Match Report

Annan approached this game with injuries to key players Nathan Flanagan, Lewis Mclear, Matt Douglas, Darren Barr and to compound things further striker Tommy Muir pulled up prior to kick off whish was a further blow to Manager Peter Murphy. One pleasing site though was the return of long serving defender Peter Watson to the squad.

The match turned out to be a good encounter between two evenly matched teams, Annan despite their setbacks looked capable of getting a result until Cove secured the match in the 85th minute through Masson, this added to the 23rd minute goal scored by Cove’s inform striker Mitch Megginson.

The Annan team started with Ayrton Sonkur partnering Steven Swinglehurst at the centre of the defence and Christian Nade returned from suspension in place of the injured Tommy Muir.

Annan started the match well and Cove were fortunate in the 14th minute when Nade’s brilliant effort cracked the cross bar and Broque Watson should’ve done better as he blasted the rebound over the bar.

It was a chance that Annan would come to regret as Cove Rangers showed their clinical side when they went ahead in the 25th minute with a simple goal scored by the prolific Mitch Megginson. The goal was created wide on the right when Jamie Masson did well to get a low cross in which should have been dealt with before the ball fell invitingly for Megginson who slipped the ball into the net from inside the six yard box.

Annan finished the half well and Broque Watson’s pace downthe right created an opportunity for Annan but the chance came to nothing.

The second half saw Annan forcing Cove Rangers back and Broque Watson’s header from an Niyah Joseph Cross never really tested the keeper. Niyah Joseph was then set up by Watson but his shot went narrowly past the post.

Annan had a let off in the 58th minute when Josh Mulligans effort clipped the top of the cross bar. Cove were starting to look dangerous and Jamie Masson was unlucky when his 64th minute effort from the edge of the box struck the cross bar.

The game was finally sealed in the 85th minute when Jamie Masson picked up Megginsons through ball and he finished with a low shot from 10 yards that went through the legs of Avci and into the net.

Despite the defeat this was an encouraging performance from Annan who must look to build on this going into next week’s match against Stenhousemuir.

Cove Rangers: Stuart McKenzie, Harry Milne, Connor Scully, Scott Ross, Ryan Strachan, Josh Mulligan (Tom Leighton 65 min) Blair Yule, Mitchell Meggison, Jamie Masson. Rory McAllister (Martin Scott 88 min), Fraser Fyvie. Subs not used Daniel Higgins, Jamie Redman. Jordan Brown, John Robertson. John McCafferty GK.

Annan Athletic: Lyle Avci, Jordan Holt, Jamie Ballantyne, Kyle Bradley, Ayrton Sonkur, Steven Swinglehurst, Scott McLean, Kyle Wilkie, Christian Nade, Broque Watson, Niyah Joseph. Subs not used Alex Mitchell, Andy Rodden, Peter Watson, Harry Emerson, Russell Currie, Tommy Muir.

Referee Chris Graham. Assistants Michael Banks and Fillippe Mazzoni

Crowd 735