Congestion won’t clog up Cove

RYAN STRACHAN believes Cove Rangers are showing immense character to top the table amid fixture congestion.

The Aberdeen side are three points clear of Inverurie at the Highland League summit, despite having played four games fewer.

Today’s trip to Banff to face Deveronvale will be Cove’s first league action in three weeks.

And former Aberdeen and Peterhead midfielder Strachan said: “We’re going to have a busy schedule soon with all the games that have been off.

“So we need to keep putting points on the board so the teams beside us won’t catch us. We’ll fancy our chances against Vale as we’ve played them a few times this season and know what to expect.

“A lot of teams are sitting in against us now. They maybe feel that is the best way to go.

“But we’ll just go up there with our game plan and hopefully get three points.

“The boys have a resilience about them. We have been winning all season and winning well. There is no lack of character.” FIXTURES

Deveronvale v Cove, Formartine v Turriff, Forres Mechanics v Brora, Fort William v Lossiemouth, Fraserburgh v Huntly, Inverurie v Strathspey, Keith v Clach, Rothes v Buckie, Wick Acad v Nairn Co.

CS Strollers v Cumbernauld Colts, East Kilbride v Selkirk, Gretna v East Stirling, Hawick v Dalbeattie, Spartans v Gala, Stirling Uni v BSC Glasgow, Vale Of Leithen v Whitehill.

HIGHLAND & MINORS

Bellshill v Ashfield, Carnoustie v Petershill, Crossgates v Beith, Downfield v Wishaw, Hill of Beath v Auchinleck, Hurlford v Musselburgh, Newtongrange v Cumbernauld, Oakley v Linlithgow, Sauchie v Camelon, Scone v Kilsyth, Thorniewood v East Kilbride Th, Whitburn v Benburb. Lochore v Forth. Bonnyrigg v Penicuik.

Cumnock v Kilbirnie, Glenafton v Rob Roy.