COVE ARE SNOOKERED AND IT’S ADVANTAGE BUCKIE

COVE RANGERS 2 DEVERONVALE 2

SCORERS: Johnston 16, Fraser 17, McGowan 68, Stephen 79

Just as Vale’s title dream dwindled away at Turriff last weekend defending champions Cove looked to have been denied the chance to retain their crown when they were held by the hard-working Banffers who snatched a draw at Rainbow City Park in a pulsating encounter.

The reigning champions piled on the pressure in both halves of the match but came up against a stubborn Vale defence and a workman like performance from the visitor’s midfield who scored goals at crucial times during the game and were probably just about worthy of their point.

Martin Johnston opened the scoring with a blistering drive only for Scott Fraser to equalise a minute later and that’s how it was at the break.

As the second half wore on with constant Cove pressure a classic counter-attack from the visitors saw Gary McGowan slot home from close range before Barrie Stephen squared the match with another fine strike from just outside the penalty box.

Cove went into the game with only one option and that was to collect all three points as they chased leaders Buckie while their opposition were still hopeful of a runner’s up finish in the league table and that also meant that a victory was essential.

Graeme Watt (knee injury) and Michele Lombardi (suspension) missed out for the Banffers while in the blue corner Clark Bain and player/manager Kevin Tindall were also unavailable.

Cove went for the jugular early doors and a neat move saw Danny Milne slip in Eric Watson following a set-piece but the central defender blazed his effort over the top before Martin Johnston fired into the bread-bin of James Blanchard from distance.

A tidy piece of skill from Kevin Webster saw the winger cut inside Steve Dolan but his low cross was thumped clear by Bryan Dlugonski deep inside the Vale box before either of the strikers could pounce.

The homesters continued to have the upper hand in the early exchanges and it was no surprise if a little fortunate when they went into the lead with just a third of the half gone.

Mark Chisholm lost possession and as he went to win it back the ball fell kindly to Martin Johnston who to his credit wasted little time in picking his spot and sent a screamer inside Blanchy’s left-hand post from all of 30-yards.

Vale rolled up their sleeves and responded immediately and won a corner on the left which was taken by Mike McKenzie and as the ball made its way to the back stick Scott FRASER was on hand to thump it high past Lee Windrum from close range.

Eric Watson, under pressure from Bryan Dlugonski bulleted a header a couple of yards wide and as the game swung quickly to the other end a rasping strike from Mike McKenzie was tipped over the top by Lee Windrum at full stretch.

Mark Smith, who took a certain amount of flack from the home fans during the encounter, thought he’d settled their hash when he met Gary McGowan’s set-piece only for Windrum again to come up with the goods when it mattered as he saved low on his line.

The home keeper had to be on his toes again when he plucked a Mike McKenzie lob out of the air, the keeper doing ever so well as he must have seen it late as it came through a packed penalty area.

On the stroke of half time Barrie Stephen broke clear of the Vale defence after a mistake by Graeme Rodger but the former Vale winger found Blanchy in his way as he smashed the ball goalwards. HT

Again the hosts started the half brightly and came close when Martin Johnston’s looping header landed a yard wide of the far post following a corner.

The very physical game meant there wasn’t much in the way of attractive football for the healthy crowd to enjoy but the small ground did allow for end to end stuff and both keepers had to be on their toes.

James Blanchard held Martin Johnston’s cheeky near-post header while at the opposite end Lee Windrum did likewise to keep Mike McKenzie at bay.

A brilliant double stop from Blanchy then denied Barrie Stephen who had fired a wicked shot from distance which the Vale number one had to juggle around the post for a fruitless corner.

A superb counter from the visitors saw them race into an unexpected lead when Derek Milne played a one-two with Dean Cowie and raced to the bye-line before crossing into the danger area.

Mark Smith hung in the air and headed goalwards from 6-yards where Lee Windrum did ever so well to deny Rusty but Gary McGOWAN was on hand to thump home the rebound from close range.

As expected Vale were pegged back for the remainder of the match and dug in and stuck to their task but just as the defence seemed to be dealing with the constant waves of attacks Cove found an equaliser.

A series of infringements that were not given in the Vale’s favour saw Cove keep the ball alive and when Martin Johnson, who had moved up top, laid the ball into the path of Barrie Stephen the winger made no mistake with a fine finish from 18-yards.

Roddy Black had a sight of goal late on for the homeside but Blanchy stood strong to save the substitute’s effort on goal while yet another disappointing decision from the Vale’s point of view saw referee Watters award Cove a soft free-kick right on the edge of the Vale penalty box but the defensive wall stood strong and blocked Kevin Webster’s strike from getting near the Vale goal frame.

TEAMS:

VALE – Blanchard, Milne, Dolan, Chisholm, #Fraser, Dlugonski, McGowan, Cowie, McKenzie, #Smith (Mountford 83), Rodger

Subs not used: Gauld, Barclay, McKenzie (gk)

Co Managers: Stuart Glennie & Scott Anderson

COVE – Wndrum, McCulloch, Lawrie, Buchan, E Watson, Heads, Webster, #Johnston, Milne (Henderson 63), C Watson (Black 69), Stephen

Subs not used: Middleton, Livingstone, McKenzie (gk)

Manager: Kevin Tindal & Gerry O’Driscoll

OFFICIALS: N Watters, R Inkster, D McKee

VALE STATS:

Shots on – 5

Shots off – 1

Headers on – 2

Headers off – 0

Blocked Efforts – 1

Corners Won – 3

Woodwork - 0

Offside – 4

Approx Attendance – 350

Last Season – 3-2

Ground Condition – Patchy & Cut-up

Overhead Conditions – Calm but Dreich

Temperature at KO – 12ºC