Cinch Scottish League One: Three Things we Learned as Cove Rangers Crowned Champions
The title race came to a dramatic conclusion in the penultimate weekend of the League One season…
Late goal from Megginson seals the title as Cove crowned champions
A goal from Mitch Megginson with 15 minutes left on the clock, proved to be the winner as Cove were crowned League One champions with a 1-0 victory over Dumbarton at the Balmoral Stadium.
It is the Toonsers’ third promotion in four years and continues an incredible journey for Paul Hartley’s men, who were in the Highland League as recently as 2019.
In addition, it is the second title delivered under manager Hartley, who was appointed in July 2019, ahead of the club’s inaugural SPFL season in League Two.
However, it is back-to-back defeats for Dumbarton, who welcome Clyde to the Rock on the final day next week, while champions Cove travel to relegated East Fife.
Delighted Cove Rangers manager, Paul Hartley said: “When you have a day like this, it’s day you’ve got to enjoy. Because when you stop playing or stop being a manager 10 or 15 years down the line, it becomes such a great memory.
“They should cherish this moment and enjoy it, because they may never win another medal. That’s the reality of football. “When you look back at your career you can say ‘I played in a good team at Cove’ and what an unbelievable day and season we had. I’m so proud and pleased with how we performed this year.”
Airdrie hit five past Clyde as Bully Wee mark end of an era at Broadwood
Second-half goals from Callum Smith, Calum Gallagher, Kyle Macdonald and Jonathan Afolabi followed a first-half penalty from Rhys McCabe, as Airdrie ran riot in Clyde’s last ever match at Broadwood.
However, despite their resounding victory over their derby rivals, Cove were crowned champions, meaning the Diamonds title race is over and they have to settle for the promotion-play offs. The win also equals a club record of 19 games unbeaten.
For the Bully Wee, it marked an end to their 28-year stay in Cumbernauld. In a statement on Thursday, the club announced that they will be ground-sharing with Championship side Hamilton Academical next season, with the aim of building a new home back in Glasgow.
The defeat also sees Danny Lennon’s men slip to eighth place, courtesy of Peterhead’s 1-0 home win over East Fife.
Next week, Clyde visit Dumbarton while Airdrie welcome Peterhead to the Excelsior Stadium.
Disappointed Clyde manager, Danny Lennon said: “It wasn’t the result we were looking for in our last game at Broadwood and I’m bitterly disappointed that fizzled out.
“I thought there wasn’t a great deal between the teams in the first half. We more than matched them, and had a great opportunity with wee Lewis Jamieson, but then we self-destructed and gave away a penalty under no pressure.
“The difference today – and I thought we had opportunities right the way through the game – was that any opportunity or any time that Airdrie had theirs, they made it count and we didn’t.”
Airdrieonians manager, Ian Murray: “I'm really pleased. It was a very difficult game for us, it's a really hard place to come - you saw that in the game that was abandoned due to fog, and in the 2-2 draw that was replayed.
“It's a fantastic result, 5-0 away from home, and I couldn't ask for too much more.
"We've got to give huge congratulations to Cove for winning the league, also a huge congratulations to my own players for pushing them so far. It was two really good sides, going head-to-head since Christmas. We've ran out of games, and that's the way it is.”
Montrose come back from behind to confirm third place with win over Queen’s
Connor Smith opened the scoring in the first minute for the visitors, before the hosts equalised through an own-goal by Michael Doyle in the 78th minute, with Sean Dillon sealing the victory for the hosts three minutes later.
The win for Stewart Petrie’s men confirms third place in the table, with the Gable Endies’ nine points clear of fourth-place Queen’s Park.
Next week, Montrose travel to the Indodrill Stadium to face Alloa Athletic, while the Spiders welcome Falkirk to Firhill.
Montrose manager, Stewart Petrie: “The start wasn’t very good, as they went up the park and scored, but I felt after that, the application and desire from us was outstanding.”
Queen’s Park First Team coach, John Potter: “Obviously disappointed with the result, it was tricky conditions with the wind. In the first 15 minutes, I thought we played well and put the pressure on to get the goal. However, in the second-half, we didn’t move the ball well enough.”
Scottish League One Results:
Clyde 0-5 Airdrieonians
Cove Rangers 1-0 Dumbarton
Falkirk 1-2 Alloa Athletic
Montrose 2-1 Queen’s Park
Peterhead 1-0 East Fife