Peterhead got back to winning ways as they beat Cove Rangers 3-1 at Balmoor Stadium. Goals from Max Barry, Kieran Shanks and Jack Brown were enough to give the Blue Toon all 3 points despite David Eguaibor pulling one back for the visitors.
Preview
Peterhead came into this game off the back of a heavy 4-0 defeat away to Queen of the South thanks to goals from Kurtis Guthrie, Benjamin Luissnt, Kai Kennedy and Taylor Charters, which left the Blue Toon with a win and 2 defeats from their opening 2 games. They also announced the signing of defender Aaron Steele who went straight into the starting lineup.
Cove came into this game bottom of League 1 with just a point from their opening 3 games which came in their 3-3 draw with Montrose last weekend. A hattrick from David Eguaibor was cancelled out by a brace from Ewan Sandilands and a goal from Callum Sandilands.
Early goal made the difference
It didn’t take long for the action to start as a great ball from Craig McGuffie was fired home by Max Barry to give the Blue Toon the lead after just 10 minutes of play. The Blue Toon then doubled their lead after Cameron Smith’s shot was saved by Robbie Mutch but fell perfectly to Kieran Shanks who tucked it home from close range.
Cove got one back on 62 minutes as David Eguaibor scored once again, this time from a Declan Glass corner to give the Toonsers some hope, which was then shattered with 12 minutes of play left as Jack Brown got through on goal after a sublime ball from Shanks, to slot it home and give the Blue Toon all 3 points.
It all kicked off between both sides as Blair Yule was sent off for a second bookable offence on 69 minutes, after being shown his first yellow just minutes before, which reduced the Toonsers to 10 men. Peterhead’s Cameron Smith was shown a yellow afterwards.
“We looked second best”, says Hartley
Cove boss Paul Hartley was ‘disappointed’ with how his side played and felt the goals his men conceded were poor. He also stated his side needs to gain confidence ‘from somewhere’, and stated that Blair Yule’s sending off was ‘reckless’.
Hartley also mentioned that the size of his squad is having a big impact on how his side are performing, and that he is hoping to have some reinforcements in next week. He also feels that some players are “in their comfort zone”, as there is little competition for places in the starting lineup.
“Top class reaction”, says Brown
Peterhead boss Jordan Brown was pleased with how his side bounced back after 2 defeats. He praised his side’s performance in the first half and how they responded to having the man advantage. He was pleased to reinforce that the Blue Toon can compete at this level.
Brown feels good with the players he has just now, along with the arrival of Aaron Steele yesterday, and that there is believe and ambition in this Peterhead side that they can kick on and achieve things at this level and maybe beyond. He also praised Max Barry on how he has dealt with the step up from Highland League and his contribution to the sides win today.
David Wilson was withdrawn from the starting lineup last minute due to illness, Brown mentioned he was struggling all week and that his progress will be monitored over the next few days.
Brown mentioned it’s still early days but is happy with where his side are at this stage of the season, emphasising the ambition that exists within the squad to kick on and solidify their place in League 1.
Looking ahead
Peterhead travel to face Spartans on Tuesday night, who I watched draw 1-1 with Cove a couple weeks ago, in the next round of the KDM Evolution Trophy. Spartans beat Forfar Athletic 1-0 thanks to a goal from Mark Stowe which puts them top of League 2.
Cove welcome Dundee B to Balmoral Stadium, who lost their opening KDM Evolution Trophy game 5-0 to Montrose, so Cove will be looking to get a win on the board to try and turn this poor run of form around.
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