Highland League By Craig Christie
AN ‘unbelievable’ start for Buckie Thistle – but it’s only one game, warns manager Graeme Stewart. Jags defied the odds to come from behind with 10 men and win 3-1 at Inverurie Locos in their opening Highland League match of the season. Stewart was thrilled with a victory against one of last term’s top-five teams, as Buckie failed to defeat any of the leading sides last season. The game began badly for the visitors when Locos scored a fifth minute opener, Mark Souter netting the rebound after Jags keeper Daniel Bell saved Jonny Smith’s penalty. Buckie’s Joe McCabe was then sent off midway through the first half for an off-the-ball incident. “It was one of those where you were thinking everything was going against you,” said Stewart. “We started well and created some chances, then they get a penalty when we make a mistake in our own box. Daniel Bell has a great save from the penalty and they tap it in. “Not long after that we get a player sent off. Joe claims he never meant it so we’ll see what it looks like in the highlights. “So you’re one-nil down, 20 minutes gone and down to 10 men and you’re thinking you’ve got no chance against a top-five team.” But two neat finishes by Scott Adams have 10-man Buckie a half-time lead, which they increased with Sam Robertson’s strike to seal victory on 64 minutes. “We didn’t beat a top-five team last season, never mind away from home so to come back and win was unbelievable and shows the character we’ve got in the team. “I’ve already told the players that is just one game, and we can’t be jumping to conclusions and getting too excited after just one win so we now need to follow it up.”
See full story in Banffshire Advertiser 30th July 2019