Adam Livingstone (sp)(def) (Clyde); Seb Ross (r)(mid) (Falkirk); Blint Demus (gk) (Formatine); Rhys Thomas (def) (Keith); Tom Leighton (def) (released)
Cove Rangers adapted to life in League One impressively last season as they made a serious fist of achieving promotion only to fall short.
There have been no dramatic changes for the Aberdeen side in 2020-21, with manager Paul Hartley still in charge and the ambition of growing the club still very much in tact.
However, League Cup results were disappointing. Cove suffered a shock 3-2 home loss to Stirling Albion – just the third home defeat they have suffered in more than two years – and suffered further losses against Hearts and Peterhead before recovering to defeat Inverness 3-1. They will seek to carry momentum into the new season after that latter game.
Big changes have not taken place over the summer, with the focus very much on improving the quality of the side rather than the quantity. Indeed, the players they have drafted in have been impressive. This is particularly the case in the midfield, where established Premiership players Ross Draper and Iain Vigurs have arrived from Ross County. Robbie Leitch has arrived from Falkirk, meanwhile.
Indeed, it is in this midfield sector that Cove should be strongest, with Fraser Fyvie an outstanding player. His issue last season was fitness.
They are also strong in attack, where they are anchored by Mitch Megginsson, who has been prolific for some seasons now. Rory McAllister, meanwhile, is not the player he was but remains a useful option along with Leighton McIntosh.
Where there is some cause for concern is the defence. Cove conceded 10 goals in just four League Cup matches. On paper, this should be a steady area for them, especially after the arrival of Morgyn Neill from Dumbarton, yet they are notably light in the full-back areas, with Harry Milne still getting back to his best after a long injury.
Cove are also lacking a strong goalkeeper for this level, with Stuart McKenzie a player of average standing.
Target
Cove will again be gunning for a playoff spot – and a league challenge may not be beyond them if they can get things right at the back.
Season Review
2020/2021
№3:
Cove Rangers
Cove Rangers enjoyed a strong first season in League One as they finished third in the standings and, therefore, qualified for the playoffs.
Although ostensibly a part-time team, their set up is a good deal more professional than many clubs at this level, and it showed for long periods of the season as Paul Hartley had his men genuinely challenging for the title for a long period.
Cove started the season brilliantly, carrying the momentum they had picked up last term impressively. Four wins followed without conceding a goal, but then they suffered a collapse and the shutdown of play probably saved them from suffering even more.
When they came back, they were a solid team but very unspectacular. Wins came by 1- or 2-0 margins, while there were a succession of draws, too. Ultimately, these draws would cost them getting closer to Partick Thistle at the top of the league.
Mitch Megginson was clearly the x-factor to their side once again this season. He mustered 15 league goals, which was a club-high tally. Indeed, between him and the often-injured Rory McAllister, they netted 24 goals in total. Beyond that, there was a desperate lack of success, and that is a clear area where an improvement can be made going forward.
The midfield, meanwhile, was technically very strong and was able to dominate matches against most teams due to their ball retention. At times, though, there was a tendency to go backwards and sideways too readily, with a lack of thrust to their play. Fraser Fyvie encapsulated this and it was a frustrating attribute of the team. In total, this area of their side scored only five goals – three from Jamie Masson, who was injured for the end of the season.
At the back, meanwhile, they were surprisingly strong, despite playing much of the season without a recognised right-back. Harry Milne, meanwhile, was strong on the left and it was a huge blow he missed out post-Christmas.
Cove, though, will be satisfied with what they produced this season, albeit with the ambition to perform even better going ahead.