Peterhead v Cove Rangers

Peterhead hosted Cove Rangers at Balmoor in their final league game of 2025. Both sides came into this one off the back of impressive away victories, with Peterhead of course winning 1-0 in Leven last weekend, and Cove Rangers putting some space between themselves and bottom side Kelty Hearts with a dominant 5-2 win.

The last time the two sides met at Balmoral Stadium in November, the Blue Toon left Cove with all three points following a 2-1 away win, and were looking for a similar result to round out the year.

Cove boss Paul Hartley named an unchanged starting lineup, sticking with the 11 that put five past Kelty. There was only one change to the Peterhead team, Flynn Duffy replacing the suspended Andy McCarthy.

Cove Rangers found themselves in front after only three minutes. A cross from on-loan winger Emslie caused problems in the Peterhead penalty area and was only half-cleared by Jack Newman. The ball fell fortunately for Megginson, who made no mistake from close range. Peterhead tried to shake off the early disappointment and force their way back onto level terms, and almost found their breakthrough on a couple of occasions. Fine build-up play brought the ball forward towards the final third before Flynn Duffy cut back a cross across the Cove penalty area. Jack Brown met the cross with a powerful left-footed effort that was beaten away by Mutch in the Cove Rangers goal. It was one of few saves Mutch would have to make across the 90 minutes, with Danny Strachan shooting just over, and Kieran Shanks just wide but neither able to trouble the keeper.

Then a sucker-punch on 31 minutes from Cove, O’Donnell doubling the visitors advantage with a powerful header past Newman. Max Barry would be the next to go close for the Toon, but he like Danny Strachan could not keep his effort under the crossbar, and Peterhead left themselves a mountain to climb in the second half.

Half-time: Peterhead 0-2 Cove Rangers

The visitors began the second half in a similar fashion to the first, but this time Jack Newman was not to be beaten. Emslie found himself with a shooting opportunity from close range, but Newman made himself big and parried away the winger’s attempt.

Without a breakthrough after an hour, Peterhead turned to the bench, bringing Niall McGinn and Caleb Goldie on for Danny Strachan and Flynn Duffy. However, it was Cove who would strike next once again. Emslie driving into the area from the left-wing was caught from behind by Jack Brown, and the referee pointed to the spot. Megginson aimed his penalty down to Jack Newman’s left, and although Newman managed to get a hand to it, he could not keep it out. With 78 minutes on the clock, Cove got their fourth and final goal, with Maguire finding space on the right hand side of the box to shoot left-footed into the side netting to put the game completely out of sight.

Peterhead’s only other shot on target came with little time remaining, a Seb Ross set piece delivery was met by the head of Niall McGinn, but his effort was tame and easily held by Mutch, rather summing up the performance. One positive in the closing stages however was the Peterhead debut of new defender Josh Kerr replaced Jason Brown for the final 10 minutes.

Full-time: Peterhead 0-4 Cove Rangers