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Fresh from Saturday’s vital win over Arbroath, the team is now gearing up for a big week with two important matches on the horizon.

They travel to Kirkcaldy at the weekend to take on Raith Rovers, but before then, the home encounter with Dundee which will bring the curtain down on the first quarter of the campaign.

The victory over Dick Campbell’s side saw Cove jump up two places in the table, and the meeting with the Dens Parkers gives us the opportunity to put a bit more pressure on the teams around us.

Manager Jim McIntyre says the boys go into this one in a positive frame of mind after the weekend display:

“Everyone knew how important that game was, we started ever so well, and put in a really strong performance.

“The other results went our way too, which was a real bonus.

“There were so many positives. I thought Jack Sanders had an excellent debut, he won every header in the second half when they were trying to get back into it, and he and Kyle McClelland looked a good partnership. Kyle had to come off as he was feeling his calves, but hopefully it was just fatigue as he hasn’t played much, and he should be okay.

“If not, I have quality replacements to come in, that’s the benefit of having now put together the squad I wanted.”

“The new players are all getting to know each other now, which can be difficult when you’re part-time. It’s harder to build up that understanding when you’re only training twice a week, but we’re getting there, and that will be really important for the group.”

The midfield trio dominated the game against Arbroath.

Charlie Gilmour pulled the strings and dictated play, with Blair Yule and Connor Scully covering every inch of the pitch helping out in defence as required, and offering support to Mitch Megginson when Cove were on the attack.

Connor was the two-goal hero, his first double since the club won promotion to the SPFL, and he believes that result could be massive for the team:

“We needed that win. It set a benchmark for Tuesday, and we now go into the Dundee game unbeaten in three in the Championship, and off the back of a clean sheet.

“It will be tough. We’re up against full-time opposition again, but we’re on a high, and if we play like we did on Saturday, keep up the energy levels, then we won’t be far away.”

That is exactly what Jim McIntyre is looking for, and he has every confidence that his players will deliver again. But he knows it is likely to be a demanding ninety minutes:

“It’s a huge game. Dundee are probably favourites to win the league.

“After Saturday, the boys have been resting up, been professional, and making sure they’re ready for the challenge. It is a disadvantage not having seen them since, but that’s something we have to work with, and I have total trust in them.

“We have a bit of momentum now, and we want to build on that, but equally, we know how difficult it’s going to be.

“It’s another home game and it’s up to us. If we put in another performance like we did on Saturday, we’ll be giving ourselves a really good chance.”

Fraser Fyvie’s hamstring injury is still being monitored, he is rated as 50/50 to make the match, but the midfielder should definitely be fit for the weekend trip to Fife. That apart, the manager has a full squad to choose from.

Tickets for the match can be bought here https://coverangersfc.ticketco.events/uk/en

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