Cove see off league rivals to reach cup fifth round

Cove Rangers produced a clinical performance to see off Highland League rivals Formartine at North Lodge Park and earn a fifth round Scottish Cup clash with Championship side Falkirk.

Formartine duo Liam Burnett and Wayne Mackintosh came back into the starting line-up, with Conor Gethins dropping to the bench and Stuart Smith unavailable. Captain Eric Watson and Grant Campbell returned for Cove after missing their win at Turriff at the weekend.

Jamie Masson had the first effort of the match for the visitors in the third minute, but his weak effort failed to trouble Ewan Macdonald.

The visitors took the lead in the 31st minute when Mitch Megginson found Ryan Stott and his side-footed effort from 16 yards deflected off Jonny Crawford and into the net past the stranded Ewen Macdonald.

Formartine almost hit straight back five minutes later, Crawford’s low drive from 30 yards well saved by Stuart Mckenzie in the Cove goal.

Six minutes before the break, Paul Lawson looked to be the last man when he pulled down Megginson 25 yards out, but referee Gavin Duncan produced only a yellow card to the fury of the Cove bench.

The dangerous Masson almost made it two in the opening minute of the second half, Macdonald producing a superb save high to his right from his searing 20-yard drive.

In the 58th minute Jevan Anderson’s free header clattered off the bar from a Formartine corner as the home side searched for an equaliser.

Nine minutes later Megginson doubled Cove’s lead, beating Craig Mckeown before rifling an effort inside the near post from eight yards out.

Stott should have sealed the win in the 78th minute, but he chose to try to square the ball to substitute Paul Mcmanus when through on goal and Macdonald was able to make a comfortable save.