Invincible Cove
End 2017 on top
66 Sunday Mail
Cove Rangers completed 2017 unbeaten in the league af ter a 2- 0 triumph at champions Buckie.
Thistle keeper Daniel Bell was sent off 20 minutes in for bringing down Mitch Megginson outside the area.
Jamie Masson struck the opener for the dominant league leaders before the break.
Ex- Aberdeen str iker Megginson grabbed their second goal on 75 minutes.
Rangers manager John Sheran said: “These lads deserve great credit for going through 2017 without losing a league match.
“There are always areas we can improve and we are working hard all the time.
“But these lads have shown cha ra c t er in abundance and a great appet ite for winning matches and refusing to be beaten.
“It was a good, strong performance from the lads in difficult conditions.” Cove are now six points clear of Inverurie Locos at the top with three games in hand.
Fraserburgh have played the same number of games as the leaders but sit nine points behind.
In the only other game to go ahead Wick Academy grabbed a 2-1 win away to third-bottom Lossiemouth.
Ryan Farquhar put Lossie in front on 38 minutes but the home side conceded a penalty three minutes later.
The spot-kick was taken by Gary Manson and he made no mistake to level proceedings.
Wick completed their comeback in the second half when Jack Halliday scored on 75 minutes.
The six other league fixtures were called off. Dalbeattie Star boss Darren Kerr was left frustrated after his side could only draw 1-1 with Gretna 2008.
Kevin Connolly’s free kick put Gretna ahead just before the break.
Scott Milligan slotted home to equalise after 60 minutes as The Star pushed for a winner.
Manager Kerr said: “I’m disappointed that we didn’t start the way we played in the second half.
Gretna joint manager Andy Aitken said:
“A draw was probably a fair result.”
East Kilbride missed the chance to go top after conceding late in a 3-3 draw with Edusport Academy.
Aidan Wilson struck in stoppage time after Kilby’s Ross McNeil had missed a penalty to put them 4-2 ahead.
East Stirlingshire continued their revival with a solid 3-0 win over Cumbernauld Colts.
The other four league games all fell victim to the wintry weather.