Buckie Thistle midfielder Andy MacAskill hopes the Jags can make the next step with a trophy win
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BUCKIE Thistle midfielder Andy MacAskill is hopeful the Jags’ current squad can make “the next step” in their development by winning a trophy this season.
MacAskill helped Buckie move into the quarter-finals of the Highland League Cup on Saturday, scoring a double in a 3-0 win over Nairn County, and there is little time to rest before the next cup tie, with familiar foe Formartine United visitors in the Aberdeenshire Shield quarter-final tomorrow.
Formartine come into the match off the back of a 5-0 defeat against Brechin City – but have beaten Buckie twice in cup competitions since July.
MacAskill said: “It seems to have been every Shield or Cup we have played Formartine at some point.
“They had a bad one on Saturday, but they have so much quality in their side, so that won’t mean anything for Wednesday’s game. They’re capable of beating us so we need to keep doing what we’ve been doing.
“Our performances have been good, we’ve got plenty of confidence, and we are scoring goals. If we maintain those levels we’ve got a chance of winning a trophy.
"We’ve lost semis and finals recently, so it’s important we take that next step as a squad.
“This group is now in a place where we are competing at the top of the table regularly, and the next step is to win something.
“The Highland League Cup final last year was disappointing, and in recent years we have lost semi-finals on penalties, so we are really keen to make our mark and win a trophy.”
The winner of tomorrow night’s quarter-final will play the winner of Keith and Banks O Dee at home in the semi-final – raising the prospect of Andy facing brother Craig, now at Banks O Dee, in the last four. That scenario, however, is one Andy only intends to think about if it arises.
Buckie head into the match off the back of a 3-0 win over Nairn, thanks to MacAskill’s double and a Max Barry effort. MacAskill’s second, in particular, was a fine effort as he cut in from the left and sent a 25-yard strike over Nairn goalkeeper Dylan MacLean.
He added: “It was a good day for us and it’s nice to get a couple of goals.
“It was a slow start to the season for me goals-wise but that’s 10 now.
“The second was a nice one. I’m not too shy in having a shot from distance so it was about time one went in.
“I’ve hit the woodwork a few times this season so it was nice to see it go in, and nice that it was recorded, I’ve had a look back at it once or twice!”
The Highland League Cup draw will take place on Thursday, with Buckie hosting Clachnacuddin on Saturday.
