‘Standards have got to improve’

BUCKIE picked the wrong opponents to serve up their “poorest game of the season”. Boss Graeme Stewart admitted the Jags were not at the races against a Fraserburgh side desperate to keep alive its slim title hopes. The Broch swept to a 4-1 win at Victoria Park with an impressive performance. The only highlight of the afternoon was Sam Robertson’s smartly taken goal on 18 minutes which levelled matters for Thistle after Scott Barbour had given the visitors a ninth minute lead after he capitalised on a mistake by goalkeeper Lee Herbert. Fraserburgh had come close to a goal after just 90 seconds when Sean Butcher headed straight at the keeper from six yards. Parity only lasted five minutes before Butcher made it 2-1 after great work by Aidan Combe. Paul Campbell made it 3-1 when he was fouled in the box and got up to neatly tuck away the spot kick after 27 minutes. Barbour came close to a fourth before the break when Kieran Adams was short with a header back to Herbert and Barbour nipped in, but fired wide. Fraserburgh dominated the second half too but could only add a fourth with a volley from defender Lewis Davidson 19 minutes from the end of the game. Combe smashed the ball against a post from a Ryan
Cowie free kick late on. Buckie struggled to threaten the Broch goal and captain Kevin Fraser must have had one of his quietest games in a green and white shirt. Stewart said: “I think that was our poorest game of the season so far. Individual mistakes cost us for the first goal, second and third goals, and possibly even the fourth goal as well. “We were a bit off it and they were sharper and more aggressive than us. “It’s a bit disappointing because we have played so well the last couple of weeks. They looked sharper and physically stronger. “The second half we were slightly better but we still weren’t good enough. We can’t complain about getting beat. “I don’t think anyone got pass marks today, the likes of Kevin Fraser and Andy MacAskill, quality players, never got pass marks. Nobody played to their level. “I am not going to accept that standard. We are the biggest club in the Highland League and have the biggest fan base. “We have got good players, I think I am a good manager, we have a good board and good coaches coming in, so this club doesn’t accept that kind of performance and result. “Our standards will go up next season and if they want to be part of it, their standards will go up as well.” Buckie: Herbert, McKenna (Milne 73), MacKinnon (Cowie 46), Adams, Morrison, Fraser, MacAskill, Robertson, Skinner, Murray, MacKenzie (Ross 46). Not used: Wood, Munro, Cheyne, Strong. The Jags travel to Mackessack Park, Rothes, tomorrow.