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.

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