Munro gets us out of Jail

First game of 2026 for both clubs with something to prove. Cove looking to show their last two games were not a flash in the pan and Inverness hoping to show their last two were just a flush in the pan. Plenty of doubt over the state of the pitch and surrounding areas given the recent Arctic weather but some hard graft has shifted tons of snow to enable the game to go ahead, so well done everyone at Cove. Inverness had won both of the previous encounters this season by 1-0. Ross Millen was suspended and Alfie Stewart's contract has still to be sorted. Chanka Zimba returned to the starting XI to lead the line with Sole, Mckay and Bavidge on the bench. Cove had a sturdy looking squad on the field with Chris Maguire, Adam Emslie and Mitch Megginson big threats up front.

As it turned out, we had to rely on Ross Munro for a point as he saved a penalty at the death from Reuben McAllister.

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A brisk afternoon at Altens as the game got underway with a few mounds of snow in front of the stands and Cove in blue with the Caley Jags in the pink. There was an early warning for the Caley Jags when Mitch Megginson hit the post from inside the box when put through on goal by former Aberdeen player Chris Maguire in the fourth minute. The response from the visitors was a great ball in from Mitchell Robertson that was close to finding Chanka Zimba in the box. Luis Longstaff found Adam MacKinnon in the box but he knocked wide from ten yards. The visitors forced a couple of corners to no avail as we passed the first quarter of the game with the pressure mounting on the home box. A Joe Chalmers free kick came off the post before Zimba's follow up was saved by Robbie Mutch in goal. Joe Chalmers shot wide after good work by Calum MacLeod. Ten minutes before the break Ross Munro was called into action to save from Megginson as he shot on the turn but the keeper wasn't overly troubled. Allan then saw Mutch save his effort before Munro denied Megginson at the other end with a good stop as half time approached and then had to save from Maguire as the hosts finished the half strongly. Not much in it at the break.

HALF TIME: 0-0

 Strachan replaced Parker at the interval but it was the visitors that got the first couple of attempt away through Zimba with Mutch saving from a tight angle then denying Zimba off Wotherspoon's cross. The Caley Jags were pressing for an opener and Chalmers saw Mutch save his attempt. Big shout for a penalty for the visitors but the free kick was given outside the box which Paul Allan took and the busier keeper Robbie Mutch gathered. A bit of composure needed here from both sides as Maguire shot wide for the hosts. On came the cavalry with Liam Sole and Alfie Bavidge replacing Spoony and Longstaff with twenty minutes remaining. Billy Mckay was on for MacKinnon and Mutch was soon saving from him as the clock ticked down. Danny Devine had his header saved off Paul Allan's corner with five minutes to go. Adam Emslie missed the target after ninety minutes, but there was even more late drama as Cove were awarded a penalty after a Mitchell Robertson shove. Fortunately Ross Munro saved the day in the bottom corner from substitute Reuben McAllister in the 97th minute and Paul Allan was alert enough to stop McAllister from getting cleanly onto the loose ball. Yay I suppose

FULL TIME: 0-0

Whilst we were faffing about at Cove, Stenhousemuir were stretching their lead at the top with a 5-0 thumping of East Fife and Queen of the South came from behind to beat Kelty Hearts 3-1.

We had Ross Munro to thank for gaining a point with that late penalty save and good reaction from Paul Allan who kept alert to disrupt McAllister as he tried to get on the end of the rebound from the keeper.

Alas, it's another disappointing result as our season falters. No wins in three now and three points behind Stenhousemuir who are on the longest unbeaten run across the SPFL and sixteen games unbeaten at Ochilview and counting, and starting to impress in the scoring stats

The natives are getting a bit restless of late with our continuing profligacy in front of goal as we squander chance after chance. It's getting a bit tedious now and with a difficult run of cup and league games coming up we could be in for an even bumpier ride.

January games still to come:

13th: away to Partick in KDM

17th: away to Spartans Scottish Cup

20th: away to East Fife League

24th: Home to Alloa

31st: away to QotS

No Listen>>> More points dropped

Date:  10/01/2026  Venue: Balmoral Stadium, Altens Attendance: 0575 Referee: Jordan Curran
 
Cove Rangers: 0

• Manager: Paul Hartley

• Lineup: Mutch; Bisland, J Eguaibor, Parker (Strachan 46), Doyle, O'Donnell (Fyvie 72), Yule,

• Harrington, Emslie, Maguire (D Eguaibor 72), Megginson (McAllister 92)

• Subs (not used): Demus;

• Scorers: none

• Booked: Parker (21), Maguire (70), D Eguaibor (90+4)

• Sent Off: none

Inverness CT: 0

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup:  Munro; MacLeod, Devine, Savage, Robertson, Longstaff (Bavidge 67), Allan, Chalmers,

• MacKinnon (B Mckay 80), Wotherspoon (Sole 67), Zimba

• Subs (not used): Ross; S Thompson, McIntyre, Alonge

• Scorers: none

• Booked: Savage (90+4)

• Sent Off: none