Lossie made a heavy landing on their return to league duty at Cove Rangers this weekend, as the Toonsers belatedly got in on the summers interest in cricket and hit the Coasters for six. Three goals in either half meant for a miserable full time result but had it not been for a few chaotic minutes in the first half, things could have been very different.

A cold but clear day met the teams at the newly christened Rainbow Taxis Park, and it took the teams a while to warm up. Lossie had the first real chance with 12 minutes gone, after a Graeme Smith free kick was hurled downfield. Kennedy headed the ball into the box to Morrison, but the forward scooped the ball over the bar. Moments later Nicky Gordon put a marker down by curling a shot past Dunns far post to registers Coves first goalmouth activity.

The small playing surface was creating problems for both teams, and as the wind picked up, the ball began to swirl about, making life difficult for everyone. McMullan chose to test former Lossie goalkeeper Ivor Pirie with a long-range effort, but it curled wide. Just shy of the half hour Lossie went close again through Morrison, but his header from a Hendry corner went just over the bar.

Another Lossie corner shortly after almost turned into a goal for Cove, as a quick counter attack found David Hendry playing Cadger onside, but Dunn was down well to stop at point blank range.

Seven minutes before the break, Cove took the lead. Nicky GORDON had Smith beat once, then twice, before tidily finishing under Dunn. On the face of it, Cove just about deserved a one-goal lead, as they had coped better with the conditions, but Lossie were by no means out of it at this stage. Or so you thought….

Half time – Cove Ranger 3 Lossiemouth 0

Quite how Lossie would respond to the first half finale was up for debate during the interval, but the visitors started strongly, creating a number of chances early on. Youngson played an inch perfect pass through the legs of Coves Cruickshank to David Hendry, who swung in a peach of a cross. The ball hit the head of Graeme Kennedy from only a couple of yards out, but the ball flew just over, and the former Nairn St Ninian man took out everyones frustration on the advertising hoarding behind the goal. 

Ellis went close for Lossie with a volley, and shortly after, Graeme Smith had a header cleared off the line. Lossie were doing well and, much like the game here in January, you would not have guessed who had conceded the three goals had you strolled in during the interval. 

Just shy of the hour, Gary Clark was dismissed for Cove for a second yellow card in five minutes, this time for a kick at McMullan. The villain brought a loud cheer from the Lossie support by throwing all the toys out of the pram on the way off the pitch, leaving an impressive footprint in the dressing room door for good measure before giving us the eye and heading for his early bath.

Cove made it four only ten minutes later. A long clearance from Dunn found McMullan in midfield, only for his touch to let him down and allow Chris STEELE to mug him and hoof the ball all the way back downfield and over the head of Dunn. On the balance of play in the second half, this was very unfair on a Lossie side who had done all the running. Cove then added Colin Milne to the field of play, just to keep the smattering of Cove fans interested in the remainder of the game.

Quarter of an hour to go and Cove went nap with a stunning free kick from LIVINGSTON. After a lay off from Bruce Morrison, the former Peterhead player let fly from all of 35 yards with an arrow-straight shot which sailed straight into the top corner. Five became six minutes later when Grant DEVINE took possession on the wing and ran into the box before finishing under Dunn.

A tough day at the office for Lossie, who created enough chances to score a few themselves, but got caught with their pants down for a brief spell and it ended up costing them dear.  This weekends game against Forres will require us to be on the ball for the full ninety minutes; if we are, theres points to be had against a team who’ve had it too easy against us for far too long now. The following month of games are not going to be easy, but our biggest enemy at the moment appears to be ourselves. 

Full time – Cove Rangers 6 Lossiemouth 0