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COVE RANGERS 0-0 FALKIRK (2-4p)

An outstanding team performance earned the boys a draw against their Premiership visitors, and a point which could be crucial in the battle to qualify from the group. Mitch Megginson – who led the line superbly – was our main threat, and Arron Darge came close with a couple of headers, but for the most part it was a disciplined defensive display with Robbie Mutch pulling off some excellent saves.

Falkirk took the bonus point in the shootout after Declan Glass and Liam Parker saw their penalties saved by Scott Bain. Cole Donaldson – who came on for his Cove Rangers debut – and Ryan Harrington each scored, but Henderson, MacIver, Spencer and Oliver all netted, allowing John McGlynn’s side to prevail.

With Blair Yule and Fraser Fyvie sidelined through injury, and David Eguaibor suspended, Paul Hartley made three changes from the win over The Spartans.

Milosz Ochmanski also dropped out, replaced by the fit-again Harrington, with new signing Justin Eguaibor making his debut, and a trialist lining-up in the midfield, as the manager switched to a back three.

Glass kicked-off on a dull afternoon and we were immediately on the attack, Parker sending the ball forward for Megginson to chase, Neilson with the interception to avert the danger.

There was a better opening in the fifth minute when after good link-up between Mackenzie Strachan and Ryan Harrington, the latter was fouled twenty-five yards out. Declan Glass whipped in the free-kick, which was met by Arron Darge, but his header flew wide of the near post.

It was not until the tenth minute that Falkirk threatened, Calvin Miller curling in a long-range free-kick which Robbie Mutch did well to hold low at his right post.

They came closer soon after when Scott Arfield teed-up Alfredo Agyeman inside the area. The winger left fly with a venomous angled strike, Mutch reacting to make a fine save, beating the ball away.

Falkirk were dominating possession, but our back-line was organised and composed, and comfortably dealt with anything thrown at them. The Premiership side forced a corner just short of the half hour, Spencer delivering, but under pressure from Eguaibor, Brian Graham could only head wide.

With the interval approaching the striker had a golden opportunity. Harrington’s clearance rebounded off a Falkirk player straight into the path of Graham, free in the box, but Robbie Mutch was quickly off his line and dived to his right to make another impressive stop.

We were on the front foot after the break, Mitch Megginson almost getting away from Liam Henderson, then flicking goalwards from Darge’s cross in our next attack, only to see Bain grab the ball.

Falkirk then took over and it was an onslaught for the next twenty minutes. Sean Mackie was first to have a go, dispossessing Glass and firing in a dipping effort which Mutch tipped over. That was the first of a succession of corners, our defenders throwing their bodies in the way to keep the visitors out as the pressure was maintained.

The breakthrough almost came in the sixty-fourth minute when Graham got on the end of a Spencer delivery and his diving header looked destined for the net only for Robbie Mutch to spring along his goal-line to claw the ball away with his left hand. It was an outstanding stop!

Having come through that, the boys saw more of the ball for a spell, Megginson and Glass forcing back-to-back corners. From the second, Declan cut inside to shoot, his effort flying wide of the left post.

Mutch made another save to keep out Brad Spencer’s header before we launched our next attack.

Both Liam Parker and Declan Glass showed superb skill in the build-up, then Layton Bisland raced clear of Allan, reaching the bye-line before crossing low. Megginson made contact, but Bain saved comfortably enough.

Parker was then back on defensive duty, sliding in to make a brilliant clearance after Nesbitt had flashed a cross into the six yard box.

The last opening of the match fell Cove’s way, Glass floating in a free-kick which Darge got on the end of, but could only head over the bar.

The team saw the game out from there, and although disappointed to lose the shootout, they should take huge confidence from such a positive result against a top-flight side which sets them up nicely for Tuesday night’s trip to Brechin.

COVE RANGERS: (3-5-1-1) Mutch; Doyle (c), J. Eguaibor, Parker; Bisland, Trialist (McGrath 60), Darge, Strachan, Harrington; Glass; Megginson (Donaldson 84)

Substitutes: Demus, Ochmanski, Milnes

Scorers:

Bookings:

FALKIRK: (4-2-3-1) Bain; Allan, Neilson, Henderson, Mackie; Tait (Cartwright 74), Spencer (c); Agyeman (Nesbitt 65), Arfield (Ross 65), Miller (Oliver 84); Graham (MacIver 65)

Substitutes: Hogarth, McCann, Lang, Walker

Scorers:

Bookings: Cartwright (77)

Referee: Grant Irvine

Attendance: 811

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