OFF TO A FLYER

Our Viaplay Cup campaign got off to a flyer as the team defeated Clyde 5-2 at Balmoral Stadium last Tuesday evening.

It was a night for the attackers, with new boys Rumarn Burrell and Kyle Connell each grabbing a brace, and captain Mitch Megginson getting on the scoresheet late on too.

The manager started the game with Balint Demus in goal, with a back four consisting of Darge, Gillingham, Reynolds and Scully.

Tyler Mykyta, who signed just hours before kick-off, was handed his debut for the club on the right-wing. His exFormartine teammate Mark Gallagher played alongside him in central midfield, with Sena and Connell completing the midfield four. Megginson and Burrell led the line.

The opener of the match came in the 11th minute, and it was a gift from our opponents. A long ball was played up the park, which initially looked like a waste. Clyde right-back McCulloch, under pressure from Connell, looked to nod back to Leighfield, but failed to realise the goalkeeper had also came rushing out to collect, heading beyond. CONNELL latched onto the ball in a flash, and had the simple task of tapping into an empty net from 10-yards.

Then came a quick flurry of goals, the first of which came from the Cove defence switching off momentarily. Clyde’s Forbes played a short corner to Scullion just inside the area, who played it back to the corner taker. As the Cove defence looked to quickly close down, Mykyta slid in, wiping out Forbes, leaving the referee no option but to award a penalty.

RENNIE stepped up and slotted past Demus, who dived the right way, but was unable to get his hand to it.

The team more than made up for the error, scoring almost instantly from the restart. From kick-off, the ball found its way to Kyle Connell on the left hand side. The winger looked up, and floated an inch perfect cross to BURRELL, who calmly controlled under pressure, and poked beyond Leighfield to restore our lead.

Burrell netted his second not long after. After winning a free-kick around 25 yards out, Connell stepped up and delivered a deep free-kick into the area. The ball looked to have evaded everyone, but Reynolds popped up at the back post, and slid the ball across the face of goal for BURRELL who was standing waiting to tap into the empty net from just a few yards out.

Despite the visitors having a few big chances either side of the half-time break, including a Sula effort hitting the crossbar, we extended our lead in the 82nd minute through a moment of excellence from Connell.

CONNELL picked up the ball on the edge of the Clyde penalty box, and after dropping a shoulder, he cut inside on his right foot and whipped the ball delightfully into the far top corner. It was a spectacular strike from the striker on his first competitive start for the club.

The win was sealed just one minute later, when our captain got in on the goals. The ball was played from Burrell into Gallagher on the edge of the area. The midfielder looked as if he was going to shoot, however instead slipped the ball to his right, where MEGGINSON was standing unmarked. The skipper calmly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner.

That wasn’t the end of the goals, however. Clyde’s MULVANNY was played through on goal, and despite Demus doing well to block his initial shot, the substitute found the back of the net on second attempt to make it 5-2, which is how the game ended. It was an action packed night at Balmoral Stadium, and a great start to our Viaplay Cup Group C campaign.

Cove Rangers (5-4-1)

Demus; Darge, Gillingham, Reynolds, Scully; Mykyta (Vigurs 80’), Gallagher, Sena, Connell; Megginson, Burrell.

Unused Substitutes

Suman, Ochmanski, Gaffney.

Goals

Burrell (21’, 26’), Connell (12’, 82’), Megginson (84’).

Clyde (4-4-2)

Leighfield; McCulloch (Mulvanny 71’), Sula, Grant, Craig; Forbes, L. Scullion, Cuddihy, C. Scullion (Dunachie 74’); Cameron (Duncan 71’), Rennie.

Unused Substitutes

Parry.

Goals

Rennie (20’), Mulvanny (85’).