Elgin lose out to leaders Cove
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ELGIN City slipped further behind League 2 newcomers and leaders Cove Rangers with a 2-0 defeat at Borough Briggs on Saturday.
Manager Gavin Price was frustrated by his team’s poor start in going behind to a Mitch Megginson goal after less than three minutes.
And although his team came more into the match after the interval, Price had no complaints about Cove’s merits as worthy winners.
“They were better than us. They are a good side and we couldn’t afford to lose such an early goal,” he said.
“We wanted to start the game on the front foot and we did have a wee sniff before they scored.
“We switched off and with pressing high up the park it’s the danger with Megginson going in behind.
“It’s a harsh lesson, we got caught out and when you are chasing the game at that stage it makes things more difficult.
“We had a spell in the second half when I felt we were at it and Shane (Sutherland) had a chance - then it went flat again.
Cove have made a superb start in League 2 since stepping up as Highland League champions through the SPFL play-offs last term.
The Aberdonians were unbeaten in their first six games with five wins and a draw to go three points clear at the top.
Elgin went into the game without a league win since the opening day of the campaign.
It was the clubs’ first meeting in 20 years since a Highland League Cup final clash at Keith which Cove won 4-3.
Former Elgin keeper Stuart McKenzie in the Cove goal had to deal with an early Brian Cameron volley, before the visitors swept upfield to grab a third minute lead.
Declan Glass’ pass caught the home defence napping to allow Mitch Megginson to break clean through and fire low past Tom McHale at the near post.
City looked out of sorts and had Fraser Fyvie’s touch not let him down on a Matty Smith pass it could have been 2-0 after eight minutes.
McHale saved from a deflected effort by Jamie Masson - another ex-Elgin player in Cove’s ranks - as the Aberdonians dominated.
Elgin’s first sniff briefly drew cheers as Shane Sutherland’s through pass released Kane Hester and he lobbed home, only to be flagged offside on 19 minutes.
Another Masson effort was gathered by McHale as the confident leaders went in search of a second, while any hopeful home efforts were snuffed out by an organised Cove defence.
Just after the break, Sutherland had a header blocked by Cove defender Scott Ross in the goalmouth.
The striker then had a golden chance on 52 minutes when he raced on to Cameron’s perfect pass but his shot across McKenzie slipped past the far post.
Cove dangerman Declan Glass had a series of efforts on the home goal as Elgin gave the Dundee United loan youngster too much freedom.
Sutherland had another shot blocked while the striker played a tempting ball across the goalmouth but there were no home takers.
Megginson was clean through yet again on 78 minutes but this time McHale came out to make an important block.
Victory was sealed by the visitors five minutes from time, sub Chris Antoniazzi taking a Masson pass on the edge of the box to fire a grounder beyond McHale.
Elgin: McHale; Wilson, McDonald, Bronsky, Spark; Cooper (MacKay 64), Dingwall, Cameron, MacEwan; Hester (Aitken 46), Sutherland.
Subs: Willis, McGowan, Jamieson, Scott, Hoban.
Cove: McKenzie; Yule, Ross, Higgins, Milne; Scully; Smith (Redman 67), Fyvie, Glass (Antoniazzi 78), Masson; Megginson (Scott 90).
Subs: Brown, Robertson, Demus.
Referee: Scott Lambie
Att: 1002
