Buckie Thistle boost Highland League title hopes by drawing level with leaders Brechin City after high-scoring win over Strathspey Thistle
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Buckie Thistle moved joint-top of the Highland League with another high-scoring victory on Monday night.
Graeme Stewart’s side thumped bottom club Strathspey Thistle 6-1 with their game in hand over leaders Brechin City.
The win drew Jags level on points with City and just three behind on goal difference.
Brechin could regain the three point gap if they win their next league match at Keith tonight.
However, Buckie then travel to Strathspey tomorrow night for the second part of a league double header, and will be aiming to make up the goal difference with another convincing victory.
The title looks likely to come down to Saturday’s results, with Buckie at home to Keith while Brechin away to Brora Rangers.
Jags looked last night like they could compile a cricket score when Max Barry and Marcus Goodall put them 2-0 up inside five minutes.
But Owen Loveland pulled one back midway through the first half for the Grantown visitors.
Lyall Keir added a third before the break, and although Buckie didn’t add to their tally until the closing 20 minutes, they hit another purple patch.
Jack Murray netted twice and sub Sam Morrison was also on target as the home side went for broke.
Brechin may need to have their shooting boots on tonight when they face a Keith side who recently went on a ten-game unbeaten run, before losing back-to-back games to Buckie and Wick.
Keith could have veteran former Lossiemouth and Deveronvale goalkeeper Darren McConnachie between the sticks.
It is understood that the Maroons will register McConnachie (40) as a trialist, the keeper recently maintaining a clean sheet for Lossiemouth in a goalless draw with Turriff.
Fraserburgh now look long shots to sneak into the title race as they need both Brechin and Buckie to lose one of their two remaining games.
