It was a day to forget for Formartine’s Michael Clark as he scored an own goal and was sent off in a 1-0 defeat by Buckie Thistle at Victoria Park.
The defender put the ball into his own net after 13 minutes before seeing red for a second bookable offence in the second half.
Former Buckie goalkeeper Kevin Main saved a late penalty to prevent the hosts doubling their advantage.
Buckie boss Graeme Stewart said: “It is a huge three points for it was a big game, even this early in the season.
“I spoke to the players before the game and reminded them that last season we only took a few points off the top four teams, and that I wanted to put out a statement.
“We have done that now so hopefully we are going to be up there challenging. I still feel we are a bit off other challengers but I feel we have got enough about us to mount a challenge.”
Buckie Thistle were without centre-half Sam Morrison, who broke his wrist at training.
Formartine listed new signing from Cove, attacking midfielder Daniel Park, on the bench while centre-half Craig McKeown returned after a hip injury. The swirling wind and driving rain made things difficult for both sides but the playing surface was in immaculate condition.Formartine were looking for an early penalty kick when Jordan Leyden claimed he had been pulled back by Shaun Wood but referee Alan Proctor waved away the protests.
The opening goal arrived after 13 minutes when Callum Murray’s low driven cross was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Clark.
In the 38th minute, a floated Gary McGowan corner kick came back off the post and Buckie managed to clear the danger.
Five minutes after the break it took a fabulous stop by Buckie keeper Daniel Bell to stop his midfielder Joe McCabe’s attempted clearance producing the second own goal of the afternoon.
Kevin Main then rescued United with a superb diving save at Sam Robertson’s feet when the striker looked certain to make it 2-0 for the home side.
Shortly after, a great sweeping move by United saw Garry Wood connect with an inch-perfect cross from substitute Andrew Greig but the former Ross County and Montrose striker’s header flew a yard over the top.
In the 73rd minute Clark’s day got decidedly worse when he was picked up his second yellow card of the afternoon for a far from malicious challenge on goalkeeper Bell.
In the 82nd minute, Buckie were awarded a penalty when Wood bundled Kevin Fraser over in the box. Shaun Carrol took the kick but Main dived to palm the ball round the post.
Disappointed United player-manager Paul Lawson said: “Credit to Buckie as they probably played the conditions better.
“Once they got their noses in front, I felt they were really solid. Although we had slight improvement in the second half we still didn’t have the quality in the final third and the final wee pass let us down on a number of occasions.”
