Cove Rangers -Scottish Cup 3rd Rnd

Scottish  3rd Rnd

Another visit to Cove is on the cards for The Caley Jags this weekend as we face a tricky away tie at Balmoral Stadium, the game scheduled for a 3:00pm kick-off. An idle weekend last week for most as storm Bert put paid to practically all the outdoor entertainment in Scotland. Our last visit to Cove was a productive one as we came away with all three points after coming from behind in Scott Kellacher's first win, which was added to the next week at home to Alloa Athletic. Nothing doing last week for either side due to Bert which will have given both sides an extra week to get players up to speed. League form goes out the window when it comes to the Scottish Cup, so hold on to your hollyhocks, it could be a bumpy ride.

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Match/Ticket/Travel/Info

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Condolences to all at Cove Rangers as they learned of the death of a good friend, loyal supporter and colleague, Mike Pirie. Mike was a former coach, physio and kit man at the club, Mike’s association with Cove stretches back decades. Sincere condolences to Mike's family, friends and all who knew him. RIP Mike.

We have had the better of Cove in the fixtures so far, but these are difficult times. Just the one defeat, and that was at Balmoral.

2 - 1 (A)

1 - 1 (H)

2 - 1 (A)

6 - 1 (H)

1 - 0 (A)

4 - 1 (H)

1 - 1 (H)

1 - 3 (A)

3 - 2 (H)

2 - 0 (H)

The most relevant fixture was the last meeting: Caley Jags Get Vital Win: Top versus bottom ended in victory for the Caley Jags who climb into positive numbers at the foot of the table. Cove had made one change from the win at Dumbarton as they looked for their fifth win on the trot. Findlay Marshall replaced Arron Darge. For Inverness, graduate Sam Reid took his place on the bench with Lewis Nicolson missing. On the field, Charlie Gilmour returned to midfield to bolster the squad with Connal Ewan out injured and boss Scott Kellacher would be looking to get into positive numbers with his positive team talks. However, it only took Cove ten minutes to get in front through top scorer Mitch Megginson. Fortunately, Megginson failed to convert a first half penalty with Dibaga saving and two minutes later it was all square when Adam MacKinnon drilled high into the net. With 25 minutes left, Keith Bray popped up with a much needed and deserved winner.
Given the circumstances, this was a great result played out at Cove, sharpened at Inverness but made in the Isle of Lewis.

Some banana skin fixtures this weekend in the romance that is the Scottish Cup. We have had our fair share of giant killing acts throughout our 30 years existence and before that the exploits of Inverness Thistle and Caledonian were something to be proud of.

In season 1984-1985, the big Kilmarnock Bunnets were left lying on the turf at Kingsmills after the Division One giants were well and truly humbled 3-0 in the Highlands; a memory to savour. That result earned the Jags a trip to Parkhead in the next round where none other than Jimmy Calder was a substitute striker for the Highland League side. Go forward to 1992. Caley beating Stenhousemuir 4-1 in round2, Clyde 3-1 in round3 then taking Premier League St Johnston to a replay after a thrilling 2-2 draw at Telford Street in the next round before bowing out in the replay at Perth in front of 10,000 fans.

Cove v ICT in the League game 3 weeks ago.

• Manager: Paul Hartley
• Lineup:  Demus; Lobban (Glass 70), Doyle, Gillingham, Harrington, Scully, Emslie, Yule,
• Marshall (McAllister 70), Scully, Fyvie, Megginson (Gaffney 90)
• Subs (not used):  Suman; Murray, McGrath
• Scorers: Megginson (10)

Latest Team News

Scott Kellacher is without Jake Davidson (knee) and Dundee's loanee Charlie Reilly (hamstring). Both players will be out for a lengthy period with Lewis Nicolson flitting in and out of the squad, presumably still nursing his way back to full fitness. The good news is that Keith Bray is getting over his shoulder injury and could come back into the squad for this one at the scene of his only League goal. 

Let's not forget that a wee Cup run could bring in a few Shekels for the Admin process. So good luck on Saturday guys.

Well deserved recognition for Karen Mason for the phenomenal work she does at ICTWFC

Wipe the tears from yer eyes, nostalgia is still alive and kicking at Telford Street in 1992...

Here's an image I came across on facebook regarding the Thistle v Killie game, fans streaming across the pitch at full time where many Killie fans demonstrated outside the ground to show their displeasure at their management team.