolds, Longridge; Longstaff, Vigurs, Scully, O’Halloran (Dunne 30) (Neill 81); Megginson (c), McIntosh (Weston 45)

Substitutes

Gourlay, Bangala, Glass

Goalscorers

Neill (84)

Booked

Megginson (41), Naismith (45), Longridge (64)

Referee

Matthew MacDermid

Attendance

2,451

MATCH REPORT

Dundee 0 Cove Rangers 0

cinch Championship

Sat 28th April

For the first time this season, the side recorded back-to-back clean sheets, the 0-0 draw a deserved reward for what was an outstanding defensive performance to thwart the title chasers.

Man of the match Mark Reynolds was a rock at the back on the night, ably assisted by Scott Ross and Morgyn Neill, but the trio were well supported by all their team-mates who gave everything for the cause.

Lone striker Mitch Megginson was regularly the first line of defence, often dropping so deep that all eleven Cove players were within twenty five yards of their own goal, but those were the tactics on what was an evening of containment, and they worked so well that the first time Scott Fox was called into serious action was in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Our approach clearly frustrated Dundee and their fans, but it was up to the home side to try to find a way through,

Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park

and despite their dominance of the possession stats, they were unable to do so, running out of fresh ideas well before the final whistle.

The point gained saw Cove leapfrog Hamilton at the bottom of the table, ensuring that should Accies lose at Arbroath tonight, they will finish in the automatic relegation place.

Dundee (4-4-2)

Legzdins; Mulligan, Ashcroft, Sweeney (c), Marshall; McCowan (Clampin 87), Maguire (Williamson 87), Cameron, Hannant (McMullan 72); Jakubiak (Thomas 72), Robinson

Substitutes

Lawlor, Kerr, Byrne, Fisher, Reedy

Booked Maguire (45), Marshall (86)

Cove Rangers (5-4-1)

Fox; Naismith, Ross, Neill, Reynolds, Logan; Longstaff, Vigurs (Glass 71), Scully, Longridge (Dunne 43); Megginson (c) (Weston 83)

Substitutes

Gourlay, Bangala

Booked

Neill (23), Megginson (53), Scully (59), Glass (86)

Referee

Greg Aitken

Attendance

6,862

PAUL HARTLEY

For the last few months, our objective has always been to get to tonight’s final game against Morton with our season still alive.

Despite the horrendous selection problems we have had to endure, the players have not only done that, they have made sure that survival is now in our own hands, even if that means going through the play-offs.

After the run of defeats, and ten without a win, the boys had to dig deep, and the four points we picked up at Gayfield and Dens transformed the situation at the bottom.

We were helped last Saturday when Partick Thistle beat Arbroath, so all three clubs in the relegation zone have something massive to play for this evening.

The injuries we have suffered have not helped our cause, and in my dozen years in management, I have never known a casualty list such as the one we have experienced over the past few months. Having long since lost Fraser Fyvie and Brody Paterson for the season, Blair Yule and Miko Virtanen also had their campaigns ended, and last weekend we were also without Michael O’Halloran and Leighton McIntosh.

In the recent games against Hamilton and Arbroath I had to make a total of four enforced first half changes. That has got to be unprecedented!

It has meant us having to be flexible, to try a few things out, and to play some formations that we haven’t previously used this season, but somehow we have battled through it all, and the last couple of performances have been outstanding defensively.

“If we all pull together, on and off the pitch, it could yet be a satisfactory end to the campaign.”

That has been so good to see, given the issues we’ve had at the back for much of the campaign, and the players took such confidence from the win and clean sheet at Arbroath. They brought that into the Dundee game and built on it, and it says much about the display that Scott Fox didn’t have serious save to make until deep into stoppage time.

We are going to have to show the same resolve and concentration levels tonight, and with the squad still stretched to its limit, I’m going to have to ask the boys to once more pull out all the stops.

We have given ourselves a chance to stay up, and that’s all I could ask for.

Over the piece, I know this season hasn’t been good enough throughout, and everyone at the club is well aware of that. It is a situation which will be addressed over the summer, but for now, all our attention has to be focused on what will be a massive ninety minutes against Morton.

Your support has been much appreciated over the past nine or ten months, and we will need you again this evening. If we all pull together, on and off the pitch, it could yet be a satisfactory end to the campaign, so please give the team all the backing you can tonight.

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

— Season 22/23 Statistics

CAPTAIN’S VIEW

After a season of many highs and lows, we conclude our debut campaign in the Championship this evening with a chance of securing our place in the division next year.

We always knew it was going to be challenging, however, the changes and injuries we have faced have made it even more difficult. If we achieve our goal of staying in the league, it would be a massive achievement for the club.

After picking up all three points at Gayfield a couple of weeks ago, we travelled to Dens Park knowing just how important it would be to take something from the game, and although it wasn’t pretty, we did just that, grinding out a goalless draw to gain the point which would take us off the foot of the table.

“ It was a tremendous shift from every player in the team. They ran their socks off and showed great fight and passion for the full 90 minutes.”

We knew it was going to be a tough game with Dundee challenging for the title, but we had a gameplan to frustrate our opponents, and limit them to little chances by being compact, and I felt it was executed to perfection. It was a tremendous shift from every player in the team. They ran their socks off and showed great fight and passion for the full 90 minutes.

The defence in particular were superb. Everything that came their way was dealt with expertly. Dundee pushed hard, but we were able to nullify their threat and prevent them from causing any real chances.

In our last two matches, we have picked up 4 points and kept two clean sheets. The lads are all confident going into tonight’s game. We all believe we can get a result.

We know it won’t be easy, as Morton are fighting to secure a Premiership play-off spot, and in addition, our current injury crisis has meant we are down to the bare bones. But we will look to take the momentum which we have gained in recent weeks into the game, along with our hunger and desire, in order to finish the season on a high. As it is the final game of the season, I would also

“...you have always been there in your numbers, backing the boys until the full-time whistle goes. Every one of us is grateful for it.”

like to take the time to thank all the fans for their continued support throughout the campaign. It has been a difficult season for the club. Despite results not always going our way, you have always been there in your numbers, backing the boys until the full-time whistle goes. Every one of us is grateful for it.

All we ask is for you to do it one more time this evening, to give the boys that extra bit of energy and motivation to go on and get the result we need.

COYCR! Mitch Megginson

When the dust settles on what has been a tumultuous season, it will also herald the end of a remarkable era in Cove Rangers’ history.

Many people have contributed over the past few decades to the club’s rise from the amateur ranks to the second tier of the SPFL, but few have given as much as our long-serving secretary, Duncan Little.

It was therefore with deep sadness that we learned of Duncan’s intention to finally retire from the post this summer.

Having started attending Cove matches when he was just a boy, it was inevitable that Duncan should

become one of the first members of the social club when it opened in 1984. He became involved officially two years later, doing a myriad of jobs behind the scenes, and was appointed secretary in 1991.

He has been in post ever since, right at the heart of everything that has happened as the club was transformed, and has been a key figure in ensuring we were able to meet all the off-field demands of the various divisions we were elevated to.

Always ready with an answer to the many questions posed by players, managers or the board of directors, Duncan has been a calm, reassuring presence throughout his lengthy career, and he will be sadly missed by everyone at Balmoral Stadium.

“...he has put his heart and soul into making sure that everything has been done properly over the years.”

Having been at the club for a quarter of a century himself, Chairman Keith Moorhouse has had ‘Mr Cove Rangers’ by his side throughout his time in charge, and he says Duncan’s input and wise counsel have been invaluable:

“It has been quite a journey for the club, and there’s no doubt Duncan’s contribution has been above and beyond what any of us could have expected from him.

“That’s more than three decades as secretary, which is an incredible achievement, and as we have moved up through the leagues, he has had to take on board all the rules and regulations that come with being in the SPFL.

“During all that time, Duncan has been the ‘go to guy’ for all of us, and he has put his heart and soul into making sure that everything has been done properly over the years.

“I have never heard anyone say a bad word about him, and that I can assure you is rare in football. He is an absolute gent, and as well as being a trusted and valued colleague, I feel privileged to call him my friend.

“It won’t be the same without him, but I feel sure we have not seen the last of Duncan at our club. He loves Cove Rangers as much as I do, and he will still have a part to play behind the scenes in the years to come, of that I have no doubt.”

Duncan was presented with an inscribed decanter and glasses at the recent Cove Rangers FC Annual Dinner at The Marcliffe, a small gesture of appreciation for all his hard work over the years, and he will remain to ensure a smooth handover to his eventual successor.

We were also delighted to learn that he does not intend going far, and will be around the club taking on a few tasks that are close to his heart, but which he was unable to attend to given the demanding full-time role he had.

Everyone at Cove Rangers would like to wish Duncan all the very best for the future.

Balmoral Stadium

Wellington Circle, Altens, Aberdeen

AB12 3JG

Honorary President

Directors

Safety Officers John Morgan, Bill Ogilvie

Committee Michael Coull, Richard Forbes, Gordon Taylor

Football Manager

Assistant Manager

First Team Coach

Paul Hartley