Cove hit three to ease into joint top spot
Cove Rangers moved level with Queen’s Park at the top of the table on 20 points with a welldeserved victory at the Balmoral Stadium.
David Goodwillie was a whisker away from opening the scoring for the visitors when he let fly from 25 yards. His shot beat Stuart Mckenzie, but battered off the bar.
At the other end, Iain Vigurs’ corner found Morgyn Neill, but the defender’s header drifted just wide of the post.
Cove grabbed the lead right on half-time, indirectly from a corner, which was kept alive by Liam Strachan. Connor Scully put a swift end to the impending stramash by blasting an angled right-foot shot through the forest of legs into the corner of the net.
Paul Hartley’s men were put firmly in control of this game six minutes into the second half when Jamie Masson curled the ball into the corner of the net.
After going close on a number of occasions, the Aberdonians added a third in the final minute, Robbie Leitch following in on his own shot to nod the rebound into the goal from close range.
MONTROSE 4 EAST FIFE 1
Despite both sides having opportunities to score in a hard-fought first-half, it finished goalless, although it might easily have been 2- 2 at the interval.
Montrose took control in the second period to win comfortably.
During the first half, Lewis Milne and Blair Lyons both hit the woodwork for Montrose, while home keeper Aaron Lennox had to look sharp on a couple of occasions.
In the second half, James Keatings opened the scoring for the Gable Endies when he fired a left-footed shot past Jude Smith in 52 minutes having received the ball from Cammy F Ballantyne. Soon after, Webster, who tormented the Fifers’ defence throughout, scored with a rightfoot shot.
At that point, East Fife still looked dangerous and might have got themselves back into the mix had Liam Newton not fired past from a good position on 65 minutes.
The match was finally settled in 76 minutes when substitute Craig Johnston turned the ball over the line. He then added to his tally with a left-footed shot into the right corner from a pass from Cammy F Ballantyne.
East Fife finally pulled one back in 86 minutes when Scott Mercer’s free-kick from 25 yards deflected off the defensive wall giving Lennox no chance.
AIRDRIEONIANS 3 DUMBARTON 2
The home side grabbed the lead on seven minutes after a consistent spell of pressure in the Dumbarton half.
Callum Smith’s pace took him in behind the Dumbarton rearguard and it was no surprise when Paddy Boyle’s continued attempts to catch him saw the defender bring down Smith inside the box. Up stepped Rhys Mccabe to fire the spot-kick his into the net.
The Sons should have levelled in 11 minutes after Josh Kerr’s passback was short, but Ryan Schiavone could only lob the ball over Max Currie and wide.
The visitors did equalise in 25 minutes after Joe Mckee volleyed the ball from the right-hand side and Ross Maclean was on hand to force the ball into the Airdrie net.
Dumbarton goalscorer Maclean was red-carded for abusive language after Airdrie were awarded another spot-kick in 58 minutes as Dylan Easton was brought down. Keeper Sam Ramsbottom saved Mccabe’s penalty.
The final stages of the game were manic.
In 88 minutes, Sons’ Gregor Buchanan picked up a second yellow for persisent fouling.
Two minutes on, Easton volleyed home a wonderful 20-yard strike for the hosts.
Three minutes into time-added, Dumbarton’s Andy Geggan also picked up a second yellow for persistent fouling.
Surprisingly, Dumbarton equalised immediately with only eight players after Paul Paton scored from inside the box.
It was not finished, though, as Airdrie quickly grabbed the
winner after Salim Kouider-aissa rose to head the ball into the net.
Dumbarton manager Stevie Farrell was subsequently red-carded.
PETERHEAD 0 FALKIRK 0
With the wind at their back, Falkirk dominated the first half and were unlucky to go in level at half-time, with only great goalkeeping by Long keeping out efforts from Ruth, Mcdaid and Nesbitt.
Telfer was also unlucky when his bending effort from 25 yards was just inches widet.
Falkirk dominated in the second half and should have went one up when Mcdaid was one-on-one with Long, but the home keeper pulled off another great save to keep the teams level.
Ruth was next to try his luck with a left-footed strike from the penalty spot, but, again, the Peterhead goalkeeper produced an inspired save.
The Blue Toon’s Wilson then went close with a drive from 12 yards, but it went narrowly wide.
Ruth nearly gave Falkirk the deserved win with a volley late on, but Long again saved well.