Huntly FC (3) vs Buckie Thistle FC (1) played at Christie Park, Huntly – Highland Football League – 06/04/19.
Picture: Daniel Forsyth. Image No.043668
BUCKIE Thistle eyes are on next season after a disappointing finish to their current campaign. Manager Graeme Stewart admitted after Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Huntly that league positions are now immaterial, with Buckie having to settle for a mid-table place. He is calling for the Jags’ support to be patient as he continues to assess some of his young stars and shape a squad for a much improved effort next term. Buckie also drew 2-2 at Nairn County last Wednesday, fielding what Stewart feels was one of the youngest teams in the club’s history. “It doesn’t matter if we finish sixth or tenth in my opinion. Unless you are first, you’re last so I’m not really worried where we finish now,” he said. “It’s all about looking to next season and seeing who wants to be part of the squad and who doesn’t, and if we can improve players or get younger players in. People have been saying we should play younger players but we played maybe the youngest team in Buckie’s history at Nairn, where the average age was something like 22. “The likes of Sam Robertson, Declan Milne, Scott Adams, Sam Morrison, they are all boys aged 20 or 21 and in my book that is still really young. “They are all getting plenty minutes just now and that will help them for next season.” Top scorer Stevie Ross’ 13th goal of the season, a deadly 20-yarder had Buckie ahead after 10 minutes at Huntly. However Glenn Murison curled in a superb equaliser, set up by former Jag Kai Ross’ free kick. Another Ross set-piece allowed Ross Still to edge the home side in front after half an hour and after setting up two goals against his former club, Ross then grabbed the third himself. “We said Huntly’s style of play and their physicality was a danger at setpieces and that’s how they scored their three goals. It was just a really poor day for us.” Jags visit Turriff on Saturday then complete their season at Strathspey Thistle, with some still playing for their futures. “There will probably be three or four moving on,” said Stewart. “You need to keep the boys striving to play better every week and the only way to do that is to freshen up the squad.