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We see out 2023 by making the short trip down the coast to Links Park for what will already be our fourth meeting of the season with local rivals Montrose.

Stewart Petrie’s side took the spoils in the Challenge Cup tie early in September, but Cove have prevailed in the two previous league encounters without conceding a goal.

The 3-0 win in August was our first of the campaign; Rumarn Burrell, Scott Williamson and Mitch Megginson all on target in what was a convincing victory, but the follow-up success last month was a much more hard-fought affair, Burrell sealing the points with a goal just before the interval.

Sitting in third place, we currently have a seven point advantage over our hosts, but with games against Kelty Hearts, Falkirk and Hamilton to come, manager Paul Hartley knows this could be a key ninety minutes, and he expects another tough battle:

“It’s a big game, they all are in this division, and I have no doubt we’re going to have to perform at a high level if we’re going to take the points.

“Last week set the benchmark, we played a lot of really good football against Edinburgh City, and we’ve been working hard with the players to try to ensure we can keep that going.”

“Montrose have bounced back well after a bit of a slow start, and they are a good team, they’ve shown that. Stewart will expect to be in contention for the play-offs again, and they’re clearly a close rival, so that adds to the importance of this one.

“With a demanding spell coming up, it’ll be important to get off to a positive start, and that’s what I’ll be expecting from the boys.”

Josh Kerr is free from suspension and Paul McGowan is also back in the squad after recovering from the sickness bug which saw him miss last week’s goal-glut against Edinburgh City. Fraser Fyvie and Balint Demus are out for the next five or six weeks, and Luke Strachan is still on the comeback trail as he steps up his training.

Tickets for the match can be purchased in advance HERE.

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Points Shared At Montrose »