Buckie Thistle remain on top of the Highland League on goal difference from Brechin City after a 2-1 win against Formartine United in a pulsating encounter.
Buckie went two ahead through goals from Andy MacAskill and Josh Peters who was later sent off but Jack MacIver’s deflected effort set up a frantic final 15 minutes.
Buckie manager Graeme Stewart was delighted to see his team display strong credentials to get the victory over a team who he says are rapidly improved under Stuart Anderson.
He said “I told the players before the game how difficult it would be to win here and my thoughts don’t differ now as he is building a team who could possibly challenge for a league title.
“Although there was only one goal between us I think we should have won more comfortably.
“In the first half we had three or four good chances before we scored before half time.
“We needed the second goal to give us some breathing space but it became difficult.
“They came into the game and to be honest after they got one back they could easily have scored an equaliser right at the end.
“We should also have had a penalty and I don’t understand why the referee would send off Josh Peters as he looked as though he slipped but my player has told me he was caught.
“We will review the evidence on the cameras and probably appeal the decision if we can.”
Formartine manager Stuart Anderson felt there was little between the teams.
He said: “I have seen Buckie cause teams a lot more problems than they caused us.
“We switched off for the first goal which gave them a lift while our players think their second goal was offside but until we can see it back we won’t know.
“We then get the goal and are well on top, missing good chances while we had strong claims for a penalty.
“Matt MacLean had a great chance and to be honest a draw would probably have been a fair result.
“I have positives to take from the game as we are not far away and with this being a new group we need to continue improving.
“Games like this are good experience for knowing what is required to win titles.”
A hugely entertaining fixture saw chances missed before Buckie went ahead in the 39th minute as Peters ball across the face of goal was turned home by Andy MacAskill from 14 yards despite pressure from Jonathan Crawford.
Marcus Goodall set up Peters to fire home a second from ten yards for Thistle after 55 minutes but Jack MacIver saw a deflected 25-yard shot spin over Balint Demus who was a couple of yards off his line to reduce the deficit with 15 minutes remaining.
Jonathan Smith headed wide from a corner before Lewis McKinnon produced a superb block on Julian Wade to keep Buckie ahead.
Peters picked up his second yellow card a minute from time and United almost capitalised on their advantage in injury time.
They were denied a penalty as a Buckie defender appeared to get his hand in the way of the ball before Formartine’s Matthew MacLean blasted over and with that opportunity their chances of taking something from the game disappeared.
Inverurie Locos 2-0 Keith
Inverurie Locos made it two home wins in a row by defeating Keith at Harlaw Park.
Locos boss Richard Hastings said: “We had wanted a bit more workrate out of them in the first half but after the break we showed up more in the fashion and manner I wanted.
“It’s not luck that you end up getting more opportunities because you’re doing the right thing and not giving your opponents so many opportunities on the ball.
“We passed the ball well and as much as the second goal is probably a gift, we’ve maybe earned the right to get a gift.
“We’ve got the win through urgency and intensity and that will set us up got the big run of games we have coming up.”
On a damp day chances in this game came early, Andy Reid turning a low Liam Duncan shot round his post then at the other end Garry Wood lobbing narrowly over before Tom Andrews cleared a Lloyd Robertson header off his line.
The highlight of the first half came in 41 minutes, Andy Reid making a superb save to keep out a Connor Killoh piledriver
Early in the second half Reid again made a fine stop to thwart Liam Duncan’s 25-yard attempt.
Locos broke the deadlock in 57 minutes with Calum Dingwall playing in his captain Greg Mitchell whose left foot shot took a wicked deflection on its way into the net.
In 72 minutes a low Robert Ward shot looked harmless but Craig Reid allowed the effort to sneak through his fingertips at his left corner.
Keith boss Craig Ewen said: “We’re really disappointed as I felt we were comfortably the better team in the first half.
“Our goalkeeper hardly had a save to make while Andy Reid had to make three or four good saves over the proceedings.
“We really are needing something to go for us at the moment.
“We didn’t score when on top in the first half and goals are what win games.
“Both of their goals were killers but the application and effort was there for us.”
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