Cove boss Jim McIntyre was delighted with his team’s performance as they won the battle of the bottom two to leap up to seventh. COVE RANGERS 2
Scully (16, 34) ARBROATH 0
“It was crucial to win today and it was well deserved,” he said.
“We’re fully aware one win in seven isn’t good enough so that win gets us closer to our target points tally.”
McIntyre was pleased the growing depth of his squad was beginning to pay off.
“Early doors we were having to flog the same players when they needed a break. So the competition for places now is only a good thing moving forward.”
Meanwhile, Arbroath’s Dick Campbell admitted his side wasn’t good enough.
“There’s no doubt in my mind Cove deserved to win the game,” he said.
“That’s not a Dick Campbell team there today. There’s supporters going home disappointed today.
“We have to apply ourselves better than that.”
Campbell looked forward to next week which will see a different type of challenge. “Next week will be a totally different ball game,” he revelled in the prospect of a bumper crowd at Dundee.
The deadlock was broken 15 minutes into the match by Cove.
Patient build-up play saw Louis Longstaff slip the ball in to Max Johnston, who floated a cross into the box for Connor Scully. The midfielder powerfully headed home at the back post for his first goal of the season.
Dale Hilson had a brilliant chance to bring the Lichties level in the 18th minute when he was slid through on goal by Dylan Tait, but Cove debutant Jack Sanders made a goal-saving challenge from behind.
The hosts doubled their lead in the 33rd minute and it was Scully again.
Shay Logan picked up the ball inside his own half and darted down the left. He cut into the box and struck a shot that was saved by Derek Gaston. But Scully was there to fire the ball past a group of bodies into the net.
The second half saw little in the way of goalmouth action, with the hosts controlling the game in the midfield and strangling any potential momentum for Arbroath who now sit alone at the bottom of the table.