Profiled: Who are Connah’s Quay’s Scottish Challenge Cup opponents Cove Rangers
Connah’s Quay take on Cove Rangers at the Deeside Stadium in Round Three of the Scottish Challenge Cup.
The Nomads, who reached the final last year, losing to Scottish Championship winners Ross County, will take on the Scottish Football League’s newest team.
Cove beat Brora Rangers in the previous round to take on Andy Morrison’s men.
Key Info
Promoted from the Highland Leagues last season, Cove Rangers are a team in form. Cove are undefeated and are three points clear at the top of the league after five games.
The manager is Paul Hartley, who is known to Bristol City fans.
Hartley played 40 times in the 2009/2010 season for the Robins and came up against Cardiff City and Swansea City that season.
The 42-year-old once rejected the chance to manage Cardiff City in 2014, when Ole Gunnar Solskjær departed South Wales, instead, Russell Slade took over.
Since then he managed Dundee and Falkirk, before being appointed manager of Cove this summer. Hartley replaced title-winning manager John Sheran, who was moved into a director of football role.
How do they see the clash going?
Promoted from the Highland Leagues last season, Cove Rangers are a team in form. Cove are undefeated and are three points clear at the top of the league after five games.
It seems the League may be the priority, as they hope to gain promotion to the third tier of Scottish football at the first time of asking.
Captain Mitch Megginson says tomorrow’s fixture is a free-hit, given they’re not favourites.
Speaking to the EveningExpress, Megginson said: “It’s a free hit for us, really, we’re probably not expected to go and win down there.
“The pressure comes off from the league.
“On the flip side, we are doing well in the league and you want to keep that momentum going.
Manager Paul Hartley has respect for the Nomads, after Andy Morrison had witnessed one of their matches.
“Our preparation has been as good as ever, in making sure the players know as much as they can about Connah’s Quay,” said Hartley to the Press & Journal.
Their manager came up to watch us against Stirling Albion, which shows they respect us as much as we respect them.
Domestic Background
Cove had almost gained promotion to the Scottish League in 2008 but lost out to Annan Athletic, who were awarded a place due to the facilities.
Earlier this year they achieved SPFL League Two football in the first time in their history. They defeated Berwick Rangers 7-0 on aggregate after celebrating their seventh Highland League title.
Their players and line up
It looks like Cove could be playing in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, given they’ve played with those tactics six times already this season.
Mitch Megginson is their top goalscorer this season, having scored six goals in eight appearances. The goals have been shared around though with 12 scorers already on the mark
Central midfielder Jamie Masson has four goals to his name, as well as Dundee United loanee Declan Glass.
Cove’s squad is fully Scottish, with no other nationalities in their squad.
Chris Antoniazzi, Declan Glass and Matty Smith are all on loan from Aberdeen and Dundee United respectively.
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