Cove Rangers target a Locos double

COVE Rangers co-manager Jerry O'Driscoll believes completing the double against Inverurie Locos will go a long way to securing a hat-trick of Highland League titles.

The Allan Park side, which is chasing its third consecutive championship, is looking to maintain its one-point advantage at the summit with a second victory of the season against Locos.

Cove registered a 4-0 victory at Inverurie earlier in the campaign and O'Driscoll said: “That was probably one of our best performances of the season and I would love to see a repeat.

“We will need to stand up to them like we did that day but I would take any kind of victory at this stage. It is a chance for us to claim a big three points, but they are all important with 10 games to go."

The Cove squad will include new signing Callum Watson who signed this week from Montrose Roselea.

The 26-year-old attacker, brother to Cove midfielder Eric, signed a two-and-half-year contract with the league leaders and will strengthen an attack which has already plundered 73 goals this season.

O'Driscoll said: “Callum has played plenty of games for Montrose Roselea so he is match fit and raring to go."

Locos were the last side to win at Allan Park in the league, three seasons ago, and manager Dave Cormie knows his side has its work cut out to end the unbeaten run. Cormie's side is 17 points behind Cove but has four matches in hand on the leaders. The manager said: “Inverurie Locos were the last team to win there and I keep telling the players that each time we come back but it does not seem to work.

“Hopefully we can do it this time but we are under no illusions. We have games in hand but the table does not lie.”