16 December 2023 1 – 2 Full Time

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KO KO 19 40 40 53 62 67 73 76 78 79 FT

• Highlights
• Match Info
• Lineups
• Past Meetings
• Ground

Highlights

Reaction

Cove Rangers

1	Nicholas Suman Goalkeeper
2	Jacob Jones Defender
3	Michael Doyle Defender
4	Connor Scully Midfielder
5	Mouhamed Niang Defender	53′
9	Will Gillingham Defender
7	Paul McGowan 11 Forward
8	Blair Yule Midfielder
9	Mitch Megginson 29 Forward
10	Rumarn Burrell Forward	19′
26	Mark Reynolds Defender
23	Jack Robertson Goalkeeper
11	Kyle Connell 7 Forward
15	Arron Darge Defender
18	Tyler Mykyta Midfielder
22	Mark Gallagher Defender
27	Cameron Stewart
29	Scott Williamson 9 Forward

Alloa Athletic

1	PJ Morrison Goalkeeper
2	Scott Taggart Defender
20	Cameron O’Donnell Midfielder	40′ 76′
6	Morgyn Neill Defender
23	David Devine Defender
4	Steven Hetherington Midfielder
12	Stefan Scougall Midfielder
8	Kurtis Roberts Midfielder
7	Kevin Cawley 18 Midfielder	40′
26	Quinn Coulson 19 Forward	62′
28	Bobby Wales Forward
21	Keir Burt Goalkeeper
3	Euan Deveney Defender
19	Steven Buchanan 26 Midfielder
25	Jon Robertson Midfielder
18	Conor Sammon 7 Forward
16	Alistair Roy Forward
10	Bradley Rodden Forward
14	Miko Virtanen Midfielder
5	Andy Graham Defender

Past Meetings

2 September 2023 1 – 0 cinch League 1 N/A Alloa Athletic v Cove Rangers Attendance: 506
16 April 2022 3 – 0 cinch League 1 N/A Cove Rangers v Alloa Athletic Attendance: 1281
26 February 2022 2 – 2 cinch League 1 N/A Alloa Athletic v Cove Rangers Attendance: 612
18 December 2021 3 – 0 cinch League 1 N/A Cove Rangers v Alloa Athletic Attendance: 585
2 October 2021 1 – 3 cinch League 1 N/A Alloa Athletic v Cove Rangers Attendance: 554

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Ground

Balmoral Stadium
Balmoral Stadium, Wellington Circle, Redmoss, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom

Pictures from Saturday's @cinchuk League 1 match between @CoveRangersFC @AlloaAthleticFC now up on flickr. https://t.co/AZTL3WMl0F pic.twitter.com/M9EMKUKIB6

— David Glencross (@dgxwasp) December 18, 2023

Willie McCulloch began his footballing career at Carmuirs Park, Camelon joining “The Mariners” in 1966/67.

Willie was capped by Scotland Juniors v. Ireland on 26th October, 1968.

Willie McCulloch joined Alloa Athletic at start of Season 1969-70 from Camelon Juniors signed by Duncan McCallum, but also played under Ian Crawford and Dan McLindon.

Willie made his debut for “The Wasps” on 20th August, 1969 v. Brechin City at the Recs in the League Cup, the game ended 2-0 victory with Alloa goals scored by Joe McCallan & John Muir. On the 11th October, 1969, Willie scored his first goal for “The Wasps” v. Albion Rovers in the league at home in a 1-0 victory. On the 6th December, 1969 Willie scored his first Scottish Cup goal v. Peterhead in 3-0 victory. Sadly, in the next round Alloa Athletic and Willie McCulloch were to suffer one of their worst ever results losing 1-0 to Tarff Rovers from Kirkcowan in Wigtonshire who played in the Southern Counties FA. My own recollection of the match, “When we arrived at Balgreen Park, I couldn’t believe my eyes such were the playing conditions and surface which had just been rolled by the local farmer using his tractor. Alloa should have been out of sight with the chances missed but as we all know in football it is goals that count. Into the closing minutes with a replay looking certain the referee awarded the home side a dubious looking penalty and McKnight scored from the spot past Stewart Burgess in the Alloa goal. This was an embarrassing defeat and for Tarff Rovers their biggest victory in their footballing history, sadly the club folded in 2003 and are now defunct.”

The following season 1970/71 Alloa Athletic and Willie McCulloch were again to suffer in the Scottish Cup, drawn against full-time Airdrieonians at Broomfield. Airdrie were huge favourites but “The Wasps” put up the fight of their lives, striker Joe McCallan putting them ahead and with time running out the home side were awarded another corner kick and their captain Sam Goodwin headed home a late equaliser in time added on, which was cruel. The replay was on Tuesday 26th January, 1971 three days later and played in

the early afternoon due to Alloa Athletic not having floodlights, floodlights were not installed until Season 1979-80 at recreation Park, the 2nd last professional ground in Scotland to install floodlights just before Stranraer. Airdrie were too strong in the replay and won 2-0, their stars on the day were – Drew Busby, Drew Jarvie, and Derek Whiteford and Sam Goodwin scoring the goals.Little did Willie McCulloch know he would move to Airdrie on 25th October, 1973, his last appearance for “The Wasps” was on 13th October, 1973 at Starks Park, Kirkcaldy against Raith Rovers in the league, unfortunately losing 3-2.

Willie McCulloch made 172 appearances scoring 30 goals in his time at Recreation Park.

He moved to Airdrie who was recently inducted into their best ever XI. Ian McMillan took him to Broomfield from Alloa for £ 5,000 which he claimed to be one of his best transfer deals. He played against Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final and one of his favourite games was the Spring Cup final in 1976 against Clydebank winning 4-2 and scoring two goals in the final, however my best memory of Willie McCulloch for Airdrie was the last game of the 1974-75 season when Rangers were parading them winning the first Premier League title only for Willie McCulloch to score the only goal of the game and spoil the All at our club are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Milton legend Wullie McCulloch. A accident at his work was to sideline him and sadly was never quite the same player, but still had plenty of drive and love for the game. Willie signed for Berwick Rangers in Season 1981/82 by Frank Connor but his game time started to be less frequent. In 1982/83 he was to join Cowdebeath and the following season took over as manager at Central Park.

After having a fantastic football career of his own, playing professionally for Alloa, Airdrie & Berwick Rangers, he continued to pass on his experience and make his mark in the Amateur game, managing Bannockburn Amateurs to victory in the Scottish Amateur Cup final on two occasions, season 1986/87 Bannockburn Amateurs defeated Motherwell Miners 2-0 and again in Season 1990-91 Bannockburn Amateurs defeated Blantyre Thistle 3-1.

Willie joined Milton in 1993, He never looked back and led Milton to Hampden in the Scottish Cup final in 1997 against Knockentiber but lost 2-1. Willie however was a born winner and he helped when Milton moved to Bluebell Wood Park, where they still play their home matches.

Formed in 1983 the Caledonian League was to set up a league for the top Amateur clubs across Central Scotland, and Willie was to add the Caledonian League “A” Division title in 1999.

Willie recognised the changing Face of Grassroots Football and in 2004 he set up Milton Soccer School which undoubtedly has shaped the Milton pathway in place today, gaining the club SFA platinum Quality Mark Status.

All our thoughts are with Morag and all of Willie’s family at this sad time.

The cinch league 1 game against Annan Athletic has been postponed due to the heavy snow overnight.

Tickets already bought will be valid for the rearranged fixture although we can refund those who can’t attend.

25 November 2023 1 – 2 Full Time

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KO KO 13 31 45+1 56 62 65 71 73 78 84 FT

• Highlights
• Match Info
• Lineups
• Ground

Highlights

Reaction

Dunbar United

1	Shea Dowie
8	Bob Berry
5	Grant Thomson
4	Dean Whitson
3	James Redpath
20	Aaron Congalton
6	Michael Barfoot 24	73′
11	Liam Gregory
10	Darren Handling 12
19	Kyle Somers 23
14	Taylor Hendry
2	Willis Hare
12	Ben Bathgate 10
13	Sean Brennan
15	Gordon Harris
16	Daniel Hall
23	Sean Stewart 19
24	Dylan Tait 6

Alloa Athletic

1	PJ Morrison Goalkeeper	13′
2	Scott Taggart Defender
15	David McKay Defender
6	Morgyn Neill Defender
20	Cameron O’Donnell 3 Midfielder
7	Kevin Cawley 14 Midfielder	31′
8	Kurtis Roberts Midfielder
12	Stefan Scougall Midfielder
26	Quinn Coulson Forward
18	Conor Sammon Forward	45+1′
16	Alistair Roy 19 Forward
21	Keir Burt Goalkeeper
3	Euan Deveney 20 Defender
5	Andy Graham Defender
10	Bradley Rodden Forward
14	Miko Virtanen 7 Midfielder
19	Steven Buchanan 16 Midfielder

Ground

New Countess Park
Belhaven, Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland, EH42 1QZ, United Kingdom

Scottish Gas Scottish Cup 4th Round

Alloa have been drawn away to Motherwell in the 4th Round. The tie should take place at Fir Park, Motherwell on the 20th January at 3:00pm, subject to the TV picks.

Andy Graham, as a player and leader, has been an integral part of the team since joining in the summer of 2016 and we’re delighted to announce Andy as the next manager of Alloa Athletic Football Club.

Andy said: “I’m delighted and privileged that the club have decided to offer me the manager position. I’d like to thank Brian Rice for how he allowed me to get more of an insight into a coaching role in his time here.”

“The support have had in my time at Alloa has been outstanding and they will have a big part to play moving forward. I’m looking forward to working with the players as well as the rest of the staff at the club to try and make my time at the club a successful one.”

Andy Allan, Alloa Athletic Chairman, said, “I’d like to reiterate our best wishes to Brian Rice as he moves on to Livingston. While he’ll be difficult to follow in the role of manager, with Andy Graham, we’ve got a man who knows the club very well — its inner workings, the players we currently have and their strengths — and shares the expectations we have for the club.”

“He has been there and done it as a player, served as club captain, has already begun his career in coaching, and we look forward to working with him now as the manager of Alloa Athletic Football Club.”

The club can confirm manager Brian Rice is leaving to join Livingston Football Club.

We would like to put on record our thanks to Brian for his outstanding service since joining Alloa Athletic in February 2022. A much improved Alloa finished just outside the play-offs at the end of the 2021-22 season and, in his first full term, missed out on promotion after qualifying for the Scottish Championship play-offs. We wish him all the best for the future as he returns to the SPFL Premiership.

We would also like to thank Livingston for the utmost good faith they have displayed during these discussions.