Cove Rangers FC Matchday Programme – vs. Falkirk 09.08.23

vs FALKIRK

Saturday 12th August ‘23 • 3.00pm KO

A Sat 19th Aug, ‘23

v Cove Rangers cinch League One

A Sat 26th Aug, ‘23 Cove Rangers v Queen of the South cinch League One

H Sat 2nd Sept, ‘23 Alloa Athletic v Cove Rangers cinch League One

A Sat 9th Sept, ‘23

Rangers v Kelty Hearts cinch League One

LEAGUE TABLE

50/50 WINNER

The 50/50 winning number at the Livingston match was 132917. Won by Jamie Thow who took home the prize of £345.

Find a keeper

With thousands of cars in one place you’re sure to find your perfect ride. And you have 14 days to love it or your money back.

Our League One campaign kicked-off in disappointing fashion as an unlucky Josh Kerr own goal handed Accies all three points. To make matters worse, Cove finished the day with ten men following the late sending-off of skipper Paul McGowan.

In what was a poor overall performance, we forced just one save out of home keeper Jamie Smith, and Hamilton ran out deserved, if narrow, winners.

The home team made the brighter start, enjoying the bulk of the early possession without causing us any undue concern. Their first attempt came in the ninth minute when, after linking up with Tumilty, O’Hara turned and fired goalwards. Demus – making his Cove league debut – comfortably saved the angled shot at his near post.

It was a further five minutes before we got on the ball for any length of time, McGowan and Mykyta probing at the Accies defence. Dayshonne Golding then showed great determination as he burrowed into the penalty area before cutting a cross back into the danger zone, Paul McGowan having two efforts blocked before Hamilton scrambled the ball to safety.

Accies then countered, Tait running clear and firing low across the box, bringing an excellent save out of Demus who diverted his effort for a corner.

Jones linked up well down the left, the full-back winning the award when Tumilty blocked his cross. The initial delivery was partially cleared, but when Mykyta swung his cross in from the left, it took a last-gasp header from Hendrie at the back post to prevent Sena from making contact.

Mykyta then raced in behind the home back line, but with defenders closing in, he attempted to turn back and was closed down.

Out of nowhere, Hamilton took the lead. Having broken down the right, Tait fired in a low cross which cannoned off the unlucky Josh KERR and flew past Demus. Seconds later, O’Hara came close to doubling their advantage, shooting just wide of the left post.

In the thirty-sixth minute, we looked to have levelled. Mykyta sent in an inviting cross from the right which McGowan expertly head-flicked beyond Smith, but our celebrations were cut short when assistant Paul O’Neill raised his flag for offside.

Accies continued both to dominate possession, and to look the more likely to score, and Jamie Barjonas came close, cutting in off the left and flashing an angled effort just wide of the far post.

Paul Hartley then introduced Kyle Connell in a bid to offer more up front, Golding the player to come off, but it

We forced our first corner in the twentyseventh minute. McGowan, Scully and

was Hamilton who might have added to their lead, Tumilty’s well-struck drive flying across the six yard box and wide of the upright.

Hamilton (4-2-3-1)

Smith; Tumilty, Kilday, Longridge, Hendrie (O’Brien 83); Martin (C), MacDonald; Winter (One 74), Tait (Hewitt 87), Barjonas (Murray 74); O’Hara.

Substitutes

Lane, Zanatta, Smith, McGlynn, McGinn.

Goalscorers Kerr (OG 34)

Booked MacDonald (64), Murray (90).

Cove Rangers (4-2-3-1)

With the team still misfiring and failing to offer any threat, the manager then withdrew Mark Gallagher and threw on Myles Gaffney. Before the young substitute had a chance to get involved, referee Wilson flashed a red card at captain Paul McGowan. Having suffered abuse from the home fans all game, Paul gestured to the main stand, leaving the official with no option but to send him off.

Almost immediately, we had a rare opportunity, Burrell finding a yard of space in the box to get his shot away, but Smith reacted quickly to make the save.

Will Gillingham was sent up front for the last few minutes, but we failed to create any further openings, and could have no real complaints with the final outcome.

Demus; Sena, Kerr (Stewart 46), Gillingham, Jones; Gallagher (Gaffney 79), Scully; Mykyta (Darge 46), McGowan (c), Golding (Connell 59); Burrell.

Substitutes

Suman, Naismith, Ochmanski, Reynolds.

Booked Gallagher (32)

Sent off McGowan (82)

Referee Lloyd Wilson

Attendance

1,087

“We had a rare opportunity, Burrell finding a yard of space in the box to get his shot away...”

LEAGUE CUP LOOK BACK

Our season began with what was, overall, a more than acceptable showing in the Viaplay Cup, the team setting a new benchmark for most points gained in the competition and coming close to qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time in the club’s history.

It kicked-off with a high scoring encounter against Clyde at Balmoral Stadium.

We went ahead through Kyle Connell early on as he notched his first Cove Rangers goal, but were quickly pegged back to level terms when the visitors were awarded a penalty. Rumarn Burrell got off the mark soon after and doubled his tally within minutes.

The striker had a golden opportunity for a debut hat-trick, but fired against the crossbar from the penalty spot in the 65th minute.

Connell then smashed a spectacular effort into the top corner and Mitch Megginson rolled home his season opener towards the end. A late Clyde consolation meant we ran out comfortable 5-2 winners.

Our second group match meant a short trip to Brechin, and the Highland League champions nudged ahead with half an hour gone through Grady McGrath.

The lead lasted just four minutes – Mark Reynolds blasting home the equaliser with his weaker right foot – but City restored their advantage before half-time from the penalty spot. Once again, the team battled back and Kyle Connell was again the two-goal hero, netting twice in the final sixteen minutes to make it two wins out of two.

The following midweek, Livingston were our visitors and for forty minutes Cove more than held their own. With new signing Paul McGowan making his debut, we created a number of chances and were unfortunate not to be in front, but our Premiership opponents displayed a more ruthless approach and they snatched the lead just before the interval through Parkes.

Golding and Connell both came desperately close to equalising, but Livi survived and went on to secure the victory in clinical fashion, recording a 5-0 victory which was anything but a true reflection of the ninety minutes.

Despite that reversal, we headed for Hamilton knowing that a win could yet see us qualify for the knockout stages, and for a period in the second half, it appeared our dreams might be realised.

O’Hara put Accies in front and they might have extended their advantage, but Mark Gallagher drew us level with an outstanding long range strike, then Burrell got the slightest of touches on McGowan’s delivery to nudge us ahead.

For fifteen minutes, we were top of Group C and heading for the second round, but Livingston finally broke the deadlock against Clyde, and results elsewhere meant we could no longer make it as one of the best runners-up.

Tumilty’s late equaliser was therefore of no consequence, but we did at least have the consolation of snatching the bonus from the penalty shootout, finishing the section on eight points, three more than we have ever previously amassed.

“For fifteen minutes, we were top of Group C and heading for the second round...”

Management Sponsors

Player Sponsors

Paul Hartley Gordon Young Tam Ritchie

1. Nick Suman

5. Mouhamed Niang

9. Mitch Megginson

2. Jacob Jones

6. Will Gillingham

10. Rumarn Burrell

3. Jason Naismith

7.

Paul McGowan

11. Kyle Connell

4. Connor Scully

8. Blair Yule

14. Luke Strachan

Advertising opportunities

CRFC offer excellent advertising opportunities to organisations who are looking to share marketing messages or build their brand.

To register interest for sponsorship, contact Angela Bruce: abruce@coverangersfc.com

15. Arron Darge

19. Dayshonne Golding

26. Mark Reynolds

16. Iain Vigurs

21. Balint Demus

27. Cameron Stewart

17. Josh Kerr

22. Mark Gallagher

28. Rio Davidson-Phipps

18. Tyler Mykyta

24. Fraser Fyvie

NEW SIGNINGS SPOTLIGHT

Having featured our first eight new summer signings in the programmes for the Viaplay Cup ties against Clyde and Livingston, we can now spotlight the latest batch of arrivals at Balmoral.

Next through the door was left-sided midfielder Tyler Mykyta . The twenty year old came through the youth ranks at Aberdeen FC and enjoyed loan spells at Elgin City and Formartine United before joining the Highland League side last summer.

Having impressed there, and during a trial period with Cove, Paul Hartley had no doubts about offering the talented player a two year full-time contract:

“He’s technically very good, brings quality and has a great left foot and can make things happen. We will need to get him properly up to speed as he readjusts to the full-time environment, but I think we have a good player on our hands and he gives us options across the front line.”

Dayshonne Golding was another who the coaching staff ran the rule over in training and he caught the eye in our pre-season friendly with Dundee, prompting the manager to snap him up:

“Dayshonne is strong and powerful, he holds the ball up well, and he gives me a different option. We now have four strikers, all of whom have different attributes, and that gives me the opportunity to change games, and to use a variety of tactical approaches.”

Josh Kerr is twenty-five, a product of the Celtic youth academy, and after earning a move to Brighton, played a major role for Airdrieonians in League One over a two year period.

The manager says his versatility will be important – he can play in central defence or midfield – and Josh believes joining Cove is a great move for him:

(L to R) Dayshonne Golding, Jacob Jones & Josh Kerr

...“I’m absolutely delighted to have signed for the club. I obviously played against Dundee in the pre-season friendly as a trialist, and I got a feel for the place and the team.

After that, I was set on signing up; it was a no-brainer for me. It took a couple of days to get things over the line but I’m glad to get it done and to be here.

“I spoke to the manager before coming in, and he told me of his vision and outlined the club’s ambitions, both short-term and longer term as well. With Cove moving full-time as well, there is a lot to be excited about, and I can’t wait to get going.”

The signing of left-back Jacob Jones was announced the same day.

Having progressed through the ranks at Swansea City, Jacob has been capped by Wales at under-19 and under-20 levels, and having gained experience at Forest Green Rovers, the twenty-one year old sees the move north as a big one for his career:

“I’m very glad to have signed for Cove. It is my first time being this far north, and visiting Balmoral Stadium I must admit I was very impressed with the set-up.

“When the gaffer phoned me to discuss joining, I was excited by the project. There was interest from other clubs, but after talking with Paul and hearing of his ambition for the club, I was keen to come up the road and join.

“I’m here to play games, impress the club and fans, and to help achieve the ambition of returning to the Championship. At the end of the day, football is all about winning games, and winning trophies ultimately, and that is what I am here to do.”

Our next signing was something of a coup when the manager secured a reunion with experienced midfielder Paul McGowan. Having enjoyed a stellar career, and having played under the gaffer at Dundee, the thirty-five year old was looking for a new challenge and had no doubts about making the move north. Paul Hartley says his know-how and determination will be vital factors in the coming months:

“He’s a great guy, someone who will demand the highest standards both in training and on the pitch and he will undoubtedly have a big influence here. Paul is exactly the kind of character we needed and I’m delighted to have got him on board.”

“Paul is exactly the kind of character we needed and I’m delighted to have got him on board.”

Paul McGowan

Balint Demus

Cameron Stewart

Our first loan signing of the summer came in the shape of Northern Irish central defender Cameron Stewart, who joined us for the season from Ipswich Town.

The twenty year old spent last season with Crusaders, and sees joining Cove as an important next step in his development:

“I’m ready for this move and can’t wait to get started. I see this as a step-up, I’ve watched Scottish football for years and I think it’s a good standard. It’s going to be a good test for me at this stage of my career.

“I know there have been a lot of changes here this summer and I’m sure I’ll settle in okay. For me personally, it’s all about getting as much game time as I can and trying to help the club get back up to the Championship.”

On top of all the new signings brought to the club, Balint Demus also agreed a two year full-time contract and will battle it out with Nick Suman for the starting position in goal, and in addition, the club took the first steps towards having its own youth academy.

Four youngsters, nineteen year old striker Myles Gaffney, left-back Milosz Ochmanski, who is seventeen, and two sixteen year olds, goalkeeper Jack Robertson and central midfielder Mikey Milnes, have all signed up and will train full-time with the first team squad.

“...I see this as a step-up, I’ve watched Scottish football for years and I think it’s a good standard.”

GET YOUR KIT ON

The club’s new all-blue home kit for 2023-24 was launched at the stadium a fortnight ago, and has already proved to be a winner with Cove Rangers fans.

afternoon’s match.

PAUL HARTLEY

Welcome to Balmoral Stadium for our opening home match in this season’s League One campaign.

We go into the game hoping to see a big improvement on last week, when we disappointed in losing to Hamilton.

It was an unexpected performance. The team had played well at New Douglas Park the previous weekend, dominated the second half and been unlucky not to take all three points. To go out seven days later and barely lay a glove on the same opponents was unacceptable.

It was a reminder for the players that no matter who you are up against, you have to start every ninety minutes with a high tempo and a level of intensity. If you let that drop at all, the opposition can capitalise, and that’s exactly what Accies did. They were better than us in all the important areas of the pitch, and we can have no complaints that they emerged with the win, even if it came courtesy of an unlucky own goal.

We had worked hard in training, the players were well prepared for the match, but because our attitude wasn’t right, we gave Hamilton all the encouragement they needed.

It will be a tough division, most of the sides in League

One this year will have real expectations of at least getting into the promotion play-offs, and we cannot afford a repeat of what we saw last Saturday.

The players are going to have to be spot on right from kick-off every week if we are to meet our expectations for the season.

Today’s visitors will clearly be among the favourites for automatic promotion, and after missing out in recent seasons, they will be keen to make the step up this time round. They got off to a good start with the win over Annan Athletic and will have made the trip north in a confident frame of mind.

It is up to us to impose ourselves on the game and take the play to them.

We have put in a good shift in training all week – that’s the benefit of now having a majority of full-time players at the club – and the squad is ready to meet the challenge.

I fully expect them to put on a much better showing.

We have been without some key men – every side in the division would miss quality players like Fraser Fyvie, Blair Yule and Mitch Megginson – and it will be good to have them back in my plans in the coming weeks.

Our home form is going to be really important in the campaign ahead. If we can make Balmoral Stadium the fortress it has been in the past, we will be in a strong position to be up there battling for promotion.

Your support is going to be vital and I know you will all get behind the team as you always have done.

Enjoy the game!

Paul Hartley

“...you have to start every ninety minutes with a high tempo and a level of intensity...”

Principal Club Partner

Principal Stadium Partner

Official Club Partners

Richard has pioneered work with charities, community hubs, befriending and foodbank groups, raising over £200,000 in the last 24-months to help worthy causes and individuals facing challenging times.

If you would like an opportunity to me et with him and discuss any matters that you feel he can be of assista nce with , please contact Richard on 07977 399 537 or email rbrooks@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Balmoral Stadium

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Directors

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Physiotherapist

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Alan McRae OBE

Keith Moorhouse - Chairman

Graeme Reid - Vice Chairman

Duncan Little

John Sheran

Darren Anderson

Grant Moorhouse

Graeme Anderson, John Morgan

Michael Coull, Richard Forbes, Gordon Taylor

Paul Hartley

Gordon Young

Tam Ritchie

Derek Soutar

Gary Hake

Charlotte Clarke

Ian Sellar

David Fowler

Angela Bruce

Davey Byrne

Richard Gordon

Andrew Jamieson

Dave Cowe, Richard Forbes

Kate Dean

Dougie Simpson

Scottish League 1

Winners

‘21-’22

Highland League

Winners

‘00-’01, ‘07-’08, ‘08-’09, ‘12-’13, ‘15-’16, ‘17-’18, ‘18-’19

Runners-up

‘89-’90, ‘92-’93, ‘94-’95, ‘95-’96, ‘09-’10, ‘11-’12, ‘16-’17

Highland League Cup

Winners

‘94-’95, ‘99-’00, ‘04-’05, ‘14-1’5, ‘16-17, ‘18-’19

Runners-up

‘90-’91, ‘92-’93, ‘95-’96, ‘97-’98, ‘05-’06, ‘07-’08, ‘11-’12

Aberdeenshire Shield

Winners

‘90-’91, ‘00-’01, ‘08-’09, ‘17-’18.

Runners-up

‘94-’95, ‘12-’13, ‘15-’16

Scottish League 2 Winners

‘19-’20

Scottish Qualifying Cup (North)

Winners

‘90-’91, ‘00-’01

Runners-up

‘88-’89, ‘91-’92, ‘01-’02, ‘03-’04

Aberdeenshire Cup

Winners

‘01-’02, ‘10-’11, ‘18-’19

Runners-up

‘92-’93, ‘94-’95, ‘16-’17, ‘17-’18

Aberdeenshire & District League

Winners

‘00-’01, ‘08-’09, ‘10-’11, ‘11-’12, ‘12-’13, ‘14-’15

Runners-up ‘06-’07

Aberdeenshire

Centenary Cup

Runners-up

‘86-’87

Inter-League Trophy

Winners

‘01-’02

Cove Rangers

Manager - Paul Hartley

1

Falkirk

Manager - John McGlynn

1 Sam Long

2 Tom Lang

3 Leon McCann

4 Stephen McGinn

5 Liam Henderson

6 Coll Donaldson

7 Callumn Morrison

8 Brad Spencer

9 Jordan Allan

Today’s referee - Steven Kirkland

Today’s assistant referees - Brian Christie & David Alexander

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