We’ve Scott to fight for every point
MARTIN SCOTT insists Cove Rangers are the scalp every team wants as they set about the task of lifting the title in their first season in the SPFL.
It was a day of frustration for Paul Hartley’s Highlanders following their first league defeat at the hands of super Stenny and their new gaffer Davie Irons.
But 33-year-old former Warrior Scott believes the championship leaders are ready to go on another storming run despite their Ochilview KO that saw a six-match winning sequence come to a halt.
Scott came off the bench to head home a late second for Cove although it wasn’t enough to stop Stenny climbing into fourth place.
He said: “The sign of a good team is to bounce back. Our next game is in the Scottish Cup against Auchinleck a week on Saturday and the boys are getting focused for that.
“I definitely think there is a winning mentality within Cove. If you look at our record in the Highland League as well, and coming through the play-offs, it shows we are a team with a great win record.
“It’s up to us to bounce back. If you look at the players we have in our team and the guys on the bench, it’s a strong squad.
“So there is no reason we can’t go on another winning streak. I thought Stenny had a good game plan and they stuck to it. Credit to them, they were good on the day.
“That’s what happens when you are top of the league, teams are going to up their game.
“We were kind of pushing at that point and I had a chance before that Cove Rangers Cowdenbeath Edinburgh City Stenhousemuir Annan Athletic Elgin Queen’s Park Albion Brechin Stirling P 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 GD Pts 16 22 8 21 5 19 -3 12 -6 12 0 9 -4 9 -5 8 -7 7 -4 6 Albion Rovers 1, Elgin 3 Brechin 1, Stirling Albion 1 Cowdenbeath 1, Edinburgh 0 Queen’s Park 1, Annan 2 Stenhousemuir 3, Cove 2 (Saturday, Oct 26, 3pm) Annan v Brechin Cove v Albion Rovers Edinburgh v Stenhousemuir Elgin City v Queen’s Park Stirling v Cowdenbeath when Buzz (Graeme Smith) had a good save. Airdy (Fraser Aird), dinked one in and I knew Buzz was coming out so I just lifted it over his head with a wee header.
“We are still top of the table and looking forward to the Scottish Cup.”
Jamie Masson shot Cove into the lead in just three minutes. But Stenny’s David Marsh and David Hopkirk put them in front before Mark McGuigan added a third from the penalty spot just before half-time.
Scott’s late header led to a nervy end but Stenny were not to be denied.
Cowdenbeath moved up a place to second after a 1-0 win over Edinburgh City thanks to David Cox’s goal just before the break.
Moments later the away side lost captain Craig Thomson to a straight red card for a bad challenge.