2025–26 Cove Rangers F.C. season

Cove Rangers
2025–26 season
ChairmanKeith Moorhouse
ManagerPaul Hartley
StadiumBalmoral Stadium (Capacity: 2,602)
League One9th
Scottish CupFourth round
League CupGroup Stage
Challenge CupRound of 32
Top goalscorerLeague: David Eguaibor (6)
All: David Eguaibor (11)
Highest home attendance811 vs. Falkirk
(19 July 2025)
Lowest home attendance164 vs. Hibernian B
(23 September 2025)

The 2025–26 season is Cove Rangers's third consecutive season in the third tier of Scottish football, having been relegated from the Scottish Championship at the end of the 2022–23 season.

Season review

May

On 22 May 2025, Cove Rangers announced the departure of club legend Connor Scully.[1] 6 days later, Cove announced the departure of Myles Gaffney, Finlay Murray and Nick Suman following the expiration of their contracts, and Adam Emslie, Dylan Lobban, Findlay Marshall and Liam Parker returned to their parent clubs.[2]

June

On the 12th June, William Gillingham left the club,[3] Blair Yule signed a new contract,[4] as did Michael Doyle.[5] Declan Glass signed a new contract 4 days later.[6] Goalkeeper Balint Demus left the club one day later on June 17.[7] 9 days later, Cove made their first signing of the new season with Robbie Mutch joining.[8] Two days later, Cove made a triple signing with Liam Parker,[9] David Eguaibor[10] and Layton Bisland[11] all joining the club.

July

On the 11th July Balint Demus returned despite being on trial with Dunfermline Athletic.[12] On the same day, Mackenzie Strachan joined the club having featured in pre season friendlies as a trialist.[13] On the 12th, Cove played Aberdeen in a friendly in front of a record crowd at Balmoral, losing 2–0.[14] On the 13th July, Jack Robertson was loaned out to Rothes.[15] On the 18th July, Cove signed Justin Eguaibor.[16] A day later, Cove secured a 0–0 draw against Scottish Premiership side Falkirk in the League Cup, however, they lost on penalties and failed to gain a bonus point.[17] A week later, Cove were knocked out of the League Cup following a 2–1 defeat to Queen's Park in the final group game.[18]

August

On August 15, Cove agreed a co-operation agreement with St Johnstone and signed Jackson Mylchreest on loan as part of this agreement.[19]

September

On the 4th September, Cove signed Lewis O'Donnell from Dundee United on a loan deal until January, a much needed signing with Cove having just 2 players on the bench for their league game against Hamilton Academical 5 days prior.[20] On the 26th September, Adam Emslie returned on loan from Ross County,[21] while Milosz Ochmanski left the club to join Inverurie Locos.[22]

October

On October 16, Reuben McAllister returned to the club.[23] On the 25th October, Cove finally secured this first win in the league, a 3–0 triumph against Montrose.[24]

November

On the 22nd November, Chris Maguire made his debut against Alloa Athletic but this wasn't announced until the 29th where Greg Stewart was also announced.[25] On the same day, Cove upset St Johnstone securing a 2–1 win after extra time at McDiarmid Park.[26]

December

On the 16th December, Cove were knocked out of the Challenge Cup after losing 2–1 at home to Partick Thistle.[27]

Squad

As of 16 December 2025
No. Name Nationality Position Apps. Goals
Goalkeepers
1 Robbie Mutch GK 21 0
21 Balint Demus GK 42 0
Defenders
2 Layton Bisland DF 27 1
3 Michael Doyle DF 96 3
6 Justin Eguaibor DF 25 0
7 Ryan Harrington DF 76 3
15 Arron Darge DF 92 3
32 Liam Parker DF 52 1
Midfielders
4 MacKenzie Strachan MF 28 0
8 Blair Yule MF 246 14
10 Declan Glass MF 73 13
17 Reuben McAllister MF 20 1
22 Lewis O'Donnell MF 17 2
24 Fraser Fyvie MF 164 30
25 Mikey Milnes MF 4 0
26 Greg Stewart MF 2 0
Forwards
9 Mitch Megginson FW 395 236
14 Jackson Mylchreest FW 15 2
18 Adam Emslie FW 52 16
20 David Eguaibor FW 28 11
77 Chris Maguire FW 5 0
Loaned out
11 Grady McGrath FW 30 2
19 Cole Donaldson MF 7 0
23 Jack Robertson GK 0 0
Players who left during the season
Milozs Ochmanski DF 10 0

Transfers

In

Date Position Nationality Name From Fee
25 June 2025 GK Robbie Mutch Unattached Free
27 June 2025 DF Liam Parker Unattached Free
27 June 2025 FW David Eguaibor Unattached Free
27 June 2025 DF Layton Bisland Unattached Free
11 July 2025 GK Balint Demus Unattached Free
11 July 2025 MF MacKenzie Strachan Unattached Free
18 July 2025 DF Justin Eguaibor Unattached Free
16 October 2025 MF Reuben McAllister Unattached Free
29 November 2025 FW Chris Maguire Unattached Free
29 November 2025 MF Greg Stewart Unattached Free

Loans in

Date Position Nationality Name From Date to
15 August 2025 FW Jackson Mylchreest St Johnstone End of season
4 September 2025 MF Lewis O'Donnell Dundee United 1 January 2026
26 September 2025 FW Adam Emslie Ross County End of season

Out

Date Position Nationality Name To Fee
26 September 2025 DF Milosz Ochmanski Inverurie Locos Undisclosed

Loans out

Date Position Nationality Name To Date to
13 July 2025 GK Jack Robertson Rothes End of season
25 July 2025 FW Grady McGrath Brechin City End of season
21 November 2025 MF Cole Donaldson Buckie Thistle End of season

Friendlies

28 July 2025 Cove Rangers 3-1 Banks O'Dee Aberdeen
Trialist 33'
Trialist 69'
McGrath 85'
Alexander 44' Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
1 July 2025 Cove Rangers 4-1 Inverurie Locos Aberdeen
15:00 62'
80'
83'
88'
Bolton 38' Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
5 July 2025 Cove Rangers 6-0 Turriff United Aberdeen
13:00 Glass 8', 17'
Fyvie 29'
McGrath 38'
D. Eguaibor 51'
Megginson 57'
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
12th July 2025 Cove Rangers 0-2 Aberdeen Aberdeen
13:00 Devlin 33'
Palaversa 90'
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium

Competitions

Overview

Competition First match Last match Starting round Final position Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
League One 2 August 2024 2 May 2025 Matchday 1 17 2 4 11 12 23 −11 011.76
Scottish Cup 29 November 2025 Third Round 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 100.00
League Cup 15 July 2025 26 July 2025 Group Stage Group Stage 4 2 1 1 5 2 +3 050.00
Challenge Cup 12 August 2025 16 December 2025 Group stage Round of 32 7 2 2 3 10 8 +2 028.57
Total 29 7 7 15 29 34 −5 024.14

Last updated: 16 December 2025
Source: [1]

League One

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
6 East Fife 17 7 4 6 20 22 −2 25
7 Montrose 18 6 3 9 20 30 −10 21
8 Hamilton Academical 18 9 4 5 32 17 +15 16[a]
9 Cove Rangers 18 3 4 11 17 25 −8 13 Qualification for the League One play-offs
10 Kelty Hearts 18 2 3 13 17 42 −25 9 Relegation to League Two
Updated to match(es) played on 20 December 2025. Source: [28]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only for deciding promotion, play-off participation and relegation).[29]
Notes:
  1. ^ Hamilton Academical were deducted six points for breaching SPFL rules regarding amateur players and then deducted a further nine points for failure to hold at least a bronze level licence.

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
18 3 4 11 17 25  −8 13 1 2 6 6 13  −7 2 2 5 11 12  −1

Last updated: 16 Dec 2025.
Source: SPFL

Results

2 August 2025 1 Cove Rangers 0-2 Queen of the South Aberdeen
15:00 Darge  12'
Parker  39'
Yule  55'
Doyle  82'
Bisland  87'
Guthrie 19'
Kennedy  41', 80'
Stewart  68'
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 402
Referee: Joel Kennedy
9 August 2025 2 Stenhousemuir 1-0 Cove Rangers Stenhousemuir
15:00 Carrick 6'
Meechan  78'
Darge  49'
Doyle  72'
Doherty  73'
D. Eguaibor  88'
Stadium: Ochilview Park
Attendance: 429
Referee: Graham Grainger
16 August 2025 3 Cove Rangers 3-3 Montrose Aberdeen
15:00 D. Eguaibor 8', 42',  59', 90+4'
Yule  55'
Bisland  64'
Mylchreest  86'
Loudon 5', 68'
Bertie  22'
Smith  47'
Sandilands 56'
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 431
Referee: Duncan Nicolson
23 August 2025 4 Peterhead 3-1 Cove Rangers Peterhead
15:00 Barry 10'
Shanks 26'
Smith  72'
Brown 79'
Forrest  86'
Doyle  13'
Bisland  52'
D. Eguaibor 62'
Yule  67',  72'
Megginson  72'
Stadium: Balmoor Stadium
Attendance: 897
Referee: Daniel Graves
30 August 2025 5 Hamilton Academical 0-0 Cove Rangers Cumbernauld
17:30 Megginson  73' Stadium: Broadwood Stadium
Attendance: 238
Referee: Ross Nelson
13 September 2025 6 Cove Rangers 0-1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle Aberdeen
17:30 Mylchreest  22'
Megginson  45'
Parker  86'
D. Eguaibor  90+6'
MacLeod 66'
Stewart  80'
Sole  90+4'
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 456
Referee: Alistair Grieve
20 September 2025 7 Alloa Athletic 2-1 Cove Rangers Alloa
15:00 Roberts 11'
Devine 37'
Hetherington  89'
Megginson 69'
Doyle  87'
D. Eguaibor  90+2'
Stadium: Indodrill Stadium
Attendance: 513
Referee: Graham Grainger
27 September 2025 8 Cove Rangers 0-2 Kelty Hearts Aberdeen
15:00 J. Eguaibor  2'
Parker  22'
Darge  33'
Murray 2' (pen.)
Diack  31'
Clay  60'
Adamson  88'
Teasdale 90'
Carrol  90+1'
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 376
Referee: Josh Hay
4 October 2025 9 East Fife 2-0 Cove Rangers Methil
15:00 Millar 5'
Munro  51'
McKenna 87'
Darge  82' Stadium: Bayview Stadium
Attendance: 620
Referee: Gary Hanvidge
18 October 2025 10 Cove Rangers 0-1 Stenhousemuir Aberdeen
15:00 Megginson  43'
Parker  47'
Bisland  81'
O'Donnell  90'
Bilham  2'
Aitken 48' (pen.)
Carrick  55'
McGill  84'
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 347
Referee: George Calder
25 October 2025 11 Montrose 0-3 Cove Rangers Montrose
15:00 Bisland 43',  89'
D. Eguaibor 58'
O'Donnell 73'
Stadium: Links Park
Attendance: 593
Referee: Stewart Luke
1 November 2025 12 Cove Rangers 1-2 Peterhead Aberdeen
15:00 O'Donnell 30'
Yule  65'
Parker  90+3'
Jack Brown 7'
Jason Brown  63'
Smith 71'
Barry  79'
Goldie  81'
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 621
Referee: Cameron Stirling
8 November 2025 13 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1-0 Cove Rangers Inverness
15:00 Robertson 18' Yule  33' Stadium: Caledonian Stadium
Attendance: 2,102
Referee: Gary Hanvidge
15 November 2025 14 Cove Rangers 2-1 Hamilton Academical Aberdeen
15:00 D. Eguaibor 38'
Megginson 43',  58'
Shaw 40' Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 463
Referee: Alastair Mather
22 November 2025 15 Cove Rangers 0-0 Alloa Athletic Aberdeen
15:00 Bisland  22'
O'Donnell  59'
Yule  62'
Megginson  69'
Scougall  16' Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 467
Referee: Joel Kennedy
6 December 2025 16 Queen of the South 1-1 Cove Rangers Dumfries
15:00 Douglas 88' Emslie 43'
Harrington  52'
Yule  75'
Stadium: Palmerston Park
Attendance: 665
Referee: Iain Snedden
13 December 2025 17 Cove Rangers 0-1 East Fife Aberdeen
15:00 Nicol 85' Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 652
Referee: Josh Hay
20 December 2025 18 Kelty Hearts 2-5 Cove Rangers Kelty
15:00 O'Ware 19',  90'
Diack 32',  79'
Emslie 8'
Harrington  37'
Doyle 67'
Megginson 76', 85'
O'Donnell 82'
Stadium: New Central Park
Referee: Duncan Williams

Scottish Cup

29 November 2025 Third round St Johnstone 1-2 (a.e.t.) Cove Rangers Perth
15:00 Ikpeazu 24'
McPake  72'
Megginson 73',  83'
Emslie 100'
Stadium: McDiarmid Park
Attendance: 2,024
Referee: Chris Graham

League Cup

Group stage

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification FAL COV QPA SPA BRE
1 Falkirk 4 3 1 0 0 14 1 +13 11 Qualification for the second round 3–1 4–0
2 Cove Rangers 4 2 0 1 1 5 2 +3 7 0–0p 1–0
3 Queen's Park 4 2 0 0 2 9 6 +3 6 2–1 5–0
4 The Spartans 4 2 0 0 2 4 6 −2 6 2–1 2–0
5 Brechin City 4 0 0 0 4 0 17 −17 0 0–7 0–3
Source: [30]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[31]

Results

15 July 2025 1 Cove Rangers 1-0 Spartans Aberdeen
19:45 Glass 5',  87'
D. Eguaibor  64',  89'
Nair  58'
Watson  90+6'
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 321
Referee: Jordan Curran
19 July 2025 2 Cove Rangers 0-0
(2-4 p)
Falkirk Aberdeen
15:00 Cartwright  78' Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 811
Referee: Grant Irvine
Penalties
Glass
Donaldson
Parker
Harrington
Henderson
MacIver
Spencer
Oliver
22 July 2025 3 Brechin 0-3 Cove Rangers Brechin
19:45 Sheridan  71' D. Eguaibor 9', 37'
Parker  34'
Megginson 44'
Stadium: Glebe Park
Attendance: 353
Referee: Graham McNellie
26 July 2025 4 Queen's Park 2-1 Cove Rangers Glasgow
15:00 Ruth 20' (pen.)
Fowler 90+1'
Waugh  90+5'
Megginson 15'
Darge  30'
Strachan  81'
Stadium: Lesser Hampden
Attendance: 453
Referee: Daniel Graves

Scottish Challenge Cup

Group stage

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
17 Hamilton Academical 6 3 1 2 13 8 +5 9[a] Advance to Second round
18 Stirling Albion 6 3 0 3 9 9 0 9
19 Cove Rangers 6 2 2 2 9 6 +3 8
20 Peterhead 6 2 2 2 10 10 0 8
21 Celtic B 6 2 0 4 12 15 −3 6
Source: SPFL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-to head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only for deciding qualification).[32]
Notes:
  1. ^ Hamilton Academical were deducted 1 point for breaching SPFL rules regarding amateur players.

Results

12 August 2025 1 Cove Rangers 1-1 Spartans Aberdeen
19:45 Yule  41'
Darge 56',  87'
Parker  70'
Harrington  75'
Doyle  90'
Megginson  90+3'
Walls  17'
Dall  42'
Stowe 81'
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 256
Referee: Sean Murdoch
26 August 2025 2 Cove Rangers 1-0 Dundee B Aberdeen
19:45 Yule  39'
D. Eguaibor 70'
Baird  16'
Allan  39'
Rooney  81'
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 153
Referee: Lewis Hogarth
6 September 2025 3 Elgin 1-0 Cove Rangers Elgin
15:00 Walker 30'
Virtanen  72'
Bisland  40'
D. Eguaibor  56'
Doyle  83'
Stadium: Borough Briggs
Attendance: 475
Referee: Stewart Luke
23 September 2025 4 Cove Rangers 1-1 Hibernian B Aberdeen
19:45 Harrington 73' Cleland 53'
Bruce  67'
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 164
Referee: Chris Gentles
11 October 2025 5 Cove Rangers 5-1 Dundee United B Aberdeen
15:00 Mylchreest 22', 74'
Megginson 25'
D. Eguaibor 30', 48'
Buchanan  57'
Leiper 72'
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 248
Referee: Daniel Graves
11 November 2025 6 Cove Rangers 1-2 Forfar Athletic Aberdeen
19:45 Reuben McAllister 65',  87'
Parker  90+3'
Whatley 13', 36'
Dolzanski  34'
Mailer  86'
McLinden  90+1'
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 154
Referee: George Calder

Knockout phase

16 December 2025 Round of 32 Cove Rangers 1-2 Partick Thistle Aberdeen
19:45 Emslie 3'
Maguire  67'
Turner 24'
Samuel 27'
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 389
Referee: Alistair Mather

Squad statistics

Appearances

As of match played 17 December 2025
No. Pos Nat Player Total League One Scottish Cup League Cup Challenge Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK  SCO Robbie Mutch 21 0 17 0 1 0 3 0 0 0
21 GK  HUN Balint Demus 8 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 7 0
2 DF  SCO Layton Bisland 27 1 15 1 1 0 4 0 7 0
3 DF  SCO Michael Doyle 19 0 10 0 1 0 4 0 4 0
6 DF  IRL Justin Eguaibor 25 0 14 0 1 0 3 0 7 0
7 DF  WAL Ryan Harrington 28 1 17 0 1 0 3 0 7 1
15 DF  SCO Arron Darge 15 1 9 0 0 0 4 0 2 1
32 DF  SCO Liam Parker 29 0 17 0 1 0 4 0 7 0
4 MF  SCO MacKenzie Strachan 28 0 16 0 1 0 4 0 7 0
8 MF  SCO Blair Yule 23 0 14 0 1 0 1 0 7 0
10 MF  SCO Declan Glass 7 1 3 0 0 0 4 1 0 0
17 MF  SCO Reuben McAllister 11 1 8 0 1 0 0 0 2 1
22 MF  SCO Lewis O'Donnell 17 2 12 2 0 0 1 0 4 0
24 MF  SCO Fraser Fyvie 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
25 MF  SCO Mikey Milnes 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
26 MF  SCO Greg Stewart 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
9 FW  SCO Mitch Megginson 21 6 13 2 1 1 4 2 3 1
14 FW  SCO Jackson Mylchreest 15 2 10 0 0 0 0 0 5 2
18 FW  SCO Adam Emslie 13 3 10 1 1 1 0 0 2 1
20 FW  IRL David Eguaibor 28 11 17 6 1 0 3 2 7 3
77 FW  SCO Chris Maguire 5 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Loaned out:
11 FW  SCO Grady McGrath 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0
19 MF  SCO Cole Donaldson 7 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 3 0
23 GK  SCO Jack Robertson 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Players who left Cove during the season:
DF  POL Milozs Ochmanski 7 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 4 0

Goal scorers

As of match played 13 December 2025
Ranking Position Nation Number Name League One Scottish Cup League Cup Challenge Cup Total
1 FW 20 David Eguaibor 6 0 2 3 11
2 FW 9 Mitch Megginson 2 1 2 1 6
3 FW 18 Adam Emslie 1 1 0 1 3
4 MF 22 Lewis O'Donnell 2 0 0 0 2
FW 14 Jackson Mylchreest 0 0 0 2 2
6 DF 2 Layton Bisland 1 0 0 0 1
MF 10 Declan Glass 0 0 1 0 1
DF 15 Arron Darge 0 0 0 1 1
DF 7 Ryan Harrington 0 0 0 1 1
MF 17 Reuben McAllister 0 0 0 1 1
TOTALS 12 2 5 10 29

References

  1. ^ "A Legend Departs". 22 May 2025.
  2. ^ "End of Season Squad Update". 28 May 2025.
  3. ^ "William Gillingham Moves On". 12 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Yule Signs New Deal". 12 June 2025.
  5. ^ "Michael Doyle Agrees New Contract". 12 June 2025.
  6. ^ "Declan Re-Signs for 25/26". 16 June 2025.
  7. ^ "Demus Departs". 17 June 2025.
  8. ^ "Welcome to Cove: Robbie Mutch". 25 June 2025.
  9. ^ "Liam Returns to Balmoral Stadium". 27 June 2025.
  10. ^ "David Eguaibor Ready for Cove Challenge". 27 June 2025.
  11. ^ "Bisland Checks In at Balmoral". 27 June 2025.
  12. ^ "Balint Back on Board". 11 July 2025.
  13. ^ "Mackenzie Strachan Signs On". 11 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Credible Cove Showing in Front of Record Crowd". 12 July 2025.
  15. ^ "Jack Robertson Goes Out on Loan". 13 July 2025.
  16. ^ "Justin Eguaibor Agrees Cove Deal". 18 July 2025.
  17. ^ "Superb Cove Showing Secures Big Point". 19 July 2025.
  18. ^ "Cup Dream Over but Cove Pride Intact". 26 July 2025.
  19. ^ "Jackson Joins in Saints Tie-Up". 15 August 2025.
  20. ^ "Lewis O'Donnell Joins on Loan". 4 September 2025.
  21. ^ "Adam Is Back". 26 September 2025.
  22. ^ "Milosz Moves On". 26 September 2025.
  23. ^ "Reuben Returns". 16 October 2025.
  24. ^ "Classy Cove Clinch First League Win". 25 October 2025.
  25. ^ "Stewart & Maguire Sign Short Term Deals". X. 29 November 2025.
  26. ^ "MATCH REPORT: St Johnstone 1-2 Cove Rangers AET". 29 November 2025.
  27. ^ "Cove Rangers 1-2 Partick Thistle". 17 December 2025.
  28. ^ "League One Table". Scottish Professional Football League. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  29. ^ "The Rules of the Scottish Professional Football League" (PDF). SPFL. pp. 38–39. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  30. ^ "Summary - League Cup". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  31. ^ "Format". SPFL. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  32. ^ "The Rules of the Scottish Professional Football League" (PDF). SPFL. pp. 38–39. Retrieved 21 July 2025.