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The team clinched their first win of the League One campaign against the Blue Toon in Saturday afternoon’s game at Balmoral Stadium.

Three goals and a clean sheet for Hartley’s men with a solid display across the park.

The manager made three changes from last week’s 3-0 defeat away to East Kilbride.

Friday Afternoon saw the loan signing of Jamie Mercer from Aberdeen, who immediately comes into the defence to partner Mark Souter with Ryan Harrington and Layton Bisland at full back. Robbie Mutch keeps his place in goal. Joe Chalmers who also arrived on loan from Inverness gets a place in the centre of midfield with Chris Maguire. Max Barry and Rueben McAllister started out wide with captain Jordon White and youngster Joesph Teasdale upfront.

The first chance of the match came the way of Peterhead when Joe Chalmers was dispossessed in the middle of the parj, Cammy Smith slipped in Zak To, but his effort was well wide.

Cove’s first chance fell to Reuben McAllister who was found well by Chris Maguire after good work to find space in the middle of the park. McAllister opted to take the shot first time from just inside the box, but his shot was blazed over.

The visitors would have the best chance of the half on 21 minutes. Souter and Mercer involved in a mix up at the back allowed Peter Pawlett to nick the ball and race towards goal, Mercer looked to have won the ball back, but it found Cammy Smith who clocked Mutch off his line, but his chip fell the wrong side of the crossbar.

Peterhead would keep pushing for the opener with Seb Ross having the next opportunity, he took the ball on the half turn in the middle of the park and managed to work himself into a good shooting position. With no pressure from the home defence Ross’s powerful shot towards the top left corner was pushed behind for a corner.

Cove captain Jordan White was next to have a chance; a Peterhead corner was cleared up the pitch where Teasdale did well to shrug off Davies-Browne and lay the ball off to White. The big striker burst towards the box but instead of taking on the shot he tried a reverse ball to Teasdale, but it was cut out.

Dylan Forrest would try his luck but only to see his shot fly wide of Mutch’s left post, the last action of the first half.

HALF TIME 0-0

Cove flew out the traps in the second half and would break the deadlock on 48 minutes. Rueben McAllister found space out wide and cut in to curl his cross into the box, the ball bounced in-between two Peterhead defenders and Joseph Teasdale was there to hammer the ball past Jack Newman.

Cove would go close again just a few minutes later. A long ball over the top was taken down by Chris Maguire who managed to make his way past Jason Brown but his shot from a tight angle flashed wide of the far post.

Maguire would then look to turn provider; a corner swung into the box was met by centre back Mark Souter but from eight yards out he headed over the bar.

With the home side much the better team and looking to double their lead they still had to be weary of the visitors attacking threat. Zak To picked the ball up 25 yards out and his strike had Robbie Mutch rooted to the ground as the ball struck the crossbar.

Substitute Fraser Mackie would also look to net the equaliser. Dylan Forrest’s low cross found the number 23 who had two attempts to put the ball past the keeper, his first attempt was blocked and his second hit the side netting.

Robbie Mutch was called into action once again when Jack Searle’s low cross from the byline missed everyone in the box with Adam Carnworth latched onto the loose ball and firing his shot towards goal, but a diving save by Mutch to his right-hand side put the ball behind for a corner.

The team would then find the all-important second goal, Rueben McAllister cut inside and produced a pinpoint cross onto the toes of Jordan White, a couple of touches to compose himself and he slotted home his first goal of the season.

The introduction of Destiny Oladipo would cause more havoc for Peterhead’s defence. Picking the ball up in a wide area, Oladipo showed good strength to hold off Jason Brown and get round the defender, but his shot was well saved by Newman however Edimond Oppong would be on hand to follow up and bundle the ball home for 3-0 with his first touch of the match.

With all three points sealed White would look to add one more, a teasing corner would fall to him at the back post, but his effort came off the post and was cleared to the sound of the final whistle.

Cove Rangers: Mutch, Bisland, Souter, Mercer, Harrington, Barry (Oppong 86’), McAllister, Chalmers (Francis-Burrell 80’), Teasdale (Lindo 90+1’), White (C) , Maguire (Oladipo 80’)

Scorers: Teasdale, White & Oppong.

Peterhead: Newman, Strachan (Carrol 74’), Davies-Browne (Carnworth 67’), Brown, Smith, To, Pawlett (Mackie 60’), Forrest, Ross, Searle, Kerr

Attendence: 892

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