News

COVE RANGERS 2–0 INV CAL THISTLE

Super subs Declan Glass and Grady McGrath netted in a dramatic late finish as we booked a place in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

Declan showed composure as he stepped up to drill an 89^th minute penalty into the bottom corner while Grady, having just replaced Mitch Megginson, raced clear deep into stoppage time to find the bottom corner.

We can now look forward to the draw which will take place on Monday night live on BBC Scotland following their coverage of East Kilbride against Falkirk.

Liam Parker and Fraser Fyvie were still missing for this one, but Arron Darge returned after a two-match absence. He took over at right-back with Mikey Doyle joining Will Gillingham in the centre and Ryan Harrington reverting to the left.

After five substitute appearances, Reuben McAllister made his first Cove start while Findlay Marshall tucked in behind top-scorer Mitch Megginson. Dylan Lobban and Declan Glass dropped to the bench.

There was a minute’s applause beforehand as we remembered our dear friend and colleague, Mike Pirie, who died suddenly last weekend.

Cove kicked-off and were immediately on the front foot, McAllister’s cross cut out by Gilmour before Marshall’s twenty yard shot was pushed behind by Dibaga. The keeper showed uncertainty soon after, allowing Megginson to hook a delivery into the six yard area, Devine clearing with Findlay Marshall ready to pounce.

Adam Emslie was becoming more of a force in the game, seeing his dangerous cross intercepted by Devine, then a powerful strike saved at the near post.

Midway through the half, Inverness threatened for the first time, Thompson delivering from the right and MacKinnon powering a header goalwards. Balint Demus made an impressive save, leaping to his left to push the ball to safety.

Charlie Gilmour then had an audacious attempt from inside his own half, firing a quickly taken free-kick downfield after spotting Demus off his line. The keeper got back in time to see the ball drift just over.

Blair Yule had an angled shot saved after running on to a McAllister header, then Megginson’s effort was stopped by Dibaga after the striker took a pass from Marshall.

Caley Thistle came close when MacKinnon gathered and ran at the home defence, shooting from twenty yards, but Demus was again alert, diving low to touch the ball on to his right post and behind.

The visitors were on top immediately after the restart, Longstaff winning an early corner then seeing his inviting cross cut out by Gillingham, but the match soon swung back in our favour and the team started to dominate possession.

Adam Emslie gathered wide and played in Ryan Harrington who sped to the byeline before crossing. Reuben McAllister cleverly made contact, but his backheel effort flew straight into Dibaga’s arms.

Marshall had a shot blocked and Emslie saw one deflected wide, then Megginson was inches from making contact with a McAllister delivery. We came close just before the hour mark when Scully was upended by MacKinnon twenty-five yards out. Reuben McAllister took the free-kick, his low effort curled round the wall, but Dibaga dived full-length to push the ball wide.

Out of nowhere, Inverness threatened to snatch the lead when the ball ran to Billy McKay and the veteran striker let fly with his left foot. Balint Demus – later to be named man of the match – dived to his right to pull off another superb one-handed save.

In the main though, Cove continued to dominate, a succession of crosses and passes just failing to find their targets, but we finally made the breakthrough with time running out.

Emslie had won a corner on the left and when it was half-cleared, Ryan Harrington collected the ball before shooting. His effort was mishit, falling to Mikey Doyle, and when the captain shot, his drive was charged down by Devine. After taking a few moments to assess the situation, referee Hanvidge adjudged handball and pointed to the spot.

Declan GLASS stepped up, and after a lengthy delay while Caley Thistle protested the award, the midfielder smashed the penalty low into the bottom left corner, sparking scenes of celebration around the stadium.

Inverness tried desperately to rally, pushing players forward, and after a free-kick delivery was cleared, Glass gathered and clipped the ball over the visiting back-line for Grady McGRATH to run on to. Having left the Caley Thistle defenders in his wake, the striker waited for Dibaga to advance before drilling his shot low into the net. It was a confident finish by a player who has had to wait patiently for a chance.

After a level first forty-five, the players put in a dominant second half and thoroughly deserved their victory, one which kept alive our dreams of a Scottish Cup run.

COVE RANGERS (4-4-1-1): Demus; Darge, Doyle, Gillingham, Harrington; McAllister, Yule, Scully, Emslie; Marshall (Glass 72); Megginson (McGrath 90)

Substitutes: Suman, Murray, Lobban, Gaffney

Goalscorers: Glass (pen 89). McGrath (90)

Booked: Yule (30), Marshall (68)

INV CAL THISTLE (4-1-4-1): Dibaga; Nolan, Devine (c), Savage (MacKay 82), Strachan (Cairns 90); Gilmour; Thompson (MacLeod 71), Allan, MacKinnon, Longstaff; McKay

Substitutes: Rebilas, Thompson, Walker

Goalscorers:

Booked: Longstaff (32), Devine (68), Nolan (88)

Referee: Gary Hanvidge

Attendance: 539

Article Copyright © 2024. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and to www.coverangersfc.com

Stenhousemuir (H) | Match Preview »