Cinch Scottish League One: Three things we learned as Cove held
All League One clubs were in action last weekend as Storm Malik roared across the country, let’s look at three things we learned…
Carswell scores twice from the spot as league leaders held
Cove Rangers' run of nine straight wins came to an end as they were held to a 2-2 draw against Dumbarton at the moreroom.com Stadium.
Midfielder Stuart Carswell fired the hosts ahead from the penalty spot five minutes before the break, with striker Rory McAllister equalising from the spot shortly after the interval.
Connor Scully brought the visitors ahead two minutes later, before another penalty from Carswell five minutes from time ensured the spoils would be shared at the Rock.
The draw, coupled with Alloa’s loss at Clyde brought Stevie Farrell’s Sons’ level on points with the Wasps in ninth, while remaining eight points clear of bottom club East Fife.
For Paul Hartley’s men, they retain their seven point lead at the top of the table as nearest challengers Airdrie drew 1-1 to fourth-top Queen’s Park at Firhill.
Both results set up a mouth-watering fixture next week, as Cove and Airdrie lock horns up at the Balmoral Stadium, while Dumbarton are away to Montrose.
Cove manager, Paul Hartley: “I felt first-half we weren’t really at it and weren’t at our usual standards. However, I thought we were terrific second-half, we had really great opportunities and should be going home with three points.”
On the referee’s decision to award Dumbarton a late penalty, Hartley said: “It’s an absolutely disgraceful decision to be honest with you, I saw the footage and how can you think that’s a penalty kick, it’s unbelievable.”
Dumbarton boss, Stevie Farrell: “I’m delighted we got ourselves back in the game to earn a point.”
Tade scores his debut goal as Bully Wee sting the Wasps
A goal from midfielder Aaron Splaine in the 17th minute put the Bully Wee ahead at Broadwood, before striker Gregory Tade fired the Bully Wee into a 2-0 lead in the 88th minute.
However, Alloa midfielder Stefan Scougall pulled a goal back a minute into injury time in a frantic end to the match.
Former Raith, Inverness and St. Johnstone striker Tade, signed an amateur deal with Clyde in the summer having previously played for the club in 2009.
His first goal coincidentally falls 13 years on from his first Clyde debut..
The victory for the Bully Wee sees them return to fifth place in the table and back into the promotion play-off race, one point below Queen’s Park and a point in front of Falkirk- who are fourth and sixth respectively.
Since their shock Scottish Cup defeat to Clydebank, Danny Lennon’s men have now only lost once in eight matches, while they haven’t suffered back-to-back defeats since October.
The same cannot be said for Alloa, who are 10 league games without a win and now find themselves level on points with second-bottom Dumbarton.
Manager Barry Ferguson is now under insurmountable pressure to save his job after further calls for his dismissal as fans chanted “You’re getting sacked in the morning.”
Next week, Clyde are away to bottom club East Fife, while Alloa take the long trip up north to Peterhead.
Clyde manager, Danny Lennon: “We’re absolutely delighted, again you know, you come on the back of three very difficult games in a week, the players have done absolutely everything and I’m delighted that they get maximum efforts for that today.
On his team’s performances of late, Lennon said: “In terms of the character, the level of intensity, the shape without the ball and the hunger and desire the boys are showing, isn’t just happening overnight, they are doing that on a consistent basis now.”
Alloa Athletic manager Barry Ferguson. Source - Getty Images
Montrose shorten gap to second place as Falkirk blown off course
Montrose goalkeeper Allan Fleming’s own-goal brought Falkirk in front, however, goals from Blair Lyons six minutes later and Craig Johnston at the stroke of half-time ensured Stewart Petrie’s men the three points.
The victory cuts the gap between the Gable Endies’ and Airdrie to a point, while also increasing the gap between fourth place to 12 points.
For Martin Rennie’s Falkirk, defeat means they slip to sixth spot in the promotion play-off race, courtesy of Clyde’s victory over Alloa, who sit a point above them in fifth, having played a game more.
Next week, Montrose welcome Dumbarton to Links Park whilst Falkirk host promotion rivals Queen’s Park.
Falkirk head coach, Martin Rennie: “In the first-half we had quite a lot of chances, and we kind of scored a freak goal, but we got a couple of chances after that, so we were in a really good position.
On conceding both goals, Rennie said: “In the last five minutes of the half, I was really disappointed with how we defended those situations, and that really turned the game. In the second-half, we didn’t create enough, but at the same time there wasn’t many chances for either team, it was that spell in the first half that was really pivotal.”
Montrose manager, Stewart Petrie: “The guys came back rejuvenated from the week’s break which got us over the line.”
Scottish League One Results:
Clyde 2-1 Alloa Athletic
Dumbarton 2-2 Cove Rangers
East Fife 0-0 Peterhead
Montrose 2-1 Falkirk
Queen’s Park 1-1 Airdrieonians
