vs KELTY HEARTS
Saturday 16th September ‘23 • 2.00pm KO
H Sat 7th Oct, ‘23
‘23
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Cove crashed out of the SPFL Trust Trophy at the first hurdle as two second half goals saw Montrose progress through to the fourth round.
It was a similar story for the home side with plenty possession but no killer touch, and there could be no complaints about the defeat.
Paul Hartley made two changes from the previous week’s loss at Alloa. Will Gillingham returned from suspension to replace Cameron Stewart, who had been nursing a slight injury all week, and Mark Gallagher took over from Tyler Mykyta in midfield.
The big news was the appearance of Blair Yule on the bench having been out since April.
We were first to threaten when Connor Scully played a long ball through for Scott Williamson to chase down, and after the striker got the better of both Dillon and Williamson, he fired off a low shot which Matthews gathered.
The goalkeeper was again called into action soon after, cutting out a Burrell delivery, and seconds later Williamson got on the end of a Burrell head flick and lobbed Matthews, only to see the ball clear the crossbar.
Midway through the first half the referee called a water break, a rare occurrence in Cove in September, and it was the visitors who seemed to
benefit most, going on to enjoy their best spell of the match.
Brown had a long range effort deflected for a corner, Batchelor should have done better than shoot high over the bar from fifteen yards, and Watson had a thirty yard free-kick easily saved by Suman.
Gallagher then linked up with Megginson to set Williamson running free into the box, and Scott got away a powerful effort which was beaten away by Matthews.
There followed sustained Cove possession, but with Montrose sitting deep, the players were unable to find a way through, and the move ended with Williamson’s shot being charged down. Megginson was next to have a try, his well-struck angled effort being pushed away by Matthews.
The visitors nearly snatched the lead deep into first half stoppage time.
Having forced a corner on the right, the ball was flicked on, and Quinn met it with a powerful diving header at the back post. Suman was however alert to the danger and dived to his right to claw the ball to safety.
“In what would have been a carbon copy of the last home game against Queen of the South, Tyler Mykyta came agonisingly close to scoring...”
Rumarn Burrell set off on a couple of runs early in the second half, which came to nothing, then after good link-up between Gallagher and Scully, Williamson had flashed in an angled shot which was diverted for a corner.
Substitute Webster had Montrose’s next attempt, a shot from outside the box which Suman dealt with comfortably, but the visitors were to forge ahead in their next attack. After a good passing move, Craig BROWN played a 1-2 with Watson before rifling a twenty-yard strike high into the net with his left foot.
Almost immediately, Sena went down injured and the midfielder was replaced by Blair Yule, whose return to the side after five months out raised the biggest cheer all day from the home fans.
Substitute Kyle Connell dragged a twenty yard shot wide, then Scully came
even closer, his long, looping cross from the left touchline catching out Matthews, but landing on top of the net.
Megginson only just failed to get on to a Reynolds through ball, then in the next move, the captain looked to have clearly been fouled by Sean Dillon just outside the Montrose area. The referee however waved play on, and after a long ball over the top, Kane HESTER raced clear to chip over Suman and settle the tie.
In what would have been a carbon copy of the last home game against Queen of the South, Tyler Mykyta came agonisingly close to scoring, his long range free kick dipping over the wall, but cannoning back off the crossbar with the keeper rooted to his line.
Cove Rangers (4-3-1-2)
Suman; Darge, Gillingham, Reynolds, Scully; McGowan, Sena (Yule 62), Gallagher (Connell 65); Megginson (c); Williamson (Mykyta 75), Burrell
Substitutes
Demus, Ochmanski, Milnes, Stewart
Montrose (3-4-3)
Matthews; Williamson, Dillon, Quinn; Shrive (Webster 46), Thomson, Brown, Watson (c); Machado (Gardyne 65), Batchelor (Hester 60), Lyons (Callaghan 74)
Substitutes
Gill
Goalscorers
Brown (59), Hester (87)
Booked
Lyons (27)
Referee
Alastair Grieve
Attendance
520
KELTY HEARTS FLASHBACK
Cove Rangers 2
Kelty Hearts 3
Viaplay Cup
Sat 19th July 2022
Balmoral Stadium
This afternoon’s encounter will be just the second competitive meeting between Cove Rangers and Kelty Hearts, with the visitors coming out on top in July of last year in a Viaplay Cup group match.
Kelty took an early grip on that game, counter-attacking to devastating effect as they raced to a 2-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to goals from Alfredo Agyeman and Robbie McNab. It might have been 3-0, but Kyle Gourlay – who is now in the away ranks – kept the match alive with a superb save from a Nathan Austin penalty.
10 KELTY HEARTS FLASHBACK
Fraser Fyvie restored home hopes with a looping header, but Kelty regained their two-goal cushion midway through the second half when Austin finished off another speedy break. Substitute Robbie Leitch fired in a spectacular effort to make it 3-2, and with the game in its dying embers we were denied a clear penalty when Reynolds was hauled to the ground in the box.
“...we were denied a clear penalty when Reynolds was hauled to the ground in the box.”
It was to be the Fifers’ only victory in the group and ended our hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
Such has been the turnover at both clubs that relatively few who kicked-off last summer are likely to be to be included this afternoon, with only four Cove players –Connor Scully, Mark Reynolds, Fraiser Fyvie and Mitch Megginson – possible starters.
Both clubs are also under new management since that meeting, Paul Hartley returning to Cove in January with Michael Tidser having taken over as Kelty player-boss in the summer.
Cove
Rangers (4-2-1-3)
Gourlay; Logan, Neill, Reynolds, Towler; Vigurs, Scully; Fyvie; McIntosh (Leitch 77 mins), McDonagh, (McAllister 65 mins), Megginson
Substitutes
McKenzie, Ross, Thomas
Goalscorers
Fyvie (29 mins), Leitch (87 mins)
Booked
Reynolds, Fyvie, Scully, Vigurs
Kelty Hearts (4-2-1-3)
Jamieson; Philp, Forstor, Martin, Peggie; Barjonas, Tidser; McNab; Agyeman, Austin (Owens 86 mins), Cardle (Reilly 77 mins)
Substitutes
Hill, Barbour, Campbell
Goalscorers
Agyeman (16 mins), McNab (23 mins), Austin (71 mins)
Referee
Duncan Williams
Attendance
486
Management Sponsors
Player Sponsors
Paul Hartley
Gordon Young
Tam Ritchie
1. Nick Suman
2. Jacob Jones
10. Rumarn Burrell
11. Kyle Connell
14. Luke Strachan
4. Connor Scully
5. Mouhamed Niang
8. Blair Yule
9. Mitch Megginson
7. Paul McGowan
15. Arron Darge
6. Will Gillingham
16. Iain Vigurs
21. Balint Demus
27. Cameron Stewart
17. Josh Kerr
22. Mark Gallagher
28. Rio Davidson-Phipps
29. Scott Williamson
18. Tyler Mykyta
24. Fraser Fyvie
26. Mark Reynolds
20. Myles Gaffney
19. Dayshonne Golding
16 CAPTAIN’S VIEW
We are going through a tough time right now, and as our fans, you can see that just as clearly as we players can, so there is no point in me trying to suggest anything otherwise.
Those of us who have been at the club for years and enjoyed all the success are feeling it, as are the new boys, and when you are going through a period like this, as every team does on occasion, it is hard to take.
Many of you have been with us on this journey, and you too have been used to the good times, so I understand the frustrations you are feeling, but I can promise you it is hurting us just as much.
We love playing for this club, we want more than anything to bring the good times back, and we will give everything we have to make that happen.
There is no magic wand, and no certainty as to when things will change, but I’ve been in this game long enough to know that fortunes can turn just like that, and we will continue to work hard on the training pitch, and in games, as we try to find the answer.
Last weekend was similar to what has been happening to us of late. We were very much in the game, definitely not being outplayed, but they created a couple of openings and were clinical.
The big issue has been getting the link right between midfield and the front line, certainly in terms of scoring goals. There have been half chances, but we are just not creating enough clear cut opportunities, and we have been punished as a result.
We are well aware that we need to get on a run, and to do that, we have to remain as positive as possible. We have the mentality, we know what it takes, we now have to make that count in the ninety minutes.
The one big plus point last week was the return of Blair Yule. I have known Blair since we were with Aberdeen under-8s, and for years now he has been an outstanding team-mate. I am so pleased he is being recognised with a testimonial and I cannot speak highly enough of him, either as a player or a person.
There have been a few legends in recent times who have contributed to Cove’s glory years, and he is right up there with the best of them. I hope he has a fantastic time and that he gets a lot of support for the various events which will be planned.
Most important of all, and I know he will feel this too, Blair can make a huge contribution to the side right now with his control, his ability on the ball and the way he drives forward from midfield. He is a naturally fit boy, so he should get up to speed pretty quickly, and he will make a big difference to the side.
With Fraser Fyvie also now ready to return from a long lay-off, we suddenly have excellent options in that area, and with his undoubted pedigree, Fraser, like Blair, can make a massive impact.
It will be nice to welcome Kyle Gourlay back to Balmoral Stadium this afternoon. The big man was a popular member of the squad and is a great shot-stopper, but I hope to get one over him today, grab a goal or two, then shake his hand afterwards.
Hopefully this will be the day it turns for us, and with your backing, I feel sure we can get out of this, and start looking up the table again.
Mitch COYC!
BLAIR YULE TESTIMONIAL
“He has been a major part of all the success enjoyed by us since he first signed on as a youngster in 2011...”
The club is delighted to confirm that long-serving midfielder Blair Yule has been granted a testimonial; a just reward for more than a decade’s service to Cove Rangers.
Blair is steeped in the history of the club, his dad Raymond having also played with distinction for Cove for many years, and apart from a brief spell down the coast with Arbroath, he has been a major part of all the success enjoyed by us since he first signed on as a youngster in 2011, making his debut in a festive fixture against Fraserburgh at Bellslea Park.
Having played a big role in Cove’s glory days in the Highland League, collecting numerous winners’ medals along the way, Blair played in both the play-off matches against Berwick Rangers during that never to be forgotten week in May 2019 when the club realised its dream of clinching a place in the SPFL.
Blair was a near ever-present over the next three seasons as the club gained
promotion up to the Championship for the first time in its history, but a longstanding ankle problem required an operation in the summer of 2022, delaying his introduction until midSeptember. He then had a good run in the side, and scored what might have been a crucial late equaliser against Arbroath at Gayfield, but his injury curse struck again at Hamilton early in April, and his presence was badly missed as the team suffered the heartbreak of relegation on the final evening of the campaign.
It was only last week, when he came on as a second half substitute against Montrose, that the manager was again able to call on his services.
The midfielder is now hoping to make a big contribution over the coming months, and says he is absolutely delighted to have been recognised in this way:
“I’m so pleased the club has agreed to this. Having been here for so long, I’ve watched the likes of Eric Watson, Stuart McKenzie and Connor Scully enjoy their big celebrations, and I am so proud to be joining that roll of honour.
There have been various others too, and that’s an indication of how happy good players are to remain with this club. It means so much to me and I’m really looking forward to what should be an exciting year.”
Having joined Aberdeen as a teenager alongside the likes of future Cove teammates Mitch Megginson, Fraser Fyvie, Scott Ross and Ryan Strachan, Blair suffered the crushing disappointment of being released as a sixteen-year-old.
He joined the Montrose youth set-up and had a spell with Dyce Juniors before making the breakthrough at Allan Park, and when he did it was at a time when the club was really taking off.
Over the next few years, Blair would win three Highland League titles, three Highland League Cups and an Aberdeenshire Cup in a side packed with guys who were not only good players, but close friends:
“I had that year away at Arbroath, I took the decision to give the SPFL a crack after we had been beaten by Edinburgh City in the play-offs and lost the Highland League to Buckie on goal difference in successive seasons, but while I enjoyed the first six months, it just wasn’t the
same, and I knew I wanted to get back to Cove. Thankfully, the clubs sorted that out in the summer of 2018, and I was delighted to sign on again.
It was perfect timing. We won just about everything that year, came up through the play-offs, and that afternoon at Berwick will live with me forever. So will the bus journey home!”
“...Blair would win three Highland League titles, three Highland League Cups and an Aberdeenshire Cup...”
We had an exceptional team. Big Stuart was in goal, there was Alan Redford, Ross and Strachan. Harry Milne was in the side, Scully, Daniel Park and Jamie Masson, with Paul McManus supporting Mitchel Megginson up front. We also had excellent options on the bench; it was such a good side.
We had known each other for years, in many cases we had grown up together, we understood our strengths and weaknesses, and everything just came together. Ask any of the boys and I’m sure they would agree; that was one of the best times of our lives, not just on the pitch, but off it as well.
They had suffered losing to Cowdenbeath the previous season, and that hurt drove them on. Whenever anything went against us, we tapped into that pain, and we made it work in our favour, it fuelled us, and we were such a determined and focused group.”
Reaching the SPFL with Cove Rangers was something Blair had yearned for, and he knew what it meant to chairman Keith Moorhouse, the manager at the time, John Sheran, and everyone else who had put in the hard work over the years.
It was the realisation of a long-held dream, and the midfielder says it meant the world to him:
“We had such a good team, and after John’s illness that summer, Paul Hartley came in and brought with him the professionalism and experience he had gained over the years. The players were ready for it, we proved that by comfortably winning League Two then following that up a couple of years later by taking the League One title as well.”
It was during that campaign that Blair’s injury problems first showed up. He had been troubled by his ankle since
“My main priority will always be playing for Cove and bringing success to the club...”
September 2021, but somehow made it through to the end:
“I was working with the physio, taking pills and just battling on. I had hoped that resting it over the summer of ’22 would clear the issue up, but almost as soon as I started pre-season training it became clear that wasn’t going to be the case.
I had a couple of injections to help with the pain and played a good amount of games before Christmas, but it flared up again last January, and coupled with another injury in April, I eventually decided to get the operation. It has been a frustrating time for me being unable to help the boys, so stepping back out on to the pitch last weekend came as a huge relief, and after the first couple of passes, I relaxed and felt good.”
Now, Blair is concentrating on doing what he can to help the team, and says he has been delighted with the response to the news of his testimonial, and is looking forward to what will be a busy year:
“It’s been great, I’m really pleased that some friends and colleagues have
formed the testimonial committee, and there will be a lot of work put in to try to make it a successful time. They are planning various events, I’m also going to make sure that some charities benefit from whatever funds are raised, and we will be in a position to say more about that in the next few weeks.
My main priority will always be playing for Cove and bringing success to the club, but this is an exciting period off the pitch, and I’m hoping we can maximise it and also do some good for others along the way.”
The committee is in the process of trying to get agreement for a glamour match next summer, there will be a gala dinner in the springtime and plans are also being put in place for a few other events in the coming months.
Blair’s testimonial will officially kickoff with a race night at The Ashvale on Thursday, November 9th. Further information and details on how you can buy tickets for the evening will be released in the near future.
PAUL HARTLEY
Last weekend was another disappointing one for everyone at the club as we exited the SPFL Trust Trophy at the first hurdle.
It was, unfortunately, a similar performance to the last few weeks, a match in which we had plenty possession, but failed to create the kind of clear-cut chances you need if you are to win games.
Montrose were clinical, took their opportunities, and went through.
After two strong showings against Falkirk and down at Links Park, it has not been good enough, and as manager, I have to take responsibility for that.
We have a good squad, players who are more than capable of competing at this level. It is up to me to get the best out of them, and up to each individual to perform to their maximum. Between us, we have not got that right of late, and that is something we have been addressing this week.
I cannot fault them in training, they work hard, we all do, and the application and desire is there, but for whatever reason that is not currently translating to the games, and we need to rectify that.
We have spoken about that this week, and I would hope to see a much better display against Kelty this afternoon.
The only real positive I took from last Saturday was the return of Blair Yule.
“...it’s important we all stick together and try to remain positive.”
Blair has been an outstanding player for me in all my time at Cove, and we have badly missed him in the past five months. He settled in pretty quickly after coming on in the second half, and being a naturally fit boy, I think he will be up to speed in no time.
If he stays fit, Blair will make a big contribution this season. I was delighted to learn that his service to the club has been recognised with a testimonial. He richly deserves that accolade, and I hope the various events are well supported in the months ahead.
Fraser Fyvie is another who has suffered a horrendous time. He got injured in my first game back at the club, against Queen’s Park in January, and has been unavailable since.
He had to have an operation, went through all the rehab, and then had the frustration of a further setback just when we thought he was ready. That has now cleared up, and it will be a real plus having him back in the plans.
A fully-fit Fraser Fyvie would still be operating at a much higher level, and we are fortunate to have a player of his ability to call on. I hope that is something I am able to do more regularly in the campaign ahead.
This is a tough time for us, and when you’re hurting, it’s important we all stick together and try to remain positive. That will be a big factor in us turning things round.
We will try to use that pain and disappointment as a motivating factor this afternoon, and I fully expect a much more acceptable performance from the side.
Enjoy the game!
Paul Hartley
Principal Club Partner
Official Club Partners
Principal Stadium Partner
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
CLUB INFORMATION
Balmoral Stadium
Wellington Circle, Altens, Aberdeen
AB12 3JG
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Fitness
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CLUB HONOURS
Scottish League 1
Winners ‘21-’22
Scottish League 2
Winners ‘19-’20
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
Scottish Qualifying Cup (North)
Winners ‘90-’91, ‘00-’01
Runners-up ‘88-’89, ‘91-’92, ‘01-’02, ‘03-’04
Highland League Cup
Winners ‘94-’95, ‘99-’00, ‘04-’05, ‘14-1’5, ‘16-17, ‘18-’19
Runners-up
Aberdeenshire Cup
‘90-’91, ‘92-’93, ‘95-’96, ‘97-’98, ‘05-’06, ‘07-’08, ‘11-’12
Winners ‘01-’02, ‘10-’11, ‘18-’19
Runners-up ‘92-’93, ‘94-’95, ‘16-’17, ‘17-’18
Aberdeenshire Shield
Winners ‘90-’91, ‘00-’01, ‘08-’09, ‘17-’18
Runners-up ‘94-’95, ‘12-’13, ‘15-’16
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
Kelty Hearts
