Cove thirst for cup success unquenched by backlog fears

Cove Rangers manager John Sheran insists last season’s fixtures backlog will not put off his side’s quest for cup success this season.

In the poor mid-season weather, progression in cups and the demands to finish their Highland League season ahead of the SPFL pyramid deadline meant that Cove played eight games in 22 days to get their schedule completed on time.

Despite not having a big squad to play with, Sheran said the fact they have missed out on lifting the Aberdeenshire Cup in the last two seasons – losing in the final to Formartine and then Buckie Thistle – will act as motivation ahead of Formartine visiting the Balmoral Stadium tonight.

Sheran said: “You put players out there and they want to win – it’s very difficult to tell them not to. We showed that against Montrose, where we were a bit short on numbers but put up a fight to win the game.

“It will be the same tonight. We know it’ll be tough but we’ll be trying to win. We’ve been in the final the last couple of years and not won it, so that’s motivation enough. Everyone at Cove and Formartine loves playing each other. They’re a really good side with players who, if you give them the opportunity, will score against you.”

Jordan MacRae is available again after suspension and Alan Redford, who missed the win over Huntly due to a wedding, is back in the squad. Scott Ross is still out and Mitch Megginson will be assessed prior to the game.

Formartine defender Craig McKeown feels the cream always rises to the top when the two sides meet and expects another close encounter tonight.

He said: “It’s the same when you put the best players together at any level of football. It’s a great stage to play against your rivals and there’s not much between the two sides. One goal decided the game last time and it’s happened a few times we’ve played against each other.

“It’ll be a tight encounter and I just hope it’s a moment of brilliance that decides it, rather than someone’s mistake. As holders of the cup we want to keep it. It’ll be tight but it’ll be no different than any other game we play, in that we want to win it.”