Match Preview: Cove Rangers (Away)

Cove Rangers  v  Raith Rovers Saturday 28th July 2018 Balmoral Stadium  Kick off: 3.00pm  Betfred Cup Group C

Admission Information:

Adult – £10 
Concession – £5

Match Preview:

Raith Rovers will make their first ever trip to the Balmoral Stadium this weekend, the brand new home of Cove Rangers, in the final Group C fixture of the Betfred League Cup.

There’s only pride to play for, with neither side able to make the last sixteen, although avoiding defeat would ensure Rovers finish above Cove in the final standings. A win for Cove would see Raith finish bottom of Group C.

Rovers go into the game on the back of a 2-1 loss at Inverness. Nathan Austin gave Inverness the lead early in the second period, before Grant Gillespie equalised with a fine strike from a Lewis Milne corner. However, a late Daniel McKay strike kept Inverness three points clear of second placed Hearts, meaning they’ll go into the final match against the Gorgie club needing a draw to top the group.

John Sheran’s Cove Rangers team have held their own in every fixture so far, running Inverness close before losing 2-0, while the Hearts and Cowdenbeath fixtures were even tighter, losing 2-1 to Craig Levein’s men and 1-0 to Cowdenbeath.

The two club’s only previous meeting came in the group stages of this competition two years ago, with a meeting at Station Park, Forfar.

Ryan Stott gave the Highland League side a surprise lead over Gary Locke’s men in the 32nd minute, but it was short-lived, with Kyle Benedictus equalising within five minutes, before Lewis Vaughan completed the scoring ten minutes into the second period.

Saturday’s match referee will be Kevin Graham.

Head-To-Head Record:

Cove Rangers Wins: 0  | Raith Rovers Wins: 1 | Draws: 0

Cove Rangers Goals: 1 | Raith Rovers Goals: 2

Current Form:

Cove Rangers: L-L-L | Raith Rovers: L-D-L

Top Goal Scorers:

Cove Rangers: Paul McManus 1

Raith Rovers: Grant Gillespie 1 | Kevin Nisbet 1

Back to News