Paul Hartley hailed Fraser Fyvie’s performance as Cove Rangers maintained their unbeaten League 2 run with a 3-0 win over Queen’s Park.
Fyvie rounded off the scoring with a well-taken third in an assured display by the home side, with Daniel Higgins and Matty Smith also finding the net and Jamie Masson teeing up all three goals.
He said: “Fraser is enjoying his football. We’ve got him for the next few months – I know he can play at a higher level. On his day he’s unplayable.
“The wide players are there to produce. Matty (Smith) gets a great goal and (Fraser) Fyvie was outstanding. It’s a great move from the goalkeeper right through the thirds and its finished with aplomb.
“We’ve had a good start. There’s loads of work still to and we’re building a good squad here. We’ve not done anything yet.”
Cove’s opener came after 21 minutes, with Higgins clipping in smartly at the near post from Jamie Masson’s corner.
The game as a spectacle was hampered by the high winds at the Balmoral Stadium but superb build-up play from Cove ought to have put them two up.
Declan Glass collected the ball in the middle of the park, advancing forward and playing in Mitch Megginson in space.
The club captain unselfishly dinked the ball back to Glass 10 yards out but his composure deserted him as he volleyed high over the bar.
Smith made the game safe by finishing off a wonderful move by the home side. Megginson played in Harry Milne, who spotted Masson’s run. The winger struck a first-time cross into the six-yard box where Smith was there to tap in.
Fyvie’s second goal in as many games was icing on the cake, being set clear by Masson before he slotted into the bottom corner.
Hartley added: “They were outstanding from start to finish. All the work we’ve been doing on the training pitch is paying off with the goals we scored. Defensively we were solid and squeezed the game and scored some great goals.
“We’ve got good players in the team that can handle the ball.
“It’s a credit to the players because teams are now coming here and sitting in. But we’ve got the patience to break them down. It opened up a wee bit after we got that first goal – they had to come out and we got some high-class goals.”
The Cove boss does not expect any more business before the closure of the transfer window today, with Dan Park’s departure to Formartine on Friday the last move in or out from the league leaders.
Hartley said: “Dan wanted to go, which is fine. We wish him all the best. We’ll not be doing any more business, we’re happy with the group that we’ve got. We’ve got good competition for places and a nice tight squad, which is important for us.”
COVE RANGERS (4-4-1-1) – McKenzie 6; Yule 6, Higgins 6, Ross 7, Milne 6, Smith 7 (Antoniazzi 76), Fyvie 7, Scully 7, Masson 7, Glass 6 (Scott 86), Megginson 6. Subs not used – McCafferty, Kelly, Redford, Redman, Brown.
QUEEN’S PARK (4-4-2) – Muir 6; Mortimer 6, Little 6, Magee 5 (Thomson 70), Summers 5, Lidouren 5 (McGrory 73), Block 6, Jamieson 6, Purdue 6 (Agyeman 76), Kouider-Aissa 5, Galt 6. Subs not used – Heraghty, Gibson, Clark, Grant.
Referee – Scott Lambie 6. Attendance – 661.
Man of the match – Jamie Masson.