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INVERNESS CT 1-4 COVE RANGERS

The team wrapped up 2024 in style with a dominant 4-1 victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Highlands this afternoon.

From the first whistle, the team were electric, with Declan Glass, who was a standout throughout, opening the scoring early. Mitch Megginson doubled the lead shortly after, and despite Inverness pulling one back before halftime, second-half goals from Darge (his second in as many weeks) and Emslie in stoppage time sealed a comprehensive win.

The match also marked a milestone for manager Paul Hartley, who was celebrating his 200th game in charge of Cove Rangers and his 500th overall as a manager.

Two changes were made to the side that triumphed over Alloa Athletic last weekend, with Megginson returning after injury and Findlay Marshall replacing Grady McGrath and the injured Will Gillingham.

Cove started brightly, looking dangerous from the outset. The first real chance came in the fourth minute when Scully attempted to catch Inverness keeper Musa Dibaga off guard from a corner, but Dibaga did well to hold the ball.

The breakthrough came just one minute later. Adam Emslie started the move from midfield, sending Megginson through on goal. Although Dibaga made a strong save, the ball fell kindly to Glass, who squared to Emslie. His strike was blocked by Dibaga, but GLASS was on hand to tap in the rebound. This goal was not only crucial to the match but also marked Cove’s 300th goal since joining the SPFL.

Cove continued to press, and in the 16th minute, Dibaga was called into action again. A superb cross from Lobban found Megginson, who flicked the ball towards goal, but Dibaga managed to tip it wide.

From the resulting corner, Cove doubled their advantage. Scully and Lobban worked a short corner, with Scully sending in a precise delivery. MEGGINSON rose highest in a crowded six-yard box to head the ball into the top corner.

Despite Cove’s dominance, Inverness halved the deficit just before the break. A free-kick from Nolan was flicked on by SAVAGE in a crowded penalty area, and although goalkeeper Suman appeared to clear it off the line, the assistant referee ruled that the ball had crossed, and the goal was awarded.

This sparked Inverness into life, and they came close to equalising moments before the interval. Billy McKay found space in the box and fired low towards the far corner, but Suman made a crucial save, holding onto the ball well.

The side reasserted control after the break. In the 50th minute, a free-kick awarded on the left wing saw Glass whip in an excellent ball. DARGE, who had waited over a year for his first Cove goal, got on the end of it to flick the ball into the far corner for his second goal in as many weeks.

Inverness sought an immediate response, and a big save from Suman kept Cove ahead. A loose ball fell to McKay at the back post, and from close range, he looked set to score, but Suman threw himself at the ball and made a brilliant save with his left foot.

Former Cove Rangers player Luis Longstaff tried his luck from distance, but his shot sailed narrowly over the bar. A few minutes later, substitute Ethan Cairns’ header was tipped over by Suman.

The final 15 minutes saw Cove pushing to extend their lead. Darge went close to a second, meeting another Glass free-kick, but his header from six yards out went over the bar.

Glass was again the provider as he slipped a pass out wide to Marshall, whose strike fizzed just wide of the target.

In the 81st minute, substitute Gaffney added a touch of brilliance. He controlled the ball in the corner, evaded two Inverness defenders, and advanced into the box. His cutback to Emslie saw the striker fire wide, but Gaffney’s composure in the build-up was impressive.

Deep into stoppage time, EMSLIE put the game to bed. Gaffney held the ball up expertly before feeding Glass, who played an inch perfect long ball to Emslie. The youngster took a touch and fired a powerful shot beyond Dibaga into the far corner, capping off a fine performance and a deserved victory for Cove Rangers.

INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE (4-3-3): Dibaga; Nolan (R. Thompson 84′), Savage, Devine (c), Strachan (Cairns 46′); Gilmour, MacKinnon, Allan; Bray, Mckay, Longstaff

Substitutes: Patterson, Macleod, MacKay, S. Thompson, Walker, Gardiner

Goalscorers: Savage (37′)

Booked: Devine (66′)

COVE RANGERS (4-4-2): Suman; Lobban, Doyle, Darge, Harrington; Fyvie (c), Marshall, Glass, Scully; Emslie, Megginson (Gaffney 81′)

Substitutes: Demus, Murray, McGrath, McAllister

Goalscorers: Glass (5′), Megginson (17′), Darge (50′), Emslie (90′)

Booked: Harrington (80′)

Referee: Iain Snedden

Attendance: 1,924

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