The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Cove cruise to victory to confirm title credentials
Leaders: Sheran’ s men show their ruthless side to sweep past Turriff
Highland League leaders Cove Rangers underlined their position as title favourites with a ruthless display to defeat Turriff United 5-1 at Harlaw Park last night.
Cove raced into a threegoal lead inside the opening 18 minutes thanks to a Harry Milne double and a stunning strike from Daniel Park. Jamie Masson grabbed a fourth early in the second half and scored again in the 69th minute before Cameron Bowden headed home a consolation for the visitors.
The match began at a high tempo with Cove threatening first but Masson’s low drive flew wide of Kevin Main’s post.
The home side took the lead after eight minutes when Mitch Megginson laid the ball into the path of left back Milne, whose first-time effort nestled in the bottom corner.
And it got even worse for the visitors three minutes later when Cove doubled their lead. It was a spectacular strike from Park who took a touch to control a Ryan Strachan pass before smashing the ball home from 25 yards. Turriff
“It got even worse for the visitors three minutes later”
were struggling to get going and had goalkeeper Main to thank for not going further behind when he kept out another attempt from the lively Park. But Cove’s third goal arrived in the 18th minute with Milne volleying home a pin-point corner from Masson.
Turriff managed to stem the tide until the break but failed to force Cove goalkeeper Stuart McKenzie into any meaningful action.
The second half started at a furious pace with Turriff ’s Darren Wood heading over.
Despite Turriff ’s promising start to the half, Cove netted a fourth in the 51st minute when a hopeful kick forward from McKenzie fell for Masson who slotted beyond Main. Cove had a glorious opportunity to make if five in the 68th minute when Burnett beat the offside trap but was unable to round Main.
But the ball was in the back of the Turriff net a minute later when Main took a fresh air swipe at a back-pass to gift Masson the easiest of finishes.
Turriff pulled a goal back when captain Bowden powerfully headed home from a Scott Miller corner in the 75th minute. Former Clach player Paul Brindle struck late on as Brora Ranegrs claimed all three Press and Journal Highland League points last night.
Brora started with plenty of firepower, with Brindle, Craig Gunn, Zander Sutherland and Steven Mackay all in their line-up.
However, Clach dealt well with the Cattachs attack during the first half and restricted the hosts to few opportunities.
The visitors took the lead late in the opening period. Jamie Beeston whipped the ball in from the left wing and Daniel Maclennan headed the ball into the Brora net from 10 yards out.
Brora got back on level terms shortly after the interval courtesy of a stunning volley from Ally Macdonald.
Clach defended well for the majority of the second half and most of the home’s sides attacking opportunities came from set-pieces.
However, former Lilywhites player Brindle struck late on to win it for Brora and leave his former team frustrated at coming so close to earning what would have been a thoroughly commendable draw.