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If Cove Rangers are going to enjoy a successful first season in the cinch Championship, it seems certain we are going to have to maintain what has, so far, been an outstanding home record since gaining promotion to the SPFL.

It was at the start of August 2019 that the club made its debut in League Two, Mitch Megginson netting two first half goals to set up a spectacular 5-0 win over Edinburgh City.

That result set the scene for what was to follow over the next three years.

In that opening campaign, Cove won all fourteen league games played at Balmoral Stadium. Three more victories were added following the step up to League One, and it was not until December 2020, when Montrose and Clyde emerged victorious in successive matches, that we tasted defeat at home.

A five game unbeaten run followed that, ended by Airdrieonians on May 1^st 2021. The Diamonds remain the last side to take all three points from Balmoral. Last season, Cove won thirteen and drew five, and this campaign kicked-off with the 2-0 success against Raith Rovers.

In all, the team has played forty-four home league games, and lost just three. It is a record captain Mitch is rightly proud of:

“Our home form is going to be key to us having a good season. We haven’t been beaten here in a league game for fifteen months, and the aim has to be to take maximum points as often as we can.

“I don’t know exactly what it is, but Balmoral Stadium certainly suits us, and we have to use that to our advantage.

“It is a big open pitch, which is perfect for the style of football we like to play, and obviously we are used to it, and have the bonus of training on it every week. Lots of other teams will have tighter pitches, will play on grass, and when they come here it’s more difficult for them to sit in and defend, and close down the space.

“That plays into our hands.”

Boss Jim McIntyre agrees with the skipper, and feels that making the most of home advantage is going to be a key factor:

“We all knew this was going to be a challenging season as the club stepped up to Championship level for the first time, and the three matches we’ve so far played have proved that.

“Every point is going to have to be fought for, there will not be any easy games, so we have to capitalise on our strengths and make the most of home advantage here at Balmoral, where the team’s record is superb.”

Since we last played here, Jim has added Luis Longstaff, Cieran Dunne and Charlie Gilmour, and now feels he’s getting closer to the squad he will need for the campaign ahead.

“I think all three lads will be important additions. Luis and Cieran bring natural width and pace, with Cieran also offering a defensive option if we need it, while Charlie is a really good footballer who will add energy and dynamism to the midfield.”

The trio of new faces will all be involved tomorrow against Ayr United. Blair Yule will be the only absentee as the medical staff continue to monitor his progress following a troublesome ankle injury.

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