Ref gives Rovers triple spot trouble

“YOU can’t win games if you give away three penalties.” That was Buckie Rovers co-manager Kyle Mackay’s view after his team lost out on Elginshire Cup glory in a controversial final. Rovers were beaten 4-2 by coast rivals Deveronside in a thrilling match on Sunday, with much hinging on three spot-kicks awarded by ref Harry Bruce to the eventual winners. Mackay said his team felt hard done by Bruce’s decisions, with the last one proving decisive when Rovers were threatening an equaliser. “The boys are saying two of them definitely weren’t and the ref held his hands up for one,” he said. “We gave the ref a decision to make and could have taken them out before the penalty box. “It was probably a good game to watch but from our point of view there were a few who I don’t think turned up. It’s just disappointing but we will go again.” Buckie had a couple of early chances while their’ keeper Aaron Sherman pulled off a brilliant reflex save from Chris Blackhall’s acrobatic near post flick. Two goals in a minute sparked the final to life. Joel Watt volleyed Deveronside in front with a 20-yard strike on 16 minutes, but their joy was shortlived as Russell McLaughlin immediately punished a defensive lapse to steer in a quick-fire equaliser. It was almost three in three minutes when Blackhall struck the Rovers bar in the next attack. However ‘Side did regain the lead on 37 minutes from their first penalty given for Liam Wood’s lunge on Kyle Rae. Jamie McKinnon confidently fired into the bottom corner. Two minutes after the break it got worse for Rovers when Deveronside player boss John McLeay powerfully headed home a Watt cross from the right to make it 3-1. Buckie boss MacKay then decided to bring on Buckie Thistle loan youngster Lucas Davidson just before the hour, and the sub made an instant impact. Rovers had been awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal and with his first touch of the game Davidson curled a delicious effort over the wall and into the net to reduce the deficit. A few minutes later ‘Side keeper Murray had to go off injured and centre back McKinnon took over the gloves. On 72 minutes Rovers’ Michael Gauld was penalised for a challenge on Blackhall which gave ‘Side their second penalty. With McKinnon now in goal,
manager McLeay took the kick but blazed it high over the bar. Buckie were pushing hard for an equaliser but their hopes crashed on 83 minutes as Wood’s challenge on sub Damian Wojcik gave Deveronside a third spot kick. This time McKinnon was given the call and he slotted it home for the second time to seal their victory. Rovers: Sherman, L Wood, McKay, Clark, D Wood (Mair 68), Gauld, Matheson, Sutherland, McLaughlin, Findlay (Davidson 57), Jones (McDonagh 75). Subs: Simpson, Bain.