Falkirk travel to the Balmoral Stadium for the first time since April 2022. This time, The Bairns will be looking to leave with all three points.

Cove Rangers and Falkirk are no strangers to each other having gone head-to-head seven times in the last three years, with Falkirk unfortunately only picking up two wins in that time.

Cove return to League 1 this season having been relegated from the cinch Championship, finishing bottom of the table in the 2022/23 season, missing out on the chance to save their season in the play-offs due to goal difference.

Paul Hartley’s team didn’t get off to the start they would have hoped for as they kicked-off their season away to Hamilton Academical, the side they finished equal on points with in last season’s Championship campaign. It was Cove who scored the first goal of the game but, unfortunately, it was a goal that got Hamilton of the mark for the season as centre-half Joshua Kerr put the ball into his own net. Things went from bad to worse for the Aberdeenshire side when new signing Paul McGowan was shown a straight red for an off the ball incident.

Falkirk, on the other hand, got off to a perfect start against League 1 newcomers Annan Athletic. The Bairns went into the first game of the season having not won at home on the opening day for 20 years, a stat that everyone was intent on changing. The first half proved to be an uneventful one but John McGlynn’s side managed to find another gear in the second. Annan defended well throughout the first 45 and were determined not to let Falkirk get a sniff. The breakthrough came eventually though just before the hour mark when Brad Spencer crossed a high ball in to the 6-yard-box and in-form striker Ross MacIver rose higher than the Annan defence and goalkeeper to nod a looping header into the back of the net.

The first goal was the catalyst that kicked Falkirk on to put the game to bed. Just five minutes later it was two. Tom Lang rose to head a goal-kick back towards the Annan half, finding Callumn Morrison. Falkirk’s number seven showed quick feet to find a few yards of space before hitting a curling shot past the outstretched ‘keeper from 20 yards. The third, and final, goal came in the 79th minute. Ross MacIver played through Callumn Morrison whose strike was parried back into the box by the goalkeeper. The ball fell to danger man Alfredo Agyeman who was well tackled before he could get a shot away but substitute Aidan Nesbitt was in the right place at the right time to slot the ball home.

The win puts Falkirk top of the league on goal difference as we embark on another League 1 marathon.

Ticketing

Tickets for this fixture are on sale now via Cove Rangers and can be purchased online HERE.

Prices are as follows:

• Adult – £15
• Concession – £9
• U17 – £6
• U12 – Free

Keep an eye out for our Matchday Guide over the coming days for more information for Saturday’s fixture.